Congress creates the rank of rear admiral; Farragut is first to hold it

Before July 1862, the United States Navy had never had an admiral of any grade, a rank Congress had long resisted as too aristocratic for a republic. That changed after David Farragut ran his fleet past Forts Jackson and St. Philip after two days of heavy bombardment, and took New Orleans on April 29, 1862. On July 16, 1862, Congress created the rank of rear admiral, promoting Farragut along with 13 other officers, making him the first to hold the new title. President Lincoln had already thanked him and his crew by name on July 11…