Admiral Farragut
PHOTO: Library of Congress
DAVID FARRAGUT

David Farragut was the first American to ever hold the rank of admiral and the highest ranking officer in the U. S. Navy during the Civil War. He was also the originator of what may be the most famous quote ever said by an American naval officer. Naturally, he was a Tennessean.

Farragut was born in 1801 near Knoxville (the suburb of Farragut is named for him). When he was a very young boy, his father moved to New Orleans. A few years later, young Farragut was taken to Pennsylvania, where he was raised by a naval officer (whose rank was Commodore) named David Porter. "At the time it was not uncommon for parents to place a child with someone who could train them in a career," a National Park Service web site explains.

Commodore Porter raised young David Farragut for a life in the navy. At the age of 11 -- that's right, ELEVEN -- he served on board a U. S. warship that captured a British vessel during the War of 1812. He later became an officer, and served with merit in the navy through the 1820s, 30s, 40s, and 50s.

When the Civil War broke out, Farragut sided with the union. He was placed in charge of a fleet of boats that was instructed to enter the Mississippi River and capture New Orleans. After a series of brilliant manuevers, the fleet took the city on April 28, 1862 (the same month as the Battle of Shiloh, by the way).

Later in the war, Farragut commanded a fleet that invaded Mobile Bay. One of the other ships in his group hit a torpedo and sank. Farragut rallied his men, crying out, "Damn the torpedoes. Full speed ahead!" The Union fleet won, in one of the most decisive naval victories of the war.

The next year he became the first American ever awarded the rank of admiral. He died in 1870.

There are many web sites about the life of David Farragut. We recommend this one.

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