John Henry Upshur
Encyclopedia
John Henry Upshur was an admiral in the United States Navy
who served during the Mexican-American War and the American Civil War
.
December 5, 1823 changed his name at the request of his mother to her maiden name Upshur gratifying her wish, as to the Upshur family was conspicuous in naval annals. He was appointed a midshipman
on 4 November 1841 and initially served at sea with the Mediterranean Squadron. During the war with Mexico, Upshur was assigned to St. Mary's
as that brig
participated in operations against Tampico
. He also served ashore with the naval battery during the attacks against Vera Cruz
in March 1847.
In the years preceding the Civil War, Upshur carried out assignments in the Mediterranean, the West Indian
, and the African Squadrons. He also performed brief tours of duty at the Naval Academy
and at the Washington Navy Yard
as an ordnance officer. From 1853 to 1856, Upshur served in Supply during Commodore Matthew Calbraith Perry's expeditions to Japan
which opened that nation to the west.
1861 which opened the North Carolina
sounds
to Union forces. He was executive officer of Wabash
during the expedition which wrested Port Royal, South Carolina
, from Confederate
hands. Upshur also commanded four boats in Commander C. R. P Rodgers's expedition in the inland coast waters in the vicinity of Port Royal and Beaufort, South Carolina Later on, he served in the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron in charge of the steamer USS Flambeau
during operations against Charleston
. He returned to the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron in time for the abortive joint expedition against Fort Fisher
late in December 1864. He was also in the expedition which finally carried the Southern works guarding Wilmington
in mid-January 1865.
, on the Mediterranean station, in 1865-1867. Promoted to captain, 31 January 1872, he served as a member of the board of inspectors in 1877-'80. He had a leave of absence, during which he visited Europe, in 1880, and upon his return was a member of the board of examiners. Endidng his service as commander of the Pacific Squadron
from 1882 to 1885. Rear Admiral Upshur retired in 1 June 1885 and died in Washington, D.C.
was named for him. The second USS Upshur (T-AP-198) was named for Major General William Peterkin Upshur
, USMC
.
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...
who served during the Mexican-American War and 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...
.
Early life
Upshur—born John Henry Nottingham in Northampton County, VirginiaNorthampton County, Virginia
As of the census of 2010, there were 12,389 people, 5,321 households, and 3,543 families residing in the county. The population density was 63 people per square mile . There were 6,547 housing units at an average density of 32 per square mile...
December 5, 1823 changed his name at the request of his mother to her maiden name Upshur gratifying her wish, as to the Upshur family was conspicuous in naval annals. He was appointed a midshipman
Midshipman
A midshipman is an officer cadet, or a commissioned officer of the lowest rank, in the Royal Navy, United States Navy, and many Commonwealth navies. Commonwealth countries which use the rank include Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, India, Pakistan, Singapore, Sri Lanka and Kenya...
on 4 November 1841 and initially served at sea with the Mediterranean Squadron. During the war with Mexico, Upshur was assigned to St. Mary's
USS St. Mary's (1844)
The second USS St. Mary's was a sloop-of-war in the United States Navy.St. Mary's was built in 1843-44 at the Washington Navy Yard, Washington, D.C., was commissioned in the fall of 1844, Commander John L. Saunders in command....
as that brig
Brig
A brig is a sailing vessel with two square-rigged masts. During the Age of Sail, brigs were seen as fast and manoeuvrable and were used as both naval warships and merchant vessels. They were especially popular in the 18th and early 19th centuries...
participated in operations against Tampico
Tampico
Tampico is a city and port in the state of Tamaulipas, in the country of Mexico. It is located in the southeastern part of the state, directly north across the border from Veracruz. Tampico is the third largest city in Tamaulipas, and counts with a population of 309,003. The Metropolitan area of...
. He also served ashore with the naval battery during the attacks against Vera Cruz
Veracruz, Veracruz
Veracruz, officially known as Heroica Veracruz, is a major port city and municipality on the Gulf of Mexico in the Mexican state of Veracruz. The city is located in the central part of the state. It is located along Federal Highway 140 from the state capital Xalapa, and is the state's most...
in March 1847.
In the years preceding the Civil War, Upshur carried out assignments in the Mediterranean, the West Indian
West Indies Squadron (United States)
The West Indies Squadron, or the West Indies Station, was a United States Navy squadron that operated in the West Indies in the early nineteenth century. It was formed due to the need to suppress piracy in the Caribbean Sea, the Antilles and the Gulf of Mexico region of the Atlantic Ocean...
, and the African Squadrons. He also performed brief tours of duty at the Naval Academy
United States Naval Academy
The United States Naval Academy is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located in Annapolis, Maryland, United States...
and at the Washington Navy Yard
Washington Navy Yard
The Washington Navy Yard is the former shipyard and ordnance plant of the United States Navy in Southeast Washington, D.C. It is the oldest shore establishment of the U.S. Navy...
as an ordnance officer. From 1853 to 1856, Upshur served in Supply during Commodore Matthew Calbraith Perry's expeditions to Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
which opened that nation to the west.
Civil War
During the Civil War, Upshur was assigned to the North Atlantic blockading squadron, and participated in the capture of the Southern forts at Hatteras InletHatteras Inlet
Hatteras Inlet is a estuary in North Carolina, located along the Outer Banks, separating Hatteras Island and Ocracoke Island. It connects the Atlantic Ocean to the Pamlico Sound. Hatteras Inlet is located entirely within Hyde County.- History :...
1861 which opened the North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
sounds
Sound (geography)
In geography a sound or seaway is a large sea or ocean inlet larger than a bay, deeper than a bight and wider than a fjord; or it may be defined as a narrow sea or ocean channel between two bodies of land ....
to Union forces. He was executive officer of Wabash
USS Wabash (1855)
USS Wabash was a steam screw frigate of the United States Navy that served during the American Civil War. She was based on the same plans as . Post-war she continued to serve her country in European operations and eventually served as a barracks ship in Boston, Massachusetts, and was sold in...
during the expedition which wrested Port Royal, South Carolina
Port Royal, South Carolina
Port Royal is a town in Beaufort County, South Carolina, United States. Largely because of annexation of surrounding areas , the population of Port Royal rose from 3,950 in 2000 to 10,678 in 2010, a 170% increase. As defined by the U.S...
, from Confederate
Confederate States of America
The Confederate States of America was a government set up from 1861 to 1865 by 11 Southern slave states of the United States of America that had declared their secession from the U.S...
hands. Upshur also commanded four boats in Commander C. R. P Rodgers's expedition in the inland coast waters in the vicinity of Port Royal and Beaufort, South Carolina Later on, he served in the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron in charge of the steamer USS Flambeau
USS Flambeau
USS Flambeau is a name used more than once by the U.S. Navy:, a brig, was purchased 3 December 1814, a Civil War steamer, commissioned 27 November 1861, a tanker, built in 1919 by Sun Shipbuilding and Drydock Co., Chester, Pennsylvania...
during operations against Charleston
Charleston, South Carolina
Charleston is the second largest city in the U.S. state of South Carolina. It was made the county seat of Charleston County in 1901 when Charleston County was founded. The city's original name was Charles Towne in 1670, and it moved to its present location from a location on the west bank of the...
. He returned to the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron in time for the abortive joint expedition against 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....
late in December 1864. He was also in the expedition which finally carried the Southern works guarding Wilmington
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 mid-January 1865.
Post Civil War
After the Civil War, Upshur served in a succession of sea and shore billets, promoted to commander, 25 July 1866, and given the USS FrolicUSS Frolic
USS Frolic is a name used more than once by the United States Navy, and may refer to:, a sloop of war in active service during 1814 until captured by the British during the War of 1812...
, on the Mediterranean station, in 1865-1867. Promoted to captain, 31 January 1872, he served as a member of the board of inspectors in 1877-'80. He had a leave of absence, during which he visited Europe, in 1880, and upon his return was a member of the board of examiners. Endidng his service as commander of the Pacific Squadron
Pacific Squadron
The Pacific Squadron was part of the United States Navy squadron stationed in the Pacific Ocean in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Initially with no United States ports in the Pacific, they operated out of storeships which provided naval supplies and purchased food and obtained water from local...
from 1882 to 1885. Rear Admiral Upshur retired in 1 June 1885 and died in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
Namesake
USS Upshur (DD-144)USS Upshur (DD-144)
USS Upshur was a Wickes class destroyer in the United States Navy before and during the World War II. She was the first ship named for Rear Admiral John Henry Upshur....
was named for him. The second USS Upshur (T-AP-198) was named for Major General William Peterkin Upshur
William P. Upshur
Major General William Peterkin Upshur was the recipient of his nation's highest military decoration—the Medal of Honor—for his actions in 1915 during the Haitian Campaign.-Biography:...
, USMC
United States Marine Corps
The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
.