Charles Read (naval officer)
| Charles William Read | |
|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | "Savvy" or "Savez" |
| Born | May 12, 1840 Mississippi |
| Died | January 25, 1890 (aged 49) 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 | 1860–1861 (USN) 1861–1865 (CSN) |
| Rank |
Midshipman (USN) Lieutenant (CSN) |
| Commands held |
CSS McRae CSS Arkansas CSS Florida CSS Clarence CSS Tacony CSS Archer CSS Scorpion CSS Webb |
| Battles/wars | |
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.
Charles Read was born in Satartia, 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.
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. On October 12, 1861, he participated in the attack on the Union blockading squadron at Head of the Passes on the Mississippi River. When the commander of the CSS McRae was wounded on April 24, 1862, Read took command of the ship.
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.
...
Wikipedia