Dupont

or Du Pont, Samuel Francis (1803-1865), entered the navy in his youth, but had no opportunities for distinction until the Mexican War, when he took San Diego. His great naval feat was in the first year of the Civil War; he captured the fortifications of Port Royal harbor on November 7, 1861, and followed up this succe by seizing Tybee and reducing many points on the coast of Georgia and Florida. For these succe es he was made rear-admiral. The unsucceseful attacks on the defenses of Charleston under his lead, in 1863, were made against his better judgment.