Personal Papers; Official Papers

John Boyle. Navy Department. To John L. Worden, U.S. Ship "Erie", Coast of Brazil. June 1, 1835. DS, 1 p.

Appointment as Midshipman in the U.S. Navy. Signed by John Boyle, Acting Secretary of the Navy.

J[ames] K. Paulding. Navy Department. To John L. Worden. U.S. Navy. July 23, 1840. DS, 1 p.

Appointment as Past Midshipman in the U.S. Navy. Signed by James K. Paulding, Secretary of the Navy.

J.Y. Mason. Navy Department. To Lieutenant John L. Worden. U.S. Navy. Quaker Hill, Duchess Co., N.Y. Jan. 18, 1847. DS, 1 p.

Appointment as Lieutenant in the U.S. Navy. Signed by J.Y. Mason, Secretary of the Navy.

Captain H.A. Adams. U.S. Frigate "Sabine," [near Pensacola]. To Gideon Welles. Washington, D.C. Apr. 1, 1861. Typewritten, 2 pp.

Letter (copy) to Welles stating that Adams had received instructions from General Scott that "may have been given without a full knowledge of the condition of affairs here …," and requests to receive further orders. With a long endorsement by Worden.

Gideon Welles. Navy Department. To Lieutenant John L. Worden. U.S. Navy. Quaker Hill, N.Y. Apr. 2, 1861. DS, 1 p.

Official Orders to Lieutenant Worden to report for duty at the outbreak of the Civil War. Signed by Gideon Welles, Secy. of the Navy, and also signed by Captain S.H. Stringham. Includes an endorsement by Worden giving an account of his services.

Typescript copy of letters written by various Union and Confederate Officers in 1861. Typewritten, AE, 2 pp.

Includes copies of letters from: H.A. Adams (Apr. 14); Braxton Bragg (Apr. 5); S. Cooper (Apr. 6); L.P. Walker (Apr. 12); Braxton Bragg (Apr. 12); L.P. Walker (Apr. 13); et al. Copies of letters written by various Union and Confederate Officers in 1861. With autograph endorsement by Worden.

Gideon Welles. Navy Department. To Captain Henry A. Adams. Apr. 6, 1861. Typewritten, AE, 1 p.

Typescript of the original communication, as given to Worden by the Secretary of the Navy, for delivery to Captain Adams, the officer in charge of the Naval forces off Pensacola. With a long autograph endorsement of Worden.

J.L. Worden. Montgomery, Alabama. To "My dear wife." Apr. 15, 1861. ALS, 1 p.

Autograph letter from J.L. Worden to Mrs. Worden informing her that he is "under arrest here as a prisoner of war."

Original telegram from J.L. Worden to Mrs. Worden, informing her of his being held prisoner by Confederate authorities at Montgomery, Alabama.

Gideon Welles. Navy Department. To Mrs. Olivia Worden. Quaker Hill, N.Y. May 2, 1861. Handwritten copy, signed, 1 p.

Original letter of Gideon Welles, Secretary of the Navy. He writes to Mrs. Worden, stating that he has received no news of her husband.

Gideon Welles. Navy Department. To Mrs. Olivia Worden. Quaker Hill, N.Y. May 7, 1861. Handwritten copy, signed, 2 pp.

Original letter of Gideon Welles, Secretary of the Navy, to Mrs. Worden, regarding the imprisonment of her husband by the Confederates.

H.A. Wise. Washington, D.C. To Mrs. Worden. May 8, 1861. ALS, 4 pp.

The letter is written by a U.S. Naval Officer, to Mrs. Worden relative to her husband's imprisonment by the Confederates. Wise writes of his belief that Worden will soon be released.

Jos[eph] Smith. To Mrs. J.L. Worden. Quaker Hill, N.Y. June 5, 1861. ALS, 3 pp.

The letter of Rear Admiral Joseph Smith, to Mrs. Worden, is relative to the imprisonment of her husband by the Confederates.

L[ouis] M. Goldsborough. U.S. Flag Ship, "Minnesota." Hampton Roads. To Mrs. Worden. Oct. 19, 1861. ALS, 1 p.

The letter of Rear Admiral Louis M. Goldsborough, to Mrs. Worden, regarding his efforts to secure the release of her husband.

L[ouis] M. Goldsborough. U.S. Flag Ship. "Minnesota." Hampton Roads. To Mrs. Olivier Worden. Quaker Hill, N.Y. Nov. 8, 1861. ALS, 1 p.

Rear Admiral Louis M. Goldsborough writes to Mrs. Worden, telling her "don't despair" and that he is "working hard to accomplish the release" of [her] worthy husband."

Document authorizing the release of Lieut. John L. Worden. Quartermaster's Department. Montgomery, Ala. Nov. 13, 1861. ADS, 1 p.

The document authorizes the release of Lieut. John L. Worden, signed by Major J. L. Calhoun, C.S.A., November 13, 1861. With autograph endorsement by Worden regarding his parole and activities.

Agreement of parole (copy) for Lieut. J.L. Worden. Quartermaster Department. Montgomery, Ala. Nov. 13, 1861. Handwritten, 2 pp.

Agreement of parole under which Lieut. J.L. Worden was released by the Confederates.

Jos. Smith. To Lt. J.L. Worden. Navy Headquarters, N. York. Jan. 11, 1862. ALS, 1 p.

Rear Admiral Joseph Smith informs Worden that he had placed him in command of the "Monitor," then under construction in New York.

Gideon Welles. Navy Department. To John L. Worden. New York. Jan. 13, 1862. DS, 1 p.

Welles informs Worden that he has been placed in command of the "Monitor." Endorsed by Commodore Paulding, to the effect that Worden had reported on Jan. 16, for the command. The dates on which the ironclad was launched and put in commission are noted.

Lieut. John L. Worden. New York. To Commodore Jos. Smith. Navy Dept. Washington, D.C. Jan. 13, 1862. ALS, 1 p.

Worden acknowledges his receipt of Admiral Smith's letter informing him that he would be placed in command of the "Monitor."

Gideon Welles. Navy Department. To Lieutenant John L. Worden. New York. Feb. 20, 1862. LS, 1 p.

Directs him to proceed with the U.S. Steamer "Monitor" under his command to Hampton Roads, Virginia. With autograph endorsement by Worden giving the dates on which he sailed from New York and arrived at Hampton Roads.

H[iram] Paulding. Navy Yard. New York. To John L. Worden. Mar. 4, 1862. Handwritten, signed, 1 p.

Letter of Rear Admiral Hiram Paulding giving Worden detailed orders to proceed with the "Monitor" to Hampton Roads.

[John L.] Worden. Monitor. Hampton Roads. To "My darling wife." Mar. 8, 1862. ALS, 1 p.

Worden writes to his wife upon his arrival at Hampton Roads, Virginia, on the night of March 8, 1862. He writes that he is "going immediately to the assistance of the 'Minnesota' near Newport News -- she is aground."

List of officers on board the "Monitor," during her engagement with the "Merrimac." Ca. Mar. 9, 1862. Handwritten, 2 pp.

Lists the officers on board the "Monitor" during her engagement with the "Merrimac," on March 9, 1862.

Report of S.D. Green. To Hon. Gideon Welles, Secretary of the Navy.

Report of S.D. Green, Executive Officer and Second in Command of the "Monitor," under Worden, being his official report of the historic engagement with the "Merrimac" to Gideon Welles, Secretary of the Navy.

Gideon Welles. Navy Department. To Lieut. John L. Worden. Washington, D.C. Mar. 15, 1862. LS, 2 pp.

Writes to congratulate Worden and the crew of the "Monitor" for their naval action against the "Merrimac," which "has excited general admiration and received the applause of the whole country."

H.A. Wise. Bureau of Ordinance. Washington. Mar. 15, 1862. ALS, 2 pp.

Letter of H.A. Wise, U.S. Naval Officer, written at the request of Lieutenant Worden to the officers at Fortress Monroe, expressing his regret that his injuries make it impossible for him to be present at a dinner invitation tendered him.

H.A. Wise. Bureau of Ordnance and Hydrography. Navy Department. Washington City. To "Sir." Mar. 29, 1862. Handwritten, 6 pp. (2 pcs.)

Includes the resolutions of the Chamber of Commerce of the State of New York, complimenting Worden and the officers and crew of the "Monitor" on the battle with the "Merrimac." With a letter of H.A. Wise, written at Worden's request.

Original resolution of the Assembly of the State of New York. Albany. Apr. 23, 1862. Handwritten, signed, 1 p.

The resolution directs that a sword be made and presented to Lieut. John L. Worden "as a slight testimonial to his bravery in the late naval engagement at Hampton Roads."

"The Monitor Boys." Hampton Roads. U.S. Monitor. To "Our dear and honored Captain." [Washington, D.C.]. Apr. 24, 1862. ALS, 1 p., AE, 1 p.

Original letter from the crew of the "Monitor." The crew of the famous ironclad express their attachment for their commander and hope for his speedy recovery and return to his vessel. With an autograph endorsement by Worden.

Gideon Welles. Navy Department. To John L. Worden. Washington, D.C. May 8, 1862. DS, 1 p.

Gideon Welles, Secretary of the Navy, to Worden, relieving him of the command of the "Monitor" and placing him in command of the U.S. Iron-clad Steamer, "New Ironsides."

Joint Resolution of thanks to John L. Worden and crew of the "Monitor." Washington, D.C. July 11, 1862.

DS, 1 item.

Original Resolution expressive of the thanks of Congress to Lieutenant J.L. Worden of the U.S. Navy and to the Officers and Men under his Command on the "Monitor," signed by Schuyler Colfax, Daniel Clarke, and President Abraham Lincoln.

Gideon Welles. Navy Department. To Commander John L. Worden. Richfield Springs, N.Y. Aug. 5, 1862. DS, 1 p.

Gideon Welles, Secretary of the Navy, to Commander John L. Worden, informing him of his promotion to the rank of Commander in the U.S. Navy.

Gideon Welles. Navy Department. To John L. Worden. New York. Oct. 8, 1862. DS, 1 p.

Original letter of Gideon Welles, to Commander John L. Worden, placing him in command of the U.S. Iron-clad Steamer "Montauk."

Gideon Welles. Navy Department. To Jno. L. Worden. U.S. Steamer Montauk, New York. Dec. 13, 1862. LS, 1 p.

Original letter from the Secretary of the Navy, ordering Worden to proceed with the U.S. Steamer "Montauk" to Hampton Roads. With autograph endorsement by Worden giving the dates and other facts of his taking command of the "Montauk."

Horatio Ballard. Office of the Secretary of State of the State of New York. Albany, [New York]. To "Lieutenant John L. Worden." Dec. 16, 1862. LS,

2 pp.

Letter pertains to their sending Worden the Resolution of the State Assembly together with a sword as "a memorial of [his] heroism and skill, as Commandant of the 'Monitor,' in the action with the 'Merrimack' in Hampton Roads."

John L. Worden. To Hon. Horatio Ballard. New York. Dec. 20, 1862. ALS, 2 pp.

Worden thanks them "for the kind manner in which [they] have presented this testimonial," and writes of his patriotic feelings.

John L. Worden. U.S. Steamer "Monta[u]k." Delaware Breakwater. To Hon. Gideon Welles. Washington, D.C. Dec. 26, 1862. Typewritten, AE, 3 pp.

Worden's copy of his letter to Gideon Welles, Secretary of the Navy, dated Dec. 26, 1862, relating to difficulties at sea with the ironclad "Montauk." Autograph endorsement by Worden.

S[tephen] P. Lee. To Commander John L. Worden. U.S.S. Montauk. Hampton Roads, Va. Dec. 29, 1862. LS, 1 p.

Letter of Rear Admiral Stephen P. Lee, ordering Worden to proceed to Beaufort, North Carolina, with the U.S. Ironclad Steamer "Montauk." Endorsed by Worden.

John L. Worden. U.S. Steamer "Montauk." Hampton Roads. To Hon. Gideon Welles. Washington, D.C.

Worden's copy of his letter to Gideon Welles, Secretary of the Navy, dated Dec. 30, 1862, giving an account of the passage of the Iron Clad "Montauk" from new York to Hampton Roads. With some handwritten notes of Worden.

S[tephen] P. Lee. U.S. Flagship "Minnesota." Hampton Roads, Va. To Commander J.L. Worden. U.S.S. "Montauk," Beaufort, N.C. Jan. 7, 1863. LS, 1 p.

Letter of Rear Admiral Stephen P. Lee, to Commander Worden, ordering him to proceed with "Montauk" to Port Royal, where he should "report to Rear Admiral Dupont." Endorsed by Worden regarding the order.

S[tephen] P. Lee. U.S. Flag Ship "Minnesota." Hampton Roads, Va. Jan. 8, 1863. LS, 2 pp.

Original letter of Rear Admiral Stephen P. Lee, to Commander Worden, instructing him to have the paymaster with his books, accounts, funds, etc., take passage on the vessel towing the "Montauk" rather than on the Ironclad Steamer itself. Endorsed by Worden.

[Captain] Green. To Commander J.L. Worden. U.S. Steamer "Montauk." Jan. 25, 1863. Handwritten, signed, 2 pp.

Letter regarding information obtained from a prisoner concerning the construction of ironclads by the Confederates.

Thos. A. Stephen. Engine Department. U.S. Iron clad Steamer "Montauk" (off Fort McAllister, Ga.). To Captain John L. Worden. Jan. 27, 1863. ALS, 2 pp.

Original letter of Thomas A Stephens, Senior Engineer U.S. Navy, to Captain Worden, being the engineer's report after the attack made by the "Montauk" on Fort McAllister.

S.F. DuPont. Flag Ship "Wabash."Port Royal Harbor, S.C. To J.L. Worden. U.S.S. "Montauk." Jan. 28, 1863. LS,

1 p.

Original letter of Rear Admiral S.F. DuPont,

to Commander Worden, regarding U.S. Naval operations against the Confederates around Port Royal.

S.F. DuPont. "Wabash." To "My dear Captain." Feb. 5, 1863. LS, 4 pp.

Original letter of Rear Admiral S.F. DuPont to Captain [Worden], referring to the operations of the Ironclad "Montauk" while under Worden's command and other Naval matters.

S.F. DuPont. Flag Ship "Wabash." Port Royal Harbor, S.C. To Commander J.L. Worden. U.S.S. "Montauk." Feb. 27, 1863. LS, 1 p.

Original letter of Rear Admiral S.F. DuPont,

to Commander Worden, regarding U.S. Naval operations against the Confederates around Port Royal, and instructing him to "act as a reserve."

S.F. DuPont. Flag Ship "Wabash." Port Royal, So[uth] Ca[rolina.] To Commander J.L. Worden. U.S.S. "Montauk." Feb. 28, 1863. LS, 2 pp.

Original letter of Rear Admiral S.F. DuPont,

to Commander Worden, acknowledging the receipt of his report about the destruction of the "Nashville," and DuPont further writes to commend the operations of the "Montauk."

Thos. A. Stephens. U.S. Iron Clad Steamer "Montauk." Ogeechee River, Georgia. To Capt. John L. Worden. "Montauk." Feb. 28, 1863. ALS, 7 pp.

Report of the Senior Engineer, to Captain Worden, regarding injuries sustained by the Iron Clad "Montauk" in the operations around Port Royal.

S.F. DuPont. "Wabash." P[ort] Royal. To "My dear Captain." Mar. 1, [1863]. ALS, 3 pp.

Letter of Rear Admiral S.F. DuPont, to [Commander Worden], referring to the operations of the Iron Clad "Montauk" in connection with the vessel the "Nashville,"

and discusses other Naval matters.

Report of Board [of Engineers]. Port Royal, S.C. Mar. 5, 1863. Handwritten, signed, 3 pp.

Report of the Board of Engineers on injuries received by U.S. Iron Clad "Montauk" from the explosion of a torpedo under her hull in the Ogeechee River. Endorsed by Worden.

S.F. DuPont. Flag Ship "Wabash." Port Royal Harbor, S.C. To Captain Jno. L. Worden. U.S.S. "Montauk." Apr. 1, 1863. LS, 1 p.

Original letter of Rear Admiral S.F. DuPont ordering Worden to proceed with the Iron Clad "Montauk" to North Edisto. Writes that "a steamer will be provided to tow you there."

S.F. DuPont. Flag Ship "Wabash." Port Royal Harbor, S.C. To Captain J.L. Worden. U.S. Ironclad "Montauk." Port Royal, S.C. Apr. 13, 1863. LS, 1 p.

Original letter of Rear Admiral S.F. DuPont, to Captain Worden, detaching him from command of the "Montauk" bacause of his ill health and paying high tribute to his patriotism and abilities. Endorsed by G.V. Fox.

F.H. Gregory. New York. To Capt. J.L. Worden. May 5, 1863. ALS, 1 p.

Original letter of F.H. Gregory, Assistant Secretary of the Navy, to Capt. Worden, transmitting his Commission as Captain in the U.S. Navy.

Report (copy) to Hon. Gideon Welles, Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D.C. Jan. 5, 1868. Typewritten, 9 pp.

Report to Hon. Gideon Welles, Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D.C. Typewritten report submitted by John L. Worden, Capt., U.S.N., about the conduct of the S.D. Greene, the executive officer of the "Monitor," in her conflict with the "Merrimac."

Original commission of John L. Worden as Commodore in the United States Navy. Signed by Andrew Johnson. June 5, 1868. DS, 1 item.

Original Commission of John L. Worden as Commodore in the United States Navy. Signed by Andrew Johnson, President of the United States, and Gideon Welles, Secretary of the Navy; with the seal of the U.S.

Geo[rge] M. Robeson. Navy Department. Washington. To Commodore J.L. Worden. U.S. Navy. Washington, D.C. Nov. 26, 1869. Handwritten, signed, 1 p.

Letter of the Secretary of the Navy, to Com. Worden, informing him of his appointment as Superintendent of the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis and directing him to report at the Academy for duty as Superintendent. Endorsed by Worden.

Document of promotion to the rank of Rear Admiral. Nov. 20, 1872. DS, 1 item.

Original document signed by Geo[rge] M. Robeson, Secretary of the Navy, by which Com. Worden is promoted to the rank of Rear Admiral in the U.S. Navy.

Original document of the Forty-Ninth Congress of the United States of America. Dec. 6, 1886. DS, 1 item.

Original document signed by T[homas] F. Bayard, Secretary of State, by which Rear Admiral John L. Worden is placed on the Retired List after forty years active service in the U.S. Navy. With seal of the United States.

Document of the Bunker Hill Memorial Association, dated June 17, 1891. DS, 1 item.

Original document, being the notice to Rear Admiral John L. Worden of his election as an Honorable member of the Bunker Hill Monument Association.

Autograph manuscript of Com. Worden entitled "Sketch of my trip to Pensacola in 1861 as Special Messenger from the Navy Dep[ar]t[ment] to Capt. Adams …" n.d. Holograph, 5 pp.

The handwritten account describes the assignment of special duties from the Navy Department, and further writes of his imprisonment in a Montgomery jail.

"Notes about the Montauk." n.d. Handwritten, 2 pp.

Timetable of events associated with the "Montauk." In Worden's handwriting.

"Record of Service of Rear Adm[ira]l John Lorimer Worden." n.d. Holograph, 7 pp.

The handwritten account, given by Rear Admiral John Lorimer Worden, pertains to biographical events and his record of service in the Navy.

Autograph manuscript of J.L. Worden. n.d. Handwritten, 1 p.

Worden gives an account of President Lincoln visiting him at a hospital in Washington where he was recovering from his wounds received in the battle between the "Monitor" and the "Merrimac."

"The 'Monitor' and the 'Merrimac': Capt. John L. Worden's Scrap Book."

The scrapbook contains numerous press clippings with accounts of the fight between the "Monitor" and the "Merrimac," poems occasioned by the battle, and other newspaper items relative to the "Monitor;" also autograph notations by Com. Worden.