FARRAGUT, David Glasgow, American naval officer: b. Campbell's Station, Tenn., 5 July 1801; d. Portsmouth, N. H., 14 Aug. 1870. His mother, Elizabeth Shine, sprang from the Scottish family of MacIver. His father, George Farragut, was born on the island of Minorca in 1755. He was descended from an ancient and noble Spanish family, originally of Aragon but for 400 years of the Balearic Islands, where they held many positions of trust and responsibility. George Farragut came to America in 1776, espoused the colonial cause and served creditably in the army, is said to have saved the life of Colonel Washington at the battle of the Cowpens, and was afterward a sailing master in the navy.
Commander David Porter had been a ship mate of George Farragut. The latter had been transferred to the naval station at New Or leans and had bought a plantation on the Pasca goula River, where Porter visited him. The commander took a great fancy to David, and with his father's consent — his mother being dead — practically adopted him with the intent of putting him in the navy.
David Farragut was warranted midshipman on 17 Dec. 1810, being less than 9% years old. He had been neatly two years at school in Chester, Pa., when in August 1811 he was or dered to the frigate Essex, Porter's ship. He was in all the -minor engagements before the famous Essex sailed on her unprecedented cruise to the Pacific. Such was the scarcity of officers that in June 1813 the little midshipman, not quite 12, was made prize master of the whaler Barclay. The English captain was sent along as adviser. He attempted to take things into his own hands, but Farragut, with a cool ness and courage remarkable, retained command and brought his vessel into port.
He was slightly wounded in the terrific bat tle in which the Essex was destroyed by the Phambe and Cherub. During a crisis in the action Porter actually sent this stripling to shoot a seaman who was reputed to be flinching from his gun. Farragut would have carried out his captain's orders if he had been able to find the man. In writing his report to the Secretary of the Navy Porter was compelled to say that Far ragut was too young for the promotion he had earned by his gallant conduct.
After the war he remained in the service, taking advantage of such educational oppor tunities as were afforded him between and dur ing his cruises. In the spring of 1819 he was appointed acting lieutenant of the brig Shark, being then 18 years of age. In 1823 cruised in the West Indies against Cuban pirates. He was married in September 1823 to Miss Susan C.
Marchant of Norfolk. He was commissioned lieutenant 23 Jan. 1825. In 1828 witnessed the capture of San Juan de Ulloa by the French while in command of the Erie. Mrs. Farragut died 17 Dec. 1840, leaving no children. He was commissioned commander 9 Sept. 1841 and in December 1843 married Miss Virginia Loyall of Norfolk; by her had one son. During the Mexican War Farragut commanded the Sara toga. Had no opportunity for distinction and became involved in a dispute with Corn. M. C. Perry, commanding naval forces. August 1854 established Mare Island Navy Yard, Cal.; com missioned captain 14 Sept. 1855. In general, his service between 1815 and 1861 was arduous and exacting and was diligently and successfully performed. His devotion to Union sentiment forced him to leave Norfolk in April 1861. Removed his family to Hastings-on-Hudson, N. Y., and at first vainly sought orders to active service.
In January 1862 was given command of the Western Gulf blockading squadron and ordered to open the mouth of the Mississippi River by taking New Orleans, which was defended by two forts, a river fleet of 17 vessels, includ ing fireships and rams. The way up the river was barred by a boom. Farragut had a superb fleet of 6 heavy ships, 16 gunboats, 21 mortar vessels and 5 smaller craft.
On 24 April 1862 the boom was broken, the forts passed and the river defense fleet lated after a sanguinary and desperate battle. New Orleans surrendered four days later. The daring of the attack was only equaled by the Three skill with which it had been planned. ree vessels of the fleet failed to pass the forts. The Varuna was sunk, the flagship Hartford grounded in the midst of the action and was set on fire by a fireship pushed against her by the Confederate ram. She was got off in safety, however. As Farragut said, had a rough dine' Ordered to clear the Mississippi, in tune 1862, Farragut passed the batteries at Vicks burg, but there being no land force there to co operate with him he repassed the batteries and returned to New Orleans. Was commissioned rear-admiral 16 July 1862, the first in the United States service. On 14 March 1863 attempted to take his fleet past the Confederate works at Port Hudson. Grant was then operating against Vicksburg. Farragut perceived that if he could get ships below Vicksburg he could prevent Confederate forces in that city from receiving supplies and reinforcements from west of the Mississippi. Farragut's conception was strategically sound and brilliant. He boldly endeavoied to carry it out.