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Photo # NH 63043: Commander James H. Ward, USN

Online Library of Selected Images:
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Commander James H. Ward, USN, (1806-1861)

James Harmon Ward was born at Hartford, Connecticut, on 25 September 1806. He became a Midshipman in the U.S. Navy in March 1823 and served during the following years on board ships in the Mediterranean, off Africa and in the West Indies. He also took a leave of absence to pursue scientific studies, was an instructor in ordnance and gunnery at the Naval School at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and authored a book on that important subject. In 1845 Lieutenant Ward became executive officer at the newly opened U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland, also teaching gunnery and steam engineering there. His later scholarly endeavors including writing a textbook on naval tactics and a popular work on steam engineering.

During the last part of the war with Mexico, Ward commanded the frigate Cumberland, and, in 1848-1850, the steam gunboat Vixen. During the next decade he had shore duty at the Washington and Philadelphia Navy Yards, was promoted to the rank of Commander, and commanded the sailing sloop of war Jamestown off Africa. At the beginning of the Civil War Commander Ward planned an expedition to relieve Fort Sumter and then was placed in charge of a small squadron operating on the Potomac River. With USS Thomas Freeborn as his flagship, Ward's force engaged the Confederates at Aquia Creek, Virginia, in late May and early June 1861. In another engagement, at Mathias Point on 27 June, Commander James H. Ward was mortally wounded while aiming Thomas Freeborn's bow gun. He was the first U.S. Navy officer killed in action during the Civil War.

USS Ward (Destroyer # 139, later DD-139 and APD-16), 1918-1944, was named in honor of Commander James H. Ward.

This page features, and provides links to, all the views we have concerning James H. Ward.

For other views related to Commander James H. Ward, see:

  • USS Thomas Freeborn (1861-1865).


    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 63043

    Commander James H. Ward, USN
    (1806-1861)

    Photograph taken circa the late 1850s or early 1860s.
    Commander Ward, who lost his life on 27 June 1861 while commanding USS Thomas Freeborn in action at Mathias Point, Virginia, was the first U.S. Navy officer killed in action during the Civil War.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 88KB; 570 x 765 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 66717

    Commander James H. Ward, USN
    (1806-1861)

    Portrait engraved by J.A. O'Neill, published during the 19th Century. The print features a facsimile of Ward's signature.
    Commander Ward lost his life on 27 June 1861 while commanding USS Thomas Freeborn in action at Mathias Point, Virginia. He was the first U.S. Navy officer killed in action during the Civil War.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 93KB; 530 x 765 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 81514-KN (color)

    "Officers of Our Navy"

    Civil War era Carte-de-visite by Allen & Horton, Photographers, 13 Winter Street, Boston, Massachusetts. It features a portrait of Silas H. Stringham in the center, surrounded by portraits of (clockwise, from top center): Samuel F. DuPont; James H. Ward; Cadwalader Ringgold; Andrew H. Foote; Samuel L. Breese; Tunis A.M. Craven; Hiram Paulding; and Daniel L. Braine.
    See Photo # NH 81514-A-KN for a view of the reverse side of the original carte-de-visite, bearing the photographer's mark.

    Donation of A. James Chamberlin, 1974.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 64KB; 420 x 765 pixels

     

    For other views related to Commander James H. Ward, see:

  • USS Thomas Freeborn (1861-1865).


    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.

    Page made 17 June 2003
    New image added 18 April 2005