The Admiral Worden Camp 150 Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War held a service at his grave this past Saturday. He was born in Westchester, NY, and commanded the USS Monitor in its epic battle with the CSS Virginia in 1863, the first battle of iron ships. He suffered serious eye injuries and was forced to retire but became a hero to the North.
He stayed in Pauling at the Mizzentop Hotel while recovering and was the first person to sign the guest book. He also helped name the place after a mast on a ship.
After his recovery, he participated in the attack on Fort Sumter and spent the rest of the war supervising the construction of new naval vessels.
After the war, he commanded the USS Pensacola in the Pacific, In 1868, he was promoted to commodore and became superintendent of the US Naval Academy for five years. Then he became a Rear Admiral and retired in 1886 after serving as European Squadron leader from 1875 to 1877.
He died in Washington, DC, October 18, 1897. He and his wife Olivia, a Pawling native, are buried in Pawling.
From October 23rd Pawling (NY) News Chronicle.
A Northern Hero. --Old B-Runner
The Battle of Fort Fisher, N.C.
