James Armstrong (Commodore)
Encyclopedia
Commodore James Armstrong (17 January 1794 – 27 August 1868) was an officer in the United States Navy
.
Armstrong joined the United States Navy as a midshipman in 1809 and served on the sloop-of-war Frolic
when it was seized by the British in 1814 during the War of 1812
. Promoted to Commodore
and given command of the East India Squadron
in 1855, Armstrong served aboard the squadron's flagship
, San Jacinto
during the Second Opium War
. Following the Battle of the Pearl Forts, Armstrong's health began to fail and he returned to the United States.
In 1860 Armstrong was given command of the Pensacola Navy Yard. On January 12, 1861, two days after Florida
voted to secede
from the Union
he surrendered the facility to the secessionists.
Armstrong was born in Shelbyville, Kentucky
. He died in Salem, Massachusetts
at the age of 74 and is buried in the Harmony Grove Cemetery
.
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...
.
Armstrong joined the United States Navy as a midshipman in 1809 and served on the sloop-of-war Frolic
USS Frolic
USS Frolic is a name used more than once by the United States Navy, and may refer to:, a sloop of war in active service during 1814 until captured by the British during the War of 1812...
when it was seized by the British in 1814 during the War of 1812
War of 1812
The War of 1812 was a military conflict fought between the forces of the United States of America and those of the British Empire. The Americans declared war in 1812 for several reasons, including trade restrictions because of Britain's ongoing war with France, impressment of American merchant...
. Promoted to Commodore
Commodore (USN)
Commodore was an early title and later a rank in the United States Navy and United States Coast Guard and a current honorary title in the U.S. Navy with an intricate history. Because the U.S. Congress was originally unwilling to authorize more than four ranks until 1862, considerable importance...
and given command of the East India Squadron
East India Squadron
The East India Squadron, or East Indies Squadron, was a squadron of American ships which existed in the nineteenth century, it focused on protecting American interests in the Far East while the Pacific Squadron concentrated on the western coasts of the Americas and in the South Pacific Ocean...
in 1855, Armstrong served aboard the squadron's flagship
Flagship
A flagship is a vessel used by the commanding officer of a group of naval ships, reflecting the custom of its commander, characteristically a flag officer, flying a distinguishing flag...
, San Jacinto
USS San Jacinto (1850)
The first USS San Jacinto was an early screw frigate in the United States Navy during the mid-19th century. She was named for the San Jacinto River, site of the Battle of San Jacinto during the Texas Revolution. She is perhaps best known for her role in the Trent Affair of 1861.San Jacinto was laid...
during the Second Opium War
Second Opium War
The Second Opium War, the Second Anglo-Chinese War, the Second China War, the Arrow War, or the Anglo-French expedition to China, was a war pitting the British Empire and the Second French Empire against the Qing Dynasty of China, lasting from 1856 to 1860...
. Following the Battle of the Pearl Forts, Armstrong's health began to fail and he returned to the United States.
In 1860 Armstrong was given command of the Pensacola Navy Yard. On January 12, 1861, two days after Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
voted to secede
Secession
Secession is the act of withdrawing from an organization, union, or especially a political entity. Threats of secession also can be a strategy for achieving more limited goals.-Secession theory:...
from the Union
Union (American Civil War)
During the American Civil War, the Union was a name used to refer to the federal government of the United States, which was supported by the twenty free states and five border slave states. It was opposed by 11 southern slave states that had declared a secession to join together to form the...
he surrendered the facility to the secessionists.
Armstrong was born in Shelbyville, Kentucky
Shelbyville, Kentucky
As of the census of 2000, there were 10,085 people, 3,822 households, and 2,549 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,333.5 people per square mile . There were 4,117 housing units at an average density of 544.4 per square mile...
. He died in Salem, Massachusetts
Salem, Massachusetts
Salem is a city in Essex County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 40,407 at the 2000 census. It and Lawrence are the county seats of Essex County...
at the age of 74 and is buried in the Harmony Grove Cemetery
Harmony Grove Cemetery
Harmony Grove Cemetery is a cemetery in Salem, Massachusetts. It was established in 1840 and is located at 30 Grove Street.The cemetery includes the Gothic revival Blake Memorial Chapel of 1905.-Notable burials:...
.