jjares reviewed David Farragut and David Dixon Porter: The Lives and Careers of the Adoptive Brothers Who Became the U.S. Navy?s First Admirals on + 3270 more book reviews
These two men were foster brothers. Farragut's mother died of yellow fever and his father was left with 5 small children. David Dixon Porter's father asked if any of the kids would come home with him (he already had 10 children of his own).
DAVID FARRAGUT --
James, George's second child, agreed to live with naval officer David Porter, whose father had served with George during the Revolution. So James left one naval family to live with another. Later, James adopted the name 'David' in honor of his foster father. David went to sea with his foster father when he was 9-years-of-age, as a midshipman. He would be a foster brother to both David Dixon Porter, a Civil War admiral, and Commodore William D. Porter.
Incredibly, David served in the War of 1812, under his foster father. By 1822, he was named lieutenant and roamed the West Indies, ferreting out pirates and making the shipping lanes safer. Farragut saw action in the Mexican-American War, by which time he was a commander.
This book mentions Farragut's personal life; his first wife suffered for 16-years before dying. Farragut took care of her. He later married again and had a son. For 4 years, Farragut was assigned to a post in California. Because he had spent so much time in tropical locales, Farragut suffered from the effects of yellow fever and cholera, which had severely affected his health. The stay in California helped him immensely.
When the Civil War started, Farragut was sidelined because of his southern birth, his southern wife, and his long residence in southern states. His adoptive brother (David Dixon Porter), however, drew him into the conflict, to take New Orleans. The description of the battles related to taking New Orleans (and the other Civil War battles) is very interesting reading. In 1862, in recognition of Farragut's exemplary service, Congress created the title Rear Admiral and gave it to Farragut.
By the way, it was David Farragut who yelled, "Damn the torpedoes, full steam ahead." He said it during an amazing battle at Mobile Bay with Confederate ships. This book offered a fine collection of photos and drawings that brought the action alive on its pages. Congress again awarded Farragut with a new title -- Vice Admiral in late 1864. By July 1866, Congress created another title and promoted Farragut to Admiral. He died just 4 months shy of being in the Navy, on active duty for 60 years.
DAVID DIXON PORTER --
This David came from a very long line of exemplary naval men and he was a bit cocky about his status. Others saw David as a 'born fighter,' who was born for war. David had an incredible range of naval jobs during his life. When his father, Commodore Porter left the US Navy and accepted command of the Mexican Navy, David went along as a midshipman. While under the Mexican flag, David saw considerable action. In one instance, he and his cousin, David Henry Porter were on the same ship. His cousin was killed, and David was injured. He was taken to Havana as a war prisoner. After that, the Commodore wanted David to return to the US Navy.
In 1848, David's younger daughter died. In 1855, both David and his older daughter were gravely ill. David was in bed for 6 months, but his daughter died. Later, Porter was part of a project to try using camels in the US.** Just as David was going to leave the Navy, the Civil War began. He was assigned to take and hold New Orleans, which was the largest city in the Confederacy. By taking the city, the Union could cut off supplies to the troops and citizens. Both David Porter and his foster brother, David Farragut, saw considerable action.
Then, the Union ships moved up to Vicksburg, hoping to split the Confederacy. However, it was a more difficult job. David was promoted to Rear Admiral. He was called on to assist General Ulysses S Grant, in Grant's efforts to take Vicksburg. The story of how Grant, Sherman, and Porter achieved their aim is rousing. At the end of the battle, the temporary rank of Rear Admiral was made permanent.
After the Civil War, Porter was named Superintendent of the Naval Academy. He revolutionized the buildings, training, and curriculum. In 1866, he was promoted to vice admiral. When his foster brother, Admiral David G. Farragut died in 1870, it was expected that Porter would fill his place. He was named admiral in 1871 (the second person to achieve that position) and spent the last 20 years of his life writing. He is buried at Arlington Cemetery.
**If you get an opportunity to read it, Charles Rivers offers that unique story, THE UNITED STATES CAMEL CORPS: THE HISTORY OF THE US ARMY'S USE OF CAMELS IN THE SOUTHWEST DURING THE 19TH CENTURY. I really enjoyed it.
DAVID FARRAGUT --
James, George's second child, agreed to live with naval officer David Porter, whose father had served with George during the Revolution. So James left one naval family to live with another. Later, James adopted the name 'David' in honor of his foster father. David went to sea with his foster father when he was 9-years-of-age, as a midshipman. He would be a foster brother to both David Dixon Porter, a Civil War admiral, and Commodore William D. Porter.
Incredibly, David served in the War of 1812, under his foster father. By 1822, he was named lieutenant and roamed the West Indies, ferreting out pirates and making the shipping lanes safer. Farragut saw action in the Mexican-American War, by which time he was a commander.
This book mentions Farragut's personal life; his first wife suffered for 16-years before dying. Farragut took care of her. He later married again and had a son. For 4 years, Farragut was assigned to a post in California. Because he had spent so much time in tropical locales, Farragut suffered from the effects of yellow fever and cholera, which had severely affected his health. The stay in California helped him immensely.
When the Civil War started, Farragut was sidelined because of his southern birth, his southern wife, and his long residence in southern states. His adoptive brother (David Dixon Porter), however, drew him into the conflict, to take New Orleans. The description of the battles related to taking New Orleans (and the other Civil War battles) is very interesting reading. In 1862, in recognition of Farragut's exemplary service, Congress created the title Rear Admiral and gave it to Farragut.
By the way, it was David Farragut who yelled, "Damn the torpedoes, full steam ahead." He said it during an amazing battle at Mobile Bay with Confederate ships. This book offered a fine collection of photos and drawings that brought the action alive on its pages. Congress again awarded Farragut with a new title -- Vice Admiral in late 1864. By July 1866, Congress created another title and promoted Farragut to Admiral. He died just 4 months shy of being in the Navy, on active duty for 60 years.
DAVID DIXON PORTER --
This David came from a very long line of exemplary naval men and he was a bit cocky about his status. Others saw David as a 'born fighter,' who was born for war. David had an incredible range of naval jobs during his life. When his father, Commodore Porter left the US Navy and accepted command of the Mexican Navy, David went along as a midshipman. While under the Mexican flag, David saw considerable action. In one instance, he and his cousin, David Henry Porter were on the same ship. His cousin was killed, and David was injured. He was taken to Havana as a war prisoner. After that, the Commodore wanted David to return to the US Navy.
In 1848, David's younger daughter died. In 1855, both David and his older daughter were gravely ill. David was in bed for 6 months, but his daughter died. Later, Porter was part of a project to try using camels in the US.** Just as David was going to leave the Navy, the Civil War began. He was assigned to take and hold New Orleans, which was the largest city in the Confederacy. By taking the city, the Union could cut off supplies to the troops and citizens. Both David Porter and his foster brother, David Farragut, saw considerable action.
Then, the Union ships moved up to Vicksburg, hoping to split the Confederacy. However, it was a more difficult job. David was promoted to Rear Admiral. He was called on to assist General Ulysses S Grant, in Grant's efforts to take Vicksburg. The story of how Grant, Sherman, and Porter achieved their aim is rousing. At the end of the battle, the temporary rank of Rear Admiral was made permanent.
After the Civil War, Porter was named Superintendent of the Naval Academy. He revolutionized the buildings, training, and curriculum. In 1866, he was promoted to vice admiral. When his foster brother, Admiral David G. Farragut died in 1870, it was expected that Porter would fill his place. He was named admiral in 1871 (the second person to achieve that position) and spent the last 20 years of his life writing. He is buried at Arlington Cemetery.
**If you get an opportunity to read it, Charles Rivers offers that unique story, THE UNITED STATES CAMEL CORPS: THE HISTORY OF THE US ARMY'S USE OF CAMELS IN THE SOUTHWEST DURING THE 19TH CENTURY. I really enjoyed it.
