John Randolph Tucker was a native of Virginia, born in Alexandria. In 1855 he had attained the rank of Commander in the U.S. Navy. His first command was on the warship USS Pennsylvania. When the Civil War broke out, he resigned his commission and took his place in the newly formed CS Navy.
Tucker was assigned to command the James River Squadron, earning himself the title of Commodore. Sailing on the CSS Patrick Henry, which was converted from the vessel Yorktown into a warship, Commodore Tucker stationed his ship near Mulberry Island in the James River in order to protect the right flank of the Confederate Peninsula Army and guard against attacks from the Union coming out of Newport News. The Patrick Henry was also in the Battle of Hampton Roads where she came under fire and was damaged. Repaired and back in service quickly, Tucker’s warship assisted in the battle between the CSS Virginia and the USS Monitor by firing long range at the Monitor.
Towards the end of the war, Commodore Tucker headed the Confederate squadron at Charleston and during the last few days commanded the naval brigade of the Army of Northern Virginia. His final battle was played out at Sayler’s Creek.
Anticipating the inevitable approach of General Sherman’s army towards Columbia, South Carolina, General Hardee made preparations for the evacuation of Charleston; the Confederate naval squadron included. Commodore Tucker then detached 300 men and officers and placed them under the command of Maj General Hoke who’s division held the defensive line between Fort Fisher and Wilmington. The remaining crews of the squadron set about scuttling the ironclads and after unsuccessfully attempting to secure train passage, began a 125 mile march to Fayetteville, North Carolina.
The 350 Confederate sailors arrived in North Carolina nine days later on February 27th, 1865. There Commodore Tucker joined up with a naval detachment under the command of Lieutenant James Rochelle. Following the orders received, the entire naval brigade headed off to Richmond. Once in Richmond, the brigade was sent to Drewry’s Bluff, home of the Confederate States Naval Academy, to man the Confederate batteries emplaced there. There was one complication, however.
General Lee had ordered the evacuation of Richmond and forgot to inform Commodore John Tucker as to the timetable of said event. It wasn’t until they saw the smoke from the burning ironclads that they found out the Confederate troops were in full swing out of Richmond. Joining up with Maj General Custis Lee’s division, under Lieutenant General Ewell, Tucker’s Naval Brigade guarded the rear of Ewell’s corps at Saylor’s Creek. This occurred on April 3rd. Three days later, the Union Army cut off the rear of Lee’s army and the Battle of Sayler’s Creek ensued.
Tucker’s Naval Brigade, also referred to as the Marine Brigade, waged a fierce skirmish with the first wave of attackers and remained the only unit that did not break. Surrounded by six of Grant’s divisions, they fought off the attack with only 300 to 400 men at most. Unaware that they were so vastly outnumbered, Commodore Tucker ordered a counterattack busting the 37th Massachusetts Infantry into pieces and reducing the 2nd Rhode Island Regt in strength with close quarter combat. The Brigade fought with such ferocity and determination that the Union commanders estimated they were facing an enemy 2000 strong. Tucker’s Brigade continued to repulse Federal attacks, inflicting heavy losses and finally regrouped in a small wooded area.
The Union army tightened its grip around the Brigade and after a respite, a dialog opened up between the combatants. Commodore Tucker finally agreed to a surrender after learning that the General Ewell’s entire corps had already been captured. Both sides were amazed as each discovered the true sizes of their opponents. The Union commander, LtG J. Warren Keifer was so impressed with Commodore Tucker, that after the war, he returned the sword Commodore Tucker had offered in surrender.
Three days after that, on April 9th 1865, the Civil War ended in the town of Appomattox.
Sources:
www.historycentral.com/navy/cwnavalhistory/February1865.html
and .../April1865.html by MultiEducator, Inc.
www.cronab.demon.co.uk/peru4.htm by Juan del Campo
www.navyandmarine.org/ondeck/1862blackCSN.htm by John Nevins
