Editing Silas H. Stringham (section)

== American Civil War ==

In March and April, 1861, Stringham was Chief, Organization Office, U.S. Navy.<ref name="Eicher"/> He took command of the [[USS Minnesota (1855)|USS ''Minnesota'']] in April 1861.<ref name="Eicher"/> 
He was [[Flag officer]] of the [[Atlantic Blockading Squadron]] from June 8, 1861 to September 18, 1861.<ref name="Eicher"/> In August he was sent with troops under [[Benjamin Butler (politician)|General Benjamin F. Butler]], to capture two coastal forts near Cape Hatteras. In the [[Battle of Hatteras Inlet Batteries|ensuing battle]], the fortifications were captured without loss, though not without some difficulty owing to the weather, and the fleet returned to [[Fort Monroe]] to general acclaim.<ref name="JTHeadley"/> 

Soon after the return of the Battle of Hatteras Inlet Batteries, acclaim for Strigham's performance gave way to criticism of Stringham for not taking his ships closer in, and continuing to attack along the coast. The fact that his ships drew too much water to enter the shallow coastal waters, and that he had been directly ordered to return immediately, eventually emerged, but apparently too late to soothe his irritation, as the next month, at his own request, he was relieved of his command. <ref name="JTHeadley"/> He was placed on the retired list on December 21, 1861.<ref name="Eicher"/>

Strigham served as Chairman of the Board to Examine the Robert I. Stevens Battery I, from November 1, 1861 to December 24, 1861.<ref name="Eicher"/> 

As some small compensation on August 1, 1862 he was promoted to the rank of [[Rear admiral (United States)|rear admiral]] on the retired list<ref name="JTHeadley"/> to rank from July 16, 1862.<ref name="Eicher"/> 

Strigham served as Chairman of the Navy Yard Site Selection Board from August 12, 1862 to October 24, 1862.<ref name="Eicher"/> 

On February 7, 1863, Stringham received the Thanks of Congress, presented "to Rear Admiral Silas H. Stringham, now on the retired list, for distinguished services in the capture of Forts Hatteras and Clark".<ref name="Eicher"/>

Though no longer on active duty, Stringham served as commandant of the [[Boston Navy Yard]], 1864–66, and as [[Port admiral (United States Navy)|port admiral]] of New York in 1870.<ref name="hamersly"/>