Life span: 02/18/1805 to 02/20/1877TabsLife SummaryFull name: Louis Malesherbes GoldsboroughPlace of Birth: Washington, DCBurial Place: Philadelphia, PABirth Date Certainty: ExactDeath Date Certainty: ExactGender: MaleRace: WhiteSectional choice: NorthOrigins: Slave StateNo. of Spouses: 1No. of Children: 3Family: Charles Washington Goldsborough (father), Catherine Roberts (mother), Elizabeth Gamble Wirt (wife, 1831)Occupation: MilitaryRelation to Slavery: White non-slaveholderMilitary: US military (Pre-Civil War)Union NavyUS military (Post-Civil War) Note Cards Louis Malesherbes Goldsborough (American National Biography) ScholarshipUntil late in the war Goldsborough performed administrative duties in Washington but without being allowed any role in major decision making. [Navy Secretary Gideon] Welles had a poor opinion of Goldsborough, regarding him as "inefficient" with "no hard courage." Repeated requests for active command were denied Goldsborough on the basis that he could not be spared from his administrative duties. Finally, however, in February 1865, Goldsborough was placed in command of the European Squadron and ordered to locate and destroy any remaining Confederate raiders at sea or seize them if in port. The small squadron was not ready to sail until June, arriving in European waters long after the war had ended. The last Confederate raider at sea--CSS Shenandoah--managed to elude all pursuers and reached England in September. Thus Goldsborough was unable to redeem his reputation as he had hoped by performing a significant action. For the next two years he continued to command the European Squadron. Norman C. Delaney, "Goldsborough, Louis Malesherbes," American National Biography Online, February 2000, http://www.anb.org/articles/04/04-00421.html. Events Date span begin Life span End Event 02/07/1862 02/08/1862 In North Carolina, a combined federal army and navy operation captures Roanoke Island 03/13/1862 03/13/1862 In North Carolina, Union land and sea units advance up the Neuse River to attack New Bern 03/14/1862 03/14/1862 In North Carolina, combined Union land and naval force win the battle of New Bern 04/23/1862 04/24/1862 In North Carolina, U.S. Navy units block the entrance to the Albermarle and Chesapeake Canal 05/10/1862 05/10/1862 In Virginia, a Union amphibious operation forces the surrender of Norfolk and its naval installations 06/21/1865 06/21/1865 The U.S. Navy's Admiral Louis Goldsborough sails to take command of the European Squadron Major TopicsCivil War at Sea Documents Addressee Docs Date Title 10/28/1861 USN Lieutenant A. Murray reports on a night raid up the Chincoteague Inlet, Virginia, October 28, 1861 Images Louis Malesherbes Goldsborough, engraving Louis Malesherbes Goldsborough, engraving, detail Louis Malesherbes Goldsborough Louis Malesherbes Goldsborough, detail Bibliography
Louis Malesherbes Goldsborough (American National Biography) ScholarshipUntil late in the war Goldsborough performed administrative duties in Washington but without being allowed any role in major decision making. [Navy Secretary Gideon] Welles had a poor opinion of Goldsborough, regarding him as "inefficient" with "no hard courage." Repeated requests for active command were denied Goldsborough on the basis that he could not be spared from his administrative duties. Finally, however, in February 1865, Goldsborough was placed in command of the European Squadron and ordered to locate and destroy any remaining Confederate raiders at sea or seize them if in port. The small squadron was not ready to sail until June, arriving in European waters long after the war had ended. The last Confederate raider at sea--CSS Shenandoah--managed to elude all pursuers and reached England in September. Thus Goldsborough was unable to redeem his reputation as he had hoped by performing a significant action. For the next two years he continued to command the European Squadron. Norman C. Delaney, "Goldsborough, Louis Malesherbes," American National Biography Online, February 2000, http://www.anb.org/articles/04/04-00421.html.