Search results
Franklin Buchanan (September 17, 1800 – May 11, 1874) was an officer in the United States Navy who became the only full admiral in the Confederate Navy during the American Civil War. He also commanded the ironclad CSS Virginia .
May 9, 2024 · Franklin Buchanan (born Sept. 17, 1800, Baltimore—died May 11, 1874, Talbot County, Md., U.S.) was the first superintendent of the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, Md. (1845–47), and senior naval officer of the Confederacy during the American Civil War (1861–65).
- The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
Franklin Buchanan is most known for his actions on the first day of the Battle of Hampton Roads on March 8, 1862. During the battle, Buchanan, in command of the ironclad CSS Virginia, attacked the wooden Union warships blockading the harbor.
How did Captain Franklin Buchanan, a southerner and a loyal U.S. Navy officer, decide to join the Confederate States Navy in 1861? Read about his background, his role in the Baltimore riot, and his controversial career in this article from Proceedings magazine.
Buchanan commanded the CSS Virginia in the historic duel with the USS Monitor in 1862. He describes the sinking of the Cumberland, the surrender of the Congress, and the heavy fire from shore batteries in his official report.
Jan 26, 2024 · Learn about the life and career of Franklin Buchanan, a former US Navy officer who joined the Confederate Navy and commanded the CSS Virginia. Discover how he fought against the Union fleet at Hampton Roads and became a trusted advisor to Stephen Mallory.
Franklin Buchanan was one of several naval officers who had fought valiantly but vainly for the Confederate cause after previously serving in the United States Navy with distinction and honor.
