Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1870-09-01
Selected miscellany.
FAIiRAGUT.
Anecdotes OF the Great Admiral
From the New York Times.
HIS ANrEoEDENTs AND BoYHooD.

HIS ANrECEDENTs AND BOYHooD.
Farragut began service when mere boy,
and before he was a dozen years old he mad
distinguished himself for his bravery, and
won the warm admiration OF old naval he
roes. He came of sterling stock, His
grandfather was from Cindadella, IN the
Island of Mincrca, whence he emlgrated to
Florida in the seventeenth century. His
father was ~ soldier of the Revolution, and
a brave one, and his mother was one OF
the most courageous women of her day.
At the time of his birth, his father was
serving IS Major in cavalry regiment OF
the regular army against the Indians. Far
ragut was born in rough pioneer house,
not much superior to n log hut III the
widest portion of East Tennessee,
at place IL miles from Knoxville, known
as CampbelPs Station, OF which bis pa
rents were among the first settlers; and his
early years were passed in the midst OF the
most thrilling scenes Of border life. lie
used to say that he remembered wildly en-
counters his mother had with the Indians
during their pioneer life, when he was but
a child and one III particular, which oc-
cured when he could not have been more
than five years Of age, in which she fought
a band Of savages almost single-handed
from her barricaled Int, and would have
lost her life but for the opportune arrival
of his fathers squadron of horse, who,
turning the scale, scattered the invaders
AID almost anuihilated them.
on THE ESSEX.
Just prior to the breaking out OF the war
of 1912, his father was called to the com
mand OF a gunboat ut New Orleans, and
thither he removed with his father. Young
David, then about eight years Of age, be-
gan to thirst for glory" and begged to be
allowed to 90 on war ship. His prayer
was finally granted and berth secured for
him on the world famed Essex, under the
famous Commander David d. Porter, who
was a personal friend of the elder Farragut,
and great admirer of the boy, IN whom
ne thought he saw the making OF a brave
and capable naval officer Farraguts first
combat was with Porter IN the brief but
brilliant engagement with the English
gloop of war Alert, on the 18th OF
April, 1872 when he was but II
wears old, and his second the
fierce conHlctin Valparaiso ERrbor between
the Essex and the two British sloops
Phoebe and Cherub, whore finally the Els
sex struck her colors, only to save the few
remaining precious lives that had not been
sacrificed TO the fury Of the force under
Che British captain, Hallyar, with double
their number of men. In this hght, the
particulars Of which are, or ought to be,
familiar to every school boy, farragut was
Nv Porters side, aiding in every possible
way the brave commander and was cor
spicuous among the most heroic OF the
plucky band. He was selected for the
most dangerous service, aud lnyarla-
DIV performed his work quickly and
well. exhibiting no fear, but, on
the contrary, desire to be ever in the hot
test Of tho fight When at last 1t wast de-
termined 10 surrender the brave little brig,
and the American colors were hauled
down, the boy sobbed rs though his heart
were breaking, only then tully compre-
bending the extent of the loss, aud that
tine yankees" were completely beaten
Midshipuan Farragut was slightly wound
ed in this engagement, and, with other Of
doers, was sent home on parole, while Al
miral Porter, in his official report, took &c
casion 10 pay nigh compliment to hi'
rnr, bravery, and regretted that the ex
treue youth of the boy would prevent th'
promotion he had SO richly earned.
INSTANCES ON ms BRAVERY
MANY instances are related of the boys
remarkable bravery, capabllity and readl
ness To undertake Whatever was PROPOSED
TO him to do, however difficult or danger
GUS. When nc was but l3 years old re-
markable commission for boy to perform
WAS iutrustod to him. He was made mas
ter of tine Barclay, one OF the many hugllsi
vessels that had fallen prizes TO the % sex
and was ordered to navigate her from Quay
auuil Bay 60 Valparaiso, conveyed by the
Etsex Jr, another prize. This arrange
nent gave great dissatisfaction to Capt
Randall, tho former commander OF th'
Barclay, who was cE0guued at being unde
the orders of mere boy, and he swore ht
would not follow the Essex into port hnC
threatened to 'ohoot the first man who
touched brace However not1ln.
dnunted, the boy Master ordered the mel
to iii away the topsail, and when he go
M with the Essex, Jr,, reported Randall
conduct. The latter excused himself b.
saving that he only intended Ito Brighter
tle boy But tie boy showed cleail.
enough that he was not to be frightened
and continued the voyage performing eV
cry duty Of priza.master, aud employln'
the once iebeAi0us Randall ~ 'aayloer j
A.,i,a..v- a-.-.r.G -.s.ssaTy,