History of the Campaign of Mobile; including the co-operative operations of Gen. Wilson's Cavalry in Alabama ... With maps and illustrations

Front matter

Major General E.R.s.CANBY. HISTOEY OF the CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE; INCLUDING THE COOPERATIVE OPERATIONS OP GEN. WILSON'S CAVALRY IN ALABAMA. BY BREVET MAJOR-GENERAL C. C. ANDREWS, LATE COMMANDING THE SECOND DIVISION, THIRTEENTH ARMY CORPS, U. S. VOLS. WITH MAPS AND ILLUSTRATIONS. NEW YORK: D. VAN NOSTRAND, 192 BROADWAY. LONDON : TRTJBNER & CO. 18GT. Entered according to Act os Congress, in the year 1806, By D. VAN NOSTKAND, In the Qerk's office of the District Court of the United States, for the Southern District of New York. CONTENTS. (For more particular reference to Contents, see Index)

Chapter I. Mobile

PAGK. Military Importance of Mobile — Its Fortifications — By whom Constructed — Gen. Johnston's Opinion of the Fortifications — Harbor Defences — Forts Gaiues and Morgan — Confederate Navy. ... 9

Chapter II. Earlier Operations Against Mobile

Bombardment, Siege, and Capture of Forts Morgan and Gaines — Land Forces engaged — Heroic Conduct of Farragut — Brilliant Achievements of the Navy — Fall of Fort Powell — Limited Garrison of Mobile IS CHAPTER HI. CONCENTRATION, ORGANIZATION, AND EQUIPMENT OF THE ARMY. Canby's Movable Forces — Brigade of Reserve Corps sent to Barrancas — Camp at Barrancas — Organization of Thirteenth Corps — Sixteenth Corps moves down the Mississippi — Canby's Orders to perfect Organization — Forces collected at Fort Gaines 21

Chapter IV. Plan Of Operations

Mobile to be flanked by Movement from Eastern Shore — Railroad Communications with Montgomery to be destroyed — Column to move oat from Pensacola 31

Chapter V. Thirteenth And Sixteenth Corps Move To Danlet's On Fish Rtver

Difficult March of the Thirteenth Corps— Demonstration on Western Shore of Mobile Bay— Attack on the Wagon Train — Movement of the Sixteenth Corps on Transports VI. THREE DAYS AT FISH RIVER. PACE. Drill— Skirmish— Scenes in Camp— Forward Movement— Plans and Activity of the Confederates- Experience of their Troops— Order of Batlle— Confederates Retire into their works— Thirteenth Corps on D'Olieve's Creek— Sixteenth Corps at C. Sibley's— Skirmish 39

CHAPTER VIL SPANISH FORT

— ITS INVESTMENT. Description of the Ground— Attack on Federal Picket— Sixteenth Corps turns Back on Spanish ..port— Skirmish at Minette Bridge— Thirteenth and Sixteenth Corps in Line of Battle— Spirited Action— Confederates driven Behind their Works— Canby's Headquarters at Wilson's 48

CHAPTER VIII. SIEGE OF SPANISH FORT

— SECOND DAT. Garrison of Spanish Fort — " Shooting to Kill" — Operations in the Sixteenth Corps' Front — In Thirteenth Corps' Front — Attack on Capt. Noble's Working Party — Operations of the Navy — Sinking of the Milwaukee — Spirited Conduct of her Crew 60

CHAPTER IX. SIEGE OF SPANISH

FORT— THIRD DAY. Operations of Navy — Sinking of the Osage — Position of the Confederate Artillery — Batteries Huger and Tracy — their Armament— Operations along the Line — Capt. Myers' Adventure on Skirmish- Line — Progress of the Trenches — Casualties light.... 69

CHAPTER X. SIEGE OF SPANISH

FORT— FOURTH DAY. Progress of the Siege — Withdrawal of Veatch's Division — Change of Garrison Troops— Their Casualties 7g CHAPTER XT. SIEGE OF SPANISH FORT— FIFTH DAY. Sunken Battery constructed by Besiegers on Shore of Bay Minette— Thirty-Pounders of First Indiana Heavy Artillery in Position— The New York Light Batteries— Gallant Exploit of Some of the Ninety-Fourth Illinois Men— Sortie and Capture of Detachment of the Seventh Vermont —What the Prisoners saw in Spanisn Fort— Supper with the Commander of the Garrison SIEGE OF SPANISH FORT — SIXTH DAY. PAGE. Feeling in Mobile — The Garrison's Economy of Ammunition— Holtzclaw's Brigade — It relieves ■the Alabama Reserves — Operation of the Besiegers — Expert Practice of Grayson's Battery — Brilliant Shots by Seventh Massachusetts Light Guns — Sinking of the Kodolph 88

CHAPTER XIII. OPERATIONS OF STEELE'S COLUMN FROM PENSACOLA BAY.

Composition of his Forces — Second Division marches to Pensacola — Condition of Pensacola — Confederate Scouts around — Repairing Wharves — Difficult March of Steele's Column— Exaggerated Idea of his Forces — Arrival at Pine Barren — Construction of Bridge — Crossing of the Pine Barren 85

CHAPTER XIV. CONTINUATION OF STEELE'S MARCH.

Expectations of a Fight — Combat of Pringle's Creek — Gen. Clanton severely wounded — Victory of Lucas' Cavalry — Pursuit to the Escambia — Entry of Pollard— Spurling's Cavalry Operations — Spurling " a Live Yankee" — His Capture of a Staff Officer — Steele turns toward Blakely — Bad Roads — Corduroying — Scarcity of Rations — Capture of an Outpost — Veatch's Movement with Supplies 107

CHAPTER XV. INVESTMENT AND SIEGE OF BLAKELY.

Description of Blakely — Its Garrison — Investment of Blakely — Bivouac of the Colored Division — Its Engagement — Good Behavior of — Casualties in — The Second Division moves early from Hall's —Takes Position before Blakely— Engagement of Skirmishers — Rifle-Pits commenced 121

CHAPTER XVI. SIEGE OF SPANISH

FORT— SEVENTH AND EIGHTH DAYS. Engagement of Artillery— Sweeping for Torpedoes by the Squadron— Incident showing the Soldiers' Magnanimity— Toil of the Besiegers— Their Bomb-Proofs 130

CHAPTER XVII. SIEGE OF SPANISH

FORT— NINTH DAY. Progress of the Trenches — Notice of the Batteries — General Bombardment — Enthusiasm among Besiegers SIEGE OF SPANISH FORT— TENTH, ELEVENTH, AND TWELFTH DAYS. Firing at Night— Footway to Conway's Bayou— News of Fall of Selma— Enterprise of a Lieutenant—Engagement of the Octorara— Strength of the Garrison— The Hospital 141

CHAPTER XIX. SIEGE OF SPANISH

FORT— THIRTEENTH AND LAST DAY. Consultation about Evacuation— State of the Siege— Grand Bombardment— Assault in Carr's Front— Gallant Conduct of the Eighth Iowa— Lodgment effected— Secret Withdrawal of the Garrison— The Retreat— Occupation of Spanish Fort by Besiegers 148

CHAPTER XX. OBSERVATIONS ON THE SIEGE OF SPANISH FORT.

Beauregard's Opinion — Object of Spanish Fort — Importance of its Reduction— Propriety of Assault — The Garrison Commander— Instance of Neglect by Garrison— Their Activity — Importance of Enfilading Fire and Secure Approaches 1°3

CHAPTER XXI. SIEGE OF BLAKELY CONTINUED

— SECOND, THIRD, AND FOURTH DAYS. Nature of the Ground between Combatants— Operations in Hawkins' Front — In Second Division- Position of Veatch's and Garrard's Divisions— First Gun of Besiegers in Position — Observations by Lieut.-Col. Whittlesey— Two more of Second Connecticut Ten-Pounders open — Change of Position by Rinaker's Brigade — Condition of the Garrison 168

CHAPTER XXII. SLEGE OF

BLAKELY— FIFTH, SIXTH, AND SEVENTH DAYS. Sortie — Advance of Line on the Left — Conduct of Maj. Hutchinson — Action before Day — Engagement of the Fifteenth Massachusetts Battery — Operations of the Cavalry — Operations of the Garrison — Communications between the Skirmishers — Second Division ordered in Readiness to March — Engagement of First Indiana Thirty-Pounders with Gunboats 178

CHAPTER XXIII. SIEGE OF

BLAKELY— EIGHTH AND LAST DAY. Reinforcement of Besiegers' Artillery— Stage of the Works — Suspicion that the Garrison was evacuating— Feelings of the Garrison— Preliminary Advance by Colored Troops— The Assault — Description of the Assault in Each Division— The Works of Blakely triumphantly carried Capture of Three Thousand Prisoners OBSERVATIONS ON THE SIEGE AND ASSAULT OF BLAKELY. PAGE. Immediate Effect of the Fall of Blakely — Conduct os the Garrison — Marshes — Favorable Time for Assault — Work Done by Besiegers 223

CHAPTER XXV. REDUCTION OF FORTS HUGER AND TRACY.

Splendid Firing of the Octorara — Engagement ofFoust's Light Battery, and Sixth Michigan Heavy Artillery with the Forts — The Forts hastily evacuated — Gen. A J. Smith's Preparations for Assault 227

CHAPTER XXVI. ADVENTURES AND INCIDENTS.

Gen. Bailey's Trip to Spanish Fort — Incidents of the Siege — Humor of Confederate Soldiers 238

CHAPTER XXVII. FURTHER OPERATIONS OF LUCAS' CAVALRY.

March to Claiborne — Combat of Mount Pleasant. 239

CHAPTER XXVIII. OPERATIONS OF WILSON'S CAVALRY IN ALABAMA.

Condition of Confederates in Central Alabama — Organization of Wilson's Cavalry at Gravelly Springs — Preparations for a Movement — Routes of the Three Divisions — Croxton's Brigade Detached at Elyton — Skirmish near Montevallo — Capture of Despatches at Randolpli — Battle of Ebenezer Church 242

CHAPTER XXIX. CAVALRY OPERATIONS CONTINUED

— BATTLE OF SELMA Description of the Defences of Selma— Battle of Selma— Victorious Assault by Dismounted Cavalry — Plans of the Confederates — Destruction of Property — Gen. Wilson moves to Montgomery. . . 252

CHAPTER XXX. OPERATIONS OF CROXTON'S BRIGADE.

Skirmish at Trion — Capture of Tuscaloosa — Combat at Pleasant Ridge — Gallant Conduct of Second Michigan Cavalry — Hard Marching — Swimming Rivers — Skirmish near Jacksonville — White Flag on the Bank of the Chattahoochee — Observations ILLUSTRATIONS. [The drawings of the battle-fields were made a little upward of a year after the battles took place.] PAGE. 1. General Map of thf. Campaign 9 2. Map of the Siege of Spanish Fort 48 3. Bomb-proofs — Inside Besiegers' First Parallel (Sixteenth Corps Front 135 4. Spanish Fort — View from Works of Thirteenth Corps — Showing " McDermett" 148 5. Sketch Showing the Works of Gen. E. A. Carr's Division 151 6. Blakely — View from Centre of Second Division — Showing Confederate Redoubt No. 4 173 7. Map of the Siege of Blakely 190 8. Blakely — View in Front of Hawkins' Division 193 9. Blakely — View from the Right of Garrard's Division 213 10. Map of Selma HISTORY OF the CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE.

Chapter I

MOBILE— ITS FORTIFICATIONS. Mobile, at the commencement of the war, contained a population of thirty thousand. It is situated on low ground, at the mouth of Mobile river — formed by the Alabama and Tombigbee — and at the head and western shore of the bay bearing the same name. Having communication the year round, by rivers as well as by railroads, into the heart of Alabama and Mississippi, it was regarded as one of the keys of the Confederacy. Socially, politically, and commercially, except that its com merce was smaller, it resembled New Orleans ; and between the cities there was considerable cordiality. The liberalizing influence of commerce had tended to foster a fraternal and national spirit, and it was among the last Southern cities to renounce the Union. Douglas had been welcomed there with enthusiasm in 1860, and received a large vote in the presi dential election.

After the passage of the ordinance of secession, it was deemed essential that the orator Yancey should visit Mobile to reconcile the people to the new government. He urged, among other things, that, under the Confederacy, their com merce would take more ample wings ; and that the only dan ger to be dreaded would be the excess of wealth and luxury which would follow. But once committed to the confederate cause, the people were active and zealous in contributing to its success. They cheerfully rendered military service, and gave the labor of their slaves in constructing defensive works. These being earned on with skill and industry, grew more formidable every year. They tended to avert attack, and gave the city the distinction of being the last important place in the Confederacy which was captured.

Once, only, did the people murmur. West of the city, on rising ground, was a fine forest of oak and evergreen. Drives through it afforded pleasant refuge from the tropic heat of the town ; and thither excursions were made in the long summer for relaxation. The engineer decided that this forest must be cut down, and it was done. But the citizens made indignant complaints on account of it. Fortifications of Mobile. — Gen. Joseph E. Johnston pronounced Mobile to be the best-fortified place in the Confederacy. The first continuous line of earthworks around the city was made in 1862, under Capt. Lieurner, about three miles out from the business streets, and comprised fifteen redoubts. This line was, for the most part, upon ground about one hundred feet higher than the city. After the fall of Vicksburgh, the apprehension of an attack stimulated the defensive operations, and the year 1863 wit nessed the completion, by Gen. Leadbetter, of a second line of works, built nearer the city, and in fact passing through the suburbs.

It included sixteen enclosed and strong forts. This rendered the defences so formidable that it was estimated a CAMPAIGN OP MOBILE. 11 garrison of ten thousand effective troops could hold the city ninety days against a besieging army of forty thousand. Another and still stronger Line of works was constructed in 1864, about halfway between the other two. This hne, built by Lieut.-Col. V. Sheliha, included nineteen heavy bastioned forts and eight redoubts. The parapets of these forts were from twenty to thirty feet thick, the ditches about twenty feet deep, and thirty feet or thereabouts in width. Harbor Fortifications. — Nor were the works ordinary which had been prepared to resist an attack by water. Just below the city were ten batteries to sweep the channel. Two of these were floating. Long rows of piles had been driven to obstruct the channel ; and though an opening was here and there left through which vessels might cautiously pass, yet they would almost have to hug the muzzles of heavy guns which at every such outlet threatened destruction.

Such were the obstacles on the Spanish river channel, the usual route. On the eastern shore of the bay vessels could pass up the Appalachee river and come round through the Tensas, arriving in front of Mobile, clear of the obstructions before mentioned. But to close this route Batteries Huger and Tracy had been built on low ground close to the river, and piles had also been driven across the channel ; and in (lifferent parts of the bay many torpedoes had been planted. But the principal barrier against attack by water, up to the summer of 1864, had been Eorts Morgan and Gaines. These imposing walled forts stood at the entrance of the bay, four miles apart, and afforded protection to blockade-runners. They had been built by the United States, but were seized and taken possession of by the confederates as early as January, 1861.

Fort Gaines was built in star-fashion, mounting thirty guns, and garrisoned by nine hundred men. Fort Morgan was built on a grander scale, armed with sixty powerful guns, and had a water battery in its front. Besides these was Fort Powell, near Cedar point, built to command Grant's pass — an inconsiderable and incomplete work, and mounting only eight guns. In the channel in front of Fort Morgan, and not more than a mile dis tant from it, four hundred torpedoes had been planted. But the current there is strong, and only one of them was ever known to cause any damage. Thus was Mobile hemmed about with grim preparations against an adversaiy. And besides these fortifications, there was no inconsiderable confederate navy lurking in the harbor. The ram Tennessee, that afterward made a frightful dash at the Hartford, and the gunboats Gaines, Morgan, Selma, and other vessels, had by their menacing attitude created some apprehen sion of an attempt to raise the blockade ; and the federal gov ernment felt the necessity of Farragut's presence there. He was therefore ordered to resume command of the western gulf squadron, which he did ; and arrived off Mobile on the 18th of Jan uary, 1864.

Chapter II. Earlier Operations Against Mobile

Assuming that the Ked river expedition would be successful, Grant, on the 31st of March, 1864, in a despatch to Banks, expressed the opinion that after reserving a force sufficient to guard the Mississippi river he (Banks) would have left, according to the last returns, a force of over thirty thousand effective men with which to move against Mobile ; to which he expected to add five thousand men from Missouri. "If, however," he continued, "you think the force here stated too small to hold the territory regarded as necessary to hold possession of, I would say concentrate at least twenty-five thousand men of your present command for operations against Mobile, with these and such other additions as I can give you from elsewhere lose no time in making a demonstration, to be followed by an attack on Mobde."

The reverses along the Red river prevented these instructions from being carried into effect. Gen. Canby assumed command of the military division of West Mississippi on the 11th of May. He brought with him instructions to carry out, if possible, the contemplated movement against Mobile. But the recent success of the confederates west of the Mississippi increased their spirit so much that they at once assumed the aggressive. Kirby Smith's combined forces did not fall much short of sixty thou sand men. He threatened several points on the Mississippi and the whole line of the Arkansas. It was necessary, therefore, to postpone the contemplated operations against Mobile, all the movable forces being required to guard the Mississippi. It had been contemplated also to renew operations on Red river, but Canby became satisfied that the troops could be used to better advantage east of the Mississippi.

He was also called on to send six thousand men of the Nineteenth corps by sea from New Orleans to Washington when the latter place was threatened, and the movement being executed with promptitude and secresy they reached there at a most opportune moment. But although the federal army was yet unable to assail Mobile, that place was destined to receive a tremendous blow from the navy, in the reduction of those frowning citadels that guarded the bay and harbor. Farragut's heroic and magnifi cent naval engagement with Forts Morgan and Gaines and the confederate monitors, on the 5th of August, 1864, is a familiar and memorable event, and some mention of it should here be made including the operations of the land forces. On that day, Fort Powell was blown up and evacuated; on the 8th, Fort Gaines surrendered with its garrison, and on the 23d, the federal ensign was once more hoisted over Fort Morgan.

Bombardment and Siege of Forts Morgan and Gaines. — At eleven o'clock of the night of August 2, Gen. Gordon Granger arrived off Santa Rosa Island, with fifteen hundred effective men, consisting of the Seventy-seventh Blinois, Thirty-fourth Iowa, Ninety-sixth Ohio, Third Maryland dismounted cavalry, and Cobb's colored regiment of engineers, the whole under the immediate command of Brig.-Gen. McGinnis. After Granger had consulted with Admiral Farragut, the troops, on the 3d, moved up to Dauphine island, and effected a landing before dark. They immediately moved forward toward a clearing in the woods, ten miles distant. By dark a heavy rain set in. The gunboats shelled the woods, and, amidst the thick dark ness and thunder-storm, the march was slow. Three times the skirmish line got in rear of the main column.

Finally, at midnight, weary and drenched to the skin, the column halted and sank down on the sand to await morning. Then myriads of mosquitoes commenced their attack ; but the men, being literally exhausted by such a march, fell asleep. In the morn ing the march was resumed ; the confederate skirmishers were soon met, but made httle resistance, and at ten, a. m., the column came in sight, and within two miles of Fort Gaines. At the edge of the woods a line was formed, and reserve breastworks constructed of fallen trees. On the 4th, the skirmishers were within half a mile of the fort, and intrenchments were commenced. The guns from Fort Gaines did some shelhng, and the skirmish fire on both sides was hvely, but the casualties were hght. The morning of the 5th was clear and cloudless. The con federate guns opened briskly at sunrise.

It was the morning Farragut had promised his gallant seamen and marines, " they should breakfast in Mobile bay." : At six o'clock, the fleet of some fourteen splendid vessels, with slow and stately pace, steamed toward Fort Morgan. Farragut, as is well known, had taken post in the main rigging of the flagship, Hartford. The Tecumseh, being in the lead, fired the first shot. Ten minutes afterward, both forts opened on the fleet. About the same time the Tecumseh struck a torpedo, and the gallant Craven and his devoted crew — about one hundred and twenty souls — found a watery grave. A moment ary shudder pierced the breast of every beholder. Ten were rescued by the bravery of Acting Ensign H. C. Nields and boat's crew from the Metacomet, within six hundred yards of the fort, under a galling fire.

Every gun that could be brought to bear from the ships was constantly served. In the begin ning, Fort Morgan itself seemed a waU of fire, but in a few moments was obscured by smoke. As the Tecumseh sank, the flagship rushed forward and took the lead. The shock, the dread clamor, of that cannonading — its sharp concussion and loudly reverberating roar, defy description. Amid the tempest of battle, Farragut, from his elevated position, calmly surveyed the whole scene. One hour of intense excitement; — one hour of straining tod at the guns — and the fleet passed the fort and entered the bay. Then the confederate navy — the ram Ten nessee, the Morgan, Gaines, and Selma — opened fire. The Metacomet gave chase to the Selma, and in an hour captured her and her crew of ninety officers and men. The Morgan escaped up the bay ; the Gaines, disabled, sought shelter under the guns of Fort Morgan.

The iron ram Tennessee, like a monstrous thing of life, stood up with threatening aspect for the Hartford. Seeing this, Farragut signalled the monitors, and wooden vessels best adapted, to attack her, not only with their guns, but bows on at stdl speed. For two hours the strug gle was desperate and fearful. The ironclads grappled fiercely with then huge antagonist, and the wooden vessels, with ro mantic valor, bore down on her invulnerable sides. Finally, the Manhattan, with a XV-inch shot, penetrated her armor, and a shot from a monitor in her steering apparatus rendered her helpless. The white flag appeared, and twenty officers and one hundred and seventy men were surrendered. Her loss was eight or ten killed and wounded, her admiral, Buchanan, being seriously wounded. The loss in the federal navy that morning was fifty-two killed and one hundred and seventy wounded.

The fleet now washed up their bloody decks and rested. Meantime the siege of Fort Gaines continued. On the 6th, the land forces mounted two thirty-pounder Parrotts and four twelve-pounder rifles, and prepared works for more guns. About five, p. m., one of the monitors steamed up and dropped several shells into the fort. Apprehending what might follow, the commander of the garrison, Col. Anderson, inqnired of Admiral Farragut on what terms he would receive the surrender of the fort. The 7th was occupied in arranging terms and making out rolls of men to be surrendered. At nine, A. M., of the 8th, Fort Gaines was unconditionally surrendered, and large quantities of ammunition and supphes were turned over in good condition. The confederate loss in killed and wounded had not exceeded ten, and the federal land forces lost only two killed.

Among the latter was Corporal Grey, of the Thirty-fourth Iowa. The prisoners — nine hunched — were immediately embarked for New Orleans, and the besiegers regaled themselves with the best meal they had had since arriving on Dauphine island — corn-dodgers, fried bacon, and coffee. Siege of Fort Morgan. — On the 9th, at dayhght, Granger's command, now reinforced by the Twentieth Wisconsin, Thirty eighth Iowa, and Ninety-fourth Blinois, embarked for Navy cove, four mdes down the peninsula from Fort Morgan, on the bay side, with a view to besiege that fort. The commander of Fort Morgan then caused the gunboat Gaines to be burned, and also the hospital and other buildings outside of the fort. After landing, the troops moved forward, and that night lay on their arms two miles from the fort. On the 10th, they advanced, and the Thirty-fourth Iowa, being on the skirmish line, got within six hundred yards of the fort without drawing fire, the garrison keeping quiet and expecting an assault.

Shght advances were made each night, and intrenchments dug in the sand, till the skirmishers were within two hundred yards of the fort. Occasionally a monitor would steam up, and throw one-hundred and two-hundred pound shells into the fort, but the replies from the latter seemed ineffective against their iron sides ; though, in the armament of the fort, were several Armstrong and Whitney guns, and one Whitworth. A siege-train having previously arrived, under Gen. Richard Arnold, by the 21st, the land forces had twenty-five cannon and sixteen mortars in position. The mortars were behind a heavy parapet four hundred yards from the fort, and manned by men of the Thirty-eighth Iowa. The guns were in redoubts, and manned by companies of the First Indiana heavy artillery and a detachment of sailors from the fleet, the naval battery being commanded by Lieut. Tyson, of the Hartford.

The troops were subjected to severe tod in constructing works in the sand ; and were day and night exposed to a searching fire from the fort. The Bombardment.— At daylight on the, 22d, a gun from a monitor gave the signal for a general bombardment. At nine, a. M., the whole fleet was in hne of battle and the firing con tinued with unabated fury. From seven to nine, P. M., it was slow and irregular; but at half past nine, p. m., a fire was discovered breaking out in the fort, and the firing was then in tensely renewed to prevent extinguishment. Six or eight mortar shells could be counted in the ahat once ; and every shot ap peared to take effect. Nor in the midst of this destructive shower was the garrison moved by any weak fears. When the fire broke out they exposed themselves to extinguish it, and threw ninety thousand pounds of powder into the cisterns.

Between forty and fifty had been killed or wounded. One man had been blown eighty feet into the ah' by the explosion of a shell. The interior of the fort had become a mass of smouldering ruins ; there was not a space five feet square which had not been defaced by shell. Many of the guns had been shattered into pieces by solid shot and shells. The garrison did not reply to the fleet during the bombard ment. They attempted, however, to use some of their guns on the land batteries but were prevented by sharpshooters. Their own sharpshooters were somewhat troublesome to the besiegers ; but the latter during the operations had only five men wounded. The firing continued at intervals all night, and at six, A. M., on the 23d, a white flag appeared on the parapet of the fort, and the garrison was formally surrendered at half past two, p. M. The Twentieth Wisconsin and Thirty-fourth Iowa were desig nated on the part of the land forces to receive the surrender.

When the prisoners had been marched out and the confederate flag was taken down, the confederate general, Page, was affected to tears. But good humor and mirth prevailed among the men. The besiegers had used mules in hauling up theh guns. The confederate pickets, seeing this and giving the animals credit for longer ears than they really had, had been free in expressions of derision at such a battery. And now the besiegers were returning the rafllery. Such is an epitome of the operations which contributed un common renown to the naval history of the republic. The land forces engaged were proud and joyous in having a small share in so much glory. The federal fleet now having control of Mobde bay put a stop to blockade-iTinning. It was given out and generally beheved that Mobde could be taken at pleasure.

But it was hardly so, nor was any further movement made. The confederates hasten ed to strengthen their defences nearer the city, and budt the works known as Spanish fort on the eastern shore. The bay having been strewn with torpedoes Farragut com menced the process of removing them, and on the 13th of Sep tember reported that twenty-one had been taken up. A demonstration was made against Mobile the following December by a small column of infantry under Gen. Granger, moving from Pascagoula. It reached Grand bay twenty-two mdes from the city, and then returned. At the same time a column of cavahy under Gen. Davidson, from Baton Rouge, struck, but did not cross, the Pascagoula river ; and another column of cavalry under Gen. Grierson was moving southeaster ly from Memphis. If the condition of affairs in Mobde had been known to the federal commander at the time Fort Powell was evacuated, August 5th, he could then have cheaply captured the place.

There were then no troops in nor immediately about the city — the artillery even having been caded away to oppose Gen. A. J. Smith's column then advancing from Memphis. And after the fight with him at Harrisburgh the same troops were ordered to West Point, Georgia, to support Gen. Hood, so that the federal forces, if moved through Grant's pass in light-draught steamers, thence up Dog river to Dog river factory, and there disem barked, couAd have marched into the city with scarcely any resistance — demonstrations being made at the same time by the fleet upon the batteries in front of the city.1 But it would, of course, have been necessary to reinforce Gen. Granger's small command to at least eight thousand men to enable him to hold the city successfully for a great length of time. In twenty days Gen. Maury had collected such a garrison of confederate troops as would have required the federals to resort to the slow process of a siege. i Gen. D. H. Maury's Report, Mobile Times, Mar. 11, 1866.

Chapter III. Concentration, Organization, And Equipment Of The Army

A campaign and its plan being determined on, there needs to be on the part of the leader a foresight which includes every thing, and a care that never sleeps, to secure for the army the proper supply of material, the best equipment, the utmost efficiency ; so that it can at any moment take advantage of its suc cess, or if it meet with reverses that it shall not be overcome. That operations should be undertaken against Mobde was decided early in January, 1865 ; but the plan was not arranged till some time afterward. The troops designated for the campaign had to be moved by water from posts above New Orleans to the vicinity of Mobde bay — some point on which would be the base ; and as the trans portation required sea and gulf vessels, whose number and capa city were less than river transports, this preliminary movement required considerable time.