In charge of the _Montauk_, of the South Atlantic blockading squadron, he destroyed, while under a heavy fire, the Confederate steamer _Nashville_ and participated in the unsuccessful attack upon Charleston.

He received the thanks of Congress and was promoted to be a commander for his services with the _Monitor_.
From 1870 to 1874 he was superintendent of the Naval Academy at Annapolis, becoming commodore in 1868, rear admiral in 1872 and was retired in 1886.

It was said that he never was without pain from the injuries received in the battle with the _Merrimac_ until his death, October 18, 1897..