HISTORY OF MARYLAND SAILORS AND MARINES. 3

Rear-Admiral Hugh Y. Purviance took part in the first battle with the iron-clad
"Merrimac," a battle that startled the world, again in command of U. S. S. "St. Lawrence"
off Charleston, S. C., sank the C. S. Privateer "Petrel" and received a vote of thanks from the
State of Maryland through the General Assembly.

Rear-Admiral John H. Russell complimented by the U. S. Navy Department and the
thanks of the Legislature of Maryland, commanded the U. S. Gunboat "Kennebec" with Far-
ragut's fleet in the attack upon Forts St. Philip and Jackson in 1862, and thence in the advance
up the river as far as Vicksburg, Miss.

Rear-Admiral Winfield S. Schley, a name now known and honored throughout the
civilized world, in 1862-3 commanded batteries in the siege and capture of Port Hudson, La.,
and throughout the Civil War on active duty passed through a school of experience that laid
the foundation for his subsequent brilliant career.

So that it is self-evident that the Maryland contingent in the U. S. Navy during the
Civil War 1861-5 was a most valuable factor.