15 Facts About Abner Read

Abner Read was an officer of the United States Navy who distinguished himself in the American Civil War.

Abner Read died of injuries sustained while patrolling the Mississippi River, in command of the New London.

Abner Read was born April 5,1821, in Urbana, Ohio, to Ezra Read and Nancy Read.

Abner Read studied at Ohio University, but left that institution a year before graduating to accept a warrant as a midshipman, effective March 2,1839.

Abner Read got underway homeward on July 4,1850, and reached New York on January 7,1851.

Abner Read took him to the Mediterranean, but he left that ship while she was still in European waters and returned to the United States for duty at the Portsmouth Navy Yard.

Abner Read received his commission as master effective April 12,1853, and was promoted to lieutenant on February 6,1854.

Abner Read joined the wardroom of the sloop-of-war Falmouth in the fall of 1854, departed Norfolk, Virginia, in her on December 16,1854, and cruised through the West Indies unsuccessfully seeking information concerning Albany.

That screw steamer was short of officers due to the resignation of Southerners, so Abner Read was detached from Supply and assigned to the new arrival.

Abner Read's success was so remarkable that Flag Officer David Farragut felt that he must hold New London in his new command even though she had been assigned to the eastern group when the Navy divided its force in the gulf into two squadrons.

Lieutenant Abner Read's having made her such a terror to the Confederates in this quarter", he explained, ".

Abner Read was promoted to lieutenant commander on July 16,1862, and on April 18,1863, he led a boat expedition which landed near the lighthouse at Sabine Pass.

All but one member of Abner Read's crew were wounded as they raced back to their boat and rowed to New London.

Abner Read himself suffered a serious gunshot wound of the eye.

Abner Read was taken to a hospital at Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where he died on the evening of the next day.