The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1870-08-19
Death Of Admiral Farragut.


peacefully at the residence Of Com. Pen.
mock Of the Kittery Navy Yard. last Sab.
bath ut noon. His deccase was not unex,
pectcd, but the grief Of great nation Al
the loss of n venerable naval hero who
was the beau ideal Of an American naval
officer, can not be the less in that II was
not sudden rs when one falls In battle.
The Admiral was siSty-nine years Of age,
sixty Of which has been spent in the
American navy. The Boston Advertiser
says. in well conceived estimate Of his
life and services. that Admiral Farragut
realized more nearly than any living off,
Ger the popular idea Of sailor. All
those qualities with which poets and ro-
mancers invest their naval heroes seemed
to be in him developed to the highest de-
gree. He WAS generous, frank and mod
est. His manners were rs gentle rs his
heart was brave. He possessed that in
describablo 6onhomie. that cheerful tenn
per. which is almost peculiar to those that
follow the sea, His loyalty, besides meet
ing the ordinary trials TO which every cit
izen and every public servant must sub
init. had withstood the insidious tempt,.-
ton and the violent menace Of traitors.
With such qualities the veteran entered
upon the duty TO which our last great war
summoned him, and when, on the re-or.
ganization of the navy ut the close of hos
tilitics, he was elevated to the highest
rank in the service which no had so long
adorned. he received the undivided APP
plause Of his grateful countrymcn. But
he received more than applause. He was
the centre Of the popular affection, Of an
affection that goes beyond the glitter Of
mans warlike achievements and G,stens
itself upon enduring character and worth.
Political parties did not tlmper with his
reputation. BY common consent he was
separated from the influence of political
strife, raised above the schemes of the
selfish and the jealous. His death at the
summit Of his fame and his popularity
will create n large void in the national
hcart-a void not speedily to be filed.
The record Of Admiral Farragut's Ca
reer reads like fairy tale. Born in East
Tennessee in 1901. he was commissioned
n, midshipman when he was but nine
years old. Entering at once upon active
service, young Farragut, at an age which
most boys are learning the alphabet, was
fighting the battles of the infant republic
against the empire from which IL had re-
Gently been detached. He was twelve
years old and was on the frigate Essex
when that vessel succumbed to the enemy
in the neutral harbor Of Valparaiso. In
this engagement no received his first and
only wound, and was officially commend
for his bravery; though Commodore Por-
ter regretted that "hc was too young for
promotion" In 1923, still only mid
shipman. he took part in the destruction
Of nest Of pirates ut Cape Cruz, and in
1925 he was commissioned lieutenant.
From that time until 1860 no WAS EN-
ployed In nearly every kind of naval SER
vice. He rose slowly in rank. and in
1851 was appointed captain. The out
break Of the rebellion found him at Nor
folk. Va, where he had married his wife.
waiting orders. He refused, notwithstand-
ing his Southern birth and connections.
to join the secession movement, and was
compelled to fly from Norfolk. In Janu-
AIRY, 1862, he was selected to command an
EXPEDITION against New Orleans. His
brilliant passage Of Forts Jackson and
st. Philip, the encounter with the rebel
rams. his bold dashes up the Mississippi
by the Notifications Of Port Hudson and
Yicksburg, and the valuable services
which he rendered in the reduction of
those places and in opening the river. are
fresh In the public mind. The stories Of
his personal valor. Of his daring achieve
ments, Of his narrow escapes, form part
Of the national stock of glory. But there
was rs yet no rest for the hardy sailor.
The government needed Mobile, and
Farragut, now rcar-admiral. was sent to
take IL. The capture of this stronghold
was the browning achievement Of his life.
Passing the forts on the 9Th OF August.
1864, he engaged the rebel fleet in the
bay. and fought n long an bloody engage
ment, which ended in the surrender Of the
latter. and was speedily followed by the
capture Of the forts. This is justly re-
garded rs one Of the most remarkable Of
naval victories. 1t won for Farragut his
commission rs vice admiral. There Is q
popular tradition that the gallant admiral,
during the thickest of the conflict, mount
cd Aloft and dashed himself to The mast,
from which position he directed the move
ments OF his feet and encouraged his
men. II history has unkindly Invested
this net of some Of its romantic features.
u has fully confirmed It's subsi antial points.
It can never be driven out Of the popular
mind. It fitly illustrates the fearless. I'M
conauernble character Of the deceased
hcro. With the capture Of Mobile Far
raguts active service was suspended by
reason of Ill health. In 1866 no was
made admiral; and In 1867. in tho flag
ship Franklin. he assumed command Of
tho European squadron. His cruise In