Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-08-18
STRIKING REL|CSOF
ADMIRAL FARRAGUT
National Museum Mementos
Concentrating Great Naval
Hero's Services.
LIFE ONE OF ADVENTURE

In these stirring times. when every
American citizen is a potential national
hero. special interest attaches TO any
memento of the heroes and patriots OF
our past wars. Some striking objects
commemorative of the life and services
of one of the most romantic and inspir-
ing figures among the list of great
American naval heroes. Admiral David
ceived by the United States National
Museum as the gift of the estate OF
Loyal Farragut, son of Admiral Farra-
gut. through J. Herbert Johnston and
city; Rear Admiral John c. Watson. u.
S. n, retired, and ]. b. Millner, United
States geological survey. and placed
on public exhibition
First in interest among these objects
is a jeweled sword inscribed: Present
ed to Rear Admiral David G. Farragut
by members of the Union League Club
as token of their appreciation OF his
gallant services rendered in defense of
his country. New York. April %. 1854"
This sword was sent to him on board
his ship Hartford about a year after
he had succeeded in the diff1cult task
of completely opening the Mississippi
river to navigation through its entire
length for the national navy and supply
ships.
l. B. Millner, who served on the HART
ford as seaman at this time, and who
in person brought the sword to the Ma
tional Museum. recalls an incident re-
garding the delivery OF the sword to
Admiral Farragut in Mobile bay. After
il had been inspected by the officers
aft, the admiral ordered the sword to
be taken forward and shown to the
men. saying: They are entitled TO it
as well as l."
Other objects among the mementos Of
Admiral Farragut received by the mu-
scum are three pairs of epaulets. a
chapeau. a cap. a belt. a shoulder
strap, two sword knots. nineteen but
eor, lob 10 n
lection also includes a fine portrait OF
the admiral by William Swain a num-
Der of Photographic portraits OF him
and several paintings representing
notable scenes in his career.
Protege of Capt. Porter.
The life of Admiral David c. Farra-
gut reads like story of adventure. AS
a child he became the protege of Capt
Porter of the United States Navy, and
at the tender age of nine and half
years he was appointed a midshipman
in the Navy. and the next year was put
with Capt. Porter on the frigate Essex.
which cruised up and down the coast.
the midshipmen attending school in
Newport during the winter. In 1872,
when war was declared with England,
the Essex was made ready for service
and soon captured several prizes.
On this cruise young Farragut dis
covered and frustrated a mutiny among
the prisoners. and on subsequent
cruise of the Essex in the Pacific he. at
the age Of twelve. was made price
master of a captured ship. bringing the
ship into port over the head of the
violent-tempered captain who had been
ordered to navigate her and who re-
fused to take Farragut's orders.
Farraguts first battle-that of the
Essex against two ships in the harbor
of Valparaiso March rs. 1S14-was one
OF the bloodiest ever fought on the sea
subsequently. in quick succession, he
served on the John Adams. the Grey
hound and the Seagull. and in 1923 was as
signed TO the command of the Ferret
which conveyed merchantmen through
the gulf to protect them from pirates.
On this ship yellow fever developed among
the crew and he himself treated those
afflicted until he caught the disease and
was sent to the hospital in Washington.
During the next twenty-eight years, or
until the beginning Of the civil war. he
commanded twelve differen. ships, served
on courts martial at navy yards, testing
naval guns, constructing navy yard at
Mare Island. Cal. and was otherwise
busily engaged in naval affairs.
Great Task During Civil War.
His task during the civil war was 70
open the Mississippi river TO navigation
and to take the cities of New Orleans and
Mobile. He took New Orleans after a
desperate ten-day battle. in the course
Of which the Confederate fleet was entire-
:, oeoNi oset- the He4N ploSeeueu 10 cleSt
the entire river. and finally, on August s,
1864. the feet advanced on the defenses
of Mobile under heavy fire from the forts
and through water dotted with mines and
torpedoes.
During the advance the leading ship
Brooklyn stopped and seemed likely TO
throw the whole line into confusion
What is the trouble?" was shouted
through a trumpet from the flagship
Hartford. ''Torpedoes," was the answer
Damn the torpedoes," exclaimed Farra-
gut. -Four bells! Capt. Drayton, go
ahead. Jouett, full speedr' and the
Hartford passed the Brooklyn took her
place at the head of the line and led the
feet into the bay. After several days OF
terrific fighting under heavy fire from the
big guns, the forts finally surrendered
Admiral Farragut was undoubtedly
among the greatest naval comma nders in
the worlds history and his life and
patriotism are Inspirations to all Ameri-