Sydney Smith Lee
Encyclopedia
Sydney Smith Lee was an American naval officer and older brother to Robert E. Lee
. He was the third child of Henry "Light Horse Harry" Lee and Anne Hill Carter.
in the US Navy and 8 years later promoted to lieutenant
on May 17, 1828. During the Mexican–American War
, he was stationed at Veracruz
. He was promoted to commander
on June 4. 1850 and accompanied Commodore Perry to Japan
in 1853, commanding his flagship.
He served as commandant at the US Naval Academy and Philadelphia Navy Yard. He resigned from the service on April 17, 1861, the day Virginia seceded though resignation was not accepted. After dismission on April 22, 1861 he accepted commission as commander in the Confederate States Navy
.
When the US Navy abandoned the Gosport Navy Yard in Norfolk, Virginia
, Sydney became the commander there. When Union forces regained it, Sydney was put in charge of batteries at Drewry's Bluffs, Virginia. On May 6, 1864, he became chief of the Confederate Navy's Bureau of Orders and Detail, replacing Captain
John K. Mitchell. Sidney was promoted to captain, and remained at this post until the end of the war.
Sidney Smith Lee died at Richlands, Virginia
, on July 22, 1869. His wife was Anne Marie Mason of Virginia. One of their sons was Fitzhugh Lee
a later Confederate major general
, governor of Virginia
, and even a major general
of volunteers during the Spanish American War.
Robert E. Lee
Robert Edward Lee was a career military officer who is best known for having commanded the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia in the American Civil War....
. He was the third child of Henry "Light Horse Harry" Lee and Anne Hill Carter.
Life
Lee was born at Stratford Plantation, Westmoreland County, Virginia on September 2, 1802. At the age of 18 on December 30, 1820 he was appointed midshipmanMidshipman
A midshipman is an officer cadet, or a commissioned officer of the lowest rank, in the Royal Navy, United States Navy, and many Commonwealth navies. Commonwealth countries which use the rank include Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, India, Pakistan, Singapore, Sri Lanka and Kenya...
in the US Navy and 8 years later promoted to lieutenant
Lieutenant
A lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer in many nations' armed forces. Typically, the rank of lieutenant in naval usage, while still a junior officer rank, is senior to the army rank...
on May 17, 1828. During the Mexican–American War
Mexican–American War
The Mexican–American War, also known as the First American Intervention, the Mexican War, or the U.S.–Mexican War, was an armed conflict between the United States and Mexico from 1846 to 1848 in the wake of the 1845 U.S...
, he was stationed at Veracruz
Veracruz, Veracruz
Veracruz, officially known as Heroica Veracruz, is a major port city and municipality on the Gulf of Mexico in the Mexican state of Veracruz. The city is located in the central part of the state. It is located along Federal Highway 140 from the state capital Xalapa, and is the state's most...
. He was promoted to commander
Commander
Commander is a naval rank which is also sometimes used as a military title depending on the individual customs of a given military service. Commander is also used as a rank or title in some organizations outside of the armed forces, particularly in police and law enforcement.-Commander as a naval...
on June 4. 1850 and accompanied Commodore Perry to Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
in 1853, commanding his flagship.
He served as commandant at the US Naval Academy and Philadelphia Navy Yard. He resigned from the service on April 17, 1861, the day Virginia seceded though resignation was not accepted. After dismission on April 22, 1861 he accepted commission as commander in the Confederate States Navy
Confederate States Navy
The Confederate States Navy was the naval branch of the Confederate States armed forces established by an act of the Confederate Congress on February 21, 1861. It was responsible for Confederate naval operations during the American Civil War...
.
When the US Navy abandoned the Gosport Navy Yard in Norfolk, Virginia
Norfolk, Virginia
Norfolk is an independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States. With a population of 242,803 as of the 2010 Census, it is Virginia's second-largest city behind neighboring Virginia Beach....
, Sydney became the commander there. When Union forces regained it, Sydney was put in charge of batteries at Drewry's Bluffs, Virginia. On May 6, 1864, he became chief of the Confederate Navy's Bureau of Orders and Detail, replacing Captain
Captain (naval)
Captain is the name most often given in English-speaking navies to the rank corresponding to command of the largest ships. The NATO rank code is OF-5, equivalent to an army full colonel....
John K. Mitchell. Sidney was promoted to captain, and remained at this post until the end of the war.
Sidney Smith Lee died at Richlands, Virginia
Richlands, Virginia
Richlands is a town in Tazewell County, Virginia, United States. The population was 4,144 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Bluefield, WV-VA micropolitan area which has a population of 107,578.-Geography:Richlands is located at ....
, on July 22, 1869. His wife was Anne Marie Mason of Virginia. One of their sons was Fitzhugh Lee
Fitzhugh Lee
Fitzhugh Lee , nephew of Robert E. Lee, was a Confederate cavalry general in the American Civil War, the 40th Governor of Virginia, diplomat, and United States Army general in the Spanish-American War.-Early life:...
a later Confederate major general
Major General
Major general or major-general is a military rank used in many countries. It is derived from the older rank of sergeant major general. A major general is a high-ranking officer, normally subordinate to the rank of lieutenant general and senior to the ranks of brigadier and brigadier general...
, governor of Virginia
Governor of Virginia
The governor of Virginia serves as the chief executive of the Commonwealth of Virginia for a four-year term. The position is currently held by Republican Bob McDonnell, who was inaugurated on January 16, 2010, as the 71st governor of Virginia....
, and even a major general
Major General
Major general or major-general is a military rank used in many countries. It is derived from the older rank of sergeant major general. A major general is a high-ranking officer, normally subordinate to the rank of lieutenant general and senior to the ranks of brigadier and brigadier general...
of volunteers during the Spanish American War.