United States Navy - Wounded at Fort Fisher - Great-Great-Grandson of Benjamin Franklin - NEW

Item NMC-11716

Description

George Mifflin Bache Jr.
 
He was the great-great-grandson of Benjamin Franklin.

He was appointed to the United States Naval Academy in 1857 and graduated in 1861. 
 
Officers of the Continental and United States Navy and Marine Corps, 1775-1900
Rank Information: Acting Midshipman November 19, 1857; Midshipman June 1, 1861; Lieutenant July 16, 1862; Lieutenant Commander July 25, 1866; Commander April 5, 1875; Retired List April 5, 1875.
 
During the Civil War he served on USS Jamestown, USS Powhatan, USS New Ironsides, USS Cincinnati and the USS Lexington. He was wounded while leading a division of sailors during the assault on Fort Fisher. Following the Civil War he served on the USS Sacramento and commanded the USS Juniata. He retired in 1875.


Obituary

The Evening Star
Washington, DC
Tuesday, February 11, 1896
Commander Bache
He Died Suddenly This Morning From Heart Disease
Commander George M. Bache, United States Navy, retired, died very suddenly this morning about 11 o'clock. A few minutes before that time he had stated to some friends that he was in particularly good health and his death was entirely unexpected.

Since his retirement from the Navy, Commander Bache has made his home in this city and occupied an attractive residence, No. 1400 Kenesaw Avenue. He was on his way down town this morning and walked against the heavy wind until, feeling somewhat fatigued, he boarded a cable car. A few moments later he was taken ill and was removed at once to the drug store at the corner of 14th and Corcoran Streets. The physicians who were summoned expressed the opinion that he had died of heart disease, occasioned by violent exercise in steadying himself against the wind. 

Later the body was removed to his home on Kenesaw Avenue.

Commander Bache was a native of Washington and was fifty-five years of age. He was widely connected with prominent families. His father was a naval officer and he himself was a nephew of the late Admiral Porter. He served with distinction during the late war, being attached to the Cincinnati at the time she was sunk. When he was retired a few years ago it was with the rank of Commander and on full pay, by special act of Congress, in recognition of his meritorious services. He leaves a wife and three young daughters. The arrangements for the funeral have not yet been made, but the interment will be in this city. The time will not be determined upon until word is received from his brother, Colonel Bache, United States Army, who is stationed at Omaha.

Commander George M. Bache was born in the District of Columbia in November 1810 and was appointed to the Naval Academy from Pennsylvania in November 1857. He has an excellent war record. He received the thanks of Admiral Porter for meritorious services in the engagement with the Vicksburg batteries, in May 1863, during which his ship, the Cincinnati, was sunk. He was also commended by the Navy Department. He did particularly gallant service while in command of the gunboat Lexington and the sloop Powhatan. He was in both attacks on Fort Fisher, where he was wounded in the shoulder. In July 1866, he was commissioned a Lieutenant Commander and subsequently became a Commander, in which grade he retired, in 1875. His last active service was on ordnance duty at the Washington Navy Yard. 

Source:  Find A Grave and Officers of the Continental and United States Navy and Marine Corps, 1775-1900