I am not sure if I indicated that I just returned from Charleston, SC where I visited Magnolia Plantation, where Percy was born. The reason for my trip to Charleston, as well as my interest in him, is that I will be putting on a “first person PowerPoint” presentation to our local GAR group, in addition to some local Philadelphia - Civil War Round Tables. I will be in “Mess Dress” uniform which has taken me a year and a half to put together. I have been trying to acquire some information on his early years and your information on an image of Percy as a Midshipman sounds excellent, however I was on the PHS website and can’t determine how to get a image for the presentation. Could you give me some details on how to obtain a copy. Some other questions:

• References that I have come across in my limited research, indicate that Percy was appointed a midshipman, December 1, 1827, and graduated from the US Naval Academy, however the Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD didn’t come “on line” until 1845.

• One genealogy site - http://www.onegreatfamily.com that I have used indicates that Percy’s (and other siblings) mother was Anna Gadsden, however I haven’t been able to locate any additional information on her.

• So far, I haven’t been able to locate information on the Draytons in Philadelphia. What is the best source material?

With my limited research, we may be able to swap some good information. I would like to speak with you about your book. I can be reached at :

Capt Jack Lieberman, USNR (Retired)
Glenside, PA
(215) 287-4311