Background
John Lee Davis was born on September 3, 1825 in Carlisle, Sullivan County, Indiana, United States. He was the first child of the young physician—later prominent Democratic political leader—John Wesley Davis and Ann Hoover.
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John Lee Davis
Edit ProfileEducation
Davis went to school in Carlisle, and through his father, then a congressman, was appointed a midshipman January 9, 1841.
Career
From then until the Civil War, except for a year at the new Naval Academy, 1846-47, and two tours of duty in the Coast Survey, was almost constantly in sea service, in the Far East, on the African Coast, in the Pacific, and elsewhere.
He had blockade duty in the Mexican War; and in November 1849, while acting lieutenant in the Preble, he led a boat party of seventeen which captured a Chinese junk engaged in piracy off Macao, killing three of the crew and wounding many others.
In the Civil War he was among the younger ship commanders who won distinction for energy and reliability. As executive officer of the Water Witch he was in the sharp engagement with the Manassas and other Confederate vessels in the mouth of the Mississippi, October 12, 1861.
Declining command of the Water Witch in deference to officers senior to him, he was promoted in July following to lieutenant commander.
In command of the gunboat Wissahickon he took part in an attack on enemy batteries below Fort McAllister, November 19, 1862, in which his vessel was pierced below the waterline, but was run around and successfully patched at low tide. The Wissahickon was in subsequent attacks on the fort on January 27 and February 1 and 28. On March 19, 1863, his vessel sank the valuable blockade-runner Georgiana entering Charleston harbor.
Transferred in August to command of the monitor Montauk, he took active part in the bombardments of the Charleston forts, September-November 1863.
In the Sassacus, 1864-65, he was engaged in the attacks on Fort Fisher in December 1864, and January 1865, and in subsequent operations in the Cape Fear River. Admiral Du Pont commended Davis’s “extreme vigilance and spirit” in blockade work, and the latter was among the officers recommended by Porter for promotion after the capture of Fort Fisher.
Advanced to commander, 1866, to captain, 1873, to commodore, 1882, and to rear admiral, 1885, he had shore duty at various times on the Lighthouse, Retirement, and Inspection Boards; commanded the Trenton, flagship of the European Squadron, 1877-78; and was in command of the Asiatic Squadion, 1883-86.
Achievements
Personality
Davis was of erect, handsome figure, with curly reddish brown hair, moustache, and goatee, which turned white in later years.
He was strict and sharp in discipline—a “sun-downer” in the naval phrase—but withal respected as a brave, upright officer and expert seaman, the last borne out by the anecdote of the old tar of the eighties who said there were only three sailors left in the Navy, “me, and John Lee Davis, and Stephen B. Luce” .
Connections
Davis was survived by his wife, Frances Latta Robinson, whom he married December 12, 1855, and by one daughter.
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Born
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Died
March 12, 1889 (aged 63) -
Resting place
Rock Creek Cemetery, Washington, D.C., United States -
Nationality
American