Service/branch United States Navy Rank Lieutenant Battles/wars American Civil War Grandchild Gertrude Wainwright | Years of service 1837-1863 Commands held Harriet Lane Battles and wars American Civil War | |
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Born July 27, 1821
New York City ( 1821-07-27 ) Allegiance United States of America Died 1 January 1863, Galveston, Texas, United States Parents Jonathan Mayhew Wainwright Children Robert Powell Page Wainwright, Marie Wainwright Similar Marie Wainwright, Arthur W Radford, Edward A Craig | ||
Jonathan Mayhew Wainwright II (July 27, 1821 – January 1, 1863) was an officer in the United States Navy during the American Civil War, who was killed in action during the Battle of Galveston.
Contents
Biography
Wainwright was born on July 27, 1821 in New York City to Jonathan Mayhew Wainwright I and Amelia Maria Phelps.
He entered the United States Navy on June 30, 1837, at age 16, as a midshipman. He attended the Philadelphia Naval Asylum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania from 1842 to 1843, and became a passed midshipman on June 29, 1843.
He married Maria Byrd Page on February 8, 1844 in Virginia. They had four children including Jonathan Mayhew Wainwright III and Robert Powell Page Wainwright. His daughter Marie, later Mrs. Louis James, attained some reputation as an actress.
He was appointed acting-master, November 10, 1849, and commissioned lieutenant, September 17, 1850. He was on special duty in Washington, DC in 1861.
He commanded the Harriet Lane, Admiral David Dixon Porter's flagship in Farragut's fleet, in the Battle of Forts Jackson and St. Philip, and took part in operations below Vicksburg.
He was killed in action when his ship was attacked and captured by Confederate forces under the command of General John Bankhead Magruder during the Battle of Galveston on January 1, 1863. His body was lost at sea.
Legacy
His grandson, Jonathan Mayhew Wainwright IV, was a general during World War II.
Honors
Three ships have been named USS Wainwright for Jonathan and some of his relatives.