POTTER, Edward Eells, naval officer, born in Medina, New York, 9 May, 1833. He entered the United States navy as a midshipman on 5 February, 1850, and after service in the Home and African squadrons during 1850-'5, spent a year at the United States naval academy. On 9 July, 1858, he was commissioned lieutenant, in 1861 he was attached to the " Niagara," of the Western Gulf squadron, and in 1861-'2 he was executive officer of the "Wissahickon," of that squadron, during the bombardment and passage of Fort Jackson and Fort St. Philip and the capture of New Orleans. He also passed the Vicksburg batteries twice and participated in the engagement with the ram "Arkansas." On 16 July, 1862, he was promoted lieutenant-commander and attached to the "De Soto," of the Eastern Gulf squadron, then passed to the "Wabash," of the North Atlantic squadron, and in 1864-'5 he had command of the iron-clad " Mahopae." He was given the "Chippewa," of the North Atlantic squadron, in 1865, and took part in the engagement at Fort Fisher and in the bombardment of Fort Anderson, after which he was executive officer of the "Rhode Island" in 1865-'7, and was executive officer of the "Franklin," Admiral Farragut's flagship, in 1867-'8, on the admiral's last cruise. Subsequently he was on shore duty until 1871, having in the meanwhile been promoted commander on 3 June, 1869. He then had the "Shawmut," of the North Atlantic squad-ton, during 1871-'2, and then until 1879 was on shore duty. In 1880 he commanded the "Constellation," on her voyage to Ireland, carrying supplies to the sufferers, and he was commissioned captain on 11 July, 1880. He then served at the Brooklyn navy-yard in 1881-'3, and commanded the "Lancaster," of the European station, until September, 1886. Captain Potter was made commandant of the navy-yard at League island, Pennsylvania, in December, 1886, and now (1888) fills that place.