Finding History in the Park
Statues. They get me every time.
I can be walking through any city or town in the world and if I see one, I must stop and look at it. Like a tractor beam. This is much to the dismay of my family, who just wants to get where we need to go.
I have some favorites: Longstreet at Gettysburg, Tesla at Niagara Falls, Iron Mike on Parris Island, Washington in Paris. Most recently, I was distracted in Farragut Square, Washington, D.C. In the center of the small park stands the statue of Admiral Farragut, decked out in his dress uniform, gazing at the horizon for all eternity. Unassuming. Solitary. Maybe even a bit lonely.
David Farragut was the son of a Spanish sea captain who fought during the American Revolution and War of 1812 (or as some of us cooler historians call it, AmRev Part deux). Young David was born in Tennessee but went on to live with a Sea Captain named David Porter in Virginia to learn the way of the sail. He must have caught on pretty quickly, because at 12 years of age he was commanding a captured vessel from the War of 1812. We haven’t let 12-year-olds drive cars in the US since before 1926 but here was young David commanding a ship and crew through a series of voice-cracks. I once watched my 16-year-old take 20 minutes to back a car into the garage, but I digress.
Born a southerner, Farragut sided with the Union during the Civil War. The South really lost out on that deal. In April of 1862, Farragut took the city and Port of New Orleans, severely impacting the trade and naval operations of the Confederacy. This was apparently a big deal, as the navy created the rank of Rear Admiral and bestowed it upon Farragut for his successes. That sure does beat a membership to the “Jelly of the Month Club.”
It wasn’t all “easy sailing” though. Farragut’s actions during the siege of Vicksburg in 1862 and Port Hudson in 1863 were meet with defeat. Less to do with his sailing ability and more to do with nature of getting boats too close to shore batteries. The sieges ended without much impact from Farragut, but the Confederates were stripped of access to the mighty Mississippi River.
The major actions of Admiral Farragut’s naval service where during the battle of Mobile Bay in August 1864. Sailing into the bay seeded with Confederate torpedoes, Farragut began to see ships taking damage and the attack beginning to slow. Lashed to his ship’s rigging – yes, sailors used to literally tie themselves to the ship during battle – he shouted to nearby captains concerning their delay. Upon hearing that the concern was torpedoes, he replied “Damn the torpedoes! Four Bells! Captain Drayton, go ahead! Jouett, full speed!”
That’s how winners do it. Full speed. Torpedoes be damned. Farragut carried the day and captured the last open seaport in the Gulf of Mexico available to the Confederates.
Farragut was promoted to Vice Admiral later that year and to Admiral in July of 1866. This made him the first Admiral in the US Navy. He passed in 1870 while living in Kittery, Maine and was buried at Woodlawn Cemetery in the Bronx, New York.
Now, I had heard Farragut’s name while studying the Civil War. But one of the things that I absolutely love about statues is the instant curiosity that they bring about. Once I saw the majestic sailor, I wanted to know why his likeness was given such a lucrative piece of real estate. Erected and dedicated in 1881, it is the first monument of a Naval War Hero. Glad I saw him; even more glad I looked him up.
Fair Winds and Following Seas, Admiral. Thanks for the lesson in courage and patriotism.
