Percival Drayton (August 25, 1812 – August 4, 1865) was a career United States Navy officer. He served in the Brazil Squadron, the Mediterranean Squadron and as a staff officer during the Paraguay Expedition.
Overview
Percival Drayton (August 25, 1812 – August 4, 1865) was a career United States Navy officer. He served in the Brazil Squadron, the Mediterranean Squadron and as a staff officer during the Paraguay Expedition.
During the American Civil War, he commanded naval forces against Confederate forts defended by his brother Thomas F. Drayton in the Battle of Port Royal. He served as Fleet Captain in the West Gulf Blockading Squadron and commanded the sloop-of-war during the Battle of Mobile Bay under Rear Admiral David Farragut. It was to Drayton that Farragut issued his famous command, "Damn the torpedoes! Full steam ahead!"
Early life and family
Drayton was born in Charleston, South Carolina, to Anna Gadsden and William Drayton, a prominent lawyer and U.S. Representative. He had an older brother Thomas F. Drayton. In 1833 the family relocated to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, following the Nullification Crisis, as William Drayton was a unionist. He was appointed as president of the Second Bank of the United States. Thomas, already grown, stayed in South Carolina and became a successful farmer and state senator.
