Napoleon Harrison

Harrison was born in Martinsburg, Va. (now West Virginia ), 19 February 1823 and was appointed Midshipman 26 February 1838 . Serving in California during the Mexican War in ''Portsmouth'' , he was a volunteer in the expedition to rescue General Philip Kearny 's command, and spent 5 days en route from San Francisco to Monterey in a small boat carrying despatches.

In 1862 Harrison commanded ''Cayuga'' at the passage of Forts Jackson and St. Philip , leading the battle line past the forts and up the Mississippi River to New Orleans, La. He later commanded ''Mahaska'' . in the James River Flotilla , ''Minnesota'' in the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron , and various ships in the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron . After the fall of Charleston, S.C. in 1865 Harrison served at the Portsmouth Navy Yard , Kittery, Me.

Following the Civil War, he taught at the Naval Academy and in 1870 took command of his last ship, ''Congress'' .

Captain Harrison died 27 October 1870 at Key West, Fla.

In 1943 , the Destroyer USS ''Harrison'' (DD-573) was named in his honor.

REFERENCES

Information About