Background
French Forrest was born in St. Marys County, Maryland, son of Major Joseph Forrest and Elizabeth French Dulany.
French Forrest was born in St. Marys County, Maryland, son of Major Joseph Forrest and Elizabeth French Dulany.
Appointed midshipman June 9, 1811, he was in the Hornet in her victory over the Peacock, February 24, 1813, and is said to have served under Perry on Lake Erie, though he is not listed among Perry’s officers.
After years of routine service he was commissioned captain March 30, 1844, and in the Mexican War commanded the Cumberland and later the Raritan, flagships in the squadron off Vera Cruz, in which as staff officer and division commander he took a distinguished part in operations against Mexican ports. lie commanded the second division in the attack on Alvarado, October 16, 1846, and led a landing force of about 200 in operations, November 23-26, against Tabasco.
Speaking of his work here, Capt. W. H. Parker says that Forrest “did not know the meaning of the word fear” {Recollections of a Naval Officer, 1883, p. 74), but adds that he was very methodical, and describes amusingly his efforts to get his force organized. His company was attacked by superior forces on the 25th but held its ground till the withdrawal of the ships next morning.
He was officer in charge of the landing of Scott’s army at Vera Cruz, March 9, 1847, in which over 10, 000 men were put ashore in five hours, an operation perfectly carried out, though with but slight opposition.
From June 1855 to August 1856, he was head of the Washington Navy Yard, and then commanded the Brazil Squadron until May 1859, except when it was enlarged in 1858 for a demonstration against Paraguay, in which he commanded the rear division.
In the Civil War he became captain in the Virginia navy, April 12, 1861, and in the Confederate navy, June 10, standing third in seniority. Parker remarks that Forrest had a fine record and with better opportunities would have distinguished himself in the Confederate service (Ibid. , p. 328), but he was piqued at Buchanan’s promotion over him (Official Records, Navy, 2 ser. , vol. II, p. 256).
As head of the Norfolk Navy Yard from April 23, T861, he had general charge of alterations on the Merrimac, and at the battle of Hampton Roads steamed boldly out in the little tug Harmony to offer assistance when the Merrimac ran aground.
Delays in repairs to the Merrimac caused his transfer, May 24, 1862, to the head of the bureau of orders and detail. From March 1863 to May 1864, during a period of relative inactivity, he commanded the James River Squadron.
Commodore Forrest was a strikingly handsome man, with regular features, and in earlier years dark curling hair. He was fond of objects of art, and in his home at Alexandria, Va. , collected many curios from foreign voyages.
He died at the home of his brother Bladen in Georgetown, D. C.
His wife was Emily Douglas, daughter of John D. Simms, chief clerk pf the navy department, whom he married in 1830.