The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1889-10-25
d the navy in 1904 and
commander. Another

raso hy n British ADMIRAL. D. u. PORTER
feet, March IS, 1914, After long and faith
ful service he died in Pera, near Constantine
pie, March 8, s+s;;. But he had lived to train
two youths for brilliant careers in the last
war; for David Dixon was his son and,
though it is a fact not generally known, Da-
vid &, Fnrragut was adopted hy him in 1900
both the boys were trained by him and
both fought their first batt. under his com
lnand and under his very eye.
Although the fame of David Dixon Porter
somewhat oyershatiuwed the other sons, they
did enough to keep the name famous. Will
lam David Porter, brother of tho admiral,
also rose by gtol service through all the
ranks to that Of commodore. took part in the
boEnhar'lmcnt Of Fort Donelson and in the
capture Of New Orleans and Vickshurg Iie
died i'll 1894 Another brother, Theodoric
Henry, entered the army, and was the first
American killed in the Mexican war. And
still another, Henry Ogden, fought in Central
America, under Walker, then became a lieu
tenant in the United States navy and got his
fatal wouni while fighting in the Hntteras
when she was sunk by the Alabama The
late ndniral's cousin, David, was the Porter
who won high hounrs during tho Mexican
war, and another cousin, son OF tho COM
mandcr, John Porter, first mentioned is the
Gen. Fitz-john Porter whose case was long "A
matter OF military and political discussion.
Truly q brilliant family record.
David Dixon Porter was born in Chea..r
Delaware county, Pa, June s, 1918, and
when but II years old went with his father
in the John Adams to nid III supprcSsing
piracy in the West Indies. Soon after he
made midshipman in the Mexican
navy, serving under his cousin, David H.
Porter, who aided that republic i'll her last
struggle with Spain nnd was killed in battle
with La I.ealtad, Spanish frgute David
Dixon entered the United States navy us
midshipmun in 1920 and ciuised long and far
but those were peaceful times, and he did not
become n lieutenant till 1871. During all
these years he was often with his father, and
sometimes in close companionship with his
early Associate, FarrnGut, and u lively imaG-
nation must conceive of many an hour when
the boys walked tho deck together, or the
young men talked of their past and specu-
lated on their future, no doubt dreaming, as
boys will, of possible greatness, but never in
their widest fancies thinking it was to come
in q civil war.
As a lieutenant he served four years, chiefly
in the Mediterranean un1 on the coast OF
Brazil, and in lsA5 was appointed to tho
naval observatory at Washington, but almost
Immediately was sent OH secret service to
lEs
but won comparatively little distinction,
though he for short time commanded the
Spi,firc His next command was of the Cali
fornia mail steamers between New York and
Panama, and his first command in the civil
war was of the steam frigate PoWhatan, in
the gulf blockadiilg squadron. April %, 1861,
he was appointed commander and soon after
took charge of the mortar fleet From April
ls to "a, 1862, his fleet bombarded Forts Jack
son and St Philip, below New Orleans, using
10000 bombs. His old companion, Farrasut,
then went up the river, and the forts surren-
dered April %. For the details the curious
may consult many histories; for criticism it
will be sufficient to read Gen. B. F. Butler
In all the early operations OH the lower
Mississippi he served as second to Commodore
Farragut. and in September, 1862, was ad-
vanced to the rank Of acting rear admiral A
humorous episode III this part Of his life was the
invention Of tho 'turreted monster'-an old
scow fitted up to look in the darkness like one
Of his turtle backed gunboats and sent down
by the Confederate batteries with no one on
board She was literally knocked to pieces"
by the Confederate gunuers, to the great
amusement of tho Federals. Ho next coop
Grated with Gen. Sherman in capturing Ar
kansas Post, and received q full commission
Us rear admiral July 4, 1863. This was by
direct order of Congress, which accompanied
it with 4 vote OF thanks.
He had charge of the running past the bat
teries ut Vicksburg, captured the forts ut
Grand Gulf, aided the passage Of Gen.
Grants army, and in. the bonbardment Of
Vicksburg and during the rest of the year
was, employed in keeping the river open.
Early in 1854 ho co-operated with Banks in
the unfortunate Red River expedition, and
little later with Butler in the attack on Fort
Fisher. In January, 1865, he again attacked
Fort Fisher, this time in cooperation with
Gen. Alfred IL Terry. and the fort was
taken The war soon ended July 25, 1906,
he was made vice admiral, and on Aug. 10,
1870, full admiral OF the United States navy.