American Historical Ephemera & Photography

A series of 9 documents spanning 13 April 1894 – 1 May 1895 pursuant to the efforts of Robert Coster of New York City to confirm the identity of the man who lashed Rear Admiral David G. Farragut (1801-1870_to the port main rigging of his flagship, the Hartford, during the 5 August 1864 Battle of Mobile Bay. Farragut climbed the rigging to gain a better view of the ongoing battle as his vessels made their way through the mine field and past Confederate forts. By some accounts, Captain Percival Drayton (1812-1865) became concerned for the safety of his commanding officer, and reputedly sent Chief Quarter Master John H. Knowles (1830-1895) aloft to lash Farragut to the rigging to prevent him from falling. The letters offered here suggest a slightly different course of events while affirming Knowles as the man in question. Coster had offered a prize to the man who had lashed Farragut to the rigging and corresponded with participants in the engagement attempting to determine the identity.

Included in the document group are 2 letters from Chief Quarter Master John H. Knowles, 4 letters from Lieutenant Commander Lewis A. Kimberly, and 1 letter and 2 notecards from Lieutenant J.C. Watson. All correspondents were on board the Hartford during the Battle of Mobile Bay. The letters shed light on one of the most famous naval incidents in the war which spawned the now famous saying attributed to Farragut: “Damn the torpedoes—full steam ahead!” 

Autograph letter signed ("John H. Knowles") to “Sir,” apparently Robert Coster, US Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland, 13 April 1894.  4 pp., 12mo (light soil, toning). Knowles provides a detailed account of the famous incident: “Yours of the 10th inst has been received and in reply to the information you seek I will try to do my best[.]  the affair you refer to happened on the 5th day of August 1864 about half past nine or ten oclock in the morning[.] Leiut Watson (Capt now[)] asked Leiut Kimberly (Admiral now [)] if it would not be a good plan to pass a rope around the Admiral and he Kimberly asked Capt P Drayton and he said yes and then Leiut Watson give me the order[.]  the Admiral then was about half way up the main riggin[.]  I was Chief Quarter Master and near Mr Watson[.]  he told me to go up and pass a rope around the Admi’l[.] I picked up a piece of lead line and ran up the riggin after the Admiral[.] by the time I got to him he was close up under the top[,] back to me[,] and I made one end fast to the futtock shroud and around the Admiral and made it fast on the other side[.] he said to me what are you doing[;] I said I was making a rope fast around him and he said a nonsence[.]  I staid there with him about five minutes[.] then I came down and left him[.] he must cast himself loose for he got down again all right[.] he must been up there full 20 minutes [.] he was not in full uniform[.] it was a place of danger[;] in fact any place was that it took about 2 minutes to make him fast[.] all of this happened in the hottest of the battle[.] You can be shure of the right man[:] I am the Boy[.] a number claims to be the man that lashed the Admiral to the mast but they are all fabulers[?][.] I have Admiral Kimberly and Capt J. C. Watson to prove it[.] I will send you a picture of myself[;] look out for it[.] I was Chief Quarter Master at the time[.] hoping this will suit you I will stop[.]”

Accompanied by a letter apparently to Coster dated 27 May 1894, expressing concern that Kimberly has mistaken him for Signal Quarter Master Forbes.  “There is only one Signal Quarter Master in a ship and I held that rate at the time and for nearly 3 years[.] I have written to the Admiral asking him to correct the mistake and you will please let me know if he does. . . .” He suggests contacting Farragut’s son for further information and ends: “I am the Boy and no one els[.] I am interested in this Business and want it straited. . . .” 

[With:] 
Autograph letter signed (""J.C. Watson"), to "Dear Sir," apparently Robert Coster, Washington, DC, 24 November 1894. 2pp., 4to (creasing at folds). Knowles has written to Watson about his interest in the “prize or testimonial” to the man “who lashed Adml Farragut in the rigging when passing the forts into Mobile Bay on Aug 5 1864. . . .  I am thoroughly satisfied there is no question of doubt of John H. Knowles (who was then Signal or Ch’f Qrmaster US Navy onboard the US Flag Ship Hartford) being the man who lashed Rear Admiral Farragut in the port main rigging . . . during the passage of the first into Mobile Bay Aug 5 1864.  I was & am as certain as a man can well be of any fact after many years passed before the question was raised. . . .” Accompanied by 2 autographed notecards related to the inquiry and affirming Knowles's claims.

[With:] A series of 4 letters from Kimberly in which he discusses a photographic identification and corrects a previous misattribution of the act to Richard Forbes: “John H. Knowles is the man—who did the lashing—and is the right man--& should have the credit if any is due. ¶ In my former letter I gave the name Richd Forbes and am sorry to have made the mistake. . . .”