French Forrest
French Forrest | |
---|---|
Born |
1796 Maryland |
Died |
December 22, 1866 (aged 69–70) Georgetown, Washington, D.C. |
Allegiance |
United States of America Virginia (1861) Confederate States of America |
Service/branch |
United States Navy Virginia State Navy Confederate States Navy |
Years of service |
1811 - 1861 (USA) 1861 (Virginia) 1861 - 1865 (CSA) |
Rank | Captain |
Battles/wars | American Civil War |
French Forrest (1796 – December 22, 1866) was an American naval officer who served first in the United States Navy and later the Confederate States Navy. His combat experience prior to the American Civil War included service in the War of 1812 and the Mexican-American War.
Biography
Born in Maryland, he became a midshipman on June 9, 1811 and participated in the War of 1812. He fought with Commodore Oliver Perry at the Battle of Lake Erie and was present in the action between the USS Hornet and HMS Peacock on February 24, 1813. He became a lieutenant on March 5, 1817, a commander on February 9, 1837, and a captain March 30, 1844. He was adjutant general in the Mexican-American War, and in 1847, he commanded the American naval forces in the landing at Vera Cruz, Mexico.[1]
When Virginia seceded from the United States on April 17, 1861, Forrest was made its first and only flag officer of the Virginia State Navy and assumed command at the Norfolk Navy Yard.[1] When Virginia joined the Confederate States and merged its military, he joined the navy of the Confederate States of America and was appointed the commander of the navy yard at Norfolk, Virginia. He served as the Acting Assistant Secretary of the Confederate Navy, and had two stints as Commander of the James River Squadron.
In July 1863, the Navy Department ordered him to inspect each ship's ordnance that comprised the James River Squadron on a quarterly basis.[1]
Notes and references
External links
Wikisource has original works written by or about: French Forrest |
- Inventory of the Forrest Family Papers, in the Southern Historical Collection, UNC-Chapel Hill.
Military offices | ||
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Preceded by Robert B. Pegram |
Commander of the Norfolk Navy Yard April 22, 1861 – May 15, 1862 |
Succeeded by Sidney Smith Lee |
Preceded by none |
Commander of the James River Squadron July 10, 1861 – February 27, 1862 |
Succeeded by Franklin Buchanan |
Preceded by Samuel Barron |
Commander of the James River Squadron March 24, 1863 – May 6, 1864 |
Succeeded by John K. Mitchell |
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