WATSON, James Muir, naval officer, born in Virginia, 15 July, 1808; died in Vallejo, California, 17 April, 1873. He entered the navy as a midshipman, 1 February, 1823, and became a lieutenant, 30 December, 1831. On 14 March, 1847, he took command of the store-ship "Erie," in which he served during the Mexican war. On 11 November, 1847, under direction of Commander Shubrick, he commanded the naval force of 600 men in the boats of the " Independence." "Congress," "Cyane," and "Erie," with which he captured the city of Mazatlan without resistance from the Mexicans, who retreated to the interior. He returned from this cruise in command of the "Erie," 24 June, 1848, was placed on the reserved list, 13 September, 1855, and was unemployed, waiting orders, the rest of his life, except in 1863-'6, when he served as light-house inspector. He was commissioned a commander on the reserved list, 1 February, 1861, retired 21 December, 1861, and was promoted to commodore on the retired list, 16 July, 1862. He resided in California after he was put on the reserved list until his death.