OFFICERS OF GREEK DESCENT IN THE UNION NAVY, 1861-1865
By GEORGE P. PERROS
mericans of Greek descent parti Turks during the massacre of Greeks on The boy was enrolled in a military cipated in the conflict of the Civil Chios in 1822. His captors removed him academy at Norwich, Connecticut, of A War on both the Union and Con to Smyrna. There, he was ransomed by which Captain Partriage was the federate sides. Accordingly, it is the some friends of his family, and was put founder and head; and his award, limited purpose of this article to present on board an American brig, then in receiving a good education, remained some salient facts on a handful of com port, named the Margarita, with nine or there until he procured, on February 21, patriots whose careers in the United ten others through the port of Balti 1832, an acting midshipman's warrant States Navy spanned the Civil War. more, and were received by the Greek in the United States Navy. Thomas Burgess, in his book Greeks in Relief Committee. With the consent of A summary account of the naval ser America (1913), mentions three natives that body, Captain Alden Partridge, a vice of Colvocoresses, based on a report of Greece who were officers in the Unit military educator, assumed the respon prepared by the Division of Naval His ed States Navy during the Civil War. Of sibility for the care of Colvocoresses. tory, Navy Department, shows the fol the three, George Musalas Colvoco lowing sea-going and land-based resses is best known among those assignments discharged by the officer: acquainted with the annals of Greeks in USS United States, USS John Adams, the United States. Little, however, is USS Delaware, and USS Potomac, known of the second officer, George (Mediterranean Sea, Coast of Africa, Sirian, who, at the start of the Civil Coast of Brazil), 1832-1837; Naval war, was a resident of the State of Vir School at Norfolk, 1837; warranted ginia. Photius Fisk (Kavasales), the Passed Midshipman, 1838; Wilkes third officer, is probably better known Exploring Expedition: USS POR than Sirian. POISE, USS PEACOCK, USS VIN CENNES, USS OREGON, 1838-1842; Ella Lonn, in her book Foreigners in USS OHIO, Receiving Ship at Boston, the Union Army and Navy (1951), p. 1843; USS WARREN, USS SHARK, 630, finds Colvocoresses, a native of and USS RELIEF, (Pacific Ocean), Chios, as probably the most interesting 1843-46; made lieutenant, 1844; USS of the foreign-born officers who held Receiving Ship at New York, 1847; USS the rank of commander in the Union ALLEG HANY (Coast of Brazil and Navy; she characterizes him "as Greek Mediterranean Sea), 1847-1849; USS as his name." The Dictionary ofAmeri GERMANTOWN and USS POR can Biography, Vol. IV, pp. 326-327 POISE, (Home Squadron and Coast of (1930), with a bibliographical note, The Africa), 1850-1852; USS Receiving National Cyclopedia of American Bio Ship at New York, 1854-1855; USS graphy, Vol. 23, p. 339 (1933), Applet LEVANT (East Indies), 1855-1858; on's Cyclopedia of American Portsmouth Navy Yard, 1858-1861; Biography, Vol. 1, pp. 699-700 (1888), Commissioned Commander, 1861; and the Washington Historical Quar USS SUPPLY 1861-1863, and USS terly, Vol. XXV, pp. 163-170 (July SARATOGA, 1863-1864 (For details 1934), print biographical sketches of the of his service while in command of the officer. The sources include some par Supply and the Saratoga, see the Offi ticulars on the antecedents of Colvoco cial Records of the Union and Confed resses. He was made a captive of the erate Navies in the War of the Rebellion); USS DACOTAH, 1864; USS WACHUSETT, 1864-1865; USS Mr. George Perros was an archivist at ST. MARY'S, in the Pacific (For the Bureau of Archives in Washington reports of his search for the CSS S HE D. C. He recently retired and lives in Rear Admiral NADOAH, see the Official Recorts, Washington. George Partridge Colvocoresses Series I, vol. 3), 1865-1866; placed on
AUGUST, 1991 5 the Retired List, Jan. 11, 1867; and and ammunition and freeing slaves. sions referred to." (Official Records commissioned a captain on the Retired These achivements won two citations of the Union and Confederate Navies List, Apr. 4, 1867. in general orders by Adm. Dahlgren in the War of the Rebellion, Series I, One can cite an excerpt from The and commendation by Secretary vol. 15, p. 643.) Gideon Welles." National Cyclopedia of American Bio I t should be noted that Colvocoresses graphy for a concise statement of Col The commendatory letter from the recounted his experiences as a member vocoresses' role in the Civil War: Secretary of the Navy, dated September of the Wilkes Exploring Expedition to 15, 1864, reads as follows: the South Seas and the Antarctic (1838- "At the outbreak of the Civil War he 1842) in a book titled Four Years in the was commissioned commander and "Sir: I have received from Rear Government Exploring Expedition with the U.S. Ship Supply captured Admiral Dahlgren the reports of the (1852), a work so popular that it was the blockade runner STEPHEN several expeditions recently dis issued in five editions. In his later years, HAR T, which was carrying supplies patched from the U.S.S. SARAT Colvocoresses, endowed with a quick to the Confederacy. In 1863 he was OGA into the waters and counties of mind and with a pleasing personality, transferred to the SARATOGA Georgia, which were originated and often gave lectures on his voyages and under Rear Adm. Dahlgren, and conducted by you with commenda on topics of natural history. Ironically, assigned to duty off the South Carol ble discretion, and zeal and crowned the retired officer met a violent end in ina and Georgia Coasts. He trained with success. civilian life; on June 3, 1872, he has shot his crew for landing expeditions and "The Department desires to return to and killed by footpads on a street in made several sorties in August, 1864, you and those under you command Bridgeport, Connecticut, while on a destroying bridges and encamp its thanks for your zealous and good business trip from his home in Litch ments, capturing enemy troops, guns services to the country on the occa- field, Connecticut.
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6 GREEK-AMERICAN REVIEW Burgess furnishes no details on the Dewey's Squadron,- at the Battle of Norfolk, 1865; Naval Magazine at Nor naval service of George Sirian, apart Manila Bay. For "eminent and conspic folk, 1865-66; Norfolk Navy Yard, from reporting that the Greek Seafarer, uous conduct" in that engagement, he 1866-67; USS PISCATAQUA (Flag becoming a gunner, attained the rank of was advanced by five numbers in grade. ship of the Asiatic Fleet), 1869-70; N or warrant officer. The same source adds The record of the naval service of folk Navy Yard, 1870-71; Naval the interesting sidelight that Sirian mar George Sirian, compiled from the Navy Magazine at Norfolk, 1871-72; USS ried the daughter of George Marshall, a Registers and from other sources, YANTIC and USS IDAHO (Ordnance Greek, who "puplishes probably the shows that he was appointed an Acting Storeship at Yokohama, Japan), 1872- first manual of naval gunnery in our Gunner in the United States Navy on 74; Norfolk Navy Yard, 1878-8; Retired service." Rear Admiral George Par April 20, 1837, after having served as a list, December 15, 1880. tridge Colvocoresses, the son of Cap seaman; that he received his warrant as The highlight in the service of Sirian tain George M. Colvocoresses, in a Gunner on January 14, 1843, to date in the Civil War occurred while he was letter published in the Portsmouth (Va) from June 17, 1841; and that on June attached to the USS VANDERBILT; May 2, 1923, provides another general 29, 1853, his warrant was again anted that warship, as a part of the largest report on Sirian: ated, efective from April 20, 1837. The naval force that had ever been "George Sir ian was the native of main facts of his service afloat and assembled under the Union banner, another island that was raided by the ashore follow: USS FAIRFIELD participated in the combined Army and Turks; his mother fled with him to (Brazilian Squadron), 1837-40; USS Navy attacks on Fort Fisher, North the beach and placing him in the bot NORTH CAROLINA (Receiving Carolina - the first on December 24 tom of an empty boat, shoved it from Ship, New York), 1841; USS BRAND and 25, 1864, and the second on Janu the shore. She awaited a dreadful fate YWINE (Mediterranean Sea), 1841-42; ary 13, 14 and 15, 1865. Fort Fisher, a while her boy drifted out to sea and Washington Navy Yard, 1842-43; USS formidable earthwork erected by the was finally picked up by men of the CONSTITUTION (East Indies and Confederates on the peninsula between U.S .S. MACEDONIAN (I believe) Pacific), 1843-46; New York Navy Cape Fear River and the Atlantic then cruising in the Mediterranean Yard, 1846-47; Bomb Vessel USS Ocean, guarded the approaches to the waters. The boy was received with HECLA (Home Squadron, Mexican port of Wilmington, North Carolina. In great kindness, adopted by the crew, War), 1847-48; Norfolk Navy Yard, the first attack on the fortification, the became a sailor and by intelligence 1848-49; USS JOHN ADAMS and USS VANDERBILT threw "upward of and good conduct in time was given USS DALE (Both vessels in the African 800 shells" against Confederate posi the warrant of Gunner. He served Squadron), 1849-53; Norfolk Navy tions. In the second assault, the vessel with credit, was much respected and Yard, 1853; Receiving Ship at Norfolk, occupied a position in the line of attack, died at a good old age." 1853-55; USS CONGRESS (Flagship and, in addition, members of its crew of the Mediterranean Squadron), 1855- were among the landing party of sailors Incidentally, the younger Colvoco- 58; Norfolk Navy Yard, 1858-59; USS and marines who attacked the right resses served during the Civil War as LANCASTER (Flagship of the Pacific flank of the fortification while the Army captain's clerk aboard the SUPPLY Squadron), 1859-61; New York Navy moved against the left flank. The cap and the Saratoga, under the command Yard, 1861-62; USS SABINE (Recruit ture of Fort Fisher on January 15, 1865, of his father. It may be further remarked ing Service at New London, Conn.), after one of the most gallant Confeder that the son graduated from the United 1862; U.S. Naval Academy, Newport, ate defensive actions in the war, closed States Naval Academy after the Civil Rhode Island (School Ship USS CON the port of Wilmington, virtually "the War, and that he distinguished himself STITUTION), 1862-64; USS VAN last gateway between the Confederate as the Executive Officer of the U.S.S. DERBILT (North Atlantic Blockading States and the outside world," and CONCORD, in Admiral George Squadron), 1864-65; Receiving Ship at shortly thereafter led to the fall of that city. J. Thomas Scharf, the Confederate historian, tells of the signal importance of these events in his History of the BANQUET CENTER Confederate States Navy. (1894). FOR ALL OCCASIONS Sirian died in Portsmouth, Virginia, his hometown, on December 21, 1891, at the age of 73; he had been born on December 15, 1818. The Portsmouth (V A) Star for May 2, 1923, reported F or ReservatIOns that the late Mr. Sirian had owned and lived for many years in the house at the CALL southwest corner of Fourth and Henry (201) 636-2700 Streets in Madison Ward, and that the BANQUET MANAGER late officer was in the remembrance of the older inhabitants of the town.
Photius Kavasalas (Fisk), born in U.S. ROUTES 1&9 1808, also hailed from the Grecian WOODBRIDGE, N.J. 07095 Archipelago. Sources with biographical information on him are the New York
AUGUST, 1991 7 Daily Tribune, Feb. 9, 1980, p. 4; the Events of the Year 1890, pp. 646,647. plague in 1814, he was found crying in Boston Daily Advertiser, Feb. 10, 1890, His early life, like that of Colvocoresses the streets of that ancient city; he had p. 5; The Boston Daily Globe, Feb. 10, and of Sirian, was marked with tragic apparently lost his entire family from 1890, p. 5; and Appleton's Annual Cyc episodes. While an infant, he was taken the pestilence. American missionaries lopedia and Register of Important to Smvrna. During an outbreak of the took Kavasales and another Greek boy named Anastatius to Malta. The Rev. Photius Fisk, an American missionary, saw Kavasales on the island, were he was studying at a Jesuit College. The GREEK RADIO VOICE Clergyman counseled the lad to go to the United States for his education. of South Florida and the Bahamas Finally, Kavasales and Anastatius were put aboard the American brig America, ~'\;.,AL 1580 AM Mon. thru Fri. 6.30-8.15 p.m. and on February 21, 1823, they reached Salem, Massachusetts. The boys were Saturday 10-11 a.m. immediately befriended by the Rev. Sunday 1.30-3.00 p .m. ~ Elias Cornelius, pastor of the Taberna FORT LAUDERDALE MIAMI cle Church. After spending some time in EMMANUEL (PARIS) & MARIA LADIKOS Salem, Kavasales and Anastatius went to Litchfield, Connecticut, to become PRODUCERS and ANNOUNCERS the charge of the Rev. Lyman Beecher. 2722 W. Davie Blvd. Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33312 After having attended Amherst Col Office: (305) 583-4348 lege, Kavasales sailed to the Mediterra Evenings: (305) 792-3029 nean Sea as a representative of the Board of Foreign Missions to deliver a cargo of provisions for the relief of des ANN 0 U N C N G ------, titute Greeks, then fighting for inde pendence from Turkey; but, upon finding himself unable to help their First Annual National Conference struggle, he returned to the United of the States. In 1828, he became a communi cant of the Congregational Church, and GREEK AMERICAN WOMEN'S NETWORK began to study for the ministry. He graduated from the Auburn (N.Y.) Saturday, October 19, 1991 Theological Seminary, was ordained at at the Halifax, Vermont, and then discharged his ministerial duties in New England. OMNI.Park Central Hotel On December 23, 1841, President 7th Avenue at 56th Street John Tyler nominated Kavasales to be a New York, NY chaplain in the United States Navy, and the Senate confirmed to appointment on March 14, 1842. "His appointment Greek American Women: to the Navy Chaplaincy in 1842; was Work and Choices In a Changing World chiefly owing to the action of John Quincy Adams, then in the House of Featuring Guest Speakers and Panelists Representatives. While... Kavasales' linguistic abilities and his Greek birth Tontatlvo Topics and history were especial elements in his Greek American Women: An Overview favor, giving him, in the eyes of a classi cal scholar like Mr. Adams, a great Gender and Family Relations over the Lifespan advantage over several other candi Ethnic Community and Organizational Structure: The Role of Women dates, Joshua Giddings and Gerritt Women in the Work Force: Do Ethnic Differences Exist? Smith were also influential in his interest." Fundamentals of Networking The history of the naval service of Strategies for the 21 st Century Kavasales, derived from the Navy Reg isters and from the publication of the PLAN TO AnEND ••• TO PARTICIPATE ••• TO ENJOY Navy Department entitled United States Navy Chaplains, 1778-1945 Discussions 0 Luncheon 0 Reception 0 Friendships (1948), p. 93, discloses the following sea For more information, call Dr. Alice Scourby, (516) 299-2404. shore duty, along with the periods of an inactive status: USS COLUMBIA, July
8 GREEK-AMERICAN REVIEW 13, 1842-Aug. 12, 1846; Norfolk Navy ment erected thereon, in the Harmony USS SAGAMORE, and the USS CIR Yard, Aug. 12, I 846-0ct. 24, 1846; Grove Cemetery, Salem, Massachusetts. CASSIAN; and that on August 22, Washington Navy Yard, Oct. 24, 1846- Leonidas D. Rodocanachi, also 1863, he was appointed Acting Master's Feb. I, 1850; USS RARITAN, June 5, known as Leonidas Rody, was another Mate, and in 1865, Mate. I 850-Jan. 27, 1853; Pensacola Navy officer of Greek extraction in the Union The Navy Registers disclose that in Yard, Dec. 27, 1854 - Apr. 8, 1857; Navy. Burgess does not mention him in 1863 and 1864, Rodocanachi, as an "Awaiting orders," 1858-1864; Retired Greeks in America. Though the infor officer, served on the USS NEPTUNE, List, Commander, July 18, 1864; mation about him on hand is scanty, yet which, during his duty aboard her, was Retired and Reserve List, Captain, it suffices to attest his Greek ancestry at first a unit of the West India Squad 1880. and his service in the Union Navy. With ron, and was afterwards assigned to spe When Kavasales returned from duty the aid of the Navy Registers, and of the cial conv()y service in the West Indies. aboard the USS COLUMBIA, he made publication of the Adjutant General of In 1865 'he was attached to the USS a report on the treatment of sailors and Massachusetts titled Massachusetts TIOGA, operating with the Gulf marines in the United States Navy. His Soldiers, Sailors, and Marines in the Squadron . .In the following year Rodo report gave impetus to the reform Civil War, vol. VII, p. 506, and vol. canachi reported for duty at the United movement which, aided by him in other VIII, p. 620, one can deduce Rodocana States Naval Academy; he was honora ways, led to the abolition of flogging on chi's naval career. These sources reveal bly discharged from the Navy on May American men-of-war. He collected, that the was born in Greece; that on 22, 1867. during assignment to the USS RARI November 2, 1861, he enlisted, at Bos In short, there were, at least, two TAN, a large number of botanical speci ton, as Landsman in the United States commissioned, and two warrant, offic mens; the Government conservatory Navy for "3 yrs. or war"; that he served ers of Greek birth in the United States was the intended recipient of them. on the receiving ship USS OHIO, the Navy during the Civil War. While stationed at the Washington Navy Yard, the chaplain changed his surname from Kavasales to Fisk by an act of Congress approved on May 3, 1848 (9 Stat. 713). The Congressional Blue Dawn Globe for March 14, 1848, p. 460, reporting the proceedings in the House of Representatives on the private law, D iner-R estaurant records a proponent of it, Representa 1860 VETERANS HIGHWAY, CENTRAL ISLIP, N.Y. 11722 tive John G. Chapman, as remarking TEL. (516) 234-6001 Tj (516) 348-9708 that "Mr. Kavasales was desirous of changing his name in consequence of O,\HrIEI:: Exit 57 cno OElltEPO
AUGUST, 1991 9