(It is this battle which is commemorated in the Marine Hymn's words, "From the Halls of Montezuma ...") He was brevetted first lieutenant September 13, 1847, for gallantry in those actions.

[1] In the Civil War, he aided in the capture of Port Royal, South Carolina, November 7, 1861, and led a detachment of 200 marines to reoccupy the Norfolk Navy Yard, May 1862.

After the war, he became a First Class Companion of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States and was promoted to lieutenant colonel on December 5, 1867.

On November 1, 1876, he was appointed colonel commandant, the highest post in the Marine Corps, and served in that position until he retired on January 29, 1891.

In May 1870 he married his second wife, Elise Alden Henderson, whom he met while commanding the Marine guard at the Boston Navy Yard.