Walke
HENRY, an American naval officer; born near Portsmouth, Va., Dec. 24, 1808; was appointed to the navy in February, 1827; and took part in the Mexican War as executive officer on the brig "Vesuvius," where he engaged in the capture of Vera Cruz and in the operations against Tabasco, Túxpan, and Alvarado. Immediately prior to the outbreak of the Civil War in 1861, he took measures which prevented the occupation of Fort Pickens by the Confederates. He served with distinction throughout the war; commanded the squadron that co-operated with Grant at the battle of Belmont and covered the retreat of the National army; participated in the battle of Fort Henry, for which he received the thanks of the Secretary of War, of Congress, and of the State of Ohio; opened the battle of Fort Donelson and was the last to retire from the front line of battle; took part in the bombardment of Island No. 10, when he voluntarily ran the gantlet of the Confederate batteries and captured the batteries below the island; and commanded the second division of the fleet at the battle of Grand Gulf, silencing the main fort on Point of Rocks. Subsequently he dispersed the Confederates under General Taylor at Simmsport, La.; blockaded the mouth of Red river; commanded the "Sacramento" in search of the "Alabama"; blockaded the "Rappahannock" at Calais, France, till the close of the war; and intercepted her when she escaped to British waters under the British flag. On April 26, 1871, he was retired at his own request to hasten the promotion of junior officers.
He died in Brooklyn, N. Y., March 8, 1896.