Charles Boggs was born on January 28, 1811, at New Brunswick, New Jersey, the son of Robert Morris Boggs and his wife, Mary, a sister of the heroic Capt. James Lawrence, of "Don't give up the ship" fame. He was a descendant of Ezekiel Boggs who came from Ireland to Delaware about 1741.
Charles studied for several years at the well-known military school of Capt. Partridge at Middletown, Connecticut.
After graduation young Charles was appointed a midshipman on November 1, 1826, and was ordered to the sloop-of-war Warren, attached to the United States Squadron in the Mediterranean, at that time engaged in protecting American commerce against the Greek and North African pirates. Having served a short time on the ship-of-the-line Delaware in the same squadron, he was, in 1830, ordered to the schooner Porpoise of the West India Squadron, where he spent two years. On April 28, 1832, having become passed-midshipman, he was attached to the receiving-ship at New York, and spent the next four years mostly on land duty. In 1836 he was appointed master of the ship-of-the-line North Carolina, and shortly afterward, as acting lieutenant, to the Enterprise. On September 6, 1837, he was promoted to lieutenant, and, after returning home in the North Carolina, did notable service in the training of naval apprentices until 1842, when he joined the sloop Saratoga and took part in the hostilities against certain African slave ports.
In 1846-1847 Boggs served on board the steamer Princeton, taking part in the bombardment of the castle of San Juan de Ulloa and the capture of Vera Cruz. The United States brig Truxtun, having been wrecked on a bar near that city and having fallen into the hands of the Mexicans, Boggs, in charge of a hazardous boat expedition, with great gallantry cut out and retook the ship. He was promoted commander September 14, 1855. For the next three years, having received a furlough, he commanded the mail steamer Illinois in the service of the California Steamship Company.
At the outbreak of the Civil War he was placed again on active service at his own request, and was given command of the steamer Varuna, which, as a unit of Farragut's fleet below New Orleans, was the first vessel to force its way past the batteries. Once beyond the fire of the forts, Boggs succeeded in doing great damage to the Confederate gunboats and auxiliaries. At dawn the next morning the Varuna was attacked by two powerful rams and run down by one of them, the Stonewall Jackson. Boggs was able, however, to beach the Varuna, and in a disabled and sinking condition she continued to fire, practically destroying her two adversaries, until her guns actually sank below the surface of the river. For his signal gallantry in this action Boggs was promoted to be captain, and given command of the Sacramento of the blockading squadron off Cape Fear; but, in consequence of overwork and exposure, he was obliged to return to shore duty, and during the rest of the war was in New York, superintending the building and fitting out of vessels for the navy.
In 1866 he resumed sea duty as commander of the steamer Connecticut, and on a special cruise to the West Indies caused an international incident by demanding the surrender of the Confederate ironclad Albemarle in the harbor of Havana, an act resented by the Spanish government. In 1867-1868 Boggs commanded the schooner De Soto. He was promoted to rear admiral on July 1, 1870, and placed in charge of the third lighthouse district. He commanded the European Fleet in 1871-1872, and retired in 1872.
Charles Boggs was an oustanding naval officer, during his military career promoted to rear admiral. During the American Civil War Boggs commanded with distinction the gunboat Varuna, the steam sloops Juniata and Sacramento, with the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron, the steam cruiser Connecticut in the West Indies, and had special duty at the New York Navy Yard. The destroyer USS Boggs (DD-136) was named for him.
Boggs was married twice: on December 4, 1834 to Sophia Dore, who died on November 10, 1872; and on April 8, 1875 to Henrietta Eugenie (Molt) Bull, a widow.
