  charles william read (may 12, 1840 â january 25, 1890), nicknamed "savvy", was an officer in the antebellum united states navy and then in the confederate navy during the american civil war. he was nicknamed the "seawolf of the confederacy" for his exploits and daring. ==early life and career== charles read was born in satartia, mississippi in 1840. he was appointed to the united states naval academy in 1856 and graduated in 1860. he served briefly aboard uss powhatan after graduation. ==civil war== at the outbreak of the american civil war read resigned his commission with the united states navy and accepted a position with the confederate states navy. read was initially assigned to the  at new orleans, louisiana as a midshipman and participated in the battle between batteries on ship island and the  on july 9, 1861. on october 12, 1861, he participated in the attack on the union blockading squadron 
1840_births 1890_deaths American_Civil_War_prisoners_of_war Confederate_States_Navy_officers People_from_Meridian,_Mississippi Recipients_of_the_Southern_Cross_of_Honor United_States_Navy_officers