The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1889-11-01

raise by a British ADMIRAL ID. D. PORTER.
fleet, March IS, 1914. After long and faith
full service he died in Pera, near Constantine
pie, March 8, lS43 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 G. Farragut was adopted by him in 1909
both the boys were trained by him and
both fought their first battle under his COM
mand and under his very eye
Although the fame of David Dixon Porter
somewhat overshadowed the other sons, they
did enough TO keep the name famous Will.
lam David Porter, brother OF the admiral,
also rose by good service through all the
ranks 20 that of commodore, took part in the
bombardment of Fort Donelson and in the
capture of New Orleans and Vicksburg. He
died in 1864. Another brother, Theodore
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 wound while fighting in the Hatteras
when she was sunk by the Alabama. The
late admirars cousin, David, was the Porter
who Won high honors during the Mexican
war, and another cousin, son of the com
mander, John Porter, first mentioned, is the
Gen. Fitz-John Porter whose case was long a
matter of military and political discussion.
Truly a brilliant family record
David Dixon Porter was born in Chester,
Delaware county, Pa, June 5, 1918, and
when but II years old went with his father
in the John Adams to aid in suppressing
piracy in the West Indies. Soon after he
was made midshipman in the Mexican
navy, serving under his cousin, David FL.
Porter, who aided that republic in her last
struggle with Spain and was killed in battle
with La Lealtad, a Spanish frigate David
Dixon entered the United States navy as
midshipman in 1920 and cruised long and far,
but those were peaceful times, and he did not
become a lieutenant till 1871. During all
these years he was often with his father, and
sometimes in close companionship with his
early associate, Farragut, and lively imag-
nation must conceive of many an hour when
the boys walked the 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 a civil war.
As lieutenant he served four years chiefly
in the Mediterranean and on the coast of
Brazil, and in 1915 was appointed TO the
naval observatory at Washington, but almost
Immediately was sent on a secret service to
Hayti. He served during the Mexican war,
but won comparatively little distinction,
though he for short time commanded the
Spitfire. 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 blockading squadron. April %, 1861,
he was appointed commander, and soon after
took charge of the mortar fleet. From April
Is to "A, 1862, his fleet bombarded Forts Jack.
son and st. Philip, below New Orleans, using
10000 bombs. His old companion, Farragut,
then went up the river, and the forts surren.
dered April IS For the details the curious
may consult many histories; for criticism il
will be sufficient to read Gen. B. F. Butler
In all the early operations on 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 in this part of his life was the
invention of the "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 gunners, to the great
amusement of the Federals He next coop
Grated with Gen. Sherman in capturing Ar
kansas Post, and received full commission
as rear admiral July 4, 1863 This was by
direct order of Congress, which accompanied
it with vote of thanks.
He had charge of the running past the bat.
teries at Vicksburg, captured the forts al
Grand Gulf, aided the passage of Gen.
Grants army, and in the lombard nent OF
Vicksburg and during the rest of the year
was employed in keeping the river open.
Early in 1864 he co-operated with Banks in
the unfortunate Red River expedition, and a
little later with Butler in the attack on Fort
Fisher. In January, 1865, he again attacked
Fort Fisher, this time In cooperation with
Cen Alfred II. Terry, and the fort was
taken The war soon ended. July %, 1866,
he was made vice admiral, and on Aug. ID,
1870, full admiral of the United States navy.