Francis Hoyt Gregory (October 9, 1789 – October 4, 1866) was an officer in the United States Navy during the War of 1812 through to the Civil War, serving then as a rear admiral. Early life Gregory was born in Norwalk, Connecticut, the son of Moses Gregory and Esther Hoyt. He was the third great-grandson of John Gregory, founding settler of Norwalk. While in the American merchant marine, he was impressed by the British in an incident typical of those which led in part to the War of 1812. After escaping, Gregory was appointed a midshipman on January 16, 1809, by President Jefferson and reported to the Revenge, commanded by Oliver Hazard Perry. Anti-Piracy operations In March, 1809, Gregory was transferred to the Gulf Squadron at New Orleans, Louisiana. In 1811, while serving in the Vesuvius and as acting captain of Gun Boat 162, Gregory participated in three notable actions. On August 7, off Pensacola, Midshipman Gregory attacked and crippled the pirate schooner La Franchise. On August 10, off Mobile, he attacked and captured the pirate schooner Santa Maria. On September 11, between Brassa and Barataria, Louisiana, Midshipman Gregory and his crew captured the pirate ship La Divina, and the schooners La Sophie and Le Vengeance. War of 1812 During the War of 1812 between America and Britain. Gregory conducted maritime guerrilla operations against the British. Raiding the Black Snake On June 15, 1814, Francis Gregory and his fellow American sailors set out with 3 gigs. The Americans landed on Tar Island and hid their boats in the scrub undergrowth. Gregory and his fellow raiders observed from their hidden post. In the morning, Gregory spotted a British vessel called the Black Snaked manned by 20 Royal Marines and Canadian militia. The Americans approached the vessel by their gigs. The British crew spotted the gigs. The American raiders pretended to be fellow British sailors and waved at them in a friendly way. The British crew thinking it was a friendly vessel that was part of a British convoy allowed the American gigs to come closer. At Gregory’s signal, the Americans jumped the Black Snake and captured all 20 British marines and Canadian militia. One British marine was badly injured. The Americans suffered no casualties. While the Americans in their gigs were transporting their prisoners and prize vessel Black Snake. Two British gunboats with 150 heavily armed British sailors arrived seeking to