Taken from: The Jones Family of Long Island
by John Henry Jones, 1907


THEODORUS BAILEY

He was appointed midshipman, 1 Jan., 1818, and promoted Lieut. in 1827. In 1846 he was in command of the Lexington and rendered valuable service during the Mexican War. In 1855 he was appointed Captn., and a little later commissioned as Commodore. In 1862 he was in command of the Gulf blockading squadron with the rank of Acting Rear Admiral, and was second in command at New Orleans under Admiral Farragut, when he was sent to demand the surrender of New Orleans. In his official report of that victory he wrote, "It was a contest of iron hearts in wooden vessels against iron clads with iron beaks; and the iron hearts won." On 25 July, 1866, he received his commission as Rear Admiral, and in 1876 was placed upon the retired list, his death occurring soon after.

On 5 Dec., 1899, at the launching of the torpedo boat destroyer named the "Bailey," in honor of the Admiral, his family presented that boat with a loving cup bearing the following inscription:

"In honor of Rear Admiral Theodorus Bailey, born 1805, died 1877, who in peace or war for fifty-nine years so gallantly served in the navy of our land, this cup is dedicated.

"In the U. S. S. Cayuga he led the fleet of Admiral Farragut through the fire of Forts Jackson and St. Philip and opposing vessels, April 24, 1862."