- William Gwin (naval officer)
William Gwin (
6 December ,1832 –3 January ,1863 ) was an officer in theUnited States Navy who was killed in action during theAmerican Civil War . One of the most promising officers in the nation, with extensive command and combat experience, Gwin had risen to the rank ofLieutenant Commander by the time of his death.Early life and career
Born in
Columbus, Indiana , Gwin was appointed aMidshipman 7 April ,1847 . Gwin subsequently served in thefrigate "Brandywine" on theBrazil Squadron until late in 1850. During the next five years he was assigned to thesloop of war "Germantown",flagship of theAfrican Squadron , the steamer "Princeton" and thebrig "Bainbridge". In September 1855, while serving in the latter, he was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant. From late 1857 until after the outbreak of the American Civil War in the spring of 1861, Gwin was an officer of the steamer "Saranac" and sloop of war "Vandalia", both in thePacific , and of the steam frigate "Susquehanna" in theMediterranean .Civil War
Returning to the United States in mid-1861, Lieutenant Gwin began Civil War combat service in the newly acquired
cruiser "Cambridge" and, later in the year, was assigned to the brig "Perry".He commanded several ships of the
Mississippi Squadron and was one of Flag OfficerAndrew Hull Foote 's "can do" officers, displaying outstanding initiative, energy and dash. After the fall ofFort Henry he swept with his wooden gunboats up theTennessee River all the way to regions ofAlabama . This action was a major factor in the collapse of the Confederate lines far behind him inKentucky . Fire support from two of his gunboats, "Tyler" and "Lexington", helped save Union troops from disaster in theBattle of Shiloh , bringing high praise from GeneralUlysses S. Grant . He was wounded in action27 December ,1862 , while commanding gunboat "Benton" in theBattle of Haines Bluff on theYazoo River .He died from these injuries on
3 January ,1863 , on board ahospital ship in theMississippi River . In reporting his death to theNavy Department , Gwin's squadron commander,Rear Admiral David Dixon Porter , remarked: "The country has lost one of its bravest officers."Four ships have been named USS "Gwin" for him.
References
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