CSN Lee, Sydney Smith - Captain

Sydney Smith Lee​

Born: September 2, 1802

Birth Place: Camden, New Jersey

Father: Major General Henry "Light Horse Harry" Lee 1756 – 1818

(Buried: Lee Chapel, Lexington, Virginia)​

Mother: Anne Hill Carter 1779 – 1829

(Buried: Lee Chapel, Lexington, Virginia)​

Wife: Anna Mason 1811 – 1896

(Buried: Old Christ Church, Alexandria, Virginia)​

Younger Brother: General Robert E. Lee

Children:

Major General Fitzhugh Lee 1835 – 1905​

(Buried: Hollywood Cemetery, Richmond, Virginia)​

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Captain Henry Carter Lee 1842 – 1889​

(Buried: Christ Church Episcopal Cemetery, Alexandria, Virginia)​

Occupation before War:

1820: On December 30, at the age of 18, Lee was appointed Midshipman in the United States Navy​

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1828: Promoted to Lieutenant on May 17​

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1847: Fought in the Battle of Veracruz during the Mexican–American War with his brother Robert E. Lee; and afterwards was stationed there​

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1850: Promoted to Commander on June 4​

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1853: Accompanied Commodore Perry to Japan while commanding his flagship USS Mississippi​

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Commander Lee served as commandant of the U.S. Naval Academy and Philadelphia Navy Yard.​

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Resigned from U.S. Navy service on April 17, 1861​

Civil War Career:

1861: On April 22, Lee accepted a commission as commander in the Confederate States Navy​

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Assigned as commanding officer of the Gosport Navy Yard in Norfolk, Virginia​

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Oversaw the raising, and refit of the USS Merrimac, into the ironclad CSS Virginia, as well as the quick repairs on the Virginia after the Battle at Hampton Roads​

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When U.S. Navy re-took Gosport, Lee was put in charge of the Confederate batteries at Drewry's Bluffs, Virginia​

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1864: On May 6, Lee became chief of the Confederate Navy's Bureau of Orders and Detail, and was promoted to Captain​

Occupation after War:

1865 – 1869: Farmer in the State of Virginia​

Died: July 22, 1869

Place of Death: Richlands, Virginia

Age at time of Death: 66 years old

Burial Place: Old Christ Church Cemetery, Alexandria, Virginia

 

[Pollaco]

Brother to Robert E. Lee, father to Major General Fitzhugh Lee.

 

[Pollaco]

He was assigned to command at Drewry's Bluff but arrived just as it being attacked by Union Forces and declined to relieve his predecessor during the action.

 

[gentlemanrob]

Additions:

 

[Andersonh1]

I can see the family resemblance to Robert E. Lee in that first picture.

 

[NFB22]

I feel as if he's the "Forgotten Lee" of that era when you consider his considerable service with the USN pre-war and his family connections. Not to mention his service to the Confederacy although he didn't seem as invested in that cause.

 

[gentlemanrob]

I feel as if he's the "Forgotten Lee" of that era when you consider his considerable service with the USN pre-war and his family connections. Not to mention his service to the Confederacy although he didn't seem as invested in that cause.

I feel this way about a lot of Navy officers it seems the army has dominated the entire war and people forget about these navy commanders.

 

[gentlemanrob]

This will be the year we set sail with the navy and learn more about it.

 

[Pollaco]

He was called "Smith" Lee.

 

[Pollaco]

He resigned from the U.S. Navy on the 17th of April, 1861 but it was declined. He was however dismissed a week later on Aptil, 22, 1861.

 

[Pollaco]

4 of his sons served in either the C.S. Army or Navy.I think he had 6 sons