Frederick Chatard

Frederick Chatard (1807 – October 3, 1897) was an American naval officer. He served in the United States Navy from 1824 to 1861, serving in the Mexican–American War and advancing to the rank of commander. He then served as commander in the Confederate States Navy throughout the Civil War, from 1861 to 1865.

Early life Frederick Chatard was born at the family home on Saratoga Street in Baltimore, Maryland, in 1807 to Dr. Pierre Chatard. His paternal grandfather was a rich planter in Martinique and his father moved from Martinique to Baltimore in 1797. Chatard attended private schools in Baltimore. The family's house burned down in the Clay Street Fire of 1872. In January 1843, he joined the . In November 1847, during the Mexican–American War, he was in command of the during the capture of Mazatlán. During the Pacific Coast campaign, he used riverine warfare tactics he learned from Levin M. Powell while serving under him in the Vandalia. On January 12, 1848, with the Independence and a bark Whiton, he spiked guns at the Castillo de la Entrade in San Blas and cut out two schooners. On January 17, with the bark Whiton, he spiked three guns at the presidio at Manzanillo. In the fall of 1849, he was lieutenant commander of the and witnessed the California gold rush during his time on the ship. In 1852, he took command of the store ship . He was promoted to commander on September 14, 1855. In the winter of 1857, he failed to apprehend William Walker and a group of filibusters at his station in Punta Arenas. He served in the Navy until the outbreak of the American Civil War. He resigned on April 24, 1861.

Civil War Chatard joined the Confederate States Navy on June 15, 1861. In September 1861, he was directed to erect batteries at Evansport, Virginia, by General Holmes. He erected batteries along with Captain William F. Lynch on the Potomac River. He was in charge of the heavy batteries at Manassas Junction, Virginia, prior and after the First Battle of Bull Run. He was also in charge of the batteries at Gloucester Point on the York River. He was later put in charge of the marine battery at Drewry's Bluff. He participated in the Battle of Drewry's Bluff on the James River, on the Potomac River near Evansport, Virginia, and the Battle of Aquia Creek. He was associated with the Life Association of America. He retired from business in the mid-1870s. He later married Eliza McNally, daughter of Michael R. McNally. His wife died in 1895. He had two sons and four daughters, including Luke Tiernan, Mrs. Robbins, Mrs. A. A. Janis, Charlotte, and Kate. Bishop Silas Chatard was his nephew.

Chatard died on October 3, 1897, at Mullanphy Hospital in St. Louis.