Existing comment:
Farragut Square
This is a picture of Farragut Square, located between the "two 17th Streets" and between K and I streets and along Connecticut Avenue (which we see heading north directly behind the statue). It's a couple of blocks north of the White House.
The statue itself is of Admiral David Farragut. Farragut had seized New Orleans, the largest city of the Confederacy, for the Union. The sea approaches to New Orleans had been defended by two forts--Jackson and St Philip. On the morning of April 24, 1862, a huge engagement by Farragut's ships coated the area with enough smoke and ruin to allow the ships to occupy New Orleans and cut off the two forts, which surrendered.
Farragut, a Tennessee native with deep southern ties, added his bit to the famous quotes of the war by later seizing Mobile Bay Alabama (August 5 1864). This involved getting through a Confederate mine field (which were called "torpedoes" in those days). After one of his ships was destroyed, causing the others to falter in their attack, Farragut declared "Damn the torpedoes--full speed ahead!" and the initiative was restored.
The material for the statue was created using the bronze propellor of Farragut's ship, the USS Hartford. |