The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1870-01-28
The Great Americas Admiral.
FARRAGUT's HISTORY

EAnhAOO dlcIOh1s
The gallant gentleman who has so quietly
and unostentatiously performed the duties
incumbent upon him as the representative OF
the United States in receiving the remains Of
George Peabody, deserves that we who are
now honored By his presence among us
should have our memory of his achievements
and his almost unequaled patriotic services
refreshed. Nothing should be lacking in our
appreciation of immortal deeds. We append
an interesting biography which we have no
doubt will surprise most people by showing
how long AID intimately Admiral Farragut
hos baen associated with the American NAVY
and how inseparably his name is connected
with its most glorious successes. 1t was
published by New York journal last Octo-
Der when the Admiral was lying seriously i'll
in Chicago:
Admiral David Gascoe Farragut was
born at Campbelfs Station, near Knoxville,
Tenn, on the 9Th of July, 1901. His father
seems to have been not altogether contented
with farmers lie in that mountainous re-
giop, for not long after we hear OF him as
sailing master in the navy and an intimate
friend of the father of Commodore David
4OitCl, WIZ tLND uSiu d SliillldE IdUH. L
Farrasut Inherited his fathers love for the
sea, and though brought up so far inland,
among the Cumberland mountains, he had
hardy reached the age oil nine and a hall
years when the longings for sailors lie pos
sessed HIM so strongly That his father consent
ed, and alter some little delay mi2shipman's
beth was procured for him.
His first cruise was under the command OF
Captain then master commandant) Porter
who, in July, 1872, was promoted to the rank
OF Captain and soon after sailed IN the Essex
Tor The South American coast and the Pacific
10 this famous ffi9ate the young midshipman
was ordered before her departure, and he re.
NAMED on her Though the evenliul two years
that followed, when she drove the British
commerce out OF the Pacific. When, on lbt
18th Of March. ISL. The ksitiA51tt war Cherub
twenty eight guns, without scruple, attacked
the Essex IN the harbor of Valparaiso in VIC
lation OF the rights of a neutral nation, there
ensued one OF the fiercest naval battles on
record. Though fight ng against hopeless
odds, the two British vessels having twice the
number OF guns and men of the Essex, Com
modore Porter, with the reckless daring which
was so marked a trait in his character, refused
to strike the colors of his ship until she had
bsen three or Jour tunes ON fire and was in q
sinking condition, and her rigging shot away
the flames threatening her magazine, and one
hundred and fty-two out Of two hundred anc
fifty five men killed, wounded or missing
The battle lasted two and half hours The
young midsblpman Farragut was in the hot
test of the fight, and was slightly woun dec
during the action.
Before the loss of the Essex be had served
as acting lieutenant on board the Atlantic. an
armed PRIZE. On his return to the United
States Commodore Porter placed him al
school at Chester, Pennsylvania, where be
was taught, anon. other studies the elements
OF military and naval tactics; but in 1916 he
was again aioat and On board the flag ship oil
the Mediterranean squadron, where he had
good fortune to meet in the chaplain, Rev.
Charles Folsom, all instructor, to whom he
became ardrntly attached, and to whose teach
lngs he attributes much OF his subsequent
uaeu ness and success.
The boy grown to mans estate, after some
turtf er service in the Mediterranean, was, Oh
the LIST OF January, 1921, al the age OF nine
teen and half years, promoted 10 the rank
o. lieutenant, and ordered to duty on the
West India station.
In 1924 he was assigned to duty in the Nor
iolk navy yard, and with the execution of a
Two yeais' cruise in the Vapdalia, on the Bra
~ station, remained at Norfolk until 1879
he married lady of highly respectable
family, who died from a hopeless physical
malady, and he subsequently married another
lady OF Norfolk, Miss Virginia Loyal, the
daughter OF one OF the most eminent citizens
OF tnat city. The issue OF that marriage is a
son, who lately graduated at West Point, and
who bears the honorable name of Loyall Far
ragut.
IN 1888 Lieutenant Farraout was made ex-
ecutlve officer lieutenant commander) of the
sloop of-war NatcheZ, and again ordered to
the Brazilian coast, and in 1888 transferred to
the West India or home squadron.
An lS4l he was commissioned as comman-
der, and ordered to the sloop-ot-war Decatur
on The Brazil squadron. In 1912 he received
three years leave of absence, and at its ex-
piratlon was again ordered to the Norfolk ma.
Wy yard, where he remained until 1S47, when
he look command OF the sloop-of-war Sarato-
ga, OF the home squadron. In 1850 he was
again assigned to duty at Norfolk, where, in
1851 he was appointed assistant chief of ord
nance. After serving in this capacity for
three years he was sent to California, in 1854
as commander of the Mare Island navy ward.
IN 1900 he was commissioned captain; and
from 1858 to May, 1860, he was in command
Of the steam sloop-o Brooklyn, in the
Home squadron. During all these years of
service Captain FdIragut had been diligent
student, ever seeking the opportunity OF in
Geaslng his professional and general knoWl-
edge.
He spoke with fuency and correctness most
OF the languages OF Europe as we'll as Turk
iSh and Arabic.
In 1860 he had spent nearly nineteen years
af1oat, eighteen Years and four months on
shore duty, and ten years and ten months
either waiting orders or on leave of absence
Forty-eight years had been spent 10 the naval
service.
IN April, 1861, came the rebellion Captain
Farrasut was at home in Norfolk, surrounded
by those who were sympathizing with the re-
bellop, and who were alreadr maturing plans
Tor the seizure of the government property
and its conversion to rebel uses. He was told
he would not be allowed to live there and on
April Is, 1861, he babe adieu to Norfolk. He
Secured residence tor his family on the Hud-
SON river, New York, and repaired at once to
Washington, and asked to be employed in the
service OF his country.
When the government had resolved on the
capture OF New Orleaus, a squadron was fit
ted out, and consisted OF fleet of armed
steamers and twenty bomb-schooners, each
carrying gigantic mortars throwing 15-inch
shells. Selecting the Hartford as bis flagship
he sailed from Hampton roads.
The history of the capture of New Orleans
Is bright record in the annals of the war.
On the 18th OF July, the rank of Rear Ad-
miral having been created in accordance with
the recomm endation of a committee of Con-
gress, Captain Farrasut was advanced to that
rank ana placed first on the list for his meri-
torlous conduct. He also received the thanks
OF both Houses OF Congress.
In the autumn of 1852 he directed the ma
val attacks on Corpus Christi, Sabine Pass
and Galveston, which resulted in the capture
OF those points. EARLY in March, 1868, Gen.
Grant, who was then engaged in his cam
paign against Vicksburg, desired that Rear
Admiral Farragut should force his way up
the Mississippi with some of his most formi-
dable steamships and assault Vicksburg from
below. believing that such an assault would
aid materially In its reduction. The success
Of the expedition was complete. The West |
Eulf 6lockading squadron. during all the time |
ADMIRAL Farraeut was in command Oh it, had |
IA more nShtlng and less prizes than any ether
D!ocKaolnS squadron on the coast The mer-
chants CT New York understanding this ard
recognizing the great services he had render
ed to commerce and the nation, subscribed |
the sum OF $4,000, which was presented to |
him in United States 7-30 bonds. in January |
1865, in testimony of their appreciation OF his |
ability and SUCCESS as a naval commander.
In the first week in April 1865, Vice Ad. |
miral Farragut visited Norfolk for the first |
time sInce he lett In 1861, and was welcomed |
10 the city by a committee of the LOYAL |
League.
One year ago he visited with his fac ship |
most OF the principal ports Of Europe, and was |
received and feted by the crowned heads.
ibis last summer, on account of his failing |
health, he visited in company with Vice |
President Colf,x the Pacific slope, and on his |
way homeward he was taken sick at Chicago. |