Appletons' Cyclopædia of American Biography/Badger, Oscar C.

BADGER, Oscar C., naval officer, b. in Windham, Conn., 12 Aug., 1823; d. in Concord, Mass., 20 June, 1899. He entered the navy as a midshipman, served on the steamer “Mississippi” on the eastern coast of Mexico during the war with that country, and participated in the attack on Alvarado in 1846. He was made passed midshipman 10 Aug., 1847, from that time until 1852 was on various ships of the Pacific squadron, and in 1853-'4 at the naval observatory. On 15 Sept., 1855, he was made lieutenant, and, while attached to the sloop “John Adams” in 1855-'6, he commanded a party that attacked and destroyed the village of Vutia, Feejee islands. In 1861-'2 he commanded the steamer “Anacostia,” of the Potomac flotilla, and Lieut. Wyman, the commander of the flotilla, often mentioned in his reports the precision of fire of Badger's vessel. He was made lieutenant-commander on 16 July, 1862, and commanded the iron-clads “Patapsco” and “Montauk” in the engagements with the forts and batteries in Charleston harbor in 1863. In the night attack on Fort Sumter, 1 Sept., 1863, he was on the flag-ship “Weehawken,” as acting fleet captain, when he was severely wounded in the leg by a metallic splinter. After this he was on shore duty until 1866, and on 23 July of that year was made commander. From 1866 to 1867 he commanded the “Peoria,” of the North Atlantic squadron, and received a vote of thanks from the legislatures of the islands of Antigua and St. Kitts for services rendered to the authorities. From 1868 to 1870 he was at the Portsmouth navy-yard. In 1872 he was made captain, and on 15 Nov., 1881, commodore. In 1885 he was placed on the retired list.