Charles Read (naval officer)

For other people named Charles Read, see Charles Read (disambiguation).

Charles William Read
Nickname	"Savvy" or "Savez"
Born	May 12, 1840 Mississippi
Died	January 25, 1890 (aged 49–50) Meridan, Mississippi
Place of burial	Meridian, Mississippi
Allegiance	United States of America Confederate States of America
Service/branch	United States Navy Confederate States Navy
Years of service	USN 1860-1861 CSN 1861-1865
Rank	Lieutenant
Commands held	CSS McRae CSS Arkansas CSS Florida CSS Clarence CSS Tacony CSS Archer CSS Scorpion CSS Webb
Battles/wars	American Civil War Battle of Ship Island Battle of the Head of Passes Battle of Baton Rouge Battle of Portland Harbor Battle of Trent's Reach
Awards	Confederate Medal of Honor

Charles William Read (May 12, 1840 – January 25, 1890), nicknamed "Savvy", was an officer in the antebellum United States Navy and then in the Confederate Navy during the American Civil War. He was nicknamed the "Seawolf of the Confederacy" for his exploits and daring.

Early life and career

Charles Read was born in either Hinds or Yazoo County, Mississippi in 1840. He was appointed to the United States Naval Academy in 1856 and graduated in 1860. He served briefly aboard USS Powhatan after graduation.

Civil War

At the outbreak of the American Civil War Read resigned his commission with the United States Navy and accepted a position with the Confederate States Navy. Read was initially assigned to the CSS McRae at New Orleans, Louisiana as a midshipman and participated in the battle between batteries on Ship Island and the USS Massachusetts on July 9, 1861.^[1] On October 12, 1861, he participated in the attack on the Union blockading squadron at Head of the Passes on the Mississippi River.^[1] When the commander of the CSS McRae was wounded on April 24, 1862, Read took command of the ship.^[1]

Read then served as executive officer of the CSS Arkansas during its actions against a blockading fleet of over 30 ships on the Mississippi River near Vicksburg, Mississippi on 13 July 1862. Read served as acting commander of the Arkansas during her final battle supporting the Confederate Army assaulting Baton Rouge, Louisiana on 6 August 1862. After the sinking of the Arkansas, Read travelled by foot to Port Hudson, Louisiana and assisted with the emplacement of shore guns there.

Read was soon ordered to Mobile, Alabama and was assigned to the CSS Florida which set sail on 15 January 1863. He transferred to the CSS Clarence, a captured prize of the Florida, and set out on his own. During this raiding mission, which lasted from 6 June 1863 to 27 June 1863, Read transferred his command to prize vessels twice more, once to the CSS Tacony and finally to the CSS Archer.

At the end of the raid, Lieutenant Read had captured or destroyed twenty-two United States vessels. He and his crew were captured off Portland, Maine on June 27, 1863, while attempting to take the US revenue cutter Fort Warren, Massachusetts, until he was exchanged at Cox Wharf, Virginia, on October 18, 1864.^[1]

After his release, Read participated in naval and land operations on the James River, he commanded the CSS Scorpion and two other torpedo boats at the Battle of Trent's Reach. In January 1865, he was assigned to the CSS Webb at Shreveport, Louisiana with the intention that she become a raider in the Pacific Ocean. Read did not reach the Webb until 22 April 1865. Read attempted to break out to the Gulf of Mexico but grounded in shallow waters near New Orleans on April 23, 1865. Read fired the ship to prevent its capture by Federal forces. Read surrendered to Federal naval authorities in New Orleans and was transported again to Fort Warren. He was released on July 24, 1865.^[1]

After the war

In 1867, Read was second officer aboard a ship involved in an effort to help Cuban rebels overthrow the Spanish government of the island. Read and others were arrested by the US government but quickly released.

Read earned the Confederate Medal of Honor for his service. Read earned his nickname "Savvy" or "Savez" due to his constant use of the term.

Charles Read died at Meridian, Mississippi, where he is buried.

See also

	Biography portal
	American Civil War portal
	United States Navy portal

Notes

1. ^ ^{a b c d e} Register of Officers of the Confederate States Navy. Office of Naval Records and Library United States Navy Department. Mattituck, NY: J.M. Carroll & Company. 1983. ISBN 0-8488-0011-7. 

References

• Campbell, R. Thomas, Sea Hawk of the Confederacy: Lt. Charles W. Read and the Confederate Navy, ISBN 1-57249-178-7
• Jones, Robert A., Confederate Corsair: The Life of Lt. Charles W. "Savez" Read, ISBN 0-8117-1532-9
• Shaw, David W., Sea Wolf of the Confederacy: The Daring Civil War Raids of Naval Lt. Charles W. Read

Persondata
Name	Read, Charles
Alternative names
Short description	United States Navy officer
Date of birth	1840
Place of birth	Mississippi
Date of death	January 25, 1890
Place of death	Meridian, Mississippi