Charles Wilkes

Charles Wilkes (April 3, 1798 – February 8, 1877) was an American naval officer and explorer. He is particularly noted for his 1838–1842 Pacific expedition as well as for his role in the Trent Affair during the Civil War.

The Civil War

At the outbreak of the American Civil War, Wilkes (who had reached the rank of commander in 1843 and that of captain in 1855) was assigned to the command of the San Jacinto to search for the Confederate commerce destroyer Sumter.

Related Topics:
American Civil War - 1843 - 1855 - ''San Jacinto'' - Confederate - ''Sumter''

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The Trent Affair

On November 8, 1861, he stopped the British mail packet Trent, and took off the Confederate commissioners to Europe, James Murray Mason and John Slidell. Though he was officially thanked by Congress, his action was later disavowed by President Lincoln. His next service was in the James River flotilla, but after reaching the rank of commodore, on July 16, 1862, he was assigned to duty against blockade runners in the West Indies.

Related Topics:
November 8 - 1861 - James Murray Mason - John Slidell - President Lincoln - James River - July 16 - 1862 - West Indies

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Promotion controversy

Wilkes was disrated (becoming a captain on the retired list) in November 1862 on the ground that he had been too old to receive the rank of commodore under the act then governing promotions, and engaged in a long controversy with Gideon Welles, secretary of the navy. This controversy ended in his being court-martialled in 1864 and being found guilty on several counts and sentenced to public reprimand and suspension for three years. But on July 25, 1866, he was promoted to the rank of rear admiral on the retired list.

Related Topics:
Gideon Welles - Secretary of the navy - July 25 - 1866

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~