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David Farragut Facts

David Farragut Facts
David Farragut first person to attaint the rank of Admiral in the United States Navy, which he earned during the American Civil War. Farragut was a veteran of the War of 1812 the Mexican-American War and the American Civil War, steadily advancing in each through a combination of hard work, excellent leadership, and a keen strategic mind. Although he was southerner, Farragut remained loyal to the Union, one of the few southerners of rank to do so. Farragut was born James Glasgow Farragut on July 5, 1801 near Knoxville, Tennessee to Jordi and Elizabeth Farragut. He was descended from a line of Spanish mariners on his father's side and often moved around when he was a child. Farragut began working on ships at the age of nine and continued to do so until he died at the age of sixty-nine. Farragut married twice and had one son.
Interesting David Farragut Facts:
Farragut changed his first name to James after living and being the foster son of a naval officer named David Porter.
At the age of twelve, Farragut fought in the War of 1812 aboard the USS Essex.
He was promoted to commander and fought in the Mexican-American War (1846-1848) on the USS Saratoga. He primarily took part in a naval blockade of the port of Tuxpan during the war.
Despite some of the navy brass having doubts about Farragut's loyalty, he was given command of the Gulf Blockading Squadron in 1862.
Farragut took New Orleans on April 29, 1862, which proved to be a major victory for the Union and a huge loss for the Confederacy. Not only did the Confederates lose a major city and their largest port, but Farragut was able to launch a major campaign up the Mississippi and deeper into to Confederate territory from New Orleans.
He was injured attempting to pass Confederate held Vicksburg in July 1862.
Although the Union forces won the Siege of Port Hudson, Farragut's attack fleet suffered heavy casualties. Farragut led his fleet past the heavily armed fort to block the confluence of the Red and Mississippi rivers, but the blockade is said to have little effect on the battle so his losses were for naught.
On August 5, 1864, Farragut took the last open Confederate port of Mobile, Alabama in the Battle of Mobile Bay, which is where he said the famous quote, "Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead"
In 1853, Farragut oversaw the construction of the Mare Island Navy Yard in what is today Vallejo, California. The yard gave the United States a permanent naval presence on the Pacific Ocean.
Farragut remained on active duty for life.
During the Civil War, Farragut commanded four different ships and was promoted to vice admiral.
He served as a pallbearer at President Lincoln's funeral.
Farragut died of a heart attack at the age of sixty-nine in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. He was interred at the Woodlawn Cemetery in the Bronx, New York.
Farragut was memorialized on two stamps and one treasury note.


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