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Not to be confused with Henry A. Wise or Henry A. Wise (New York state senator).
Henry Augustus Wise in naval uniform

Henry Augustus Wise (May 24, 1819 – April 3, 1869) was an author and United States Navy officer.

Biography

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He was born in Brooklyn, New York, to George Stewart Wise and Catherine Standsberry. The Wise family moved to Virginia and his Naval career began in 1834 as a midshipman. Henry served in the U.S.–Mexican War as a lieutenant on board the razee Independence, seeing action in the Gulf of California. He dedicated his consequent naval service in becoming an expert in gunnery. When the American Civil War broke out he considered serving with his home state of Virginia when they left the Union but opted to stay in the U.S. Navy as a captain. Promoted to commander of the USS Niagara in 1862,[1] he was soon ordered to destroy the Gosport Navy Yard[2], near his old home.[3] In 1864 President Abraham Lincoln appointed Wise chief of the Bureau of Ordnance, and he was promoted to captain in 1866; he held the ordnance position until his resignation in 1868. He died in Naples, Italy, the following year. In 1850 he married Catherine Brooks Everett, daughter of Edward Everett and Charlotte Gray Brooks.[1]

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Wise's naval career began around 1834 at the age of 15, influenced by his guardian and cousin, Henry Alexander Wise, who was the representative for Virginia in the U.S. House of Representatives.[3] Wise embarked on a typical midshipman's path, filled with rigorous training and firsthand experiences in navigation and naval warfare.

In 1840, Wise was promoted to Passed Midshipman and served on the coasts of Florida during the Seminole War.[4] His early years in the Navy provided him with invaluable experience in naval operations and warfare tactics. By 1847, Wise had risen to the rank of Lieutenant. During the Mexican-American War, he served with distinction aboard the Razee Independence.[3] His proficiency in the Spanish language and his darker skin tone allowed him to carry important dispatches through hostile lines in Mexican-controlled territory, a notable achievement that showcased his resourcefulness and bravery.[3]

Wise's service during the Mexican-American War included participation in numerous naval operations in the Gulf of Mexico. He was instrumental in various engagements and missions, demonstrating tactical acumen and leadership. His actions during this period earned him recognition and respect within the naval community.[4]

During the California Gold Rush, Wise was assigned to San Francisco, placing him at the heart of a transformative period in American history. It was here that he developed a significant relationship with Union General William Tecumseh Sherman, which would later influence his military career. His assignment in San Francisco also involved managing naval logistics and operations in a rapidly changing and often chaotic environment, further honing his leadership skills.[3]

Between the Mexican-American War and the Civil War, Wise participated in several secret missions in Europe and Japan, reflecting the global scope of his naval service. Notably, he succeeded in a covert operation to uncover the source of Krupp steel discoveries, a critical resource for naval armaments. This mission highlighted Wise's ability to operate effectively in international and clandestine contexts, further solidifying his reputation as a skilled and versatile officer.[3]

When the Civil War began, Wise faced conflicting interests due to his Virginia upbringing and his cousin Henry Alexander Wise's service to the Confederacy. Ultimately, he decided to remain loyal to the Union. This decision led to his promotion to Lieutenant-Commander. He was then promoted to commander of the USS Niagara in 1862 where he was soon ordered to destroy the Gosport Navy Yard, near his old homeland. Soon after Wise was again promoted, this time to Chief of the Bureau of Ordnance, which was personally appointed by President Abraham Lincoln. In this role, Wise was responsible for overseeing the development and supply of naval ordnance, playing a crucial part in the Union's naval strategy and effectiveness.[3] His final rank in the navy would be Captain, which he served as for two years before his resignation in 1868.

Throughout the Civil War, Wise's contributions were significant. He managed the logistics of ordnance supply, ensuring that Union ships were well-armed and equipped for battle. His efforts were instrumental in maintaining the Union Navy's operational readiness and effectiveness throughout the conflict.[3]

Wise's naval career was marked by significant contributions to American military efforts, both in war and in peace. His experiences in various roles and missions shaped his legacy as a dedicated and versatile naval officer. His ability to navigate complex and often dangerous situations, combined with his linguistic skills and deep understanding of naval warfare, made him an invaluable asset to the United States Navy.

Family

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Henry Augustus Wise married Charlotte Brooks Wise in August of 1850,[5] and together they had four children. Their eldest, Charlotte Everett Wise (1851–1935), married Archibald Hopkins.[6] Following her, Katherine Wise (1852–1920) wed Jacob W. Miller.[7] Their only son, Edward Everett Wise (1854–1891), was married to Marion McAllister. The youngest, Henrietta Augusta Wise (1860–1920), had two marriages, first to Lt. John Downes and subsequently to W.K. Nicholsen.[8]

Principal works

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Under the pen name of "Harry Gringo"

  • Los Gringos, or an Interior View of Mexico and California, with Wanderings in Peru, Chile, and Polynesia, (1849) (Used as the basis for the 1906 opera The Sacrifice, Op. 27, by Frederick Converse) [9] is a military narrative published by Baker and Scribner that humorously recounts Wise's experiences during the Mexican-American War. The book has been reprinted multiple times. Wise's narrative included several embellished stories that criticized the settlers' perceived foolishness and indolence, attributing these traits to their downfall. He vividly described how mountain dwellers chose to stay on their land, even at the risk of their lives, and mentioned the extreme measures, including cannibalism, they resorted to for survival. [10]
  • Tales for the Marines (1855) is a collection of both humorous, serious, and sentimental naval adventures that reflect his maritime life, a major part of Wise's life.[4] The ability to provide vivid descriptions are undoubtedly a result of his firsthand experiences as a navy man, which allows readers to have a second hand experience of the life of a sailor. [11]
  • Scampavias: From Gibel-Tarek to Stamboul (1857) focuses on exploration and travel, showcasing Wise’s ability to describe the cultures and people he encountered in great detail. This travel narrative captures the spirit of adventure that characterized the 19th century, reflecting the era's fascination with discovery and the unknown.[3] Similar to Tales for the Marines, the vivid descriptions that Wise is able to provide allow the reader to feel that they themselves are experiencing these adventures into distant lands.
  • The Story of the Gray African Parrot (1859) is a story that focuses on the adventures of a Gray African Parrot discovered by a young sailor boy. The parrot is an important part of the story as others in the story want to possess the bird for its abilities and intelligence that it possesses. The novel explores the themes of exploration, human-animal relationships, the allure of exotic creatures such as the strange Gray African Parrot.[12]
  • Captain Brand of the Schooner Centipede (1860–64) is a story that focuses on Captain Brand, a pirate that commandeered and sails on a ship known as the Centipede. The book focuses on the adventures of Captain Brand while he is on an adventure that sees him deal with treacherous waters and rival pirates while he is out seeking treasure. The novel focuses on Brand specifically as he grows in the novel to be more cunning and a better leader for his men. This story was published in 1864, making it one of his last books that he wrote.[13]

References

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Notes
  1. ^ a b Wise, Henry Augustus (1860). "Private Journal of Henry A. Wise, U. S. N., on Board Frigate "Niagara." 1860". Private Journal of Henry A. Wise, U. S. N., on board frigate ‘Niagara.’ 1860. (published 1942) – via JSTOR.
  2. ^ "Harry Gringo". www.historicnavalfiction.com. Retrieved 2024-06-30.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i Wise, Jennings Cropper (1918). Col. John Wise of England and Virginia (1617-1695): His Ancestors and Descendants. American National Biography Online. Google Books: Bell Books and Stationary Company. pp. 141–143. ISBN 978-1164608066.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
  4. ^ a b c Duyckinck, Evert Augustus; Duyckinck, George Long (1856). Cyclopaedia of American Literature: Embracing Personal and Critical Notices of Authors, and Selections from Their Writings. From the Earliest Period to the Present Day; with Portraits, Autographs, and Other Illustrations. 1 (Volume II ed.). C. Scribner. pp. 669–670.
  5. ^ "Ancestry Library Edition". ancestrylibrary.proquest.com. Retrieved 2024-06-26.
  6. ^ "Charlotte Everett Hopkins", Wikipedia, 2024-01-27, retrieved 2024-06-26
  7. ^ "Katherine Wise Miller (1853-1940) - Find a Grave..." www.findagrave.com. Retrieved 2024-06-26.
  8. ^ "Henrietta Augusta Wise b. 21 Aug 1860 Boston, Suffolk, Massachusetts, United States Washington County, District of Columbia, United States: Onze Stamouders". www.stamouders.nl. Retrieved 2024-06-26.
  9. ^ Christopher Hapka (ed.). "Frederick Shepherd Converse". USOpera. Retrieved 13 October 2015.
  10. ^ Wise, Henry Augustus (1849). Los Gringos, or an Interior View of Mexico and California, with Wanderings in Peru, Chile, and Polynesia. Baker and Scribner. ISBN 978-1275833494.
  11. ^ Wise, Henry Augustus (1855). Tales for the Marines. Phillips, Sampson. ISBN 978-0548279632.
  12. ^ Wise, Henry Augustus (1860). The Story of the Gray African Parrot who was Rescued by the Little Sailor Boy in the River Garden. Charles Scribner. ISBN 978-0371254011.
  13. ^ Wise, Henry Augustus (1894). Captain Brand of the schooner Centipede. Harper & brothers. ISBN 978-1112437717.
Sources
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Wikisource has the text of a 1905 New International Encyclopedia article about "Henry Augustus Wise".
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