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50 navy yard at Norfolk to prevent its falling into the hands of the enemy, April, 1861. He was promoted first lieutenant May 30, 1861. After his heroic conduct in the battle of Hatteras Inlet and in the capture of forts Clark and Hatteras, he was promoted captain, November 23, 1861. He was on board the Cumberland, in command of the after gun deck division in the fight between the Merrimac and the Cumberland, March 8, 1862. The first shot from the Merrimac killed nine marines under his command. The wooden warship, the Cumberland, rammed by the iron-clad Merrimac, went down with her flag flying and her men at the guns. Captain Hey wood fired the last gun in the fight and jumping overboard as the ship sank, he was saved by one of the messenger boys. For gallant and meritorious services on board the Cumberland, he received the brevet of major, United States marine corps. He was attached successively to the marine barracks, Brooklyn, New York; to the frigate Sabine; to the United States steamer Ticonderoga, flagship of the flying squadron in pursuit of the Alabama. In October, 1863, he volunteered for duty with Admiral Farragut, and served with him to the end of the Civil war. He was on the Hartford at the battle of Mobile Bay, and at the capture of forts Gaines, Morgan and Powell, as well as at the capture of the rams Tennessee and Selma, and the sinking of the Gaines. On account of "gallant and meritorious service at the battle of Mobile Bay" and "for distinguished gallantry in presence of the enemy," he was brevetted lieutenant-colonel. In an official report of the battle Captain Drayton writes to Admiral Farragut: "The two after guns were manned by marines who, under the command of Captain Charles Heywood, performed most efficient service."

During labor riots in Baltimore, Philadelphia and Reading, he commanded a battalion of marines.

In the spring of 1885 he commanded a Marine brigade during the rather critical period while traffic was interrupted upon the Isthmus of Panama. Admiral Jouett, commander-in-chief of the United States forces at the Isthmus at that time, in general orders (May 7 and May 22, 1885) commends in high terms the corps and General Heywood, as its commander, for prompt, efficient and most valuable service in opening and reestablishing traffic and in guarding the interests of the United States. He was appointed colonel commandant of the corps in January, 1891. He was promoted major-general commandant, July 1, 1902, and retired in conformity with