Page:Encyclopedia of Virginia Biography volume 3.djvu/423

 PROMINENT PERSONS

371

Science," and "Thoughts on the Discord jind Harmony of Science and the Bible." While at the Wesle}an University as a student, he was a member of the Eclectic Society. He is a member of the Phi Beta Kappa of Wesleyan University, having been elected in 1851, after his graduation at the University of Virginia. He married, July 21, 1S53, Mary Stuart Harrison, daughter of Professor Gessner Harrison, and has four children living: Dr. George Tucker Smith, a surgeon in the navy ; James Duncan Smith, Esq., an artist in New York ; Mrs. Eleanor Kent, the wife of Professor Charles W. Kent, of the University of Vir- ginia ; and Mrs. Rosalie Harrison, wife of Dr. I. C. Harrison, of Clarksville, Virginia.

Wood, John Taylor, born at Fort Snell- ing, Minnesota, in 1831, son of Surgeon- General Robert C. Wood, U. S. A. ; his mother was a daughter of President Za- chary Taylor, and sister of the first wife of IVesident Jeiiferson Davis. He entered the United States navy as a midshipman in 1847, and during the Mexican war served on the Ohio and Braiidyzvine. In 1861, he was on duty at the Naval Academy at Annapolis as assistant professor of seamanship and gunnery. Virginia having seceded, he at once resigned his commission, and entering the service of the state, was placed on duty with the Potomac river defensive batteries at Evansport and Acquia Creek. On Octo- ber 4, 1861, he was commissioned lieuten- ant in the Confederate navy, and in Janu- ary following was sent to the J'irgiiiia, then being prepared for service, and he per- sonally selected his crew from the soldiers of Magruder's command. In the two days operations in Hampton Roads, he com-

manded the aft-pivot gun of the Virginia, received the surrender of the Congress, and bore Commodore Buchanan's verbal report to President Davis. After the destruction of the Virginia, he commanded the sharp- shooters who compelled the withdrawal of the Federal fleet from Drewry's Bluff. Ht v.-as then called to the staff of President Davis, with the rank of colonel of cavalry. He subsequently organized and led various boat expeditions on Chesapeake Bay and the inland waters. He captured the trans- port Elmore, in the Potomac; and on Chesa- peake Bay, the ship Allegheny, the gunboats Satellite and Reliance; and the transports Golden Rod, Cocjnctte and Tzco Brothers; piso the gunboat Underwriter, on the Neuse r.ver. For these achievements he received the thanks of the Confederate congress, and was promoted to post captain. In August, 1864, he was given command of the cruiser Tallahassee, and in a cruise to and from Halifax, captured thirty vessels. Later he was offered the command of the James river squadron, which he declined. He per- bonall} announced to President Davis the evacuation of Petersburg, and accompanied him in his journey southward. When Mr. Davis was taken prisoner, Capt. Wood es- caped, and with Gen. Breckenridge went to Ilorida, and thence to Cuba. He subse- quently took up his residence in Halifax.

Palmer, William H., born in Richmond, Virginia, in 1S35. He entered the Confed- erate army in April, 1861, as first lieutenant in the First Virginia Infantry Regiment, was soon afterwards detailed as adjutant, and served as such to Gen. A. P. Hill, then a brigade commander, and to Gen. Long- street, commanding a division. In May^