Rebellion Record: a Diary of American Events: Poetry and Incidents., Volume 1.
Frank Moore, Ed.

The Saver of Fort Pickens in prison.--Silently awaiting his doom, in the prison of Montgomery, is an officer of the U. S. Navy, whose existence seems to be forgotten by his country and his friends. A sad, brief note about him was placed in my hands ten minutes since, and I cannot resist the impulse to put the statement of his case at the head of my letter. “The poor fellow,” writes an Alabama secessionist, “has no money and no friends here. The little capital he had has been paid, from time to time, for food and trivial comforts to the family of his jailer.” The subject of this paragraph is one of the most efficient officers in the service, and came to be imprisoned in this way:--The Government at Washington — which never mentions him in his despatches — sent Mr. Worden from the National Capital expressly to order the reinforcement of Fort Pickens. His despatches were addressed to Capt. Adams, of the Sabine.

He arrived safely at Pensacola — at Warrington — at the Headquarters of Gen. Bragg, on the very day that Gen. Bragg, Commodore Ingraham of the Confederate Navy, and Capt. Adams of the Sabine, had dined together. Worden, fearing trouble, read his orders two or three times, committed them to memory, and tore them up. He told Bragg he was a courier from the U. S. Government to the Commander-in-Chief of the United States naval forces in Florida, and wanted to go on board the Sabine. “You can go on one condition, sir,” said the General. “I cannot observe any condition, General Bragg,” replied the officer; “my position in the United States service forbids it.” “But I have an understanding with Capt. Adams,” said the General. “I cannot help it,” interrupted the Lieutenant; “I merely asked to go on board that vessel, and if you can allow me, I would deem it a great favor.”

After some consultation, Mr. Worden was permitted to go on board. He delivered his instructions [145] verbally on a certain morning. At 10 o'clock that night they were obeyed. Pickens was reinforced. A miscellaneous collection of army soldiers, marines, and sailors, augmented Lieut. Slemmer's command; and Worden did his duty. But, very rashly, he thought Bragg would, on his return, let him outside the Southern line unmolested. He proposed to go on shore; Capt. Adams first objected, but finally acquiesced.

The brave Worden shoved off in his little boat, and landed. A complete change had taken place in the spirit of the chivalrous Bragg. The reinforcement enraged him. Just while a spy was narrating the circumstances of the midnight adventure — swelling out hundreds into thousands--the Lieutenant appeared. He was secured, imprisoned, sent to Montgomery, and there he is. No one has spoken or written any thing about him; and no one seems to care whether he lives or dies.--N. Y. Tribune.