| Probably no nation in history has been so blessed with quality military leaders as was the Confederacy. Clearly, the Confederate Navy’s first admiral, Franklin Buchanan, brought to his assignment a record of broad experience and professionalism, which few could equal. Buchanan was a man of destiny. Buchanan’s 50-year naval career spanned from the square-rigged sailing ships of the fledgling United States to the development and command of the revolutionary iron-clad CSS Virginia (Merrimack) at Hampton Roads in 1861 and the CSS Tennessee in Mobile Bay in 1864. Born in Baltimore, Maryland, he was the fifth child and third son of prominent physician. His mother’s father was the governor of Pennsylvania and a signer of the Declaration of Independence. The family removed to Philadelphia where his father contracted yellow fever and died when “Buck” was only seven, leaving a widow and seven children. |
| Confederate Admiral Franklin Buchanan (17 Sept 1800 - 11 May 1874) by Shirley R. Anderson, Clark Chapter #13, Gallatin, TN |
| Growing up in an era filled with reports of great naval exploits, Buchanan sought and received appointment as a U.S. Navy midshipman at age 14. The average age was 17. At 26 he received his first command, a frigate. Thereafter he eagerly sought experience around the world, serving in the Mediterranean (Algiers, Tripoli) in dealing with the Barberry Pirates; in the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, Italy, Sicily, China, and was with Perry when he opened Japan. He met his wife, Nannie Lloyd, from a large, wealthy, prominent family in Maryland, and married her nine years later. They had 10 children. Apparently he was a doting father and a considerate, attentive husband. Money was a constant problem on navy pay. Eventually his brother-in-law purchased for them an estate near his wife’s family, which became their permanent residence. |
| Buchanan developed a reputation as a rigid disciplinarian, intolerant of mediocrity. This led to his appointment to command the newly created naval academy. He virtually had sole responsibility for establishing and running the new school, including curriculum and faculty. Expecting his home state of Maryland to secede, Buchanan resigned from the navy. A few days later, when this did not occur, he sought to recall his resignation without success. The majority of Southerners in the U.S. Navy, including Tennessean David Farragut, did not resign. He offered his services to the Confederacy, and he was given the top administrative job in their small navy. While the Confederates had no warships, the North had 200. Later he commanded the ironclad Virginia in victory over two warships, was seriously wounded, and afterwards was overwhelmed at Mobile, again being seriously wounded. As the Confederacy’s first admiral, Buchanan set high standards for us all. After the war he became an insurance company officer and college president, then retired to his home. |