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00000174-b11b-ddc3-a1fc-bfdbb1a20000The Schreiner University Department of History is honoring the sesquicentennial of the American Civil War with a series of short vignettes focusing on events from 1861 through 1865. The Civil War was the most destructive conflict in American history, but it was also one of our most defining moments as a people and as a nation. Let us know what you think about "This Week in the Civil War." E-mail your comments to Dr. John Huddleston at jhuddles@schreiner.edu.Airs: Weekdays at 5:19 a.m., 8:19 a.m., 4:19 p.m. on KTXI and 4:49 a.m., 9:29 p.m. on KSTX.

This Week in the Civil War - 741

David Farragut became the most celebrated and feared naval officer of the Civil War after his Union fleet in April 1862 ran past Confederate fortifications at the mouth of the Mississippi River and captured New Orleans, Louisiana. Congress in July 1862 created the rank of rear admiral to honor Farragut’s achievements at New Orleans, Vicksburg, and Port Hudson.

In the South, Farragut was feared, with no Southern port believed safe.  On Saturday, January 9, 1863 Jefferson Davis warned his commanders throughout Alabama, Mississippi, and Georgia of pending rumors that Farragut was preparing to attack and bypass the Confederate fortifications guarding Mobile Bay, Alabama, as he had done at New Orleans. 

The rumor was false; however, Farragut would attack and conquer Mobile Bay some eight months later in August 1864.