History of the campaign of Mobile; including the coöperative operations of Gen. Wilson's cavalry in Alabama

Front matter

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^ r o

Chapter I

MOBILE. PAGR.

Military Importanco of Mobile — Its Fortifications — By whom Consti-uctctl — Gou. Jolmstou's Opinion of tho Fortifications — Harbor Defences — Foris Gaiues and Jlorgan — 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 tho Navy — Fall of Fort Powell — Limited Qarrisonof Mobile 13

CHAPTER in.

CONCENTRATION, ORfiANIZ.VTION, AND EQUIPMENT OF THE ARMY.

Giuby's Movable Forces — Brigade of Reserve Corps sent to Barrancas — Camp at Barrancas — Organization of Thirteentli 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 bo flanked by Movement from Exstorn Shore — Railroad Communications with Montgomery to be destroyed — Column to move out from Pensacola 31

Chapter V

THIRTEENTH AND SIXTEENTH CORPS MOVE TO DANLET'S ON FISH RIVER. DiiBcult March of tho Thirteenth Corps— Demonstration on Western Shore of Mobils B;iy— Attack on tho Wagon Train— Movement of the Sisteouth Corps on Transports 33

4 , CONTENTS.

Chapter VI. Three Days At Fish Eiver

FAGB.

Drill — Skirmish — Scenes in Camp — Forward Movement— Plans and Activity of ttie Confederates — Experience of their froops — Order of Battle — Confederates Retire into their WorKs — ^Thirteenth Corps on D'Olieve's Creek — Sixteenth Corps at C. Sibley's — Skirmish 38

CHAPTER Vn.

SPANISH FOKT — ITS INTESTMENT.

Description of the Ground — Attack on Federal Pickets— 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 — Canhy 's Headquarters at Wilson's 48

Chapter VIII. Siege Of Spanish Fort— Second Day

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 ind Tracy — their Armament — OperaticTns 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 78

Chapter XI. Siege Of Spanish Fort— Fifth Day

Sunken Battery constructed by Besiegers on Shore of Bay Minette — ^Thirty-Pounders of Fu-st • Indiana Heavy Artillery in Position — The New York Light Batteries — Gallant Exploit of Some of the Ninety -Fourth Illinois Men — Sortie and Ca^jture of Detachment of the Seventh Vermont — What the Prisoners saw in Spanish Fort — Supper with the f ommander of the Garrison 81

CONTENTS. 6

CHAPTER Xn.

SIEGE OF SPANISH FOKT— SIXTH DAY.

PAGB.

Feeling in Mobile — The Garrisou'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 95

Chapter XIV. Continuation 0f_ 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 Stalf 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

Eiigagement 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 136

6 ■ CONTENTS.

CHAPTER XVin.

SIEGE OF SPANISH FORT — TENTH, ELEVEKTH, AND T\VELFTH DATS.

PAGB.

Firing a-t 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 Fokt — Thirteenth And Last Dat

Consultation about Evacuation — State of the Siege — Grand Bombardment — Assault in Carr's Front — Gallant Conduct of the Eighth Iowa — ^Lodgment effepted^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 nf Spanish Fort — Importance of its Reduction — ^Propriety of Assault — The Garrison Commander — Instance of Neglect by Garrison — Their Activity — Importance of Ehfllading Fire and Secure Approaches 163

Chapter XXI. Siege Of Blakelt Continued— Second, Third, And Fourth Dats

Nature of the Ground between Combatants — Operations in Hawkins' FYont — ^In Second Divisioa — 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 X5II.

SIEGE OF BLAKELT— FIFTH, SIXTH, AND SEVENTH DATS.

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 Divisicin ordered in Readiness to March — Engagement of First Indiana Thirty-Pounders with Gunboats 1T8

CHAPTER XXin.

SIEGE OF BLAKELT— EIGHTH AND LAST DAT.

Reinforcement of Besiegers' Artillery — Stage of the Works — Suspicion that the Garrison was evacuating — Feelings of tho 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 189

CONTENTS. 7

CHAPTER XXIV.

OBSERVATIONS ON THE SIEGE AND ASSAULT OF BLAKELY.

PAOB.

Immediate Effect of the Fall of Blakoly — Conduct of the Garrison — ^Marshes — Favorable Tinie for Assault — Work Done by Besiegers 223

CHAPTER XXV.

KEDUCTION OF FOKTS HUGER AND TRACT.

Splendid Firing of the Octorara — Engagement of Foust'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 233

CHAPTER 5XVII.

FURTHER OPERATIONS OF LUCAS' CAVALRY.

March to Claiborne — Combat of Mount Pleasant , 239

CHAPTER XX\ail.

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 — CroKton's Brigade Detached at Ely ton — Skirmish near Montevallo — Capture of Despatches at Randolph — Battle of Ebenezer Church 242

CHAPTER XXIX.

CAVALRY OPERATIONS CONTINUED— BATTLE OF SELMA

Description of the Defences of Selma — Rattle 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 : 260

ILLUSTRATIONS,

[The drawings of the battle-fields were made a little upward of a year after the battles took place.]

PAGE.

1. General Map op the Campaign 9

2. Map op the Siege op Spanish Fort 48

3. BoMB-PEOOFS — ^Inside Besiegers' First Parallel (Sixteenth Corps

Front 135

4. Spanish Fort — View prom Works op Thirteenth Corps — Showing

" McDermett" 148

5. Sketch Showing the Works of Gen. E. A. Carr's Division 151

6. Blakely — Yiew from Centre of Second Division — Showing Confed-

erate Redoubt No. 4 173

7. Map of the Siege op Blakely 190

8. Blakely — ^View in Front op Hawkins' Division 193

9. Blakely — ^View prom the Right of Garrard's Division 213

10. Map op Selma 252

Gene lal Map of the Caiupaigii

MOBILE

HISTOEY

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, pohtically, and commercially, except that its commerce 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 presidential 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 tlie new government. He urged, among other things, that, under the Confederacy, their commerce would take more ample wings ; and that the only danger 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 carried 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.

FortifiGaiions of Mohile.^-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 hne was, for the most part, upon ground about one hundred feet higher than the city.

After the fall of Yicksburgh, the apprehension of an attack stimulated the defensive operations, and the year 1863 witnessed 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 OF MOBILE. U

garrison of ten tlionsand 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 lialfAvay between the other two. This line, built by Lieut.-Col. V. Sheliha, included nineteen heavy bastioned forts and eight redoubts. The parapets of these forts were fi-om twenty to thu'ty feet thick, the ditches about twenty feet deep, and tliirty 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 different 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 Forts 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 tliirty 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 distant from it, four hundi'ed 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 adversary. 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 apprehension of an attempt to raise the blockade ; and the federal government 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 January, 1864.

Chapter II. Earlier Operations Against Mobile

Assuming tliat the Red 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 IMissouri. "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 MobHe."

The reverses along the Bed river prevented these instructions from being carried into effect. Gen. Canby assumed command of the mihtaiy 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 iacreased their spmt so much that they at once assumed the aggressive. Kirby Smith's combined forces did not fall much short of sixty thousand 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 magnificent naval engagement with Forts Morgan and Gaines and the confederate monitors, on the 6th 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 Illinois, 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 Fairragut, 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 darkness and thunder-storm, the march was slow. Three times the skirmish line got in rear of the main column. Finally, at midnight, weaiy and drenclied 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, feU. asleep. In the morning the march was resumed ; the confederate skirmishers were soon met, but made little resistance, and at ten, A. M., the column came in sight, and within two miles of Fort Gaiues. At the edge of the woods a Hne 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 shelling, and the skirmish fire on both sides was lively, but the casualties were light.

The morning of the 5th was clear and cloudless. The confederate 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, beiug 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 momentary 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 beginning, Fort Morgan itself seemed a wall 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 toil at the guns — and the fleet passed the fort and entered the bay. Then the confederate navy — the ram Tennessee, the Morgan, Gaines, and Selma — opened fire. The Metacomet gave chase to the Sehna, and in an hour captured her and her crew of ninety oiiicers and men. The Morgan escaped up the bay ; the Gaines, disabled, sought shelter linder the gTins of Fort Morgan. The u'on ram Tennessee, like a monstrous thing of life, stood up with thi-eatening aspect for the Hartford. Seeing this, Farragut signalled the monitors, and wooden vessels best adapted, to attack her, not only with thek gams, but bows on at full speed. For two hoiu-s the struggle was desperate and fearful. The ironclads grappled fiercely with then- huge antagonist, and the wooden vessels, with romantic valor, bore down on her invulnerable sides. Finally, the Manhattan, with a XY-inch shot, penetrated her armor, and a shot fi'om a monitor in her steering apparatus rendered her helpless. The white flag appeared, and twenty officers and one hundi'ed and seventy men were suiTendered. Her loss was eight or ten killed and wounded, her admh'al, 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 laud forces mounted two thh-ty-pounder Parrotts and four twelve-pounder rifles, and prepared works for more guns. About five, P. :m;., one of the monitors steamed ii]) and dropped several shells into the fort. Apprehending what might follow, the commander of the garrison, Col. Anderson, inqnu'ed of Admii'al Farragnt on what terms lie would receive tlie 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, Foi-t Gaines was unconditionally surrendered, and large quantities of ammunition and supplies were tui-ned 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 hundred — 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, fiied bacon, and coffee.

Siege of Fort Ilorgan. — On the 9th, at dayhght. Granger's command, now reinforced by the Twentieth Wisconsin, Thirty-eighth Iowa, and Ninety-fourth Illinois, embarked for Navy cove, foiu' miles 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 Thu'ty-fourth Iowa, being on the sldi-mish 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 hundi-ed yards of the fort. Occasionally a monitor would steam up, and throw one-hundred and two-hundredpound shells into the fort, but the replies fi'om 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 gmns 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 toil 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 fine of battle and the firing continued with unabated fury. From seven to nine, p. m., it was slow and irregular ; but at haK past nine, P. ir., a fire was discovered breaking out in the fort, and the firing was then intensely renewed to prevent extinguishment. Six or eight mortar shells could be counted in the air at once ; and every shot appeared 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 air 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 bombardment. They attempted, however, to use some of their guns on the land batteries but were prevented by sharpsliooters. Their 0"WTi 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 designated on the part of the land forces to receive the suiTender. 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 theu' 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 raillery.

Such is an epitome of the operations which contributed uncommon renown to the naval history of the republic. The land forces engaged were j)roud and joyous in having a small share in so much glory.

The federal fleet now having control of Mobile bay put a stop to blockade-running. It was given out and generally beheved that Mobile could be taken at pleasure. But it was hardly so, nor was any further movement made. The confederates hastened to strengthen their defences nearer the city, and built the works known as Sj)anish fort on the eastern shore.

The bay having been strewn with torpedoes Farragut commenced the process of removing them, and on the 13th of September 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 miles from the city, and then returned. At the same time a coliirmi of cayaliy under Gen. Davidson, fi-om Baton Rouge, struck, but did not cross, tlie Pascagoula river ; and another column of cavahy under Gen. Grierson was nioying southeasterly from Memphis.

If the condition of affairs in Mobile had been known to the federal commander at the time Fort Powell was evacuated, August 5th, he could then have cheaply captiu'ed the place. There were then no troops in nor immediately about the city — the artillery even having been called away to oppose Gen. A. J. Smith's column then advancing from Memphis. And after the fight with him at Harrisbui"gh 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 Kght-di'aught steamers, thence up Dog river to Dog river factory, and there disembarked, could have marched into the city with scarcely any resistance — demonstrations beiag made at the same time by the fleet upon the batteries in fi'ont of the city.^ 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. Mamy had collected such a garrison of confederate ti"oops as would have required the federals to resort to the slow 2:)rocess of a siege.

1 Geu. D. H. Maiirv's Report, Mobile Times, Mar. 11, 1866.