N-Y Times: Admiral Farragut, at the beginning of the Rebellion, why were you so determined to stand by the Old Flag when so many of your compatriots - southern naval officers - went South?
Admiral Farragut: The Union has always been of paramount importance to me. Despite my well-documented southern birth and associations, I could not countenance the dismantling of our sacred Union and the rabid insults to our country's flag. After 50 years of service in the Old Navy, including the War of 1812 and the Mexican War, my first allegiance was to the insoluble Union.
N-Y Times: Your well-deserved promotion to Rear Admiral in July 1862 was for your stunning success in opening up the Mississippi all the way to Vicksburg. What difficulties did you surmount in order to capture the City of New Orleans?
Admiral Farragut: The forts guarding the southern approach to the city had either to be reduced or bypassed. After giving the Rebels a severe bombardment from the mortar schooners, my officers and I elected to run our ships past the forts at night [24 April 1862] to minimize casualties and limit damage to the fleet.
N-Y Times: How effective was Commander David Dixon Porter's bombardment of Forts Jackson and St. Phillip?
Admiral Farragut: Well, when it appeared after a time that the firing by the enemy's forts had not been silenced, I had my signal officer climb the mizzen mast to judge where the shells were falling. A tally was made of the shots that landed inside the forts, and also the shots that were landing outside the works. The "outs" far surpassed the "ins," so I said, 'David, there's the score. I guess we'll go up the river tonight.'
N-Y Times: How would you describe your relationship with Commander Porter?
Admiral Farragut: David is my foster brother. He and I got along famously at New Orleans, though, of course, we did not always see eye to eye. The value of mortar work during the campaign, for instance, we did not agree upon.
N-Y Times: In your estimation, how important was the fall of New Orleans to the Union war effort?
Admiral Farragut: Now you're asking me to toot my own horn, Sir! Though, I must say, the importance of New Orleans to the South's economy, with its large population, industry, shipyards, and munitions factories cannot be overstated. By taking the city we tightened the noose [i.e., the naval blockade] several notches and eliminated a major port for the Rebels. Our victory interdicted the flow of commerce along the river and also served to frustrate any Confederate hopes of foreign intervention, particularly on the part of France.
N-Y Times: Was there ever a moment during the campaign that you despaired of its eventual success?
Admiral Farragut: No, no I never doubted the final outcome of our efforts. However, if the truth be told, I must say there was one moment when I thought it was all up for me and the Hartford [the Admiral's flagship]. In sailing upriver past Fort Jackson under a heavy fire, and while still under the guns of Fort St. Philip, we grounded on a shoal. It took awhile to back her off, all the while a tug of the rebel fleet had pushed a fire raft up against our port quarter, and holding it fast, set our sails and rigging aflame. This was indeed a crisis! It was then I noticed my flag officer on his knees in an apparent appeal for Heaven's intervention. I remember shouting, 'Come on Mr. Osbon, this is no time for prayer!' But it soon became apparent to me that Osbon was not in an attitude of prayer, but was busily engaged in uncapping two 20-lb. shells. He proceeded to roll them over the side, whereupon the shells exploded, tearing a hole in the fire raft, sending it to the bottom. Meanwhile the professionalism of our sailors was much in evidence that night as they doused the flames and we slowly backed off the mud bank and continued upriver.
N-Y Times: Isn't it true, Sir, that you were nearly hit by a shell while you were perched aloft in the ship's rigging?
Admiral Farragut: I had merely climbed the mizzen rigging to get a better view of our position in all the smoke and confusion of the battle. My officers repeatedly implored me to come down, and just as I was descending from my vantage point, a shot fired by the enemy tore through the rigging in the very spot I had just vacated only moments before. But, you well know the saying: 'A miss is as good as a mile!'
N-Y Times: How much of a threat to your ships was the dreaded ram, CSS Manassas, and the so-called 'Mosquito Fleet?'
Admiral Farragut: The Manassas was a hum-bug as far as I was concerned, although she did manage to inflict some damage by ramming a couple of our vessels before running aground and blowing herself up. The real threat was running the gauntlet past the heavy guns of the forts and floating batteries. Once we cut the chain boom and passed the forts, we dispersed the motley Rebel fleet, and nothing stood between us and the prize [i.e., New Orleans].
N-Y Times: How do you account for the relatively low number of casualties among the fleet?
Admiral Farragut: We had a plan to keep moving and, by and large, we stuck to it. With the darkness of the hour and the smoke and fog upon the river, the enemy batteries generally fired high as we ran the forts. We only lost one ship to enemy fire, although three other gunboats in our fleet were forced to turn back.
N-Y Times: How were you able to receive the surrender of the city before the arrival of the Union Army?
Admiral Farragut: When Rebel forces evacuated the city's defenses upon our approach, city functionaries had no recourse but to surrender to our fleet as we came to anchor at the wharf at the foot of Laurel Street. Though there was, naturally, a great hue and cry throughout, the citizens soon realized that their rebellious city had thus far been spared destruction and it was clearly in their best interests to cooperate with the United States Navy. While negotiations carried on at City Hall, General [Benjamin F.] Butler and his troops were landed to receive the surrender of Forts Jackson and St. Philip below. When this was accomplished, part of the army was left to garrison the forts and another part was transported upriver to occupy the city.
N-Y Times: Is it true that a certain citizen of New Orleans of the female persuasion, certainly no lady, brazenly emptied the contents of her chamber pot upon your head as you walked along the street below?
Admiral Farragut: No, that was Butler, poor fellow!
N-Y Times: In your opinion, had Admiral Du Pont employed the same tactics at Charleston in April 1863 as you did here at New Orleans, would that infamous port be closed today?
Admiral Farragut: Admiral Du Pont is a fine officer and a colleague. His situation in South Carolina was entirely different than mine. The Navy may not have captured Charleston, but the city is now effectively closed to blockade runners for all intents and purposes.
N-Y Times: What is next for Admiral Farragut and the U S Navy?
Admiral Farragut: Of course, I am not at liberty to say; however, I will say this: the Rebellion is all played out, and I want to be there at the finish.
N-Y Times: Thank you, Admiral, for your time and your candid remarks.
Admiral Farragut: My pleasure, Sir.
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"Henry J. Winser" (left) interviewing Admiral Farragut (far right [portrayed by Bruce Tucker]) and Captain John Worden (center [portrayed by Sandy Werfel]) at the 2014 New Jersey State History Fair. Photo courtesy of William Myers.
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[Ed note: Bradley Sillick Osbon was a journalist and an experienced sailor. He was hired as chief naval correspondent by a rival newspaper, the New York Herald. Admiral Farragut recognized Osbon's experience and appointed him as his Signal Officer aboard Hartford.]
For more information, see: Dufour CL, The Night the War Was Lost, and Hearn CG, The Capture of New Orleans 1862.
