Accounts of Davis and Farragut use Civil War-era rank terminology. An admiral is a flag officer, but the U.S. Navy at points used 'flag officer' while resisting formal senior naval ranks. That contrasts with the Army's willingness to appoint numerous generals. The title still denotes responsibility for fleet-level decisions in the campaign.
Notable Point · 31:15-32:06
Why Civil War sources say 'flag officer' instead of admiral
Accounts of the river campaign may call Davis and Farragut flag officers rather than admirals because the U.S. Navy resisted formal senior naval ranks.