(1810–1893)

Melancton Smith (1810–1893)

Melancton Smith (May 24 1810 – July 19 1893) was a United States Navy officer who served during the Seminole Wars and the American Civil War.

Melancton Smith III was born in New York City, the was the son of Col. Melancton Smith, Jr., an army officer during the War of 1812, and grandson of Melancton Smith, a Continental Congressman. The third Melancton joined the U.S. Navy at a young age.

At the outbreak of the American Civil War Smith commanded the USS Massachusetts and on June 9 1861 he captured the British blockade runner Perthshire with cargo of cotton near Pensacola, Florida. He also took part in the battles for Forts Jackson and St. Philip in April 1862. He was appointed captain and took part in the naval part of the Siege of Port Hudson in May to July, 1863. Smith was senior naval officer of a small fleet in Albemarle Sound where he attacked the Confederate ram CSS Albemarle at the Battle of Albemarle Sound in May 1864.

In his own words describing the havoc caused by one well-placed shot with the Massachusetts rifled pivot gun, at the CSS Selma October 1861.

He was in command of the frigate USS Wabash during both attacks on Fort Fisher in December 1864 and January 1865. In Real Admiral David Dixon Porter’s, Report to the U. S. Navy, dated January 28 1865, from his flagship USS Malvern, on the Cape Fear River, in commendation of officers of his command the North Atlantic Squadron, the following was written about Melancton Smith: