PARKER, WILLIAM
Rank and Organization: Captain of the Afterguard, U.S. Navy. Birth:
Boston, Mass. Accredited To: Massachusetts. G.O. No.: 11, 3 April 1863.
Citation:
At the wheel on board the U.S.S. Cayuga during the capture of Forts St. Philip and
Jackson, and New Orleans, 24 and 25 April 1862. As his ship led the advance column toward
the barrier and both forts opened fire simultaneously, striking the vessel from stem to
stern, Parker conscientiously performed his duties throughout the action in which attempts
by 3 rebel steamers to butt and board were thwarted, and the ships driven off. Eleven
gunboats were successfully engaged and the enemy garrisons forced to surrender during this
battle in which the Cayuga sustained 46 hits.
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