^#1648 ^Lot 1706 David G. Farragut

American admiral (1801–1870) who was flag officer of the Navy during the Civil War. War-dated LS signed “D. G. Farragut,” one page, lightly-lined, 7.75 x 9.5, September 4, 1864. Letter to the commanding officer of the Texas Division. In full: “The Department has ordered the examination of Acting Ensign H.D. Edwards of the Aroostook as to his qualifications for the grade of Acting Master in accordance with the Provisions of the Circular of August 9th 1864. You will appoint a Board as directed in the said Circular to report to me in duplicate…." A docket on the verso notes that "Edwards having gone north prior to my arrival off Galveston this order could not be acted upon.” Creasing and pencil notation to left side, some light soiling, and show-through from docketing on reverse, otherwise fine condition.

While still in Mobile Bay, Farragut wrote this letter barely a month after his successful assault on the bay. On August 5, the admiral ‘entered the bay in two columns…with armoured monitors leading and a fleet of wooden frigates following. When the lead monitor Tecumseh was demolished by a mine, the wooden ship Brooklyn stopped, and the line drifted in confusion toward [Fort Morgan]. As disaster seemed imminent, Farragut shouted his famous words, ‘Damn the torpedoes!’ to the hesitating Brooklyn. He swung his own ship, the Hartford, clear and headed across the mines, which failed to explode. The fleet followed and anchored above the forts, which, now isolated, surrendered one by one [Encyclopaedia Britannica ].’