Veteran naval officer who commanded the Union warships in the Mississippi River Squadron at the beginning of the American Civil War. He worked closely with U. S. Grant in Grant's early successes on the Mississippi and the surrounding area.

Foote was wounded in the Battle of Fort Donelson in 1862. He was promoted and on his way to take command of one of the Union's blockade squadrons when he died at age 56. His early death was a serious loss to the Union Navy.