細節
FARRAGUT, David Glasgow (1801-1870), Admiral, U. S. Navy. Autograph letter signed ("D. G. Farragut") to Gen. Benjamin Butler, F. S. Hartford, Pensacola Bay, 23 October 1862. 1 page, 8vo.
FARRAGUT VOWS "I AM NOW DETERMINED TO GO AHEAD UPON THE FORTS AT MOBILE..."
Farragut is chomping at the bit to get at the heavily fortified Confederate stronghold at Mobile. His letter reads in full: "I am now determined to go ahead upon the Forts at Mobile, I am only held by the Courts & Boards of examination but I will never be in any better condition for the attack than at present, for they are taking away my officers every mail & I will soon be paralyzed for want of officers to govern the vessels. How long will your expedition be gone to Oppolusa for. I am becoming very impatient, if you don't hurry up a small force for me." Farragut was already the hero of the naval war by the time he writes this letter. He led the New Orleans expedition in December 1861, fought at Vicksburg to open up the Mississippi, attacked Port Hudson and came back to New York City with a rear admiralty and a hero's welcome. It was not until August 1864, however, that Farragut finally led a fleet against Mobile, an epic battle in which his flagship Hartford and 17 other vessels took on a collection of Rebel ironclads and gunboats. Navigating under the guns of surrounding forts, and drawn into a narrow channel laced with torpedo mines, Farragut had himself lashed to his mast to prevent falling in case of wounds. During that desperate struggle he uttered his famous "damn the torpedos" command.
FARRAGUT VOWS "I AM NOW DETERMINED TO GO AHEAD UPON THE FORTS AT MOBILE..."
Farragut is chomping at the bit to get at the heavily fortified Confederate stronghold at Mobile. His letter reads in full: "I am now determined to go ahead upon the Forts at Mobile, I am only held by the Courts & Boards of examination but I will never be in any better condition for the attack than at present, for they are taking away my officers every mail & I will soon be paralyzed for want of officers to govern the vessels. How long will your expedition be gone to Oppolusa for. I am becoming very impatient, if you don't hurry up a small force for me." Farragut was already the hero of the naval war by the time he writes this letter. He led the New Orleans expedition in December 1861, fought at Vicksburg to open up the Mississippi, attacked Port Hudson and came back to New York City with a rear admiralty and a hero's welcome. It was not until August 1864, however, that Farragut finally led a fleet against Mobile, an epic battle in which his flagship Hartford and 17 other vessels took on a collection of Rebel ironclads and gunboats. Navigating under the guns of surrounding forts, and drawn into a narrow channel laced with torpedo mines, Farragut had himself lashed to his mast to prevent falling in case of wounds. During that desperate struggle he uttered his famous "damn the torpedos" command.