Samuel W. Preston
Buried in the United States Naval Academy Cemetery, Annapolis, Anne Arundel County, Maryland
Samuel William Preston (6 April 1842 – 15 January 1865) was an officer in the United States Navy during the American Civil War. He was killed in action during the Second Battle of Fort Fisher.
Born near London, Ontario, Canada, Preston
was appointed midshipman from the state of Illinois on 4 October 1858.
Graduating first in his class, 9 May 1861, he was appointed Acting Master on 4
October 1861, and Lieutenant 1 August 1862. From 1861 to 1863 he served on
various vessels attached to the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron. Captured by
Confederate forces during an attack on Fort Sumter on 8 September 1863, he was
taken to Columbia Prison of War Camp at Richland County Jail in Columbia, South
Carolina, and exchanged in the fall of 1864.
Ordered to the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron as flag-lieutenant to Rear
Admiral David Dixon Porter, he participated in the attacks on Fort Fisher on
24–25 December 1864, and 15 January 1865. He was killed while leading an
amphibious assault of U.S. sailors and marines against the fort on the latter
date.
Battles and Leaders of the Civil War
Volume 4
Being for the most part contributions by Union and Confederate
officers. Based upon "The Century War Series." Edited by
Robert Underwood Johnson and Clarenct Clough Buel, of the
editorial staff of "The Century Magazine"
New York---The Century Company
Copyright--1884, 1887, 1888 by The Century Company