Join us for a virtual lecture with author and historian John V. Quarstein, director emeritus of the USS Monitor Center. Quarstein will give a presentation on the naval career of Admiral Louis M. Goldsborough, who first enlisted at an astounding age of seven!

Viewers are welcome to send any comments or questions to John, and he will answer them following his talk.

About the presentation:

Louis Malesherbes Goldsborough joined the US Navy at age 7 in 1812. He first served at the Washington Navy Yard in 1816. Eventually, Goldsborough was the first officer in charge of the US Navy Depot of Charts & Instruments. He fought with distinction during the Seminole and Mexican Wars. Goldsborough, nicknamed “Guts,” served as superintendent of the US Naval Academy. He commanded the Brazil Squadron when the nation was divided by war in 1861. In September, he replaced Flag Officer Silas Horton Stringham as commander of the Atlantic Blockading Squadron. This squadron was split, and Goldsborough retained command of the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron. While Goldsborough provided strong support for General Burnside’s Roanoke Island Expedition, he failed to effectively assist General George McClellan’s Peninsula Campaign. As a result, Goldsborough was replaced as squadron commander and relegated to administrative duties in Washington for the rest of the war.