David Glasgow Farragut, Wartime Career (American National Biography)

Mobile Bay, coupled with his capture of New Orleans, elevated Farragut to well-deserved preeminence in the U.S. Navy. His willingness to lead where his subordinates feared to follow made these victories his alone. Neither a great strategist nor tactician, Farragut achieved his objectives by boldly relying on his intuition. Congress created the office of vice admiral, and signing the bill on 23 December 1864, President Abraham Lincoln promptly nominated Farragut. Later Congress created the grade of full admiral especially for Farragut, his appointment effective 26 July 1866.