Thomas Morris Dungan (1826 - 1864)

Born 30 Sep 1826 in Baltimore, Baltimore, Maryland, United States

Ancestors

Died 12 Aug 1864 at age 37 in Wicomico, Northumberland, Virginia, United States

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Biography

Thomas was born in 1826. He was the son of Abel Dungan and Jane Travers. He passed away in 1864.

Sources

• Baltimore Sun. Baltimore MD. 15 August 1864

LOCAL MATTERS.

Fight on the Wicomico River. Captain Dungan, of Baltimore, Killed A Boat's Crew Captured by the Rebels

The United States revenue steamer Reliance came into port on Saturday morning, with her flag at half-mast, bringing sad intelligence to the friends of her commander, Captain Thomas M. Dungan. It appears that while in the Great Wicomico river, Northumberland county, Va., at 2 o'clock P. M. on Friday, one of the boats attached to the Reliance was attacked by a large party of guerillas, from the shore, armed with rifles. The party was at once attacked with shell from the twelve-pounder on board, and with small arms, for the purpose of driving them from the woods, but after only a few rounds had been exchanged with the enemy, Capt. Thos. M. Dungan fell, being shot through the right breast, the ball completely severing the lung. Thomas Roberts, captain of the pivot-gun, was severely wounded in the arm and side. Captain D. was at once removed below, and everything done for him that was possible, but he expired in about an hour, not being sensible from the time he received the wound.

The shelling of the woods was, however, subsequently kept up for some time, the action lasting over an hour and a half, but the force on the Reliance not being sufficient to admit of a landing, the officer in temporary command was compelled to steam down the river. One of the boats in which was coxswain Geo. W. Ayres and four colored men, was left, and it is supposed they were made prisoners by the rebels. It is said the Reliance was in the river for the purpose of taking off the children of a refugee, who had been reported as being in a starving condition.

The death of Captain Dungan has created deep regret among his many friends in this city. He was the youngest son of the late Capt. Abel S Dungan, for many years an enterprising shipmaster out of this port. The deceased was raised a seaman, and has been connected with the revenue service some fifteen years. He was for some time an officer on board the Harriet Lane, has been in command of one of the revenue gunboats in the waters of the Chesapeake ever since the breaking out of the war, and by his energy, skill and unflinching bravery, has rendered very important service to the government. As a mark of respect to his memory, the flags of the shipping are to be half-masted until after his burial.

On the arrival of the Reliance on Saturday, the body of Capt. Dungan was taken to the establishment of Mr. Weaver on Fayette street where it was embalmed, and being made ready for burial was thence conveyed to the residence of his bereaved mother, at Surry in Baltimore county. Capt. D. was about 33 years of age, and unmarried. His funeral will take place this morning