The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1897-12-21
ON THE MONITOR.
4 Veterans "Reminiscences OF the Battle
IN TRwmptcn Roads.

IN bHfnptCn hOHuss
"The important part which op.
portuuisy plays in the lives Of men
Is we'll illustrated by the career Of
tho late Admiral Worden," remark
ed Captain Louis N. Stodder Of the
United States revenue cutter service
and United States supervisor Of an
chorages, port of New York, as he
Eat one day last week In his room In
tho barge office Captain StotldeY
has the distinction of being the last
survivor of tho officers who were
assigned TO duty on the Monitor
when il began its career, and who
remained tn constant service on the
vessel until the end off Cape Hat
teras.
By singular coincidence Captain
Stodder g room almost overlooks the
statue erected in Battery park to
tho memory Of Ericsson, once his
intimate friend.
"You see" continued the captain,
naval officers were not overplenti-
full at the beginning of the war, and
the officials at Washington had to
make tho best use of the material
they had In hand. In fact, great
many officers were enrolled from
the merchant marine service. ]
went into the service from the mef-
chant marine myself. l think the
fact that Worden, then ranking only
as lieutenant, was placed ia COM
mand of the Monitor would show
that that vessel WAS looked upon as
rather a doubtful experiment by
the government cnd that the selec-
ton of q man to take command was
MOI made by reason Of any special
fitness for the position.
''It was Worden's good luck that
he was assigned to the Monitor, for
tho result of the fight made the yes
sci and all on board famous.
1.-THE brave part that ho played
in the fight was recognized by con.
gTess, and he was rapidly promoted
TO high rank, which other officers OBJ
tuined only after 20 years of service.
81 remember him well when he
first came on board the Monitor
about a month before the fight, He
had just been released from prison
and looked thin and sallow. He had
the appearance of one dying from
fe-er complaint. l never thought
ii possible for him to live long.
During the fight be was cool and
collected. I recall an incident which
| do not remember ever seeing pub.
lished. The pilothouse was sit ated
in the bow of tho Monitor, quite
AWAY from the turret. During the
fight l WAS in the turret with other
officers, when suddenly we saw
Lieutenant Worden climbing up
where we were. Without saying
anything he opened ono of the tur-
ret doors and stepped out on the
deck in full view OF the enemy.
Why, captain, what's the trou.
blei' exclaimed several of the off.
GERS in astonishment at his fearless
act.
~ can't see well enough from
the pilothouse,' came the quiet re.
ply. i wanted to get out here for
moment to take in the whole situa.
ton Then, looking around for
few moments, he came inside.
Lieutenant Wordcn was very
popular with officers and men alike.
They all worshiped him. Although
only as years old at the time of the
Monitor Merrimac fight, he looked
almost 90. He wore long beard at
the time, and looked just as the re-
cent pictures made him appear.
II last saw Admiral Worden at
the ceremonies attending the re-
moval of Ericsson's body to its final
resting place. Only handful of
persons were admitted TO the cere-
mony. They were those who sur
vived from the officers and men of
the Monitor. Admiral Worden was
IN carriage with Secretary Tracy.
he was very feeble, and his end
even then seemed but short way
of, and yet that was several years
ago. Troy Times.