Civil War Admirals


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John Adolphus Bernard Dahlgren <> Union

Born : November 14, 1809 <> Died : July 12, 1870

   Union Rear-Admiral. Became famous as a Naval Ordinance officer before the onset of the Civil War. Invented a 11 -inch smoothbore cannon, the "Dahlgren Gun", that was used extensively in the conflict. Commanded Naval forces that repeatedly attacked and were repulsed by the Confederate forces in Charleston, SC harbor (August-October 1863). His assistance to General Sherman at Savannah contributed to that city's capitulation in December ,1864.

Promoted to rear admiral in 1863, he served as commander of the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron, cooperated (1863) with Gen. Q. A. Gillmore in the unsuccessful attempt to take Charleston, helped to place troops in Florida in 1864, He later held high posts and wrote widely on naval ordnance.

Note : His son was the controversial Colonel Ulric Dahlgren.