Robert Burton Rodney, U. S. N.; of Delaware. At nearly 22, appointed Acting Assistant Paymaster, United States Navy, October 25, 1862; was Paymaster of ordnance-ship "Dale," Kev West, 1862-3; blockader "J. S. Chambers," 1863-4; "Donegal" and "Massachusetts," 1864-5; double-ender "Conemaugh," 1865-6; training-frigates "Constitution" and "Santee," Annapolis, 1867; store-ship "Cyane," Panama Bay, 1868-9; iron-clad "Terror," Cuban waters, 1870-1." Placed on retired list, 1871. His life, during the War, was one of patient, humble suffering. In August and September, 1864, was on the aforesaid blockader while that gunboat was stricken by the yellow fever with greater virulence and rate of mortality than ever were known elsewhere in the Navy. Moored alone off Indian River Inlet, Fla., almost all of the ship's complement of seventy lay ill simultaneously; and the deaths were about one-fourth of the crew and one-half of the officers, and including the commander. The only medical officer, from severity of strain upon him, became helpless, and had to be kept under close care. The vessel resounded night and day with the delirious shrieks of the sick and dying; and an officer, although well, was so distracted by the incessant horrors that he sprang overboard and was drowned. All the burials, except the first, were in the sea. Rodney, in addition to personally-performed duties in charge of provisions, clothing and stores (both his clerk and steward being among the dead), served as watch-officer, chaplain and nurse; was the last seized by the disease, nearly dying therewith at the Philadelphia lazaretto, to which the ship at length managed to sail. His frame never altogether renewed its former exuberant vigor. July 23, 1866, was one of the few selected (from some four hundred Acting Assistant Paymasters) as highly meriting promotion to the regular navy, and that at the advanced grade of Passed Assistant; the Board recording in this sole instance, and in red ink as emphasis, "Examination especially complimentary to Rodney." Again promoted, viz, to Paymaster, having the relative rank of Lieutenant-Commander, June 30, 1869. When 24, and under surety bond for only $5,000, he was entrusted with a Sub-Treasury account, and his checks were cashed to the extent of $150,000 and $175,000 each. Commended by Navy Department , February 19, 1878, as "Of exemplary character, whose conduct, in relation to Government funds and property entrusted to his custody, has been irreproachably honest and accurate;" and, by Treasury Department, February 7, 1876, as "Always one of the most dutiful and efficient of Paymasters." Never sought, nor suggested, a particular detail, nor to have one changed, however disagreeable. Author of "Albion and Rosamond," and lesser poems, and "Pay-day at Babel." His family's name borne on the rolls of former United States Senate and House; Attorney-Generals United States and Governors of Delaware; the Declaration of Independence; and English naval history and peerage.