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Henry Eagle

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American commodore
Henry Eagle
Born(1801-04-07)April 7, 1801
New York City, United States
DiedNovember 26, 1882(1882-11-26) (aged 81)
New York City, United States
BuriedWoodlawn Cemetery, The Bronx, New York City
Allegiance United States
Branch United States Navy
Years of service1818 – 1866
Rank Commodore
CommandsUSS Santee
USS Monticello
Battles / warsMexican-American War
American Civil War
Spouse(s) Minerva Smith ​(m. 1833⁠–⁠1882)​

Henry Eagle (1801-1882) was an American commodore who served in the American Civil War. His most notable action during the conflict was his service at the Battle of Sewell's Point. He was also a midshipsman as well as commanding several ships during his military career.

Biography

Early career

Henry was born on April 7, 1801, in New York City to his father, an immigrant from Dublin, who served in the Irish Brigade during the War of 1812. Eagle entered service on January 1, 1818, as a midshipman and was commissioned to the West Indies in 1827. He later served in Brazil and the Pacific Coast and due to his services, he was promoted to Commander in 1844. In 1833, he married Minerva Smith and had several children. He then superintended the Stevens iron battery at Hoboken, New Jersey as well as acting inspector in New York in 1846.

Mexican–American War

Eagle commanded the bomb vessel 2Etna and a division of the Pacific Squadron during the Mexican–American War and was then made a civil, military and trade governor of Tabasco. Later in September 1855, he would become a commissioned captain.

American Civil War

When the American Civil War broke out, Eagle was the bearer of communications between Manhattan and Brooklyn as well as volunteering to command the USS Monticello and took it into Norfolk, Virginia to blockade the Chesapeake Bay at the Battle of Sewell's Point. While the battle itself remained inconclusive, Eagle managed to silence the guns at the battle. He later commanded the USS Santee and captured and destroyed the privateer Royal Yacht at the Battle of Galveston Harbor. This resulted in Eagle being promoted to Commodore in 1862 and on January 1, 1863, he was placed on the retired list as well as being a prize commissioner in 1864 and 1865.

Later years

Later in 1865, he was a lighthouse inspector which he held that post until 1866. He later became a member of several veterans associations before dying on November 26, 1882.

Before Eagle's death, Hugh McCulloch personally requested to Richard W. Thompson that Eagle be posthumously promoted to admiral so that Eagle could "die peacefully and contentedly" but this request was denied.

Legacy

Eagle Avenue at 158th Street, Manhattan could possibly be named after Henry although the origins of the name are still in dispute.

References

  1. ^ The records of living officers of the U.S. navy & Marine corps : compiled from official sources (PDF). p. 81. Retrieved February 20, 2022.
  2. "The DELTA" (PDF). resource.org. Retrieved February 20, 2022.
  3. "US Admirals, January 1, 1866". fleetorganization.com. Retrieved February 20, 2022.
  4. "Letter from Hugh McCulloch to Richard W. Thompson". lincolncollection.org. Retrieved February 20, 2022.
  5. "Grove Hill Playground". New York City Department of Parks and Recreation. Retrieved February 20, 2022.
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