Buchanans on opposing sides

[marinegrunt]

I remember reading somewhere that Confederate Admiral Franklin Buchanan went toe to toe with a brother of his during the Battle for Hampton Roads, before he was wounded. I can't seem to find anything more on it. Do I remember this wrong or does anybody have a good source to find out the particulars?

 

[Carronade]

His brother was on the frigate Congress, which Virginia shelled and destroyed. IIRC he was a purser.

 

[marinegrunt]

His brother was on the frigate Congress, which Virginia shelled and destroyed. IIRC he was a purser.

Did he know this at the time? The war if full of stories of brothers on opposing sides, but I'm looking for a specific instance when a man knew his kin was in front of him and fought anyway. I myself would be firing a lot of shots way over anyone's head if I knew my brother was in my front.

 

[Carronade]

Did he know this at the time? The war if full of stories of brothers on opposing sides, but I'm looking for a specific instance when a man knew his kin was in front of him and fought anyway. I myself would be firing a lot of shots way over anyone's head if I knew my brother was in my front.

I believe he did, I think it's mentioned in the book Monitor by James DeKay, I'll double-check when I have a chance.

Another example was at Port Royal when Percival Drayton, commanding the Union gunboat Pocahontas, fired on a fort which he knew to be commanded by his brother Thomas, a Confederate general. Thomas' son, Percival's nephew, was also in the fort.

Men of that era had a strong sense of duty, even when it put them on opposite sides.

 

[marinegrunt]

I believe he did, I think it's mentioned in the book Monitor by James DeKay, I'll double-check when I have a chance.

Another example was at Port Royal when Percival Drayton, commanding the Union gunboat Pocahontas, fired on a fort which he knew to be commanded by his brother Thomas, a Confederate general. Thomas' son, Percival's nephew, was also in the fort.

Men of that era had a strong sense of duty, even when it put them on opposite sides.

True. I have no such sense when it comes to my family. I'd never be able to raise my hand to my younger brother. Unless it was to give him a charley horse.

 

[Carronade]

His brother was on the frigate Congress, which Virginia shelled and destroyed. IIRC he was a purser.

Checked the book, which says Buchanan did know his brother McKean Buchanan was aboard Congress; he was actually a paymaster and survived the action unhurt.