As Dewey and the captain were about to get into their boat, Captain Smith said: "Are you sure she will burn, Dewey?"
"I will take one look more to be sure," replied the brave lieutenant; and, at the risk of his life, he made his way back and saw that the fires they had started were making good headway. He then rejoined the captain, and they pulled away from the burning ship.
After the loss of the Mississippi, Lieutenant Dewey was ordered to one of Admiral Farragut's dispatch boats. The admiral often came on board and was very friendly to the young lieutenant.
In 1864, Dewey was assigned to the Colorado as first lieutenant. This vessel was part of the fleet besieging Fort Fisher.
During the second attack on the fort, the Colorado was ordered to go up close to a certain battery and silence it. Some of the officers objected, as the Colorado was a wooden vessel and had already been badly damaged. Lieutenant Dewey said, "We shall be safer in there, and the battery can be taken in fifteen minutes." The attack was a success and proved that Dewey was wise as well as brave.
After the battle, Admiral Porter came to thank the commander of the Colorado for the work that his vessel had done. The commodore replied, "You must thank Lieutenant Dewey. It was his move."
Three months later he was promoted to the rank of lieutenant commander on account of the courage and ability he had shown.
After the close of the war, Dewey's father went to see Farragut in New York. The famous admiral shook Dr. Dewey's hand warmly and said, "Sir! Your son George is a worthy and brave officer and some day will make his mark."
In 1884 he was made captain. He did not receive the rank of commodore until 1896.
During all these years, he worked hard and did his duty faithfully. When not on the sea, he was at work on shore, teaching in the Naval Academy, making marine maps, or looking after supplies for the vessels.