CHAP. XV. even after the beginning of civil war.

1861.

Loyall Farragut, "Life of Admiral D. G. Farragut," p. 204.

He

Though born in Tennessee, and twice allied by marriage with Virginia families, his heart was untouched by disloyalty. He was residing at Norfolk, Virginia, when the frenzy of secession seized the Old Dominion. "On the morning," writes his son, "when it was announced that Virginia had passed the ordinance of secession (April 18th), Farragut went as usual to the rendezvous previously mentioned, and was soon aware by the reserved manner and long faces of those about him that affairs had reached a climax. expressed himself freely as not satisfied with the action of the Convention, and believing that President Lincoln was fully justified in calling for troops after the seizure of the forts and arsenals. He was impatiently informed that a person of his sentiments 'could not live in Norfolk,' to which he calmly replied, 'Well, then, I can live somewhere else.' Returning home immediately, with the feeling that the time for prompt action had arrived, he announced to his wife his intention of 'sticking to the flag,' and said to her, "This act of mine may cause years of separation from your family; so you must decide quickly whether you will go North or remain here.' It is needless to say that her decision was as prompt as his own, to go with her husband."

He left the city by the evening steamer with his family, arriving in Baltimore the next day just after the mob had assaulted the Sixth Massachusetts. Railroad connection with the North was already broken, but he was lucky enough to secure passage to Philadelphia on a canal-boat, whence he proceeded to New York and domiciled his family in a

quiet village on the Hudson. The Government CHAP. XV. placed him at very necessary and useful but not prominent service; and for nine months, during all the first heat and tumult of the rebellion, he remained comparatively unnoticed. But he lost nothing by biding his time; the department had not overlooked him, and it now entrusted him with a task, the successful performance of which within three months brought him immediate and worldwide renown. About a month after Porter went to New York to prepare his mortar flotilla, Captain Farragut was called to Washington and confidentially informed of the duty he was expected to undertake. In return, Mr. Welles says, "he gave his unqualified approval of the original plan, adopted it with enthusiasm, said it was the true way to get to New Orleans, and offered to run by the forts with even a less number of vessels than we were preparing for him, provided that number could not be supplied. While he would not have advised the mortar flotilla, it might be of greater benefit than he anticipated, might be more efficient than he expected, and he willingly adopted it as a part of his command, though he apprehended it would be likely to warn the enemy of our intentions. He expected, however, to pass the forts and restore New Orleans to the Government, or never return. He might not come back, he said, but the "Galaxy," city would be ours." Something of this spirit and confidence appear in the brief note to his family, under date of December 21, 1861, announcing his great opportunity: "Keep your lips closed and burn my letters; for perfect silence is to be observed— the first injunction of the Secretary. I am to have VOL. V.-17

Welles, in

Nov., 1871,

p. 683.

CHAP. XV. a flag in the Gulf, and the rest depends upon myself. Farragut, Keep calm and silent; I shall sail in three weeks."

"Life of Admiral D. G. Farragut," p. 208. Welles to

Jan. 20,

1862. Report of the

of the

Navy.

On the ninth of January Farragut was appointed to the command of the Western Gulf Blockading Farragut, Squadron; on the twentieth he received his confidential instructions to attempt the capture of the Secretary city of New Orleans. He sailed from Hampton Roads on the third of February in the steam sloop Hartford, a screw ship of the second class, 1900 tons burthen, capable, under combined sail and steam power, of a speed of eleven knots, and carrying a battery of twenty-five guns-a swift, strong ship of beautiful proportions and with perfect appointments, realizing the sailor's highest ideal of grace in outline, celerity in motion, and efficiency in combat. Farragut made the Hartford his flagship; and at a time when the traditional glories of wooden ships began to vanish before the encroachments of iron armor, the admiration and confidence he bestowed on his vessel lends a tinge of romance to the achievements by which he carried her fame into history. The reader may be spared the period of vexatious delay and anxious preparation; it is enough to say Farragut acted on his maxim, "the rest depends upon myself." With his half-century's sea experience, his critical inspection neglected no detail of hull, spar, or rigging, omitted no essential instruction to each commander and crew of his fleet. If space permitted it would be a pleasure to record the qualities of his vessels, and, high above these, the skill and devotion of the commanders who sailed under him. They caught his zeal; they shared his courage. One impulse of confidence, one resolution of success, possessed them all. There