Farragut, David Glasgow (1801-1870)

Illustration depicting the destruction of the Confederate flotilla off Memphis by Admiral David Farragut in 1862, during the American Civil War.

US admiral. During the American Civil War he took New Orleans 1862, after destroying the Confederate fleet, and in 1864 effectively put an end to blockade-running at Mobile, Alabama where he said ‘Damn the torpedoes! Full speed ahead.’ The ranks of vice admiral (1864) and admiral (1866) were created for him by Congress.

Although a Southerner, born near Knoxville, Tennessee, on the outbreak of the Civil War he remained loyal to the government in Washington, DC, and in 1862 was appointed to the command of the West Gulf Blockading Squadron, with which he forced the passage of the Mississippi. He commanded the European Squadron 1867-68.