The Sunday herald. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1866-1887, 1881-01-02
A LEAF FROM HISTORY.

Mr.. Montgomery Blair, who was Postmaster
General during the early part of Lincolns
administration and who can therefore speak
with knowledge of the Cabinet deliberations
of that important period, has published an
article on "opening the Mississippi" in
which he declares that the project of sending
a naval force TO capture New Orleans was
originated by his brother-in-law, Assistant
Secretary of the Navy Gustavus V. Fox.
Mr.. Blair accuses Mr.. Seward of having,
with General Scott, cherished the policy OF
letting 4" the wayward sisters so in peace,
" and in pursuance thereof [hel advised the
surrender not only of Fort Sumter but OF
I" Fort Pickens, at Pensacola" Mr.. Fox,
according to Mr.. Blair, also planned the Port
Royal Expedition and selected that harbor
"as base for maintaining the blockade" Mr..
Fox having revealed to the Postmaster General
his scheme to capture New Orleans and open
the Mississippi, and having received his hearty
approval, they called in Porter at Blair's
suggestion, who with Generals Mcclellan
and Barnard Z" thought the reduction of Forts
"Jackson and st. Philip necessary pre-
/" liminary to the ascent of the fleet, and so
Porter was ordered to fit out and command
the mortar notiila which was added TO the
expedition for this purpose. Mr.. Blair says
the selection of commander for the
squadron was not easy. Fox suggested
Farragut because though a Sontherner he
had abandoned his home in Norfolk, gone
- a. n,.Nlt tN,.c ion
Porter would have been chosen If his rank
had admitted it. and he was sent to Ne"
York to sound Farragut. This report being
favorable
Farragut was therefore summoned to washington
to discuss the subject aud 1t was determined that nv
selection should depend upon that discussion lie AZ
rived In Washington and breakfasted at my house
December II, 1861. After breakfast, In my presence
Mr. Fox laid before him the plan of attack, the iorc
To he employed, anu the object TO lie attained, an
asked him his opinion. Farragut answered ulhesi
tatingly that 1t would succeed Mr.. Fox then handle
him the list of vessels which being fitted out an
asked him it they were enough. lie replied that h
would engage to run hy the forts and capture Ne'
Orleans with two thirds of the number. MIR. Fo
told him more vessels would be added to these an
that he would command the expedition. Farragnt
delight and enthusiasm was SO great that when he lei
siastic. replied that wasmos favorably impresse
with him, and was sure he would succeed. Farrag'
passed the forts below New orleans before daylight
the morning of the aith Of April, 1862. There Is
parallel this brilliant achievement In the history
the Navy, glorious 1t Is. The resources which
popuous city like New Orleans contained enabled Il
rebels TO take advantage of the delay occasioned
the attempt to silence the fire of Fort jackson and
Philip by bombardment. Farragut found the obs
cies TO his ascent 10 the city multiplying while
own means did not increase. lie resolved, therefor
not to wait for the final result of the bonbardment
the forts, but TO pass them as originally proposed
Mr.. Fox. The result justified fully the soundness
his reasoning; the forts surrendered when the city
captured. Fortunate was 1t indeed for the COUNT
that ut this jupcture there man In command wi
had the courage to act upon his convictions; anoth
week spent in bombardlng these forts would probab
have brought the expedition to disastrous termin
tion, for 1t Is now known that that delay would ha
enabled the rebels to complete the two ironcads, ur'
which they had five hundred men working night al
day. In the life of the old hero, by his son, we FL
that several of his captains opposed this daring res
luton, and among them even Porter, on whom
had relied TO urge Farragut to bold movement