Anthony A. Smalley
Encyclopedia
Anthony A. Smalley was an ensign in the United States Navy
during the American Civil War
.
in 1836, was commissioned Acting Master on 27 March 1862 for service during the Civil War; but he subsequently became ill and his appointment was revoked on 1 September 1863. When his health permitted, Smalley applied for reinstatement, and he was commissioned Acting Ensign on 1 December 1863. He served in the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron on board Pequot
, and distinguished himself during the Union capture
of Fort Fisher
which guarded the sea approach to Wilmington, N.C.
In the attack, Smalley was in command of an 18-man detachment from the Pequot which was responsible for digging trenches for the assault on the fort. He and his men also participated in the charge on the fort. Letters of commendation from his commanding officer praised his bravery and coolness while building the trenches under fire and while leading his men in the charge. After the end of the Civil War, Smalley was honorably discharged from the Navy on 3 August 1865. He died at Boston on 24 January 1894.
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
during the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
.
Biography
Smalley, born in MassachusettsMassachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
in 1836, was commissioned Acting Master on 27 March 1862 for service during the Civil War; but he subsequently became ill and his appointment was revoked on 1 September 1863. When his health permitted, Smalley applied for reinstatement, and he was commissioned Acting Ensign on 1 December 1863. He served in the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron on board Pequot
USS Pequot (1863)
The first USS Pequot was a wooden screw gunboat of the Union Navy during the American Civil War. The ship was launched on 4 June 1863 by the Boston Navy Yard; and commissioned there on 15 January 1864, Lt. Comdr. Stephen P. Quackenbush in command...
, and distinguished himself during the Union capture
Second Battle of Fort Fisher
The Second Battle of Fort Fisher was a joint assault by Union Army and naval forces against Fort Fisher, outside Wilmington, North Carolina, near the end of the American Civil War...
of Fort Fisher
Fort Fisher
Fort Fisher was a Confederate fort during the American Civil War. It protected the vital trading routes of the port at Wilmington, North Carolina, from 1861 until its capture by the Union in 1865....
which guarded the sea approach to Wilmington, N.C.
Wilmington, North Carolina
Wilmington is a port city in and is the county seat of New Hanover County, North Carolina, United States. The population is 106,476 according to the 2010 Census, making it the eighth most populous city in the state of North Carolina...
In the attack, Smalley was in command of an 18-man detachment from the Pequot which was responsible for digging trenches for the assault on the fort. He and his men also participated in the charge on the fort. Letters of commendation from his commanding officer praised his bravery and coolness while building the trenches under fire and while leading his men in the charge. After the end of the Civil War, Smalley was honorably discharged from the Navy on 3 August 1865. He died at Boston on 24 January 1894.