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DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY -- NAVAL HISTORICAL CENTER
805 KIDDER BREESE SE -- WASHINGTON NAVY YARD
WASHINGTON DC 20374-5060

Online Library of Selected Images:
-- PEOPLE -- UNITED STATES --

Commander James D. Johnston, Confederate States Navy, formerly Lieutenant, United States Navy (in service 1832-1865)

James D. Johnston was born in Kentucky and was appointed from that state as a U.S. Navy Midshipman in 1832. He achieved the rank of Lieutenant in 1843 and had not received further promotion when he resigned from the service in April 1861. Johnston joined the Confederate States Navy in the same month as a First Lieutenant and was promoted to Commander in June 1864. His initial Confederate service was as a lighthouse inspector. He was assigned to the New Orleans Station in 1861 and to the forces on Mobile Bay, Alabama, later in that year. Johnston commanded the ironclads CSS Baltic in 1861-63 and CSS Tennessee in 1864. He was captured with the latter ship during the Battle of Mobile Bay on 5 August 1864, and held as a prisoner of war until the following October. After he was exchanged, Commander Johnston returned to duty in the Mobile area, remaining there until the end of the Civil War in May 1865, when he surrendered and was paroled.

This page features our only pictures of Commander James D. Johnston, CSN.


If you want higher resolution reproductions than the "Online Library's" digital images, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."

Click on the small photograph to prompt a larger view of the same image.

Photo #: NH 48714

Lieutenant James D. Johnston, USN


Retouched image, from a miniature portrait painted circa the 1830s or 1840s.

Courtesy of Mrs. Albert Gleaves.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 122KB; 625 x 765 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 48712

Commander James D. Johnston, CSN


Late 19th Century line engraving by "Tab". He commanded CSS Tennessee during the Battle of Mobile Bay, 5 August 1864.

Courtesy of the Harbeck Collection.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 134KB; 580 x 765 pixels

 


If you want higher resolution reproductions than the "Online Library's" digital images, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."


Return to Naval Historical Center home page.

16 September 2000