Greer, James Augustin (1833-1904) to J. B. Pollock
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03479.20 Author/Creator: Greer, James Augustin (1833-1904) Place Written: San Augustine, Texas Type: Letter signed Date: 4 January 1853 Pagination: 1 p. : docket ; 24.7 x 19.4 cm. Order a Copy
Written by Greer the year he graduated from the Naval Academy. References Pollock's letter from 13 December 1852 where Pollock said he sent a map of Texas to his agent. The agent was supposed to forward it to Greer. Says the agent has failed to comply with Pollock's request.
Born in Cincinnati, Ohio, Greer enlisted in the Navy in 1848. He entered the United States Naval Academy in 1853 and graduated as a Passed Midshipman the following year. After participating in the Paraguay Expedition, he cruised the west African coast until the outbreak of the Civil War. Greer was serving on board the USS San Jacinto on November 7, 1861, when she stopped the British steamer Trent and removed the Confederate diplomatic commissioners on their way to Britain, thereby nearly drawing Great Britain into the war on the Confederate side. This incident became celebrated as the Trent Affair. Greer served on the USS St. Louis from 1862 to 1863, and then was attached to Rear Admiral David Dixon Porter's Mississippi Squadron. While in command of the ironclads Carondelet and USS Benton, he participated in the Vicksburg campaign and the shelling of Grand Gulf as well as the abortive Union Red River expedition. After commanding the Naval Station at Mound City, Illinois, he assumed command of the hip USS Blackhawk, and then was in charge of conveying Army transports up the Tennessee River.
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