Career
Born in 1840 in Ireland, Flood immigrated to the United States and was living in New York when he joined the United States. Navy. He served during the Civil War as a cabin boy on the United States Ship Pensacola. At the Battle of Forts Jackson and Saint Philip near New Orleans on April 24–25, 1862, he stood on Pensacola"s bridge and acted as an aide to the executive officer, Field Artillery Roe.
An artillery shell struck nearby, knocking Flood off the bridge onto the deck below and removing the leg of Signal Quartermaster Murry.
Flood helped Murry below decks to the surgeon, then returned to the bridge and took over the man"s duties. In his report of the battle, Roe praised Flood"s actions and suggested he be appointed a midshipman.
The quote at the end of the citation is from Roe"s after action report. Served on board the United States.S. Pensacola in the attack on Forts Jackson and Saint Philip and at the taking of new Orleans, 24 and 25 April 1862.
Swept from the bridge by a shell which wounded the signal quartermaster, Flood returned to the bridge after assisting the wounded man below and taking over his duties, "performed them with coolness, exactitude and the fidelity of a veteran seaman.
His intelligence and character cannot be spoken of too warmly.".
