Civil War Union Naval Officer. He was born in Cumberland, Maryland, and was appointed to the United States Naval Academy on September 21, 1855, graduating with the class of 1859. He served as midshipman aboard the Hartford and was promoted to Lieutenant on August 31, 1861. Early in 1862 he became executive officer of the new "USS Monitor", serving under 5 diferent commanders of that vessel. During the March 9, 1862 engagement with the "CSS Virginia" (aka Merrimack) at Hampton Roads, he directed the Monitor's turrent and guns. Lieutenant John L. Worden, commanding the ship, credited him with great courage, coolness, and skill. When Worden was wounded during the action, he took command and followed Worden's orders to protect the "USS Minnesota". The action ended as the ironclads withdrew, both sides claiming victory. He was on board the Monitor when it floundered off Cape Hatteras on the night of December 30 to 31, 1862. Following the loss of the ship, he served as executive officer of the "USS Florida" and the "USS Iroquois". He was promoted to Lieutenant Commander in 1865 and Commander in 1872. After 1866 he served as an instructor at the Naval Academy, with occasional sea duty. He was executive officer at the Portsmouth, New Hampshire, Navy Yard at the time of his death, by suicide.
Civil War Union Naval Officer. He was born in Cumberland, Maryland, and was appointed to the United States Naval Academy on September 21, 1855, graduating with the class of 1859. He served as midshipman aboard the Hartford and was promoted to Lieutenant on August 31, 1861. Early in 1862 he became executive officer of the new "USS Monitor", serving under 5 diferent commanders of that vessel. During the March 9, 1862 engagement with the "CSS Virginia" (aka Merrimack) at Hampton Roads, he directed the Monitor's turrent and guns. Lieutenant John L. Worden, commanding the ship, credited him with great courage, coolness, and skill. When Worden was wounded during the action, he took command and followed Worden's orders to protect the "USS Minnesota". The action ended as the ironclads withdrew, both sides claiming victory. He was on board the Monitor when it floundered off Cape Hatteras on the night of December 30 to 31, 1862. Following the loss of the ship, he served as executive officer of the "USS Florida" and the "USS Iroquois". He was promoted to Lieutenant Commander in 1865 and Commander in 1872. After 1866 he served as an instructor at the Naval Academy, with occasional sea duty. He was executive officer at the Portsmouth, New Hampshire, Navy Yard at the time of his death, by suicide.
Bio by: Ugaalltheway
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