TATTNALL. 207 



64. JOSIAH TATTNALL. 



JOSIAH TATTNALL was born November 9, 1795, in Bonaventura, near Savan- 

 nah, Georgia. He became an orphan at an early age and was sent, with his sister 

 and brother, to England to be educated. At school, from 10 to 16 years of age, his 

 conduct was exemplary and manly; he studied faithfully, but he always retained 

 a strong love for outdoors. In 1811 he returned to America, studied medicine for a 

 time in Savannah, but found it disgusting and depressing, and so, following his 

 inclinations, applied to the navy department and was made a midshipman in 

 April 1812. After studying mathematics for a time in Washington, he was ordered 

 in August to the Constellation under Commodore Bainbridge. His first engage- 

 ment was against the British at Hampton Roads. He helped man the shore bat- 

 teries on Craney island which repulsed the British barges, and he was one of those 

 who waded out and took possession of the barges which had grounded. Sent 

 on special duty to the Lake Erie squadron, he was detailed to arrest deserters. 

 Having chastised one who resisted arrest, he was criticized for so doing by his 

 commanding officer. Resenting the injustice, he promptly resigned. Later, he 

 was induced to withdraw his resignation and was shortly restored to the navy. 

 In the meantime, however, the English had captured Washington city. Young 

 Tattnall attached himself to a company of volunteers and participated in the dis- 

 astrous battle of Bladensburg (August 24, 1814). In his rapid retreat he became 

 greatly exhausted and was proffered succor by a planter who discovered him, but he 

 declined. He went with Decatur's squadron to the Algerian war and remained 

 for some tune in Mediterranean waters, profiting by its historical surroundings. 

 Upon his return to the United States he was, after examination, promoted to a 

 lieutenancy in April 1818. He next served on the Macedonian (on which his inti- 

 mate friend Paulding was also lieutenant), and sailed for Valparaiso and a Pacific 

 cruise. On account of a disagreement with his captain, he returned to the United 

 States in advance of his ship. He was fully exonerated by the Navy Department. 



In 1821 he married a daughter of his mother's sister. While off duty he 

 studied mathematics and also perfected himself in the use of the sword, pistol, 

 and rifle. He was at this time fond of exercise and a rapid and enduring pedes- 

 trian. In 1823 he was on the schooner Jackal, of Commodore Porter's mosquito 

 fleet, organized to suppress piracy in the West Indies. From 1814 to 1825 he was 

 with the Mediterranean squadron. In 1828 he reported as first lieutenant to 

 Commander Turner on board the Erie and, as such, successfully conducted the 

 cutting-out expedition for salvage of the Federal. 



In 1829 he surveyed the Dry Tortugas for the government fortifications 

 subsequently built there. During the next few years Tattnall saw a varied service 

 on the Gulf of Mexico, connected, more or less directly, with the storm brewing 

 between Mexico, Texas, and the United States. Thus, in 1835, he brought the 

 defeated Santa Anna to Vera Cruz, where the soldiery were hostile, and handed 

 him over to his friends. In 1838 he was appointed commander and placed in 

 charge of the Boston navy yard. Next being put in charge of a fine new corvette, 

 the Saratoga, he was caught in a southeast gale before he had cleared the New 

 England coast, so that he was nearly driven upon the shore and only saved himself 

 by cutting away the masts and anchoring. After refitting, he carried Commodore 

 Perry, in the Saratoga, to the west coast of Africa to watch slavers. 



In the Mexican war he commanded the mosquito division of small vessels 

 that covered the landing of General Scott's army at Vera Cruz, and also helped 



