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424:] been under consideration. The plan of executing it was their own, except in some minor details, and although defeated in their purpose (by accidentally fouling a schooner), I deem it my imperative duty to recommend that Alexander Crawford, fireman, and Charles Baldwin, coal heaver, be promoted to a higher grade, and that all receive the pecuniary reward awarded by act of Congress for distinguished services.
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217:. Having initially served 16 months during the war's early years, he re-enlisted at the rank of fireman, second class in the U.S. Navy in Philadelphia in February 1864. Military records at the time described him as being a 22-year-old native of Philadelphia and "Saw Grinder" who was 5' 7-1/2" tall with brown hair and blue eyes.
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above the town. They were then connected by a bridle, floated down with the current, and guided by
Charles Baldwin, who designed to place them across the bows of the ram, one on either side, and Alexander Crawford, who was stationed on the opposite side of the river in the swamp, was to explode them upon a given signal.
632:", in "Enlistments at Philadelphia in 1862: Return of the United States Naval Rendezvous at Philadelphia for the week ending Saturday, September 6, 1862". Washington, D.C.: U.S. National Archives and Records Administration (via the partnership between the Knowledge Library and Fold3; subscription required).
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in the
Roanoke River. Taking part in a plan to explode the rebel ram Albemarle, Crawford executed his part in the plan with perfection, but upon being discovered, was forced to abandon the plan and retire leaving no trace of the evidence. After spending two hazardous days and nights without food, he
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dingey with two torpedoes, each containing 100 pounds of powder and their appendages, which they transported on a stretcher across the island swamp. Charles
Baldwin, coal heaver, and John W. Lloyd, coxswain, then swam the Roanoke River with a line and hauled the torpedoes over to the Plymouth shore
502:
at the mouth of the
Perquimans River, helped remove torpedoes from the sound and its related rivers and streams, and captured a Confederate schooner, remaining near Albemarle Sound and Cape Hatteras until mid-May 1865 when they sailed for home. Arriving in New York City on May 21, they were then
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moved with other Union gunboats up the
Roanoke toward Plymouth, crossed over to Middle River, steamed to another crossover point, and then steamed back down toward Plymouth where, the next day, they exchanged fire with Confederate artillery batteries and rifle pits on shore. After the Union Navy
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Everything had worked favorably from the time of starting until the torpedoes were within a few yards of the ram, when
Baldwin was discovered and hailed by a sentry on the wharf. Two shots were then fired and a volley of musketry followed, which induced John W. Lloyd, who heard the challenge and
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Two days’ unsuccessful search was made for
Baldwin and Crawford, both of whom made their appearance on Sunday, the 29th instant, much fatigued by travel and somewhat exhausted from the loss of food. No traces of their intended designs were left behind them.
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May 6, 1864.—At 11:30 a.m. John W. Lloyd, coxswain; Charles
Baldwin, coal heaver; Alexander Crawford, second-class fireman; John Laverty, first-class fireman; Benjamin Lloyd, second-class fireman, went on an expedition to destroy the
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Fireman on board of the U.S.S. Wyalusing; volunteered May 25, 1864, in a night attempt to destroy the rebel ram
Albemarle, in Roanoke River, and, although it was unsuccessful, he displayed courage, zeal, and unwearied exertion on the
641:"Crawford, Alexander", in "Enlistments at Philadelphia in 1862: Return of the United States Naval Rendezvous at Philadelphia for the week ending Saturday, September 6, 1862", U.S. National Archives and Records Administration.
679:
General Orders and
Circulars Issued by the Navy Department from 1863 to 1867, with an Alphabetical Index of Subjects; Also an Index of Bureau and Marine Corps Circulars, General Court-Martial Orders, and Special Death
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These two men, with the boat keeper, Benjamin Lloyd, returned to the ship the morning of the 27th, after an absence of thirty-eight hours in the swamp, encountering the additional discomfort of a rainy day and night.
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were brought off by the picket boat yesterday, but can not, without detaining the army boat, communicate the intelligence they bring. They state, however, that the
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report of small arms, to cut the guiding line, throw away the coil, and swim the river again to join John Laverty, who was left in charge of his clothes and arms.
879:
712:, Series I, Vol. 10: North Atlantic Blockading Squadron from May 6, 1864, to October 27, 1864, pp. 95-96. Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office, 1900.
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In his report on the incident, Captain Melancton Smith of the U.S.S. Mattabesset, wrote the following from Albemarle Sound, North Carolina, on May 30, 1864:
654:". Washington, D.C.: U.S. National Archives and Records Administration (via the partnership between the Knowledge Library and Fold3; subscription required).
739:"Alexander S. Crawford", in Death Records (March 17, 1886). Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: Philadelphia City Archives and Historical Society of Pennsylvania.
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SIR: I have to report that an effort was made on the 25th instant at 11 o’clock by five volunteers from the steamer Wyalusing to destroy the ironclad
706:"Report of Captain Smith, U.S. Navy, regarding a boat expedition from the U.S.S. Wyalusing for the purpose of destroying the C.S.S. Albemarle", in
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418:] too highly commend this party for their courage, zeal, and unwearied exertion in carrying out a project that had for sometime [
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May 29.—At 8 p.m. the Commodore Barney came alongside and brought Alexander Crawford and Charles Baldwin from the expedition of the 26th.
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In addition, Crawford was recognized for his valor by the U.S. Navy via General Order No. 45, which was issued on December 31, 1864:
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Record of Medals of Honor Issued to the Officers and Enlisted Men of the United States Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard 1862-1917
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The party left at 2 o’clock p.m. of the 25th (having made a reconnaissance two days before) and ascended the Middle River in the
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According to the U.S. Army Center of Military History, Alexander Crawford's official Medal of Honor citation reads as follows:
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on March 24. He was 43 at the time of his death, and had been employed as a saloon keeper, according to his death certificate.
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Return of the United States Naval Rendezvous at Philadelphia for the week ending Saturday, February Thirteenth, 1864
17:
841:, in "News & Events". Greeneville, Tennessee: Tusculum College, 2002 (retrieved online September 7, 2018).
832:" (memorial and gravesite information). Salt Lake City, Utah: Find A Grave, retrieved online January 17, 2008.
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but were forced to withdraw when several Union ships were damaged by Confederate torpedoes en route. The
667:". Washington, D.C.: Naval History Heritage and Command, U.S. Navy, retrieved online September 7, 2018.
300:, but kept its distance from 150 yards away as it repositioned itself to attack the Confederate Navy's
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then resumed blockade and amphibious duties around Plymouth late that month. On January 9, 1865, the
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232:, North Carolina, beginning on April 29, 1864. On May 5, the Wyalusing first engaged the
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provides covering fire for boats dragging the Roanoke River for mines, December 9, 1864.
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crew then resumed their blockade duties in North Carolina's Albemarle Sound region.
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515:, Crawford died in Philadelphia on March 17, 1886, and was buried in that city's
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Official Records of the Union and Confederate Navies in the War of the Rebellion
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May 28.—At 9 a.m. all the expedition returned but two men, Baldwin and Crawford.
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landing party then captured Fort Williams and assisted in capturing Plymouth.
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797:". Washington, D.C.: U.S. Navy Memorial, retrieved online September 7, 2018.
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gained the safety of a friendly ship and was then transferred back to the
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Faces of the Civil War Navies: An Album of Union and Confederate Sailors
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619:, p. 358. Baltimore, Maryland: Johns Hopkins University Press, 2016.
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in Philadelphia in 1862. He subsequently served as a fireman on the
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formed a line of battle that afternoon, they were supported by the
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ships and caused havoc for federal land and sea forces along the
683:, pp. 23-24. Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office, 1887.
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365:. For their actions, the five men were each awarded the U.S.
697:, p. 28. Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office, 1917.
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had already surrendered, they renewed their attack on the
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Crawford enlisted for Civil War military service with the
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Images of America: Philadelphia Graveyards and Cemeteries
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List of American Civil War Medal of Honor recipients: A–F
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Crawford was born in 1842 (alternate birth year 1843) in
754:. Charleston, South Carolina: Arcadia Publishing, 2003.
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Captain and Senior Officer in Sounds of North Carolina
730:"Wyalusing", U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command.
721:"Wyalusing", U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command.
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volunteered for a mission to destroy the Confederate
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and other Union Navy ships attempted to capture the
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American Civil War recipients of the Medal of Honor
20:. For the Scottish architect and businessman, see
470:destruction by Union troops in late October, the
435:is afloat and in all respects ready for service.
870:People of Pennsylvania in the American Civil War
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475:dislodged the shore-based Confederate troops, a
816:United States Army Center of Military History
765:United States Army Center of Military History
880:United States Navy Medal of Honor recipients
162:(1842 – March 17, 1886) was a sailor in the
769:"Civil War Medal of Honor recipients (A-L)"
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438:Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
240:warship which had previously rammed two
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320:to escape along the Roanoke River. The
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595:Pennsylvania in the American Civil War
865:Military personnel from Philadelphia
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466:remained in the area. Following the
448:Abstract Log of the U.S.S. Wyalusing
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814:from websites or documents of the
427:Four deserters from the rebel ram
335:, Crawford and fellow crewmembers
226:North Atlantic Blockading Squadron
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585:List of Medal of Honor recipients
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650:"Crawford, Alexander", in "
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327:On May 25, 1864, while the
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412:I can not [
630:Crawford, Alexander
517:Cedar Hill Cemetery
482:On December 9, the
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337:Charles H. Baldwin
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170:. He received the
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100:(Union)
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