It seems that he was, from the subsequent data relating to his career. Callahan's LIST OF OFFICERS OF THE U.S. NAVY indicates that, after a career of more than 40 years in the Navy (he was originally appointed Midshipman on January 1, 1825), Hitchcock was placed on the retired list, September 25, 1866, and died March 24, 1888.

The Navy Register of 1865 shows him as being employed on Ordnance duty, at Cold Spring, New York.