EDWARD J. MCDERMOTT, LT, CSN
Edward McDermott '63
Edward J. McDermott was admitted to the Naval Academy from Texas on September 22, 1858 at age 15 years 0 months. He resigned to join the Confederacy on April 18, 1861.
Loss
From a sign at the City Cemetery of Springfield, Louisiana:
Under the protection of Union Soldiers and gunboats, two men, Goubernoter and Wells, became involved in selling contraband goods from vessels at the mouth of the Tickfaw and Amite Rivers. Confederate authorities wanted to stop the sales. Under the command of Lt. McDermott, a Confederate Navy force of approximately forty-five men and four boats were sent over land from Mobile, Al. After leaving Mobile, Al., and putting boats on rail cars and wagons, the long journey to Springfield began. Arriving in Springfield they continued two miles west coming in shortly after dark at the home of Judge Marcus T. Carter. They set up camp under live oak trees east of the dwelling. Officers were extended an invitation to supper and meals were provided for the remaining members of command as well as horses. After supper the men placed the boats into Blood River. Then guided by Louis Bernard and John Davidson, they reached Rome Ferry at approximately 10 p.m. and carefully proceeded to Lake Maurepas. The men divided into two parties with one being led by Lt. McDermott and Bernard and the other by Lt. Harris and Davidson. Lt. McDermott located the vessel he sought anchored half a mile from the mouth of Amite River. The men boarded the vessel and found Union soldiers in the hold of the vessel. Command to surrender resulted in a half an hour fight leaving Lt. McDermott and Mr. Bernard dead. Lt. McDermott’s men seized that boat and another schooner; they seized the goods and traveled via Tickfaw River to Blood River where they sold the supplies to the community at Warsaw Landing. The schooner was returned to the owner and the gunboat was burned in a bend of Blood River. Lt. McDermott and Mr. Bernard were taken to the cemetery at Springfield and buried March 13, 1865.
His actual burial place is unmarked.
Other Information
From researcher Kathy Franz:
Edward was born in Arkansas, and in 1850, his father Joseph was a farmer in Dallas County, Texas. His mother was Lucinda “Lucy” who ran a boarding house after his father died. His brothers were William, a copper and tin smith, Samuel, a printer, and Porter. His sisters were Mary, Cora, and Henrietta. That year Dallas County had a log cabin courthouse, two churches, 278 farms, and ten one-teacher schools with 170 pupils.
Joining the Confederacy in April 1861, Edward was on the CSS Louisiana and the CSS Tennessee in 1862. He escaped the fall of New Orleans on April 28. In 1863-64, he was on the CSS Huntsville and was captured on August 5, 1864, at the Battle of Mobile Bay along with 500 others. In 1865 he was on the CSS Webb. Several of the crew came overland from Mobile to southern Louisiana to stop counterfeit sales to the Union. They boarded a ship that was full of Union soldiers in the hold, and Edward died during the ensuing fight. Fort McDermott was named after him right after his death. It was one of the final battles, along with Fort Blakely, that took place after General Lee’s surrender to General Grant.
Edward had resigned on April 18, 1861, and was appointed an acting midshipman in the Confederate States Navy on May 16.
He is listed on the killed in action panel in the front of Memorial Hall.
Confederates in Memorial Hall
This alumni is included on this site because he is listed in Memorial Hall. Pursuant to Section 377 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021, the Naming Commission found, per Part II of their final report to Congress, that "Due to the limited factual nature of [Memorial Hall], the Commission believes it may remain as structured."
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