FAY, JOHN (1832-1920) John Fay was born in Ireland in 1832, and like many others immigrated to Louisiana in 1850.
Fay enlisted in the Confederate Navy on October 11, 1861 on the ship C.S.S. Louisiana. The Louisiana was an ironclad ship with armor sufficient to resist 11-inch shells. The ship was also clad with formidable guns. However, the ship lacked the power to navigate the Mississippi and was therefore a floating battery. The Louisiana participated in the fight of New Orleans, a fight that was eventually lost. The Louisiana was sunk April 28, 1862 to prevent it from falling into the hands of the federals, and Fay was taken prisoner in the closing days of April 1862. Fay was paroled one month later.
Fay moved to Texas in 1867 where he eventually resided in Dallas County. He continued his work as a laborer. Fay started to suffer from partial paralysis in the right side of his body in 1906 and was admitted to the Confederate Home on September 11, 1919. He stayed in the Home until his death On October 13, 1920 at the age of 88.
Information taken from: Confederate Military History, Confederate Home Roster, Texas Pension Application, and the Death Certificate
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