Wright, Henry Smith, 1839-1910

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Biographical information is limited for Henry X. Wright. A Virginian, he was born in 1835. The collection's earliest document places him on the USN Fulton as an assistant engineer at age 24. The outbreak of the Civil War finds him aboard the USS Pocahontas. In April 1861 Wright tendered his resignation from the United States Navy, which was accepted on May 6, 1861. On May 22, 1861 he was accepted into the Confederate States Navy, with orders to report for duty.

Wright was one of the officers on a highly secretive mission to Lake Erie for the purpose of stealing Confederate prisoners from Johnson's Island in the fall of 1863. Wright went as 1st Assistant Engineer. Only a few officers knew the true mission of the voyage when it began, most believing they were headed to England. John Wilkinson was in command of the complex mission, which was foiled by betrayal and not carried out.

Wright and other officers were commended in a report by Hunter Davidson to Secretary Mallory for their part in torpedo mission against the USS Minnesota off Newport News, VA on April 9, 1864.

A member of the James River Squadron, Wright served aboard the CSS Richmond and later the Virginia II. He was promoted to Chief Engineer in June 1864, shortly afterwards he examined the Drewry and recommended that she be sent for repairs in Richmond. Very likely he participated in the destruction of the CSS Virginia II when Richmond fell to Union forces in April 1865.

From the description of Henry X. Wright papers, circa 1849-1924. (The Mariners' Museum Library). WorldCat record id: 775010819

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
referencedIn Taft, William H. (William Howard), 1857-1930. William Howard Taft papers, 1874-1928 (inclusive). Yale University Library
creatorOf Wright, Henry X., b. 1835. Henry X. Wright papers, circa 1849-1924. The Mariners' Museum Library
creatorOf Hay, John, 1838-1905. Correspondence, 1854-1914, "Willard" to "Yorke". Brown University Archives, John Hay Library
referencedIn Yale University. President's Office. Records of Arthur Twining Hadley as president of Yale University, 1899-1921 (inclusive). Yale University Library
referencedIn William Howard Taft papers, 1874-1928 Yale University. Department of Manuscripts and Archives
creatorOf Schevill, Rudolph, 1874-1946. Rudolph Schevill papers : mss, typescript, ca. 1920-1985. UC Berkeley Libraries
referencedIn Camp, Walter, 1859-1925. Walter Chauncey Camp papers, 1870-1983 (inclusive), 1870-1925 (bulk). Yale University Library
referencedIn Taft, William H. (William Howard), 1857-1930. William Howard Taft papers, 1874-1928 (inclusive). Yale University Library
referencedIn Yale College (1887- ). Dean's Office. Yale College records of the dean , 1857-1999 (inclusive). Yale University Library
referencedIn Yale University. President's Office. Records of Arthur Twining Hadley as president of Yale University, 1899-1921 (inclusive). Yale University Library
referencedIn Sumner, William Graham, 1840-1910. William Graham Sumner papers, 1863-1946 (inclusive). Yale University Library
referencedIn Camp, Walter, 1859-1925. Walter Chauncey Camp papers, 1870-1983 (inclusive), 1870-1925 (bulk). Yale University Library
referencedIn Arthur Twining Hadley, president of Yale University, records, 1899-1921 Yale University. Department of Manuscripts and Archives
referencedIn Walter Chauncey Camp papers, 1870-1983, 1870-1925 Yale University. Department of Manuscripts and Archives
Role Title Holding Repository
Relation Name
associatedWith Camp, Walter, 1859-1925. person
associatedWith Confederate States of America. Navy corporateBody
associatedWith Hay, John, 1838-1905. person
associatedWith Patrick Henry (Ship : 1861-1865). corporateBody
associatedWith Richmond (Ironclad : 1862). corporateBody
associatedWith Schevill, Rudolph, 1874-1946. person
associatedWith Sumner, William Graham, 1840-1910. person
associatedWith Taft, William H. (William Howard), 1857-1930. person
associatedWith Virginia II (Ironclad : 1864). corporateBody
associatedWith Yale College (1887- ). Dean's Office. corporateBody
associatedWith Yale University. President's Office. corporateBody
associatedWith Yale University. President's Office. corporateBody
associatedWith Yale University. President's Office. corporateBody
Place Name Admin Code Country
United States
Subject
Occupation
Activity

Person

Birth 1839-06-27

Death 1910-03-19

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Ark ID: w6p27dkz

SNAC ID: 68487207