Charles William Read was a distinguished naval officer known for his daring and audacious exploits during the American Civil War as a commander in the Confederate States Navy. Born into a family with a strong frontier spirit, Read graduated from the United States Naval Academy and quickly rose to prominence through his fearless leadership and naval raids against Union shipping. Despite facing imprisonment and hardship, he continued to serve the Confederacy until the war's end. Afterward, Read remained connected to maritime pursuits, including a notable role in the Peruvian Navy, and maintained close ties with fellow Confederate veterans until his death in 1890.
Born: May 12, 1840
Birthplace: Satartia, Mississippi
Parents:
Wife: Nebraska L. Carter (1854–1928)
Buried: Rose Hill Cemetery, Meridian, Mississippi
Children:
Education
Occupation Before the War
Civil War Career
Occupation After the War:
Death
Meridian, Miss., January 26, 1890 — It is with profound sorrow that we announce the passing of Commander Charles William "Savez" Read, a distinguished naval officer of the late Confederate States Navy, who died yesterday at his residence in Meridian at the age of 49.
Born in Satartia, Mississippi, on May 12, 1840, Mr. Read was a graduate of the United States Naval Academy, where he ranked seventh in his class of 1860. He entered the United States Navy and served with honor aboard the U.S.S. Powhatan before resigning in April 1861 upon the secession of his native state.
Answering the call of duty to the Confederacy, Commander Read rapidly distinguished himself through gallant service. He commanded numerous vessels including the C.S.S. McRae, Arkansas, Florida, Tacony, and Archer. His bold and daring raids upon Union shipping earned him a reputation as one of the Confederacy's most intrepid naval commanders, having captured or destroyed over twenty Union vessels. His valor was further marked by periods of imprisonment as a prisoner of war, from which he returned to continued service until the war's end.
In the years following the war, Commander Read devoted himself to maritime pursuits, including service as an instructor in Peru's naval forces and as a merchant captain operating throughout the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean waters. Despite the hardships endured in postwar life, he remained a respected figure among his comrades and the community.
Commander Read leaves behind his devoted wife, Mrs. Nebraska L. Carter Read, and their daughter, Miss Louise Reed Read Cauthen. The funeral services will be held at Rose Hill Cemetery in Meridian, where he will be laid to rest.
His passing is mourned by family, friends, and fellow veterans who remember him as a man of courage, skill, and unwavering dedication.
Charles William "Savez" Read:
Birthplace: Satartia, Mississippi
Parents:
- Father: William Francis Read (1817–1850) — died while searching for gold
- Mother: Mary Howard
Wife: Nebraska L. Carter (1854–1928)
Buried: Rose Hill Cemetery, Meridian, Mississippi
Children:
- Louise Reed Read Cauthen (1875–1949)
Buried: Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Glendale, California
Education
- 1860: Graduated from United States Naval Academy, ranking 7th in his class
Occupation Before the War
- 1860–1861: Midshipman in the United States Navy
- Served briefly aboard the U.S.S. Powhatan
Civil War Career
- April 1861: Resigned from the U.S. Navy after South Carolina's secession
- Midshipman in Confederate States Navy aboard the C.S.S. McRae in New Orleans, Louisiana
- 1861: Fought in the Battles of Ship Island and against the U.S.S. Massachusetts
- 1861: Engaged with forces opposing the Union Blockading Squadron at Head of the Passes
- April 24, 1862: Promoted to Commander of the C.S.S. McRae
- 1862: Executive Officer and Acting Commander of the C.S.S. Arkansas during operations on the Mississippi River, including the Battle of Baton Rouge
- Assisted with shore battery placements at Port Hudson, Louisiana
- January 15, 1863: Assigned to the C.S.S. Florida, beginning a series of commerce-raiding missions
- Transferred successively to the C.S.S. Clarence, C.S.S. Tacony, and C.S.S. Archer
- Held the rank of Lieutenant in the Confederate Navy
- Captured or destroyed twenty-two Union vessels during his raids
- 1863: Captured off Portland, Maine with his crew and held prisoner at Fort Warren, Massachusetts
- October 18, 1864: Exchanged at Cox Wharf, Virginia
- Commanded the C.S.S. Scorpion during James River operations and the Trent's Reach battles in 1865
- Assigned to command the C.S.S. Webb in Shreveport, Louisiana in 1865
- Attempted to break the Union blockade in the Gulf of Mexico on April 23, 1865; grounded near New Orleans
- May 10, 1865: Surrendered to Federal forces in New Orleans
- Imprisoned again at Fort Warren, released July 24, 1865
Occupation After the War:
- Served as second officer aboard a ship assisting Cuban rebels
- Hired by Peru to train naval forces in torpedo warfare
- Served as a commander in the Peruvian Navy
- Worked as a merchant captain and commercial shipmaster in the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean
- Lived with financial difficulties later in life
- Maintained friendships with numerous ex-Confederate naval officers
Death
- Date: January 25, 1890
- Place: Meridian, Mississippi
- Cause: Unknown
- Age: 49 years old
- Burial Place: Rose Hill Cemetery, Meridian, Mississippi
Meridian, Miss., January 26, 1890 — It is with profound sorrow that we announce the passing of Commander Charles William "Savez" Read, a distinguished naval officer of the late Confederate States Navy, who died yesterday at his residence in Meridian at the age of 49.
Born in Satartia, Mississippi, on May 12, 1840, Mr. Read was a graduate of the United States Naval Academy, where he ranked seventh in his class of 1860. He entered the United States Navy and served with honor aboard the U.S.S. Powhatan before resigning in April 1861 upon the secession of his native state.
Answering the call of duty to the Confederacy, Commander Read rapidly distinguished himself through gallant service. He commanded numerous vessels including the C.S.S. McRae, Arkansas, Florida, Tacony, and Archer. His bold and daring raids upon Union shipping earned him a reputation as one of the Confederacy's most intrepid naval commanders, having captured or destroyed over twenty Union vessels. His valor was further marked by periods of imprisonment as a prisoner of war, from which he returned to continued service until the war's end.
In the years following the war, Commander Read devoted himself to maritime pursuits, including service as an instructor in Peru's naval forces and as a merchant captain operating throughout the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean waters. Despite the hardships endured in postwar life, he remained a respected figure among his comrades and the community.
Commander Read leaves behind his devoted wife, Mrs. Nebraska L. Carter Read, and their daughter, Miss Louise Reed Read Cauthen. The funeral services will be held at Rose Hill Cemetery in Meridian, where he will be laid to rest.
His passing is mourned by family, friends, and fellow veterans who remember him as a man of courage, skill, and unwavering dedication.
Bringing the