Career
Ortega, a resident of Pennsylvania, was a Spanish immigrant who joined the Union from his adopted home state of Pennsylvania in 1863. Ortega was assigned to United States Ship Saratoga during the American Civil War. The Saratoga, commissioned in 1843, was the third ship of the United States christened with that name.
lieutenant was a sloop-of-war under the command of Commander George Musalas Colvocoresses.
On January 13, 1864, Secretary of the United States Gideon Welles, ordered Commander Colvocoresses and United States Ship Saratoga to proceed to Charleston, South Carolina, and report to Rear Admiral Dahlgren for duty in the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron in what is known as the Union blockade. This was a massive effort by the Union to prevent the passage of trade goods, supplies, and arms to and from the Confederate States.
A number of buildings, bridges, and salt works were destroyed during the expedition. He deserted from the in June 1865.
