Thomaston: The Town that Went to Sea

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Greenleaf Cilley

Greenleaf Cilley was born October 27, 1829 in Thomaston. He entered the service as a midshipman in February 26, 1841. He joined the USF Cumberland at Annapolis, Maryland. He was stationed in the Mediterranean Squadron until November 1845. He returned to New York in October 1846, and he was ordered to the Naval academy in Annapolis, Maryland. While stationed aboard the Battleship “Ohio”, he participated in the expedition to Tusphan, Mexico. During its capture, he was wounded while storming the shore battery near the town. He returned to the Naval Academy in January 1848 and graduated as a Midshipman soon after.

He died at San Isidro Province of Buenos Aires, Argentina February 5, 1899.

Bibliography -

A Breach in Privilege: Cilley Family Letters 1820-1867. 1st ed. Vol. 1. Ser. 1. Spruce Head.
This book is about the Cilley family during the Civil War. It discusses the history of the Cilley family, including how Greenleaf Cilley was one of the first casualties of the Civil War.

He was born the 27 day of October, A.D. 1829 in Thomaston, county of Knox, state of Maine. Entered the service as a midshipman, February 26, 1841. On U.S.F. Cumberland at Annapolis, Maryland. Served in the Cumberland and sloop of was Plymouth, in the Mediterranean squadrant until November 1845
And in the Plymouth on the Brazil Station returning to New York in October 1846 and was ordered to the Naval school at Annapolis M.D. After a month’s sojourn there had sought for and obtained orders for the seal of was in the Gulf of Mexico in the battlefield “Ohio” was at the Naval Battery near Vera Craig before and after the capitulation. Assisted the army division at the crossing of the Medlin River on its march to and from Alvarado was in the expedition to Tusphan Mexico and at his capture he was slightly wounded while storming the shore battery nearest the town. Detached from “Ohio” and ordered to Naval Academy, Jan. 1848. Graduated as passed midshipman July 1848. After 3 months of leave of absence joined the frigate “Raritan” and served in the Home and Gulf station until April 1850. After 3 months of leave of absence was ordered for the transport Fredenia and converged from New York to Benicica Cal. Made acting master in caller Berm. Joined Frigate St. Lawrence at Valparaiso Chili and appointed acting Lancet in Mar. 1852. Returned to Norfolk Va. Storming of 1853. After short leave was ordered to store ship Lexington made it to shezzia Italy. And returned to New York Dec. 1853. Ordered to the coast of St. Jefferson left Philly. Feb. 1854 for San Francisco. Shipwrecked off the coast Patagonia May 16th Take to Monteviden on Frech Ships. Ordered to St. Legrari surveying Florida reef until June 1855 joined sloop of was Saratoga in August as acting master formatted to promoted to master September 14th and to lieutenant and promoted to command May 17 1867. Died at Sand Isles province of Buenas Ayres, Argentina.