Farragut

Collier's New Encyclopedia (1921)

DAVID GLASCOE, an American naval officer; born in Campbell's Station, Tenn., July 5, 1801. He was appointed, without previous train- ADMIRAL FARRAGUT ing, a midshipman as early as 1810. Under Commodore Porter he was engaged in the "Essex" in her cruise against the British in 1812-1814, and after her capture he served on board the line-of-battle ship "Independence." Passing for a lieutenant, he was ordered to the West India station, and was appointed, in 1847, to the command of the "Saratoga" in which ship he took part in the naval operations during the Mexican War. When the Civil War broke out Farragut received the command of the Gulf squadron which was to co-operate with General Butler in the reduction of New Orleans, and engaged and passed the two strong forts of the Mississippi in April, 1862, which brought about the surrender of that city on the 28th of the same month. Natchez was taken in May, and Farragut's fleet ascended as far as Vicksburg, which place he bombarded till the fall of water compelled him to return to New Orleans. In 1862 he was the first officer to receive the rank of admiral in the United States navy; and in March, 1863, he passed the batteries of Port Hudson, and was in a few days again before Vicksburg, co-operating with General Grant in the reduction of that important stronghold. Having been ordered to attempt the capture of Mobile, he took the forts commanding the mouth of that harbor in August, 1864, with the loss, however, of one of his ironclads, the "Tecumseh," and its crew, by the explosion of a torpedo, and met with a repulse in an attack on Wilmington, Dec. 24-25. The place was, however, taken Jan. 15, 1865, and Mobile surrendered April 12, following. Admiral Farragut served in the United States navy for 60 years. In 1865 Farragut was appointed to the command of an American squadron dispatched on a cruise in European waters, from which he returned in 1868. He died in Portsmouth, N. H., Aug. 14, 1870.