Description:

Farragut David 1801 - 1870 David Farragut signs an endorsement from the USS Hartford

Bi-fold MDS on a line paper, scripted on the recto of one page, on 7.75" x 9.75". Dated "New York Navy Yard, Dec 20, 1864", and endorsed with Farragut's signature as Approved "D.G. Farragut".

Expected folds, with tiny edge separations at folds, , faded handling marks, else near fine with high contrast.

A wonderful Farragut endorsement executed from his Flag Ship, the USS "Hartford". Farragut's intriguing past, between his Southern birth, and his Virginian-born wife, in addition and living in Norfolk Virginia among family and friends at the time of the American Civil War, made him an unlikely Union supporter. In addition, Farragut made it clear to all who knew him that he regarded secession as treason. However, just before the war's outbreak, Farragut moved with his Virginian-born wife to Hastings-on-Hudson, a small town just outside New York City. The navy still had some doubts about Farragut's loyalty to the Union because of his Southern birth as well as that of his wife. His foster brother championed David Porter to a naval position and argued on his behalf. Farragut was ultimately accepted for the major role of attacking New Orleans. While on board his Flag Ship steamer, the USS Hartford, which sported 25 guns, (and was being accompanied by a fleet of 17 ships), Farragut bombed the two forts in New Orleans compelling the Confederates into surrender and took the port and city of New Orleans, a decisive event in the war!

Congress honored him by creating the rank of rear admiral on July 16, 1862, a rank never before used in the U.S. Navy. Before this time, the American Navy had resisted the rank of admiral, preferring the term "flag officer", to distinguish the rank from the traditions of the European navies. This lovely Farragut signed document boasts his highly distinguished position of the rank of "Rear Admiral", in addition to it being written from his iconic Flag Ship "Hartford". His endorsement references his pleasure of clerk to a new position of assistant Paymaster as shown below:

" Flag ship Harford

New York Navy Yd Dec 20, 1864

Sir,

As you are about to resign your position as Paymasters clerk of Harford I desire to say to you that it will always give me great pleasure to bear witness to the industry and ability that you have shown in the discharge of your duties. You have worked early and late and adapted your self very readily to your new profession.

I consider you remarkably well fitted for an asst. Paymaster position

Very Resp

... Meredith

Paymaster

Paymasters Clerk

H.N. Wood ..

Approved

D.E. Farragut

Rear Admiral"




A lovely document reach in Naval history from the Civil War era.

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