Levi Twiggs

Levi Twiggs (born May 23, 1793 in Richmond County , Georgia , † September 13, 1847 in Mexico City ) was an American officer in the United States Marine Corps (USMC) during the British-American War , the Seminole War, and the Mexican-American War .

Career

Twiggs received on November 10, 1813 his officer license to second lieutenant . He then served aboard the USS President , a heavy frigate in the US Navy, during the British-American War . On the morning of January 15, 1815, the frigate met the British blockade squadron from Razee Majestic (54 cannons) and the frigates Endymion (40 cannons), Pomone and Tenedos (both 38 cannons). After a long chase, the Endymion succeeded in becoming Presidentto unlock and fire several broad sides in the stern, which caused considerable damage and losses among the crew. The Americans could not fire back without changing course and thus reducing the chances of escape, which is why Decatur held course and did not answer the fire of the enemy frigate. After half an hour, however, the losses and damage became so severe that Decatur was forced to take up the fight. It was possible to severely damage the lighter and armed Endymion and to force it to turn, but at around 11 p.m. the President was overtaken by the Pomone , which fired two precise and effective broadsides into the American ship. Since the Tenedos also came closer and an escape was impossible, Decatur dropped the flag and surrendered to the British. Its crew had 35 dead and 70 wounded. Twiggs was imprisoned in Bermuda and was only released when news of the Treaty of Geneva reached the island. Two decades later, Twiggs took part in the Seminole Wars in Florida and Georgia in 1836 and 1837 . When the war with Mexico broke out, Major Twiggs demanded to be actively involved in the fighting and was assigned to the naval battalion, which left New York City in June 1847 . He fell by enemy fire on September 13, 1847, while leading an attack on Chapultepec , off Mexico City .

Honors

Two ships, the USS Twiggs , were named after him.