The Civil War command required far more than courage at sea. Its leader needed to navigate and organize a fleet, manage diplomacy, understand weapons, keep an overstretched support system functioning, and remain wholly loyal in a civil conflict. Few Union candidates met even most of those requirements, while Farragut brought nearly the complete set through decades of varied service. New Orleans and Mobile Bay therefore went to the most experienced and broadly qualified available officer.
Notable Point · 1:22:39-1:25:07
The Union's rare complete command candidate
Farragut uniquely combined diplomacy, aggression, navigation, ordnance knowledge, logistics, fleet organization, and unquestioned Union loyalty.