The Biographical Dictionary of America/Bailey, Theodorus

BAILEY, Theodorus, naval officer, was born at Chateaugay, N. Y., April 12, 1805, nephew of Theodorus Bailey, senator, and a grandson of John Bailey, the first man to hoist the revolutionary flag in New York. At the age of thirteen he joined the navy as midshipman and served on the coast of Africa, in the Pacific and the West Indies. He was promoted lieutenant March 3, 1837, and in 1833-'36 he made a cruise around the world in the Vincennes, later making a similar cruise in the Constellation. He was given command of the Lexington in 1846, serving on the Mexican and Californian coasts, where he blockaded and captured San Blas and did other excellent service. He was promoted commander in 1849, and in 1855 with the St. Mary's joined the Pacific squadron, being promoted captain on December 15 of the same year. He reached Panama during the troubles there and quelled them successfully. In 1861 he was ordered to join Farragut at the mouth of the Mississippi river, and was given command of the Colorado. The frigate was found to be too heavy to cross the bar, and many of the guns and officers were transferred to lighter vessels. Captain Bailey obtained command of the leading division in the passage of the forts below New Orleans sailing to that city in the Cayuga with Lieut. George H. Perkins; and was sent to the city of New Orleans by Admiral Farragut to demand from the mayor an unconditional surrender. He was received by an armed and angry mob, and his mission was quoted as "one of the most gallant acts performed during the whole war." He was chosen by Farragut as the bearer of the despatches and reports to the government at Washington announcing the victory, and was promoted commodore July 16, 1862. In June, 1862, he was placed in command of the East Gulf squadron, as acting rear-admiral, and as such rendered important service in the blockade of Florida, stopping the illicit trade that was being carried on with the West Indian ports, and capturing about 150 blockade runners. In 1866 he was promoted rear-admiral, commanding the Portsmouth, N. H., navy yard from 1865 to 1867. He was retired Oct. 10, 1866, and died in Washington, D. C, Feb. 10, 1877.