FITCH, Leroy, naval officer, born in Indiana in October 1835; died in Logansport, Indiana, 13 April 1875. He was graduated at the naval academy in 1856, promoted to be master, 5 September 1859, lieutenant, 21 September 1862, and commander, 28 August 1870. He served in the Mississippi squadron during the civil war, taking part in the capture of Forts Donelson and Pillow, the reduction of Island No. 10, and the victory over the Confederate fleet at Memphis, Tenn. On the morning of 19 July 1863, being then in command of the steamer "Moose," he succeeded in intercepting Morgan, and frustrated his attempts to cross the Ohio at Buffington Island, having followed him for more than five hundred miles up the river. He seized Morgan's train and a portion of his guns, crippling his strength, leading to his capture, for these signal services he received complimentary letters from Generals Burnside, Cox, and Sec. Welles. He also defended Johnsonville, Tennessee, from the attack of General Forrest, was present at the engagement before Nashville during the operations of Hood, and participated in many minor skirmishes with guerillas on the Mississippi, Cumberland, and Tennessee rivers. He also accompanied several land expeditions in the same section.