Jonathan Mayhew Wainwright II
Encyclopedia
Jonathan Mayhew Wainwright II (27 July 1821 – 1 January 1863) was an officer in the United States Navy
during the American Civil War
. He was killed in action.
to Jonathan Mayhew Wainwright I
and Maria Page.
He entered the United States Navy
on June 30, 1837, as a midshipman
. He attended the naval school at Philadelphia in 1842-43, and became a passed midshipman
, 29 June 1843. He was appointed acting Master
, 10 November 1849, and commissioned Lieutenant
, 17 September 1850. He was on special duty at Washington in 1861.
He commanded the Harriet Lane
, Admiral David Dixon Porter
's flagship
in Farragut
's fleet, in an engagement with Forts Jackson and St. Philip
and took part in operations below Vicksburg
. He was killed in an attack upon Confederate
forts in Galveston, Texas
on January 1, 1863.
and Robert Powell Page Wainwright
. His daughter Marie, later Mrs. Louis James, attained some reputation as an actress. His grandson, Jonathan Mayhew Wainwright IV
, was a prominent general during World War II
.
for Jonathan and some of his relatives.
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...
. He was killed in action.
Biography
Wainwright was born in New York CityNew York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
to Jonathan Mayhew Wainwright I
Jonathan Mayhew Wainwright I
Jonathan Mayhew Wainwright I was an Episcopal bishop.-Biography:He was born in England in 1792 to Peter Wainwright and Elizabeth Mayhew. His father Peter, was a tobacconist who emigrated from England to Boston before the American Revolution.His mother was the daughter of Rev...
and Maria Page.
He entered the United States Navy
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...
on June 30, 1837, as 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...
. He attended the naval school at Philadelphia in 1842-43, and became a passed midshipman
Passed midshipman
A Passed Midshipman, sometimes called as Midshipman, Passed, is an unused and historic term which describes a Midshipman who had passed the Lieutenant exam and was eligible for promotion to Lieutenant as soon as there was a vacancy in that grade....
, 29 June 1843. He was appointed acting Master
Master (naval)
The master, or sailing master, was a historic term for a naval officer trained in and responsible for the navigation of a sailing vessel...
, 10 November 1849, and commissioned Lieutenant
Lieutenant (naval)
LieutenantThe pronunciation of lieutenant is generally split between or , generally in the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Commonwealth countries, and or , generally associated with the United States. See lieutenant. is a commissioned officer rank in many nations' navies...
, 17 September 1850. He was on special duty at Washington in 1861.
He commanded the Harriet Lane
USS Harriet Lane (1857)
Harriet Lane was a revenue cutter of the United States Revenue Cutter Service and, on the outbreak of the American Civil War, a ship of the United States Navy and later Confederate States Navy. She was named after the niece of senator and later United States President, James Buchanan...
, Admiral David Dixon Porter
David Dixon Porter
David Dixon Porter was a member of one of the most distinguished families in the history of the United States Navy. Promoted as the second man to the rank of admiral, after his adoptive brother David G...
's flagship
Flagship
A flagship is a vessel used by the commanding officer of a group of naval ships, reflecting the custom of its commander, characteristically a flag officer, flying a distinguishing flag...
in Farragut
David Farragut
David Glasgow Farragut was a flag officer of the United States Navy during the American Civil War. He was the first rear admiral, vice admiral, and admiral in the United States Navy. He is remembered in popular culture for his order at the Battle of Mobile Bay, usually paraphrased: "Damn the...
's fleet, in an engagement with Forts Jackson and St. Philip
Fort St. Philip
Fort St. Philip is a decommissioned masonry fort located on the eastern bank of the Mississippi River, about up river from its mouth in Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana...
and took part in operations below Vicksburg
Vicksburg, Mississippi
Vicksburg is a city in Warren County, Mississippi, United States. It is the only city in Warren County. It is located northwest of New Orleans on the Mississippi and Yazoo rivers, and due west of Jackson, the state capital. In 1900, 14,834 people lived in Vicksburg; in 1910, 20,814; in 1920,...
. He was killed in an attack upon 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...
forts in Galveston, Texas
Galveston, Texas
Galveston is a coastal city located on Galveston Island in the U.S. state of Texas. , the city had a total population of 47,743 within an area of...
on January 1, 1863.
Family
Wainwright married and had four children including Jonathan Wainwright, Jr.Jonathan Wainwright, Jr.
Master Jonathan Mayhew Wainwright, Jr. , son of Commander Jonathan Wainwright, was an officer in the United States Navy....
and Robert Powell Page Wainwright
Robert Powell Page Wainwright
Robert Powell Page Wainwright was a U.S. Army officer and West Point graduate, class of 1875, who served in the cavalry for most of his military career. He began his career as a second lieutenant in the US 1st Cavalry in 1875...
. His daughter Marie, later Mrs. Louis James, attained some reputation as an actress. His grandson, Jonathan Mayhew Wainwright IV
Jonathan Mayhew Wainwright IV
Jonathan Mayhew "Skinny" Wainwright IV was a career American army officer and the commander of Allied forces in the Philippines at the time of their surrender to the Empire of Japan during World War II...
, was a prominent general during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
Honors
Three ships have been named USS WainwrightUSS Wainwright
Three ships of the United States Navy have been named USS Wainwright.The first ship was named for Commander Jonathan Mayhew Wainwright, his son, Master Jonathan Mayhew Wainwright, Jr., and his cousin, Commander Richard Wainwright. Wainwright honored these three officers as well as Rear Admiral...
for Jonathan and some of his relatives.