James Jouett

February 7, 1826 (age 76)

Jouett was appointed a midshipman in the United States Navy on September 10, 1841. In the so-called "Berribee War" on the coast of Liberia in 1843 he served on the Decatur in the squadron under Matthew C. Perry; in the Mexican War he was on the John Adams on the east coast of Mexico, being one of those landed to defend Point Isabel. Later, he was made a passed midshipman and sent to the Mediterranean in the St. Lawrence. During the early fifties he cruised in the Pacific on the Lexington and the St. Mary's. In 1858-59 he served as a lieutenant on the steamer M. W. Chapin in the Paraguay expedition. At Pensacola at the beginning of the Civil War he was captured by the Confederates, but was given a document stating that he had given his "parole of honor not to bear arms against the state of Florida, " and permitted to leave. He disavowed the statement, escaped North, and was sent to the Galveston blockade. Here he distinguished himself on November 7-8, 1861, by heading a boat party from the Santee which captured the armed schooner Royal Yacht, guarding the harbor entrance at Galveston. Though wounded several times, Jouett brought off the crew as prisoners and set fire to the vessel. For this achievement he was given command, first of the Montgomery (December 1861), and then of the fast steamer R. R. Cuyler off Mobile (April 1863). In his blockading work he attracted the favorable attention of Farragut and in September 1863 was put in command of the Metacomet, the fastest gunboat in the squadron. In the battle of Mobile Bay (August 1864), the Hartford and the Metacomet were lashed together. At the critical moment, Farragut in the port shrouds of the Hartford gave the historic command to Jouett on the starboard wheelhouse of the Metacomet: "Damn the torpedoes! Four bells! Captain Drayton, go ahead! Jouett, full speed!" A little later the Metacomet was sent after the Confederate gunboats, and by a fast pursuit and hazardous navigation in shoal water Jouett riddled the Gaines and captured the Selma. His dashing exploits secured high commendation from Farragut but no special reward except nearly a hundred thousand dollars prize money from blockade runners captured. In 1880 Jouett's efforts to secure promotion over the heads of sixteen of his seniors created much ill feeling. His most important command did not come till 1884, when he was put in charge of the North Atlantic Squadron. Here he is credited with inaugurating the custom of all hands saluting the colors when they are raised or lowered. In 1885 he commanded the American naval force of eight ships and 2, 648 men which was sent to Aspinwall (now Colón) to reopen transit across the Isthmus of Panama, lately interrupted by a revolt against Colombia. By vigorous measures he established free passage for the trains of the Panama Railroad and thus brought about the failure of the insurrection. Jouett was retired in 1890 with the rank of rear admiral, and by an act of Congress, March 3, 1893, was allowed full pay for life. His closing years, except for a short period in Orlando, Florida, were spent at "The Anchorage, " his home near Sandy Spring, Maryland. He was buried in the National Cemetery at Arlington.

James Edward Jouett

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military

Background

James was born on February 7, 1826 near Lexington, Kentucky, United States. He was the son of the painter, Matthew Harris Jouett, and Margaret Henderson Allen.

Education

James Edward had a year at the new Naval School at Annapolis.

Career

Jouett was appointed a midshipman in the United States Navy on September 10, 1841. In the so-called "Berribee War" on the coast of Liberia in 1843 he served on the Decatur in the squadron under Matthew C. Perry; in the Mexican War he was on the John Adams on the east coast of Mexico, being one of those landed to defend Point Isabel. Later, he was made a passed midshipman and sent to the Mediterranean in the St. Lawrence.

During the early fifties he cruised in the Pacific on the Lexington and the St. Mary's. In 1858-59 he served as a lieutenant on the steamer M. W. Chapin in the Paraguay expedition. At Pensacola at the beginning of the Civil War he was captured by the Confederates, but was given a document stating that he had given his "parole of honor not to bear arms against the state of Florida, " and permitted to leave. He disavowed the statement, escaped North, and was sent to the Galveston blockade. Here he distinguished himself on November 7-8, 1861, by heading a boat party from the Santee which captured the armed schooner Royal Yacht, guarding the harbor entrance at Galveston. Though wounded several times, Jouett brought off the crew as prisoners and set fire to the vessel. For this achievement he was given command, first of the Montgomery (December 1861), and then of the fast steamer R. R. Cuyler off Mobile (April 1863).

In his blockading work he attracted the favorable attention of Farragut and in September 1863 was put in command of the Metacomet, the fastest gunboat in the squadron. In the battle of Mobile Bay (August 1864), the Hartford and the Metacomet were lashed together. At the critical moment, Farragut in the port shrouds of the Hartford gave the historic command to Jouett on the starboard wheelhouse of the Metacomet: "Damn the torpedoes! Four bells! Captain Drayton, go ahead! Jouett, full speed!" A little later the Metacomet was sent after the Confederate gunboats, and by a fast pursuit and hazardous navigation in shoal water Jouett riddled the Gaines and captured the Selma. His dashing exploits secured high commendation from Farragut but no special reward except nearly a hundred thousand dollars prize money from blockade runners captured. In 1880 Jouett's efforts to secure promotion over the heads of sixteen of his seniors created much ill feeling.

His most important command did not come till 1884, when he was put in charge of the North Atlantic Squadron. Here he is credited with inaugurating the custom of all hands saluting the colors when they are raised or lowered. In 1885 he commanded the American naval force of eight ships and 2, 648 men which was sent to Aspinwall (now Colón) to reopen transit across the Isthmus of Panama, lately interrupted by a revolt against Colombia. By vigorous measures he established free passage for the trains of the Panama Railroad and thus brought about the failure of the insurrection.

Jouett was retired in 1890 with the rank of rear admiral, and by an act of Congress, March 3, 1893, was allowed full pay for life. His closing years, except for a short period in Orlando, Florida, were spent at "The Anchorage, " his home near Sandy Spring, Maryland. He was buried in the National Cemetery at Arlington.

Achievements

Rear admiral James Edward Jouett was popularly known throughout the Navy as “Fighting Jim Jouett of the American Navy, ” had a long and distinguished record as a naval officer and was one of the best known men connected with the service. He had various commands ashore and afloat after the Civil War, taking command of the North Atlantic Squadron in 1884. Besides, he commanded a naval force which forced the opening of the isthmus of Panama, threatened by insurrection. Three ships in the United States Navy have been named USS Jouett for him.

Interests

In his later days he was a great lover of fox hunting and a racy raconteur of his naval experiences.

Connections

In 1852 Jouett married Galena Stockett of Howard County, Maryland, who survived him.

Father:: Matthew Harris Jouett
Mother:: Margaret Henderson Allen
Spouse:: Galena Stockett
coworker:: Matthew C. Perry

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James Edward Jouett

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