Harper's Encyclopedia of United States History
Benson Lossing, Ed.

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Jouett, James Edward 1828-

Naval officer; born in Lexington, Ky., Feb. 27, 1828. He entered the navy as midshipman in 1841; fought in the war with Mexico, and graduated at the United States Naval Academy in 1847. He went with the expedition to Paraguay and served in the Berriby war. Later he was promoted passed midshipman and in 1855 became master and lieutenant. In 1861 he destroyed the Confederate war vessel Royal Yacht, in Galveston Harbor, while in command of the frigate Santee. For this exploit he was given command of the Montgomery. On July 16, 1862, he was promoted to lieutenant-commander. In 1864 when the entrance to Mobile Bay was forced he took a conspicuous part. In 1866 he was promoted commander; in 1874, captain; in 1883, commodore; in 1886, rear-admiral; and in 1890 was retired. He had charge of the operations on the Isthmus of Panama in 1885 and succeeded in obtaining a free transit across the isthmus and in restoring peace between the rebels and the government of Colombia, for which he was thanked by the President of that country. Congress voted him full pay for life.