Farragut

DAVID GLASCOE, (far'rah-gut,) an American naval commander, B. in Tenn., July 5, 1801, of Spanish descent on the paternal side. Entering the U. S. navy in 1-12, he obtained a commander's commi ion in 1841, and the rank of captain in 1855. In April. 1861, F. offered his services to the national govt., which, in Jan., 1862, gave him the command of a squadron to operate against New Orleans. On the 24th April, he succeeded, with his flotilla, in running the gauntlet of the tremendous fire opened on him by forts Jackson and St. Philip, on either side of the Mi i ippi, below New Orleans, losing only 4 ve els out of the 17 that composed his squadron, after destroying the enemy's " mosquito fleet" opposed to him. This succe on the part of F nece itated the Confederate evacuation of New Orleans. In July, 1862, he obtained the rank ofrear-admiral, and the command of the W. Gulf Blockading Squadron. His next great exploits were the pa age of the batteries of Fort Hudson and the operations in Mobile Lay, Aug. 5, 1864, where he encountered and defeated, after an obstinate contest, the enemy's flotilla. This victory led to the surrender of forts Gaines and Morgan by the Confederates. In Dec., 1864, F. was promoted to the rank of vice-admiral, and to that of admiral, July, 1866, being the first American to receive that title. In 1865-8, he commanded the American fleet sent to cruise in European waters, during which period he was the recipient of distinguished courtesies in all the countries visited by his command. D. 1870. [s. 356]