Napoleon Harrison

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Napoleon B. Harrison (19 February 1823 – 27 October 1870) was an officer of the United States Navy who served during the Mexican-American and Civil Wars.

Harrison was born in Martinsburg, Va. (now West Virginia), 19 February 1823 and was appointed Midshipman 26 February 1838. Serving in California during the Mexican War in Portsmouth, he was a volunteer in the expedition to rescue General Philip Kearny's command, and spent 5 days en route from San Francisco to Monterey in a small boat carrying despatches.

In 1862 Harrison commanded Cayuga at the passage of Forts Jackson and St. Philip, leading the battle line past the forts and up the Mississippi River to New Orleans, La. He later commanded Mahaska. in the James River Flotilla, Minnesota in the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron, and various ships in the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron. After the fall of Charleston, S.C. in 1865 Harrison served at the Portsmouth Navy Yard, Kittery, Me.

Following the Civil War, he taught at the Naval Academy and in 1870 took command of his last ship, Congress.

Captain Harrison died 27 October 1870 at Key West, Fla.

In 1943, the destroyer USS Harrison (DD-573) was named in his honor.

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This article includes text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships.