John Carson Febiger (grandson of Christian Febiger), naval officer, born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 14 February 1821, entered the navy from Ohio as a midshipman, 14 September 1838, and was in the "Concord," of the Brazil squadron, when she was wrecked on the eastern coast of Africa in 1843.

He became passed midshipman, 20 May 1844, and lieutenant, 30 April 1853. He was on the "Germantown," of the East India squadron, in 1858'60, and on the sloop "Savannah " in 1861, and on 11 August 1862, was commissioned commander, and assigned to the steamer "Kanawha," of the Western gulf blockading squadron.

After commanding various vessels in that and the Mississippi squadron, he was given the "Mattabeset," of the North Atlantic squadron, in 1864, and in that steamer took part, on 5 May 1864, in the fight between the little fleet of wooden vessels, under Captain Melancton Smith, and the Confederate ram "Albemarle," in Albemarle sound, N.C.

In this engagement the ram was defeated, and her tender, the "Bombshell," captured, and Febiger was commended for his " gallantry and skill" by Captain Smith and Rear Admiral Samuel P. Lee. He commanded the "Ashuelot," of the Asiatic squadron, in 1866'8, and on 6 May of the latter year was promoted to captain. He was inspector of naval reserve lands in 1869'72, was made commodore, 9 August 1874, was a member of the board of examiners in 1874'6, and commandant of the Washington navy yard in 1876'80. He was promoted to rear admiral, 4 February 1882, and on 1 July 1882, was retired on his own application, having been in the service over forty years.

Arlington National Cemetary


Updated 19 November 2007