The New York herald., 1874-10-03
OBITUARY.
Commodore melancthon b. Woolsey,
United States Navy.

Commodore melancthOn Is. WoOlsey,
United States Navy.
Commodore Melanct B. Woolsey died yester-
day IN the city of Pensacola, Fla. at the age Of
ffty.s,x years. He was born in New York In the
year 1918, and was appoin ted midshpman in the
United states Navy July "A, 1882. He was at once
ordered to the coast OF Brazil where be served
until 1884 in the ,rigate United states He was
tnen put on shore duty for nearly ten years, after
which he was ordered TO the Mediterranean squad
ron, where he served from 1886 to 1889.
At the end OF this long cruise he was
sent to do duty on the schoolship Philadelphia,
where ne remained until 1s4o. on July 16 OF that
year he was raised to the rank OF passed mid
shipman and once more ordered TO the coast OF
Brazil, ne served. including cruises, until
1874. In the old frigate Delaware. From 1874 TO
1o47 he was attached 10 different navy yards, and
on July 16 Of the latter year raised 10 the
rank OF lieutenant and ordered board or the
storeship Relief, then fitting out to join the South
Pacific squadron. In her he served until nearly the
latter part OF the year 1885, when he was trans
terred to the brig Perry and sent to the coast
of Africa. Here he remained until 1854, the mono
tony OF the service being broken occasionally by
short cruises. At The termination OF this duty he
was put on waiting orders and renamed idle
until 1860. when he was ordered on board the re-
celvlng snip New Iork, where he renamed TIL
1861. At this time the war for the Union began to
assume formidable shape, and LIE utenant Woolsey
was put IN command OF the Ellen, ierryb boat that
was fitted up with guns ana intended to De used
in the Southern rivers. Alter cruising idly till the
beginning or 1862 he succeeded in engaging the
rebels at Wiper Creek on May 80. The enemy num-
Dereo about 800 men, and they commanded the
battery at what was aiterward known as Fort
Pemberton. The engagement was desperate
one, but the enemy were repulsed with q heavy
loss. Lieutenant Wooseyis next exploit was at
Secessi0nville the action taking place on June ],
1862 when he succeeded IN completely dislodging
the enemy, although they brought to bear pow
erful battery. on June OF the same year he
acted in concert with the army at James Island.
and succeeded IN routing large rebel
iorce. July 10, 1862, he was commissioned
ana put in command OF the steamer Frin-
cess and ordered to JOIN the Western Gulf
plocKadlng squadron, and ~ was while on duty
here that lie assisted In the defence OF Donaldson
vile and Fort Butler, when attacked by 5000
rebels, under the leadership ofGenerals Green and
Dick Taylor. On July rs, 1866 Commander Woolsey
was commissioned a captain and ordered to the
Naval Observatory at Washington, where he re.
NAMED until 1867, when he was ordered
to the command OF the steam soop Pawnee and
sen: TO JOIN the South Atlantic squadron. serv-
ing on this vessel till 1869 he was made commo-
dore and placed in full command OF that depart
ment, hosting his pennant on the hagship Guer-
rere. Later he was detached from active sea
service and took command or the Pensacola Navy
Yard where, as already stated, he breathed his
last on Friday, October 2. 1t is rather a coinci-
tablished by his father. Commodore Woolsey,
although not brilliant oficer was a most excel
lent one, o true man and nlgh-toned gentleman.
Oticers and men were devotedly attached To MIN,
ana his death leaves serious void Ia American
naval circles.