Confederate States Navy Service
Commander Tucker resigned from the U.S. Navy when Virginia seceded from the Union in April 1861, becoming a Commander in the Virginia Navy and, in June, the Confederate States Navy. He was commanding officer of CSS Patrick Henry during 1861-62, participating with her in several combat actions. During the Federal Navy's attack on the Drewry's Bluff fortifications in May, he commanded one of the defending batteries.
In July 1862, Tucker was ordered to Charleston, South Carolina, where he took command of the ironclad CSS Chicora. The following January 31, he led his ship in a successful attack on Union warships off that port. He became commander of the Confederate warships at Charleston in March 1863, remaining in that post until the city fell in February 1865. During that time, he was promoted to Captain and aggressively pursued spar-torpedo warfare against U.S. warships. During the U.S. Civil War's last weeks he served in the defenses of Richmond, Virginia, and with the Confederate States Army as it withdrew to its final destiny at Appomattox, Virginia. He surrendered in the field on April 6, 1865 at the Battle of Sayler's Creek, and remained a prisoner of war until July 24. After his release, he returned to the South to work as an agent of the Southern Express Company of Raleigh, North Carolina.
Read more about this topic: John Randolph Tucker (naval Officer)
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