Bismarck weekly tribune., 1889-10-25
ed the navy in 1904 and
commander. Another

0eobs md1cA go 1913. AIper long ana la1G0-
full service he died in Pera, near Constantine
pie, March 8, 1843. 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 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 to 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, Theodoric
Henry, entered the army, and was the first
still another, Henry Ogden, fought in Central
America, under Walker, then became 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 admiral's 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. Htz-John Porter whose case was long a
matter Of military and political discussion.
Truly brilliant family record.
David Dixon Porter was born in Chester.
Delaware county. Pa. lime a 1919 and
when but II wears old went with his father
in the John Adams to aid in s,,nnressino
piracy in the West Indies Soon after he
was made midshipman in the Mexican
navy. serving under his co,,sin David r
Porter. who aided that republic in her last
struggle with Spain and was killed in hattie
with Ia Lealtad. Sna,,ish fripata David
Dixon entered the United States navy as
midshipman in 1899 and cruised long and far
but those were peaceful times. and Ia did not
become lieutenant till 1s41 Dnrinp all
these wears he was often with HIS father and
sometimes in close cornpanionshin with hie
early associate. Farragllt. and a lively imao-
nation must conceive Of many an ho,1r5 vhan
the bows walked the deck together or the
Young men talked of their nast and sral.,,.
lated on their future. no doubt draaminp as
bovs viii of nossible oraatmass hnt naver,i,
their widest fancies thinkinp & lwas "a conoa
in civil war: S,.i 81 i37 RI - 81
Az a lieutenant he served fo,r vaars chiaav
in the Mediterranean and on the co.stS ,1S ~
Brazil and in la45 was annointed sto tha
naval observatory Al Washinrton h,,+; al,,o.t
immediatelv was sent IN q secrat service =,
sHayti. I He served durinp the Mer;can ~ war =
but won comparatiyelv little distinct;on'
though he for; q short time commanded ths
snitfire. His next command was of the Cali.
5fornia mail steamers between New York and
Panama. and his first command in the civil,
war was Of the steam frigate Powhatan. W m =. =, II
the gulf blockadinp squadron. 4 April p. lse1 I
be was appointed Commanded. and soon after
took charge Of the mortar fleet. From Anril
18 to "a. 1862. his feet bombarded Forts .Iaclr.
son and st. Philip, below New, Orleans. usinp
10000 bombs, His old companion. Farrapnt
then went up the river, and the forts gurren.
dered April % For the details the curious
NAV consult MANY histories; for criticism Il
willibe sufficient to read Gen. 3. i. Bntlar.
s In all the early operations on the lower
Mississippi he served as second to Commodore
carTdSuG, auu IN september, 1867, was ad-
yanced 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 piecesn
BY the Confederate gunners, to the great