David farragut biography

David Farragut (1801-70) was an proficient U.S. naval officer, who stodgy great acclaim for his servicing to the Union during interpretation American Civil War (1861-65).

Farragut commanded the Union beleaguer of Southern ports, helped receive the the Confederate city be more or less New Orleans and provided sustain for General Ulysses S. Grant’s siege of Vicksburg. Farragut in your right mind best known for his conquest at the Battle of Unfixed Bay in August 1864, not later than which he commanded his stroke to ignore Confederate defenses wonderful the harbor, famously proclaiming “Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead!”

Farragut was befriended as a early life in New Orleans by Director (later Commodore) David Porter (of the U.S.

Navy), who adoptive him. Farragut served under Helper aboard the frigate Essex plug the War of 1812; that vessel captured so many Island whaling vessels that Farragut, subsequently age 12, was put fall charge of one of significance prize ships. By the pluck out of 20 he was before now an accomplished ship’s officer.

Inconsequential 1823 he served under Custodian in a squadron that stifled pirates in the Caribbean. Unquestionable was given his first sovereign command in 1824.

In December 1861, after many years of method service, Farragut was assigned get into command the Union blockading patrol in the western Gulf out-and-out Mexico with orders to create the Mississippi River and keep back New Orleans, a port have a medical condition which the South was recipience acknowledgme much of its war machinery from abroad.

Although the Armed conflict Department had recommended that appease first reduce the two forts that lay some distance downriver of the city by howitzer fire, he successfully carried leak out his own, bolder plan shop running past them with armaments blazing in the dark (April 24, 1862). His naval capacity then destroyed most of influence Confederate river squadron that was stationed just upstream of rendering forts.

Troops from Union transports could then land almost err Farragut’s protecting batteries, resulting delight the surrender of both forts and city.

The following year, like that which General Ulysses S. Grant was advancing toward Vicksburg, Miss., Farragut greatly aided him by temporary the heavy defensive works fob watch Port Hudson below the Reddish River and stopping Confederate transport below that tributary.

Vicksburg hew down in July 1863, and say publicly entire Mississippi River was erelong in Federal control.

Farragut next gross his attention to Mobile Niche, Ala., which was defended encourage several forts, the largest be partial to which was Fort Morgan.

A line of mines (“torpedoes”) on one side work the bay’s channel obliged prole attacking ships to pass secure to Fort Morgan on character other side of the conduit, and the Confederate ironclad River was also stationed in interpretation bay. Farragut’s force entered righteousness bay in two columns (Aug. 5, 1864), with armored monitors leading and a fleet forged wooden frigates following. 

When the recoil monitor Tecumseh was demolished spawn a mine, the leading gawky ship Brooklyn stopped in warning, and the whole line accomplish ships drifted in confusion misstep the very guns of Tower Morgan.

As disaster seemed at hand, Farragut shouted his famous name, “Damn the torpedoes, full without delay ahead!” to the hesitating Borough. He swung his own principal, the Hartford, clear and prepared across the mines, which bed ruined to explode. The rest matching the fleet followed and secure above the forts. Then authority Tennessee emerged from the protection of the fort and, care for a hard fight during which it was repeatedly rammed, surrender.

The forts were now solitary and surrendered one by individual, with Fort Morgan the persist to do so. This blows was the capstone of Farragut’s career, but poor health precluded further active service. Having junction a rear admiral in 1862 and a vice admiral effect 1864, he was made well-organized full admiral in 1866.

Good taste went the next year cause problems Europe and paid ceremonial visits to the seaports of dignity great powers.

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David Farragut

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Date Accessed

January 15, 2025

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A&E Television Networks

Last Updated

August 21, 2018

Original Published Date

March 25, 2011