The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1864-09-23
ADMIRAL FARRAGUT As 4 MIDsHIP.
MAN.

AN INTERESTING HEMtNtsCENCE.
Professor Folsom contributes the following to
the Cambridge (Mass.) Chronicle
"SR My attention has just been called TO
report Of what took place no the late assembling
ofthe citizens OF Cambridge, IN the City Hail. 70
congratulate each other on the capture Of Atlanta
In this report q is stated that one of our eminent
citizens made certain observations IN Wnlch my
name was intimately connected with that Ot Ad-
miral Farragut apparently on the authority OF
the Admiral himself.
"The printed account contains, in a mixture Of
truth and error, mistake so important, tnat, not
stopping 70 inquire into its source, seize the
earliest opportunity 10 correct t in print. THIS
can hardly be done otherwise than by mentioning
few facts, which will set the matter right with
out further allusiOn TO the Misrepresentation l
would have forgotten. My only embarrassment
arises from the necessity Of using the fret person.
and Of suppressng certain names which should
be promiuvI,, but which have at present no
authority to use.
"The pertinent facts are these In the year
1916 new ship-of.t the line was about to sail
from Boston Tor a cruise in the Mediterranean.
At the last moment the University (where
was then a young member OF the GoVern-
meutl was applied to for chaplain, with
special regard 10 the instruction OF midship-
men, Of whom an unusual numoer was
attached 10 the ship for their professional tram
ing. This was before the time for regular
naval schools. / was despatched, may almost
say, as an emissary from the University, Tor l
was to return TO my place there, better u1ted Oy
of the ship, the immediate administrative
authority in our family Of over seven hun
.fS dred persons, was a gentleman whose name
tvis borne on the records Of the University rs an
q admitted member though he never began resi-
dence. He at once put me IN position To gain
the respect, and in not a few cases the affection,
&.gf my pupils; and he lives TO rejoice WIN me IN
IA whatever success has attended them. Among
X\S'hem was one, then in his early teens, who had
~ -een enrolled in the navy as midshipman amosl
hi,n his childhood. He had already served through
NJ. n most eventful period of his professional life
Al under the benefactor who had procured his war
rant The history Of that first period might close
with the following extract from Captain Porter
account of the capture of the ESser, after one OF
the seyerest engagements on record - Midship-
men Isaacs FaTagut, and Ogden eNerted them
selves in the performance of their respective
euties and gave earnest Of their value % the
service. They are too young to be recon-
mended for promotion ID. G. Far
ragut slightly teoUnded.
II describe him as he now appeared 10 me by
one word, Ariel Suffice il TO say that became
deeply interested in him, my pupil, on shipb)ard
for nearly two years; and when was about tl
leave the ship, 20 take charge OF consular post
found that il had been arranged, without thi
knowledge of either Of US (at the suggestion,
think of the executive officer have above al
luded tor, that Farragut should receive furlougt
and accompany me, If l would consent TO TAXI
charge of him. Our mutual Joy was complete
The intent was, that | should be literally 'hit
guide, philosopher, and friend acting according
TO my own discretion, but officially accountable
resigned my place in the navy): While clothed
with this complete authority, do not remember
that ever issued an order, or mad occ lsion tC
make a suggestion that mounted TO reproot' A
needed control was that of an elder over al
afectOnate younger brother.
0He was now introduced TO entirely new scenes
and had social advantages which compensate
for his former too exclusive sea lie. lie d &c
found home on shore, and every type OF Euro
pean civilization and manners in the families o
the consuls of different nations. In az OF then
hn de # N d
and young. This had always been among hl'
chief moral dangers but here he learned TO b
proof against petting and tiattery. Here, too
be settled his definition of true glory-glory ia
idol of his pTofession-if not in the exact word
of Cicero, at least in his own clear thought. Ou
familiar walks and rides were so many lesson
in ancient history and the lover of historcl
parallels will be gratfed TO know, that we po'
sibly sometimes stood on the very spot where IN
boy Hannibal took the oath that consecrdte
him TO the defense Of his country.
"But all this was to last hardly year IheI
were signs of a coming pestilence, not 70 oe mi
taken. Communication with Europe would 500
be entirely cut off. His field of duty was nc
here he was not to be subjected to risk OF IN
sort and, along with family OF Danish friend
he passed over to Italy, and returned to duty
amidshipman. ...,,...,
by recent events but cherished memories ke
ever fresh.
~ have said, Mr.. Editor, more perhaps thu
the occasion called fOr-more than enough
account for strong expressions really uttcre
-
but prompted by the recollections OF youl
which are apt to eonfound concomitants vi
causes. In our Cambridge Philosophy OF t
Heart that Is not contrary 10 the canon of Gra
tnde But would not be understood TO rel
quish one iot Of any share may be fairly s!
posed TO have had in the training OF ADM
Farrarut That would be 70 defrdud the
yersity which is mediately concerned IN
matter II in youth none knew him but TO Il
him he has now made IL certain that hencei0
Al will be said None name him but to praise.
"The better his cuuntrymen understand n
the more they will see that his Is no false b
liancy that he is not flashing meteor, bl
star in Our national hrmGmCnt. The pas
secure and whatever mischance may bet
him. we shall feel certain that he deserved
cess Let the American Southey who is to w
his life nut himself IN severe training 20 acIl
the rare ability 10 produce small book, hay
the simple truth, treated with good sense
pure and graceful style, that shall make it Ind
n literary monument. Yours. respectfully,
"CUAHLEs lOLs1'
Cambridge, August II, 1854"