Andrew Hull Foote, an American naval officer, born in New Haven, Conn., Sept. 12, 1806, died in New York, June 26, 1863. He entered the navy in 1822 as acting midshipman, became passed midshipman in 1827, and lieutenant in 1830. In 1833 he was flag lieutenant of the Mediterranean squadron, and in 1838 circumnavigated the globe as first lieutenant of the sloop of war John Adams, participating in an attack on the pirates of Sumatra. While stationed at the naval asylum in 1841-'3 he prevailed upon many of the inmates to give up their spirit rations, and during the cruise in the Cumberland in 1843-'5 he not only induced the crew to forego the use of spirits, but personally superintended their religious instruction, delivering every Sunday an extemporaneous sermon. In 1849, in command of the brig Perry, he joined the squadron on the African coast, where during the next 2 1/2 years he was actively engaged in suppressing the slave trade. After serving on the naval retiring board, he was appointed in 1856 to the command of the sloop Portsmouth, and ordered to proceed to the China station.

Arriving at Canton just previous to the commencement of hostilities between the English and Chinese, he exerted himself in protecting the property of American citizens; and having been tired upon from the Canton barrier forts while in the discharge of this duty, he demanded an apology. This being refused, he attacked the forts, four in number, with the Portsmouth, supported by the Levant, breached the largest and strongest, and, landing with a force of 280 sailors and marines, carried the work by storm. The remaining forts were successively carried, with a total loss of 40 to the attacking party. The works were massive granite structures, mounting 176 guns and garrisoned by 5,000 men, of whom 400 were killed and wounded. At the commencement of the civil war in 1861, Commander Foote was executive officer at the Brooklyn navy yard. In July he was commissioned a captain, and in September was appointed flag officer of the flotilla fitting out in the western waters. He personally superintended the completion of this work, and on Feb. 4, 1862, sailed from Cairo with a fleet of seven gunboats, of which four were iron-clad, to attack Fort Henry on the Tennessee river.

Without waiting for the arrival of the land force under Gen. Grant, which was to cooperate with him, he opened fire upon the fort at noon of the 6th, and after an action of one hour compelled its surrender. Returning to Cairo, he sailed soon after for the Cumberland river, and on the 14th attacked Fort Donelson. The action was sustained with great vigor on both sides for an hour and a quarter, when the fleet was obliged to haul off, in consequence of two of the gunboats becoming unmanageable by having their steering apparatus shot away. Capt. Foote was severely wounded in the ankle, and his ship, the St. Louis, was struck 61 times. Though suffering from his wound, he proceeded down the Mississippi with his fleet, and commenced the siege of Island No. Ten. After the reduction of that place, he received leave of absence. Upon being restored to health, he was appointed chief of the bureau of equipment and recruiting. In July, 1862, he was appointed rear admiral, and in May, 1863, was ordered to take command of the South Atlantic squadron, but died while preparing to leave New York for Charleston. He was the author of "Africa and the American Flag" (1854), and a series of "Letters on Japan" (1857). His "Life is announced as being in preparation by Prof. James Hoppin.