Oscar Badger

August 12, 1823 (age 75)

Mansfield, Connecticut, United States

In 1843, as a midshipman on board the Saratoga, he took part in the destruction of the Berribee villages on the west coast of Africa, and in 1855 he commanded a landing party from the John Adams, which attacked and destroyed the town of Vutia, Fiji Islands, both of these expeditions being punitive in character. During the Mexican War he served on board the frigate Mississippi. During the winter and spring of 1862, while in command of the gunboat Anacostia, he was engaged in a number of attacks on the Confederate batteries in the Potomac River and Aequia Creek, as well as in the shelling of Yorktown, and the defenses at Gloucester Point. In different attacks on Forts Wagner, Gregg, and Sumter he commanded with distinction the ironclads Patapsco and Montauk in the summer of 1863. On September 1 of that year, while he was acting as fleet captain on board the Weehawken during a night bombardment of Forts Moultrie and Sumter, his right leg was shattered by an iron splinter driven by a round shot which struck the Weehawken's turret. The commander-in-chief, Admiral John A. Dahlgren, in his report to the secretary of the navy dated September 2, said, "I shall feel greatly the loss of Capt. Badger's services at this time; he has been with me for more than eight years, and his sterling qualities have rendered him one of the very best ordnance officers in the Navy". From this wound Badger never fully recovered. He was promoted to be commander July 25, 1866, captain November 25, 1872, and commodore November 15, 1881. His last duty was from 1882 to 1885 as commandant of the navy yard at Boston, and he retired on August 12, 1885.

Oscar Badger

Edit Profile

military

Background

He was born in 1823 at Mansfield, Connecticut.

Career

In 1843, as a midshipman on board the Saratoga, he took part in the destruction of the Berribee villages on the west coast of Africa, and in 1855 he commanded a landing party from the John Adams, which attacked and destroyed the town of Vutia, Fiji Islands, both of these expeditions being punitive in character. During the Mexican War he served on board the frigate Mississippi. During the winter and spring of 1862, while in command of the gunboat Anacostia, he was engaged in a number of attacks on the Confederate batteries in the Potomac River and Aequia Creek, as well as in the shelling of Yorktown, and the defenses at Gloucester Point. In different attacks on Forts Wagner, Gregg, and Sumter he commanded with distinction the ironclads Patapsco and Montauk in the summer of 1863. On September 1 of that year, while he was acting as fleet captain on board the Weehawken during a night bombardment of Forts Moultrie and Sumter, his right leg was shattered by an iron splinter driven by a round shot which struck the Weehawken's turret.

The commander-in-chief, Admiral John A. Dahlgren, in his report to the secretary of the navy dated September 2, said, "I shall feel greatly the loss of Capt. Badger's services at this time; he has been with me for more than eight years, and his sterling qualities have rendered him one of the very best ordnance officers in the Navy". From this wound Badger never fully recovered. He was promoted to be commander July 25, 1866, captain November 25, 1872, and commodore November 15, 1881. His last duty was from 1882 to 1885 as commandant of the navy yard at Boston, and he retired on August 12, 1885.

Achievements

He was considered one of the most brilliant officers in the navy, and an authority on ordnance. The destroyer Badger was launched and named in his honor in 1918.

Connections

He was married on October 27, 1852, to Margaret, daughter of Captain Johnston, and had two children, Annie Mansfield, who became the wife of Major-General G. F. Elliott, and Rear Admiral Charles J. Badger.

Father:: Albert Allen Badger
Mother:: Asenath (Crosby) Badger
Wife:: Margaret Johnston
Daughter:: Annie Mansfield
Son:: Charles J. Badger

References

The Atlantic Coast (Classic Reprint)

Main Photo

School period

College/University

Career

Achievements

Membership

Awards

Other Photos

Connections

Connections

Oscar Badger

Background

Career

Achievements

Connections

References

Born

Died

Nationality

Official Titles