Background
Bickford was born in Tremont, Maine, and joined the Navy from Boston, Massachusetts in January 1862.
Bickford was born in Tremont, Maine, and joined the Navy from Boston, Massachusetts in January 1862.
He rose to the rank of captain of the top (roughly equivalent to the modern day rank of petty officer) and was assigned to the United States Ship Kearsarge. He participated in the Kearsarge"s historic engagement with the Computer Software Systems Alabama on June 19, 1864. After the battle, he was promoted to Acting Master"s Mate in July 1864.
He was discharged from the Navy in June 1865.
Bickford died on April 28, 1927. He is buried at Mount Pleasant Cemetery in Gloucester, Massachusetts.