he was detailed for active duty at fort monroe in late 1860, and rendered efficient service in preventing its seizure. on may 26, 1861, he was sent to newport news as master of ordnance, superintended the fortifications of that point, and trained the volunteers to artillery practice. when the expedition to big bethel was planned, he was unexpectedly detailed to accompany it with two guns, though in his own judgment it was ill-advised. when the union army troops were repelled, by his management of the guns he protected them from pursuit and destruction. just at the close of the action, when he had given the orders to withdraw his guns from the field, he was struck by a rifle ball on the right temple and instantly killed. for his bravery in the two days' action, he was brevetted captain, major, and lieutenant colonel, on the day of his death. first buried in philadelphia's woodland cemetery he was later reburied in west laurel hill cemetery, bala cynwyd, montgomery county pennsylvania