Admiral Farragut

blockade duties, 249-254;

battle of Mobile Bay, 268-289;

final return North, 293;

enthusiastic reception in New York, 294;

promoted to vice-admiral, 295;

temporary service in James River, 296;

promoted to admiral, 298;

commands European station, 298-304;

visit to his father's birthplace in Minorca, 299-304;

return to United States, 304;

declining health, 305;

death and obsequies, 306;

monuments of, 307;

analysis of character, 308-326.

Military characteristics:

Personal courage, 44-46, 61, 62, 161, 277, 317-319;

moral courage in assuming responsibility, 26, 60, 124-126, 135, 137-140, 144, 147, 222, 223, 276-280, 318;

hopefulness, 124, 252, 277;

strategic insight, 137, 138, 141 et seq., 147, 172, 178-185, 200, 207, 208, 231, 238, 311, 315;

tactical skill, 149, 150, 154, 217-220, 239, 260-263, 311;

self-reliance, 323;

comparison with Nelson, 309-312.

Personal characteristics:

Appearance and bodily strength, 51, 60, 320-322;

gratefulness, 5, 52, 60, 67;

self-improvement, 51, 57-59, 69, 71, 87, 97, 313-315, 323;

habits of observation, 57, 69, 75, 83-88, 94, 98, 99, 124, 313, 314;

thoughtfulness and decision, 54, 70, 106 et seq., 113, 123, 124, 139-141, 147, 208, 211, 216, 239, 260, 264, 277;

family relations, 65, 74, 88, 107-109, 227, 265-268;

kindliness, 320, 322;

religious feelings, 252, 266, 277, 292, 325.

See also "Anecdotes."

Farragut, George, father of Admiral Farragut:

birth, 1;

history, 2-5;

death, 6.

Florida, Confederate ship of war (first called Oreto), runs blockade into Mobile, 197;

escapes, 203;

effect on Farragut, 204.

Folsom, Chaplain Charles, U. S. Navy, influence on Farragut's early life, 57-60.

Fox, Gustavus V., assistant secretary of the navy, 1861-'65, 118;

relations to New Orleans expedition, 118-124, 318;

urges Farragut to ascend the Mississippi, 183.

Gaines, Fort, defense of Mobile Bay, 247, 259, 268;

surrender of, 290.

Garibaldi, services in war between Argentine and Uruguay, 93.

Granger, United States General, commands at siege of Forts Gaines and Morgan, 268, 290, 291.

Grant, General Ulysses S, analogy between his turning the position of Vicksburg and Farragut's turning the Mississippi forts, 135-138 (and note, 137);

anxieties of, in 1862, 198;

connection between his command and Farragut's, 198, 199;

takes the line of the Mississippi, 205;

takes chief command at Vicksburg, 206;

responsibility assumed in cutting loose from his base before Vicksburg, 223;

opinion as to importance of Farragut's passage of Port Hudson, 224, 226;

begins turning movement against Vicksburg, 229;

views as to Red River expedition and Mobile, 1864, 245, 246;

statesmanlike regard to political conditions in military operations, 137 (note), 251;

present at Farragut's funeral, 306.

Harrison, Lieutenant N. B., commands Cayuga, leading fleet at passage of Mississippi forts, 159.

Hartford, U. S. steamer, Farragut's flag-ship, description of, 126.

Hillyar, James, British naval captain, commands Phœbe in battle with Essex, 38-44;

disregard of neutral rights, 32, 39, 40;

relations with Porter, etc., 33-37.

Incident: Farragut being lashed in rigging at Mobile, 272.

Indianola, U. S. iron-clad, capture of, and effect upon Farragut's movements, 209-211, 224.

Jackson, Fort, defense of New Orleans, mentioned, 65;

description of, 119, 127, 258;

surrender of, 171;

causes of the fall of, 141-147.

Jenkins, Rear-Admiral Thornton A., chief of staff to Farragut, 1863, 203, 208, 211, 234;

commands Richmond at battle of Mobile, 268, 269.

Jouett, Lieutenant-Commander James E. (now Rear-Admiral), commands Metacomet at battle of Mobile Bay, 271, 272, 278;

captures Confederate gunboat Selma, 280.

Kennon, Beverley, Lieutenant, Confederate navy, commands Governor Moore at New Orleans and sinks U. S. steamer Varuna, 158, 159, 163.

Kimberley, Lieutenant-Commander Lewis A. (now Rear-Admiral), executive officer of Farragut's flag-ship, 281.

Lovell, Mansfield, Confederate general, opinion as to cause of fall of Mississippi forts, 145.

Manassas, Confederate ram, description of, 156;

part at battle of New Orleans, 157, 159.

Mare Island, Farragut's command of, 1854-'58, 99-101;

visit to, 304.

Matamoras, Mexican port, importance to blockade-running, 207, 240.

McClellan, General George B., relations to New Orleans expedition, 120, 121.

Minorca, Island of, birthplace of George Farragut, 1;

Farragut's visits to, 56, 57, 300;

enthusiastic reception given to Admiral Farragut, 300-304.

Mississippi River, importance of, in civil war, 115-117, 199, 200, 207, 222, 223, 237, 238.

Mobile, Farragut's wish to attack, in 1862, 185;

blockade of, 196, 197, 203, 204, 249, 250;

importance of, 241, 242;

description of approaches to, from the sea, and defenses of, 246-248, 258, 259, 260, 264, 265;

battle of Mobile Bay, 269-289.

Monitors, description of, 255.

Morgan, Fort, defense of Mobile Bay, 247, 258, 259, 271, 290;

surrender of, 290.

Mosquito fleet, origin and service of, 63-66.

Napoleon I, Emperor of the French, mentioned, 77, 136, 143, 308, 309, 315, 317.

Napoleon, Louis, Emperor of the French: Purpose to recognize Confederacy, 173;

effect upon, of fall of New Orleans, 175, 176;

Farragut dines with, 298.

Navy, United States, inadequate strength of, at different periods, 6, 13, 86, 101, 116, 117, 314;

consequent bad results, 6-8, 11, 13, 14, 16, 19, 50, 102, 223, 242, 314;

reasons for partial successes of 1812, and delayed action in 1861, 101, 102;

character and importance of services, in civil war, 135-137, 142, 146, 171-176, 180-182, 199, 206, 207, 222-225, 231 (and note), 233-235, 238, 242, 244, 291.

Nelson, Horatio, British Admiral, mentioned, 70, 160, 240 (and note), 266, 308;

military character contrasted with that of Farragut, 309-312.

New Orleans, expedition against, 115-176; defenses of, 127-129, 131, 136, 145, 146, 165;

scenes at surrender of, 166-172;

effect of fall of, 172-176;

Confederate demonstrations against, 1863, 233.

Oreto, see Florida.

Pemberton, Confederate general, opinion as to effect of Farragut's passage by Port Hudson,

224, 225.

Pensacola, evacuated by Confederates, 196;

importance to navy as base of operations, 196, 249, 268.

Perkins, Lieutenant-Commander George H., U. S. N., account of Cayuga at passage of Mississippi forts, 151-155, 159;

accompanies Captain Bailey to demand surrender of New Orleans, 169;

commands Chickasaw at Mobile, 276, 285, 287, 288.

Porter, Captain David, U. S. N., commands naval station at New Orleans, 4;

adopts David Farragut, 5;

commands frigate Essex, 11-44;

professional character, 31, 55;

battle with Phœbe and Cherub, 38-44;

navy commissioner, 63;

commands Mosquito fleet, 63-66;

court-martialed, 66;

leaves navy, 66;

Minister to Constantinople, 67;

death, 67.

Porter, Admiral David D., U. S. N., commanding mortar flotilla, 121-123, 130, 152, 171, 186, 188;

opinion on passing the Mississippi forts, 138, 139;

commanding Mississippi squadron, 206, 209, 210, 226, 229, 230, 231;

opinion on Farragut's dash past Port Hudson, 223, 224;

takes over from Farragut command of Mississippi above New Orleans, 235;

Red River expedition, 254;

harmonious co-operation with Grant, 206, 291.

Port Hudson, position of, 195;

importance of, to Confederates, 199, 201, 207, 209, 222-225, 232, 233;

armament of, 211; passage of, by Farragut, 211-216;

surrender of, 235.

Queen of the West, U. S. ram, capture of, and effect on Farragut's movements, 209-211.

Red River expedition, purpose of, 253;

militarily erroneous, 245, 246;

disastrous termination, 254;

consequences, 246.

River-defense fleet, Confederate, description of, 156, 158.

Rosas, Argentine Dictator, 72, 74, 91, 92.

St. Philip, Fort, defense of New Orleans, 119, 128, 148, 153, 258;

surrender of, 171, causes of fall of, 141-147.

San Juan de Ulloa, Mexican fort, description of, 79;

French attack on, 80;

Farragut's opinion as to attack on, by U. S. Navy in 1846, 95.

Sherman, General W. T., difference of opinion with Grant, 137 (and note);

attack on Vicksburg, 205;

raid upon Meridian, 253.

Smith, Martin L., Confederate general, opinion as to cause of fall of Mississippi forts, 145.

Szymanski, Confederate colonel, opinion as to effect of Farragut's passage of the Mississippi forts, 146.

Tecumseh, U. S. monitor, sunk at Mobile, 256, 268, 271, 273, 274, 275.

Tennessee, Confederate iron-clad, description of, 248, 256-258;

part taken by, in battle of Mobile Bay, 265, 273, 274, 275, 279-288.

Texas, importance of, to Confederacy, 207, 209, 237.

Varuna, U. S. steamer, sunk at passage of Mississippi forts, 163.

Vera Cruz, French attack on, 75-83;

Farragut's report on, 83-88.

Vicksburg, Farragut's first advance against, 181, 182;

his reluctance to a second advance, 182-184;

second advance, 186;

situation of, 186;

Farragut passes batteries, 187;

return below, 192;

importance of Vicksburg to Confederacy, 180, 187, 194, 195, 233;

Farragut's third advance to, 226;

surrender of, 235.

Warley, A. F., Lieut., Confederate navy, commands Manassas at battle of New Orleans, 157, 158.

Watson, Lieut. John C., (now captain), U. S. N., Farragut's flag-lieutenant, 1862-'65, 161, 260, 272.

Welles, Gideon, Secretary of the Navy, 1861-'69, 117;

connection with New Orleans expedition, 119, 120, 121, 125, 126;

impressions of Farragut, 124;

urges Farragut up the Mississippi, 177, 181;

letter of, 222 (note).

Wolseley, Lord, views as to the cause of reduction of Mississippi forts criticised, 142-147.

THE END

1

Marshall's Naval Biography, article Hillyar, vol. iv, p. 861.

2

The writer remembers to have heard in his early days in the service a tradition of a ship commanded by Creighton, which he believes to have been the Washington, and which illustrates the methods by which this extreme smartness was obtained. In each boat at the booms was constantly a midshipman in full dress, cocked hat included, so that no time might be lost in dropping alongside when called away. The full crew was probably also kept in her.

3

Washington's Letters, October 1, 1781.

4

Montgomery Blair, in The United Service, January, 1881.

5

Gideon Welles, in the Galaxy, November, 1871.

6

Gideon Welles, in the Galaxy, December, 1871.

7

There were some guns bearing inland and some flanking howitzers, besides those already enumerated.

8

Official Records of the War of the Rebellion, Series I, vol. vi, p. 610.

9

The following is Grant's account of a matter which, but for Sherman's own zeal in proclaiming the merits of his commander-in-chief, would probably have always remained unknown. It would be difficult to find a closer parallel to the difference of judgment existing between Farragut and Porter at New Orleans: "When General Sherman first learned of the move I proposed to make, he called to see me about it. I was seated on the piazza, engaged in conversation with my staff, when he came up. After a few moments' conversation, he said he would like to see me alone. We passed into the house together and shut the door after us. Sherman then expressed his alarm at the move I had ordered, saying that I was putting myself voluntarily in a position which an enemy would be glad to manœuvre a year—or a long time—to get me in. I was going into the enemy's country, with a large river behind me, and the enemy holding points strongly fortified above and below. He said that it was an axiom in war that when any great body of troops moved against an enemy they should do so from a base of supplies which they would guard as the apple of the eye, etc. He pointed out all the difficulties that might be encountered in the campaign proposed, and stated in turn what would be the true campaign to make. This was, in substance, to go back until high ground could be reached on the east bank of the river, fortify there and establish a depot of supplies, and move from there, being always prepared to fall back upon it in case of disaster. I said this would take us back to Memphis. Sherman then said that was the very place he should go to, and would move by railroad from Memphis to Granada. To this I replied, the country is already disheartened over the lack of success on the part of our armies,… and if we went back so far as Memphis, it would discourage the people so much that bases of supplies would be of no use; neither men to hold them nor supplies to put in them would be furnished. The problem was to move forward to a decisive victory, or our cause was lost.... Sherman wrote to my adjutant-general embodying his views of the campaign that should be made, and asking him to advise me at least to get the views of my generals upon the subject. Rawlins showed me the letter, but I did not see any reasons for changing my plans."—Personal Memoirs of U. S. Grant, vol. i, p. 542 (note).

10

The paper being long, only those parts are quoted which convey the objections to running by.

11

Lord Wolseley in North American Review, vol. cxlix, pp. 32-34, 597. The italics are the author's.

12

Official Records of the War of the Rebellion. Series I, vol. vi, p. 583.

13

Official Records of the War of the Rebellion. Series I, vol. vi, p. 566.

14

Ibid., p. 578.

15

Those three were: First, a direct naval attack upon the works; second, running by the works; third, a combined attack by army and navy.

16

Captain Bailey commanded the Colorado frigate, which drew too much water to cross the bar. Anxious to share in the fight, he obtained from the flag-officer the divisional appointment.

17

See page 62.

18

See Walpole's Life of Lord John Russell, vol. ii, pp. 349-351.

19

North American Review, vol. cxxix, p. 347.

20

Ibid., vol. cxxix, p. 348.

21

The full text of this order was as follows. It committed the department to nothing.

"Navy Department, October 2. 1862.

"Sir: While the Mississippi River continues to be blockaded at Vicksburg, and until you learn from Commander D. D. Porter, who will be in command of the Mississippi squadron, that he has, in conjunction with the army, opened the river, it will be necessary for you to guard the lower part of that river, especially where it is joined by the Red River, the source of many of the supplies of the enemy. I am respectfully, etc.,

"Gideon Welles.

"Secretary of the Navy."

That five months elapsed between the date of this order and Farragut's action, without anything more definite, shows clearly that the department took no responsibility. On the other hand, it is right to say that it showed a generous appreciation of the effort, and did not complain about the losses.

22

Personal Memoirs of U. S. Grant, vol. i, p. 461.

23

"The campaign of the Baltic will always be in the eyes of seamen Nelson's fairest claim to glory. He alone was capable of displaying such boldness and such perseverance; he alone could face the immense difficulties of that enterprise and triumph over them."—Jurien de la Gravière, Guerres Maritimes.

24

The signal in the United States Navy for the engines to be driven at high speed.

25

Before the admiral's departure from New York he gave a grand reception on board the flag-ship, which was attended by the President and his Cabinet and by many of the most prominent people of the Metropolis, including several hundred ladies.—Editor.

26

Captain Jervis and Earl St. Vincent were the same officer under different appellations.