Admiral David Glasgow Farragut was a practitioner of operational art, while in command of the Western Gulf Blockading Forces, and as one of the operational commanders charged with seizing control over the Mississippi River, during the American Civil War. His adherence to the principles of war and consideration for the fundamental elements of operational art, are examined in order to support the premise and validate concepts that operational commanders recognize today as essential to success. The lessons Farragut learned with regard to force employment, phasing, and technical innovation, are as appropriate today as they were during warfare in the 1860's.