Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-04-25
HIS PATRIOTIC STAMP FOR THE UNION.
The Battles Of the Mississippi and
Mobile Bay.


In a talk with Admiral Porter the other even
Ing, he said OF Admiral Farragut. HE was
what sou would call born fighter. He had
love for a naval engagement that amounted
almost TO passion, and yet was
well developed In his character. 1t Is also
to be noticed from his own writings that de-
sire for promotion, and to make name for
himself was very strong within him. That he
was q brave man, and always ready for fight
with the enemy. his life is the best examplar
It might almost be said that he was born fight
Ing" This remark of Porter's is carried out
by the history Of Farragut's start In his Illus
tT1ouS career.
AT TIE AGE OF TEN YEARS
he was a nidshipman on board the frigate
Essex, Commodore, then Captain Porter,
father OF the present Admiral Porter. In 1912.
being but eleven years old, he saw his first
light. The Essex engaged the British sioop-of-
war about April 18TH OF that year, and caused
her TO strike her coiors In eigat n 9 with
wounded La this brief engagement, and bore
himself so well that Porter In his report OF the
battle gave him honorable mention, and aided
tion" The full name OF the naval hero was
David Glascoe Farragut. He was born at
Campbells Station, very short distance from
Knoxville, Tenn.
FARRAGUT's FATHER.
Ills father, a native OF the Spanish Isle Of
Minorca was appointed as sailing master. In
the navy shortly after Farragut's birth, and
ordered to command gunbOat at New Orleans.
In 1909 he was relieved from the command of
the schooner and transferred to the naval
of 900 acres on the Pascagoula river. The
father Of Commodore David Porter, who
served With Farragut's brother on the naval
station at New Orleans. was taken sick and
lattprfS hOuao
he died. Not long after his fathers death,
Commodore Porter took command Of the
n 1oSs s aa interest re- New Orleans sne a He
which had been go kind to his brother.
When Porter returned to Washington young
FarIagpt a acc him He was placed az
called his relations to the boy. Paul Hamilton
appointed the lad midShipman in the navy
when be was ten years old-in 1910. In 1912
the United States declared war against Great
Britain.
FARRAGUT's FUN ABOUT THE BRITISH CAPTAIN.
Returning from the cruise In the Essex, In
which the Alert was captured, young Farra-
quits journal shows little humor. 1t says:
"While In the Delaware Captain Porter re-
celved challenge from Sir James Yeo OF The
capeS couched Ia heroic language. We put TO
sea Immediately, but could not ind Sir James"
Farragut continued with the Essex and Porter,
and was with them In the memorable cruise OF
the Essex In the Pacific ocean, which, though
Ii ended In the capture OF the frigate by an
overpoWering force, was nevertheless Of the
greatest service to our commerce.. In going
around cane Horn the Essex experienced lecri-
BILE weather.
A TERRIBLE STORM.
She shipped sea that stove In the parts from
the bow to the quarter, and carried away one
of the boats Large quantities Of water rushed
down the hatchway, leaving those below to
imagine that the vessel was sinking. Said Far-
ragut: THAT was the only instance In which
ever saw regular good seaman parayZei Oy
fear at the dangers OF the SEA
They we're all called on deck. and came
Neptune, William Kingsbury. Long shall
] remember the cheering sound OF his
stentorian voice, which resembled the warning
OF a Lon rather than tnat of human being
when he told them: I'D your eyes. put your
best foot forward; there is one side or her left
yet The ship was put before the wind and
saved From the bay OF Guyaqull, FarraguJ,
But TWELVE YEARS OLD,
was sent TO take the Barclay to Valparaiso as
prize-master. He felt no little pride at being In
command at so early An age. The Barclay was
American, and had been recaptured from a
Spanish coast guard. The captain ana MS mate
were On oosru. Farragut was 70 control Tue
men sent from the Essex, while the captain vas
to navigate the vessel. The captain did not
want TO GO 10 Valparaiso, and when the nay
arrived for the departure ne was furious a1d
told FarraguJ that he would fad himself of
New Zealand In the morning. The youngSler
mustered up courage aud informed the capt AIN
that be desired the mslnIopsall fiiei away lO
order that the Barclay might close u vita lle
Essex junior. The captain replied tlas hs
would
SHOOT ANY MAN
who dared 70 touch a rope without his orders
BE had no Idea of trusting himself with q
id nutshell" and went below for his pistols
Farragut consulted his right-hand man OF the
crew ana tod MN that he wanted the topsA!
nlleo. He answered with an AYE, aye, sir"
The sail was filled, and FarIagut had no more
trouble. He told the captain not to come on
deck with his pistols unless he wanted to go
overheard. Young Farragut was captured Win
the Essex after her battle with the Phoebe and
Cherub. and returned to New York with Com.
modore Porter and the other prisoners In q CAR
tel
THIS FIRST CHAPTER OF HIS LIFE
was eyentful. He could have had no better
training for his purpose than under Commodore
Porter. He went TO school for short time and
then to sea again. He spent his time cruising
IN the Mediterranean on different SHIPS He
received his first promotion In the spring OF
1919, while at Gibraltar. He was made acting
lieutenant OF the brig Shark. From that date
to 1873 he was OF duty In the Mediterranean and
after the pirates In the West Indies. he also
saw service Ii the Gulf OF Mexico.
FARRAGUr MARKED
on the Path day OF september, 1928; he was
married to Susan c. Marchant. OF Norfolk, Va
he brought his bride 10 Washington and spent
few weeks with Commodore Porter his
patron. IN august, 1oZ5, he was made full
lieutenant, and ordered to the Braudy wlne
His first cruise In her was TO France with tue
Marquis de La Fayette as passenger. HiS first
Independent command was the sloop Erie
given him In August, 1888. He took Mexican
cruise III hel during the brief var OF that date
between France and Mexico. under orders TO
look after American interests. The line OF
naval ofneer In those days " as much more stir
ring than now, and FaTTagut was always on
service with many adventures come ted with
IL. He voyaged over the world, aud san every
branch or the service In every sea where our
navy showed itself. His life Was a romance:
his adventures endless, frequently amusing ana
often thrilling.
EIs IDEAS OF DIsCIPLINR-NOT TOO SEVERE; JUST
SEVERE ENOUGH.
he knew seananShip from his toes Up. and
his men admired and loved aim. When ne took
the trumpet and all hands were called there
was light step 10 every man On board. They
Jumped 10 obey his orders. His ship when he
was the executive o1icer or comma nder was
always model one. He was no martinez
however. H. fact, in early life having sailed
WIN captain whose snip was always the
''crack one, owing TO the severe discipline
Farragut said that tt made every BODY 80 uu-
comfortable 10 get the reputation OF being
CRACK that be never wanted 1t for any vessel
he commanded.
FARRAGUf'S SECOND MARRIAGE
was to Miss Virginia Loyal, OF Norfolk. Va, his