  franklin buchanan (september 17, 1800 â may 11, 1874) was an officer in the united states navy who became the only full admiral in the confederate navy during the american civil war, and commanded the ironclad css virginia. ==early life== buchanan was born in baltimore, maryland. he was the fifth child and third son of a physician, george buchanan and laetitia mckean buchanan.quarstein, "franklin buchanan" the buchanan side of his family arrived in the united states from scotland. he became a midshipman in 1815, was promoted to lieutenant in 1825, commander in 1841 and captain in 1855. during the 45 years he served in the u.s. navy, buchanan had extensive and worldwide sea duty. he commanded the sloops of war  and  during the 1840s and the steam frigate  in the perry expedition to japan during the 1850s. from 1845â1847, he served as the first superintendent of the united states naval academy, followed by notable mexican-american war service. from 1859â1861, captain buchanan was the commandant of the washington navy yard. with the civil war looming, he resigned his commission, expecting maryland to eventually secede. when that didn't happen, he tried to recall his resignation, but navy secretary gideon welles said he didn't want half hearted patriots in his navy and refused to reinstate him. ==civil war== buchanan was the captain of the ironclad css virginia (formerly the ) during the battle of hampton roads in virginia.symonds, p. 152. he climbed to the top deck of virginia and began furiously firing toward shore with a carbine as th
1800_births 1874_deaths Confederate_States_Navy_admirals People_from_Baltimore,_Maryland Presidents_of_the_University_of_Maryland,_College_Park Superintendents_of_the_United_States_Naval_Academy United_States_Navy_officers