National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1875-03-08
LETTER FROM MR.. De HAss.
The whole Story Of the Painting.


WASHINGTON, March 0, 1878.
To TIE Editor Of ths National Republican!
SIR In your paper OF the 80 instant Is o notice
De Hass picture, in which the writer tries to show
hat the picture is not historically correct. When
the painting was sent 20 me TO be placed In tho
Capitol, 1t was with the understanding that
might assure those who might ask about &c that
1t was designed and painted under the direction
Of the late Admiral Farrngut. so informed my
friends.
Seeing the remarks In the article OF the Sd,
wrote, and sent q copy Of your paper, and received
the following letter. VIII you do me the favor
Of inserting the inclosed letter from Mr. De HaasP
Respectfully, H. N. BARLOW.
NEW YORK, March 5, 1875.
Mr.. II. n. BarIOU:
DEAR SIR: Yours dated the sd, also NATIONAL
REPUBLICAN, received. am surprised to learn
from The REPUBLICAN, in q historical review and
criticism, that my picture is historical failure.
To be sure Unjust say that have my Information
neither from the army or navy Journal, nor from
the printed pamphlet mentioned IN tne sItlcle,
think so yet; the best Information could possibly
get-that Is, from Admiral Farragut himself
Picture, and howit happened that came to paint
As had the honor to be one Of the great Ad-
mIral's friends, and had painted q small picture
for hIm-Of the first battle he was engaged in,
when boy, believe, Of fourteen, he, OF course,
smoke 10 me oil the meet passing Inc lOEtb u new
GTleSnS. and one morning at his house he took
pencil and paper and drew diagram for me, to
explain how the vessels were placed. From that
drew q sketch In pencil, which Is still 10 my
poEseFEion, and showed 1t to him..
That sketch was, IN few matters In regard to
the position Of the vessels etc, corrected BY him
IN the presence OF several naval officers then pres
emit at his house. He talked the subject over
again, and then painted q sketch from the cor.
TseIsd one " and rom that tSe
composition on the large canvas which is now on
exhibition. While the picture was 10 progress-l
eompleted-the Admiral felt 50 much Interest IN
It's progress that while In town no visited my
studio at least once o week, and sometimes three
officers who had been present At the engagement;
10 that my picture was all the time open 10 the
most severe criticism, which at my own request
they always gave me, so Rs to enable me TO have
Il as accurate Us possible In regard 70 history rs
Iuch a representation can be made, until, when
we'll as by others, entirely satisfactory, and was
expressed so by him wherever the picture was 10
be seem. In one case, being present At reception
] gave, DO kindly took the trouble TO explain 10
the audience the whole thing as It happened from
my picture.
picture IL what tho Admiral called the most
critical movement OF the engaEOment-Nhen
he, leading the LEFT In the Hartford ahead Of the
river 20 az not TO get Afoul with tho nre.rafE
which no saw coming right towards him, In which
attempt he got aground ICr little while the fort
one stern gun that could bear on tho enemyj
while the rebel ram Manassas seeing his critical
condition, pushed tho hre.Taft ainst him, which
set IRE TO the rigging fora while doing only slight
damage.
Now, my dear sir. have told you nil the par.
tIeuaTG about this picture Of which the historical
accuracy has never been doubted before, II being
pretty well known under what eircums tances the
picture was painted, and always thought my
Information was worth more 10 me than / could
get from n hundred histories. Now, In regard 10
the selection o. the subject, l must say that
by the Government for the CapitOl, as II was the
AdmiralI desire that II should be fought ihr the
love Of the subject, thinking that SVms time or
other II should be bought either by some public
institution or by some patriotic disposed private
M. \. II. DEiIAAs.