Charles Wilson (sailor)
Encyclopedia
Charles Wilson was a sailor in the United States Navy
during the American Civil War
.
USS Carondelet
—commanded by Commander Henry A. Walke
—Seaman Wilson served during the operations which captured Forts Henry
and Donelson
in February 1862. He exhibited "conspicuous courage under fire" on the night of April 4, 1862, during the flotilla's passage down the Mississippi River
past Island No. 10 to New Madrid
. During the passage, Wilson—knee-deep in water and exposed to Confederate
gunfire—stood on the bow of the gunboat as he took soundings and called out the depths of the river, enabling Carondelet to make the passage safely. His soundings were the only significant guide for the gunboat as it threaded its way through the tortuous channel. Walke's running the gauntlet turned out to be a crucial factor in the Union's capture of Island No. 10 and its later operations to the south.
Later that year, Wilson also served during the capture of Confederate batteries opposite Point Pleasant on April 6 and Confederate positions below Madrid on the April 7. He took part in the naval engagement above Fort Pillow on the 10th, in the Battle of Memphis
on June 6, and in the action with the Confederate ram CSS Arkansas
on July 15. On January 24, 1863, Walke officially commended Wilson "for the distinguished service." Wilson eventually attained the rank of boatswain
.
(launched 1939, decommissioned 1946) was named for him.
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
during the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
.
Biography
Born in Boston, Massachusetts, Wilson enlisted on October 15, 1861, at Chicago, Illinois. Assigned to the gunboatGunboat
A gunboat is a naval watercraft designed for the express purpose of carrying one or more guns to bombard coastal targets, as opposed to those military craft designed for naval warfare, or for ferrying troops or supplies.-History:...
USS Carondelet
USS Carondelet (1861)
USS Carondelet was a gunboat constructed for the Union Navy by James B. Eads during the American Civil War...
—commanded by Commander Henry A. Walke
Henry A. Walke
Henry Walke was an officer in the United States Navy during the Mexican–American War and the American Civil War.-Early life:...
—Seaman Wilson served during the operations which captured Forts Henry
Battle of Fort Henry
The Battle of Fort Henry was fought on February 6, 1862, in western Tennessee, during the American Civil War. It was the first important victory for the Union and Brig. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant in the Western Theater....
and Donelson
Battle of Fort Donelson
The Battle of Fort Donelson was fought from February 11 to February 16, 1862, in the Western Theater of the American Civil War. The capture of the fort by Union forces opened the Cumberland River as an avenue for the invasion of the South. The success elevated Brig. Gen. Ulysses S...
in February 1862. He exhibited "conspicuous courage under fire" on the night of April 4, 1862, during the flotilla's passage down the Mississippi River
Mississippi River
The Mississippi River is the largest river system in North America. Flowing entirely in the United States, this river rises in western Minnesota and meanders slowly southwards for to the Mississippi River Delta at the Gulf of Mexico. With its many tributaries, the Mississippi's watershed drains...
past Island No. 10 to New Madrid
New Madrid
New Madrid may refer to:*New Madrid County, Missouri, a county in the U.S. state of Missouri*New Madrid, Missouri, a city in New Madrid County*New Madrid Seismic Zone, a major seismic zone in Missouri, Tennessee, and Arkansas...
. During the passage, Wilson—knee-deep in water and exposed to Confederate
Confederate States of America
The Confederate States of America was a government set up from 1861 to 1865 by 11 Southern slave states of the United States of America that had declared their secession from the U.S...
gunfire—stood on the bow of the gunboat as he took soundings and called out the depths of the river, enabling Carondelet to make the passage safely. His soundings were the only significant guide for the gunboat as it threaded its way through the tortuous channel. Walke's running the gauntlet turned out to be a crucial factor in the Union's capture of Island No. 10 and its later operations to the south.
Later that year, Wilson also served during the capture of Confederate batteries opposite Point Pleasant on April 6 and Confederate positions below Madrid on the April 7. He took part in the naval engagement above Fort Pillow on the 10th, in the Battle of Memphis
Battle of Memphis
The First Battle of Memphis was a naval battle fought on the Mississippi River immediately above the city of Memphis on June 6, 1862, during the American Civil War. The engagement was witnessed by many of the citizens of Memphis. It resulted in a crushing defeat for the Rebels, and marked the...
on June 6, and in the action with the Confederate ram CSS Arkansas
CSS Arkansas
The CSS Arkansas was a Confederate Ironclad warship during the American Civil War. Serving in the Western Theater, the vessel ran through a U.S. Navy fleet at Vicksburg, Mississippi, on 15 July 1862, in a celebrated action in which she inflicted more damage than she received...
on July 15. On January 24, 1863, Walke officially commended Wilson "for the distinguished service." Wilson eventually attained the rank of boatswain
Boatswain
A boatswain , bo's'n, bos'n, or bosun is an unlicensed member of the deck department of a merchant ship. The boatswain supervises the other unlicensed members of the ship's deck department, and typically is not a watchstander, except on vessels with small crews...
.
Namesake
The USS Wilson (DD-408)USS Wilson (DD-408)
USS Wilson , a , was the only ship of the United States Navy to be named for Charles Wilson, a seaman in the Union Navy during the American Civil War.-History:...
(launched 1939, decommissioned 1946) was named for him.