James Robert Madison Mullany

Background

James R. M. Mullany was born on October 26, 1818, in New York City, New York, the son of Colonel James R. Mullany, quartermaster-general of the army, and Maria Burger.

Career

Appointed midshipman from New Jersey on January 7, 1832, Mullany served for three years on the Constellation, and, after an intermission, for two years on the United States, both of the Mediterranean Squadron. His first assignments to sea duty, after being warranted passed midshipman in 1838, were to the Dolphin of the Brazil Squadron in 1839 and to the Missouri of the home squadron in 1841.

After serving as acting master of the Somers, he was in July 1844, a few months after obtaining his lieutenancy, ordered to the Coast Survey where he remained for four years.

In the years 1848 - 1850 Mullany served on the St. Louis and the Brandywine of the Brazil Squadron; and from 1852 to 1855 on board the Columbia of the home squadron. After a term of four years at the New York navy yard on ordnance duty, he in 1859 again joined the home squadron and was serving therein on the Sabine at the outbreak of the Civil War. During April and May, 1861, Mullany commanded successively, the Wyandotte and Supply at Pensacola and aided in the defense of Fort Pickens.

Promoted commander from October 18, 1861, he was in the spring of the following year placed in command of the Bienville, a position that he held for more than three years, with the exception of a few days in August 1864, at the time of the battle of Mobile Bay. As the Bienville was not fit to engage the Confederate forts defending Mobile, he volunteered for service on some other vessel and was assigned the Oneida by Admiral Farragut. This ship held a position at the rear end of the line of battle and suffered considerable damage while passing the forts. In her engagement with the ram Tennessee Mullany received several wounds, one of which necessitated the amputation of his left arm. For his brave conduct he was commended by Admiral Farragut. During the war he was elsewhere several times under fire.

In 1862 he captured off the South Carolina coast several blockade runners and in 1863 he commanded a division of the West Gulf blockading squadron operating off the coast of Texas. Mullany was promoted captain in 1866, commodore in 1870, and rear admiral in 1874.

In the years 1868 - 1870 he commanded the Richmond of the European fleet; in 1870 - 1871, the Mediterranean Squadron; and from 1874 to 1876, the North Atlantic station. At the time of his retirement on October 26, 1879, he was governor of the naval asylum at Philadelphia, in which city he made his home. James Robert Madison Mullany died on September 17, 1887, in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania.

Achievements

• James Robert Madison Mullany was a rear admiral of the United States Navy, who served during the American Civil War. Two destroyers have been named USS Mullany in his honor.

Religion

James Mullany was a communicant of the Roman Catholic Church.

Connections

James Robert Madison Mullany was twice married.

Father:

James R. Mullany

Mother:

Maria Mullany (Burger)

Wife:

Jennie Mullany (Hart)