Farragut, David Glasgow, 1801-1870

Variant names
Dates:
Birth 1801-07-05
Death 1870-08-14
Birth 1801-07-05
Death 1870-08-14
Gender:
Male
Americans
English, Spanish; Castilian

Biographical notes:

David Glasgow Farragut (also spelled Glascoe; July 5, 1801 – August 14, 1870) was a flag officer of the United States Navy during the American Civil War. He was the first rear admiral, vice admiral, and admiral in the United States Navy. He is remembered for his order at the Battle of Mobile Bay usually paraphrased as "Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead" in U.S. Navy tradition.

Born near Knoxville, Tennessee, Farragut was fostered by naval officer David Porter after the death of his mother. Despite his young age, Farragut served in the War of 1812 under the command of his adoptive father. He received his first command in 1824 and participated in anti-piracy operations in the Caribbean Sea. He served in the Mexican–American War under the command of Matthew C. Perry, participating in the blockade of Tuxpan. After the war, he oversaw the construction of the Mare Island Naval Shipyard, the first U.S. Navy base established on the Pacific Ocean.

Though Farragut resided in Norfolk, Virginia, prior to the Civil War, he was a Southern Unionist who strongly opposed Southern secession and remained loyal to the Union after the outbreak of the Civil War. Despite some doubts about Farragut's loyalty, Farragut was assigned command of an attack on the important Confederate port city of New Orleans. After fighting past Fort St. Philip and Fort Jackson, Farragut captured New Orleans in April 1862. He was promoted to rear admiral after the battle and helped extend Union control up along the Mississippi River, participating in the siege of Port Hudson. With the Union in control of the Mississippi, Farragut led a successful attack on Mobile Bay, home to the last major Confederate port on the Gulf of Mexico. Farragut was promoted to admiral following the end of the Civil War and remained on active duty until his death in 1870.

Union Civil War admiral from Tennessee.

From the description of Letter, 1860 September 25, U.S. Steam Sloop Brooklyn, to Isaac Toucey, Washington, D.C. (University of Tennessee). WorldCat record id: 26186356

David Glasgow Farragut, U.S. Naval officer, was born in Campbell's Station, Tennessee on July 5, 1801. He is known for the taking of New Orleans in March 1862. He was then the first person to be commissioned to rear admiral in July 1862. He was victorious in the Battle of Mobile Bay in August 1864. He was commissioned to full admiral in July 1866. Farragut died on August 14, 1870 in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.

From the description of Letter, September 20, 1864. (Naval War College). WorldCat record id: 46325961

David G. Farragut, American admiral. In 1862-1864 he commanded the West Gulf Blockading Squadron. In Dec. 1861-1862 he commanded New Orleans expedition, then operations on the Mississippi (1862-1863), and the assault on Mobile Bay (1864). He was promoted Vice-Admiral (1864) and Admiral (1866).

From the description of Papers of David Glasgow Farragut, 1826-1913 (bulk 1862-1864). (Huntington Library, Art Collections & Botanical Gardens). WorldCat record id: 122570878

Rear Admiral, U.S. Navy.

From the description of Orders, 1863 Mar. 6. (Maine Historical Society Library). WorldCat record id: 70978631

David Farragut rose from midshipman in 1810 to become the first Admiral of the American fleet in 1866 after his heroic battles of Mobile Bay, Port Hudson and New Orleans.

From the description of Papers, 1815-1964. (University of Tennessee). WorldCat record id: 31048887

David G. Farragut, U.S. naval officer and the first to have the rank of Admiral, was born in 1801 in Knoxville, TN, and died in Portsmouth, NH, in 1870. He joined the Navy in 1810 and served in the Mexican War and the Civil War, where he won victories at the Battles of New Orleans and Mobile Bay.

From the description of Letter, July 31, 1864. (Naval War College). WorldCat record id: 17913650

From the description of Letter, August 25, 1860. (Naval War College). WorldCat record id: 49295978

From the description of Letter, March 4, 1864. (Naval War College). WorldCat record id: 17998055

David G. Farragut (1801-1870) was an admiral of the United States Navy during the American Civil War. He was the first rear admiral, vice admiral, and full admiral of the Navy, and is best remembered for his order, "Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead!" at the Battle of Mobile Bay.

From the guide to the David G. Farragut Collection, 1864-1870, (Special Collections Research Center, Syracuse University Libraries)

First officer in the U.S. Navy to receive the ranks of vice admiral (1864) and admiral (1866).

From the description of Autograph letter signed, 1863 Jan. 5. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 70972377

Naval officer.

From the description of David Glasgow Farragut papers, 1816-1869. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 70979805

From the description of David Glasgow Farragut papers, 1810-1869. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 79450198

Distinguished American admiral.

From the description of Letter, [1865 or 1866] June 26 : Brooklyn Navy Yard, to Howard. (Washington State University). WorldCat record id: 29853979

David G. Farragut, U.S. Naval officer, was born near Knoxville, Tennessee in 1801 and died in Portsmouth, NH in 1870. He went to sea in 1810, served in the Mediterranean, the Mexican War, and during the Civil War captured New Orleans and Mobile for the Union. He was promoted to admiral in 1866 and commanded the European Squadron that year.

From the description of Letter, May 1, 1862. (Naval War College). WorldCat record id: 17928281

From the description of Letter, December 17, 1858. (Naval War College). WorldCat record id: 728657073

American admiral.

From the description of Letter : Flag Ship Tennessee, New Orleans, to Lt. Comdr. E.W. Henry, U.S.G.B. Sciota, Miss. River, 1863 July 15. (Buffalo History Museum). WorldCat record id: 57182673

From the description of Autograph letter signed : New York, to Cyrus W. Field, 1866 Dec. 6. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 270526142

Biographical Note

1801, July 5 Born, Campbell’s Station, Tenn. 1810 Appointed midshipman, United States Navy 1811 1814 Duty on the Essex (frigate) 1815 1820 Duty on the Independence (ship-of-the-line), Washington (ship-of-the-line), and Franklin (ship-of-the-line), Mediterranean Station 1823 Executive officer, Sea Gull (side wheel gunboat), West India Squadron 1824 Married Susan C. Marchant (died 1840) 1825 1826 Duty on the Brandywine (frigate) 1828 1830 Duty on the Vandalia (sloop-of-war), Brazil Station 1833 Executive officer, Natchez (sloop-of-war) 1834 Returned to the United States with the Boxer (schooner) 1838 Commanded the Erie (patrol gunboat), Home Squadron 1841 Promoted to commander 1842 Commanded the Decatur (sloop-of-war), South American Station 1843 Married Virginia Loyall 1847 Commanded the Saratoga (sloop-of-war), Home Squadron 1850 1852 Ordnance duties, United States Navy Yards, Washington, D.C., and Norfolk, Va. 1854 Ordered to California to establish United States Navy Yard at Mare Island, Vallejo, Calif. 1858 1860 Commanded the Brooklyn (screw sloop), Home Squadron 1862 Commanded the West Gulf Blockading Squadron 1862 Attacked and passed Forts Jackson and St. Philip and captured New Orleans, La. Promoted to rear admiral 1863 Passed the batteries at Port Hudson 1864 Attacked the defenses of Mobile Bay, entered the bay, and dispersed the Confederate fleet Received the surrender of Fort Morgan Promoted to vice admiral 1866 Promoted to admiral 1867 1868 Commanded the European Squadron 1870, Aug. 14 Died, Portsmouth, N.H.

From the guide to the David Glasgow Farragut Papers, 1816-1869, (Manuscript Division Library of Congress)

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Subjects:

  • Admirals
  • Admirals
  • Admirals
  • Correspondence
  • Firearms
  • Military history
  • Letters
  • Military weapons
  • Mobile Bay, Battle of, Ala., 1864
  • Mobile Bay, Battle of, Ala., 1864
  • Naval Officer
  • New Orleans (La.)
  • Orders, Preparation of (Military science)
  • Ordnance, Naval
  • Admirals
  • Admirals
  • Mobile Bay, Battle of, Ala., 1864

Occupations:

  • Admirals
  • Admirals
  • Naval officers
  • Admirals

Places:

  • Mexico (as recorded)
  • United States (as recorded)
  • United States (as recorded)
  • United States (as recorded)
  • United States (as recorded)
  • United States (as recorded)
  • Tennessee, TN, US
  • New Orleans (La.) (as recorded)
  • New Orleans (La.) (as recorded)
  • France (as recorded)
  • United States (as recorded)
  • France (as recorded)
  • Kittery, ME, US
  • Mexico (as recorded)
  • Louisiana (as recorded)
  • Galveston (Tex.) (as recorded)
  • Chiquiri Lagoon (Panama) (as recorded)
  • United States (as recorded)
  • New Orleans (La.) (as recorded)
  • United States (as recorded)
  • United States (as recorded)
  • United States (as recorded)

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