The sun., 1892-10-23

Mn anu MS bnip Win UNFAIR INSTRUMENTATION
due to personal il-will toward himself. Smart.
ing under the sense Of injustice. no wrote ia
tho Navy Department. complaining OF his
treatment. and asking that either he himself
ehould be relieved. or that the ship should be
sent home. He has cnndidly admitted tina,
his letters were considered improper by the
Secretary Of the Navy. but tho Saratoga was
ordered to return to the United States. and
the Commander was reassignod to duty In his
former position at the Norfolk Navy Yard.
II.
FarraRut's brilliant achievements during
the civil war in the passage OF the Mississippi
forts. OF the Vicksburg battles. and OF Port
Hudson. and in the batteries Of Mobile Bay. are
too familiar to need recapitulation. and there
fore we PASS Mt once to chapter in which
Capt. Mahan reviews his career and character
and attempts to fix his place among success
ful naval commanders. tits worthy OF re mark
that, like the great English Admiral Blake.
Farraeut was already advanced in years when
his great sea fights we're won. He was nearly
vi years old at the time OF passing tho Missis-
sippi forts. and his command OF the Western
dulf Squadron lasted not quito three years. or
rather less than the ordinary duration OF q
naval cruise In time OF peace Yet. although
late. Farragut might have died comparn-
lively unknown. ho was already recognized
among his professional comrades and contem-
poraries as no ordinary man. no merely
routine naval officer who kept his watch
and passed through life as easily as
no could. Aside from the opportunities for
action which finally arrived. the secret OF Far
raguts success Is to be found in natural aptl-
tudes carefully and persistently improved The
habit OF study and Of stretching in every di-
rection his interest in professional matters
stood him. when the test came. in good stead,
Tor he had unconsciously prepared hims self for
destinies that could not be foreseen. The Gus
tom of reading had made him familiar with
geography and tho history OF his profession,
and Capt. Mahan seems to concur with those
authorities who doubt whether a formulated
art OF naval war can be said to exist except In
that which embodies the existence OF great
captains.
Referring to the disposition to attribute
Farragut's successes. like those OF Nelson.
simply to dash-to going straight at tho
enemy regardless OF method and conse-
Quences-Capt Mahan points out that as q
matter OF fact Nelson carefully planned the
chief outlines OF the operations. in the ex-
ecution Of which he manifested superlative
daring and frmness. In like manner Far
ragut in actual battle showed the careful
adaptation OF means to ends which had Just
claim to be considered tactical science: but
his great merit is declared to 10 the strategi-
cal insight with which he recognized the de-
cisive point OF n campaign. or OF a particular
operation. and threw upon It tho force
under his direction. Tho author Of this
biography Is inclined to attribute tho df-
ference between the two com manders. mainly
IN fho fTnr NJ
found themselves. Nelson acted chiefly
against ships, against forces Of type essen
TALLY the same as his own. and accessible In
all parts to his attack. because pertaining to
tho same element; he might therefore hope
to overcome them by the superior quality OF
his crews. or by his better tactical dispositions.
Farragut. on the other hand. had to cone
with Notifications whose military powers.
offensive and defensive. were essentially differ
ent from those Uf fleet. Their endurance so
greatly exceeded that Of q ship as to exclude
any hope Of direct attack. and their advar tages
OF position. deliberately chosen and difficult
OF approach. could not be outweighed by
any tactical arrangement open to him to
adopt. He was therefore compelled to seek
their fall by indirect meaus-by turning and
them and by acting against their
conception not tactical
but strategic. In Capt Mahan's judgment
Nelson and Farragut were alike In this re-
spect. that vigor. even to desporateness of
action. both on occasions showed, but reck-
lessness never. Neither fought as one would
beat the air: and. while for neither can be
claimed an entire exemption from mistakes.
the main outlines OF their operations can
safely challenge hostile criticism. We are re-
minded that one OF the greatest Of naval COM
Earl St Vincent pronounced the
true test Of mans courage to be his power
TO bear responsibility. Farragut's willingness
to accept responsibility in order to accom-
plish necessary ends was. while he was
yet only captain Of single ship. the subject
Of admiring comment among his subordi-
mates. Il have" he wrote. as much pleasure
In running into port in gale OF wind as ever
q boy had in a feat OF skill" Tho same char
lcteristic was siGnally exhibited under the
weight OF far greater issues. in his determine
ton TO pass the Mississippi River forts in spite
of remonstrances from his most able lieuten-
ant and cautious suggestions from other COM
handing officers and with only ambiguous
OF the Navy Department to justify
his action. The Same moral force showed
Itself In combination with the most rapid
decision when his ship was nearly
thrown on shore under the batteries
Of Port Hudson. and yet more in. the
highest degree at the supreme nom ent Of his
life when. headed off from tho path he had
torpedo line in Mobile Bay. To the same
quality Is attributed tho resolution to take his
shi ps above Port Hudson without orders at
The critical period Of tho campaign OF 1863
Capt. Mnhan deems 1t O matter of regret that
The merit OF that determination has not been
adequately appreciated. For the power to take
swiftly and irrevocably such nom entous de-
rislon Farrngnt was indebted TO nature. He
indeed justified them and his general course
Df action by good and sufficient reasons, but
tho re1sons carried conviction to him because
they struck responsive chord In his breast
In person Admiral Farraeut was not above
he medium size: he was about five feet six
and a half inches tall. upright In carriage we'll
proportioned. alert and graceful In his move
ments In early and middle life he was slight
rather than heavy In frame. and 1t was not until
he civil war imposed upon him tho physical
inactivity Incident to tho river and blockade
service that he took on flesh. Up to that time
ais weight was not over $50 pounds lie was
very expert In all physical exercises. and re-
aimed his activity to tho verge OF old nge
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