The New York herald., 1863-06-04

line OF obstructi1us and one Of approaching
the city AT GafTow's Bend is hvs gun battery also
commanding and the ship channel
for a distance OF nearly three miles.
The remaining thwork the vicinity Of the city are
Intended particularly to repuse landing Of troops
tho shores, a land attack which could be
Portersyille, the Mississippi sound, and
III pce marching up by the road to Spring Hi. The
trenchniens about fifteen miles length, and were
bs lime ago, aud at points .sigual guns
and have mounted that they throw
shwers OF and canister among the advancing foe
traet Of marshy aud has been made solid by means
o. spiles aud earth, and on this made
ground caseinated battery has been built, armed with
ten powerful Gins-vz: thres riiei pieces four Dahl
grens and three long thirty two -pouadcrs. Between
battery the Alabama river the latter is a
reoubt which sweeps the level plateau which s
kocfs guard as well as commanding the pay Passing
rsrthe7 north another redoubt is village
raroad and this armed four heavy guns.
SIN another redoubt earthwo guards the railroad
bridge at Ghree Mile creek, and the of Mobile
of elrhworks several miles In extent further de-
fendei by series OF formidable breasworks, extending
from the shell road entirely around the city the
Between the Alabama river and tho shell road six gun
battery commands the position
Fort Morgan, the main protection OF the city Of Mobile,
Ala is located long low sandy peninsula, called Mo-
bile Point, al the entrance of the bay cost the
enment in its construction and nearly million
and half OF dollars, and capable Of mounting hun
dred ana thnty-two guns ana or seven nun
del 1t built upon the site cf old Fort Boyer,
which noted for its successful resistance of British
feet the l4th of September, 1914 The old fort
email redoubt. with al armament OF twenty short car
ronades and by only hundred and twenty
mon. all told On the day above mentioned four British
vessels carrying ninety guns, sailed and opened fire
the fort having previously prepared land force,
consisting hundred and ffty men, with u
battery OF pieces Of artillery After sharp engage
british completely repused with loss Of
and thirty killed and wounded and the
Conmodores ship entirely destroyed
The accompanying map gives all the locations OF the
rebel lines of defence, and tho position OF portion Of
their aeet.
Tho rebel troops of this vicinity formerly
der the comm1nd Of Major General Simon Bolivar Buck
nor, C. but the sth February last Major
General ..lrby Smith went Mobile to take charge
the iss, command portion of Buckner's army:
subse enty Major General Dabney 5. Maury relieved
him and is In command Of tho forces at tho city.
garrison OF Fort Gaines falls far short OF one
thousand men, while that Of Fort Morgan about fifteen
huadred About two thous nd have charge OF the
city, and with the exception OF the simple garrisons OF
the outlying earthwoks this fore, constitutes all tho
troops that vicinity. There is garrison at Meridian,
at the Junction OF the Montgomery Railroad with the
Mobile and Oh .,tioned there with object of
throwing troops either upon Mobile vicxsb1rg 1t is
currently reported mong rebels that commander
intends light To the last rather than surrender the
CITY ho will burn it The citizens however,
object such course, and threaten shoot the Grst
man that dares to set nrc to their property.
Jefferson Davis visited Mobile shortly before New
Years but visit being of
lie made pointed and pathetic address to the people but
the apathy with which it received rather discouraged
him in his hopes of holding the hearts of the Guard
Mobile
No, long since the French Consul communicated with
the senior officer of the blockadng squadron. He
stated that, owing the arbitrary proceedings Of
D..o 4. IL
the citizens OF Mobile to get any supplies provisions
from the country that all the railroads the pos
session OF tho government and that not pound Of pro-
vision anything else that not for the army
allowed to pass the railroads; hence starvation
staring the people in the face.
He wanted permission from the Commodore for q
steamer to be allowed to make passage to New Orleans,
with hundred persons foreign BIRTH principally
French and Spanish subjects that they might avoid abso
lutte starvation.
The matter referred 10 Admiral FarPagut
at New Orleans for his decision. II seems that
would be exactly right to permit the rebels 10
rid themselves OF starving populion. and saddle them
in the condition Of paupers; for things OF all kinds
havo boon very high in price for long time that the
people in question who to escape must be about
penniess; hut whatever decision the Admiral makes
will OF course be correct
There old gentleman in company with the Con.
sui who very cha,ty and communicative. He said
the people OF Mobile growing very restve under
the pressure Of their military despots, and that they
iongcd to the glorious old banner OF Free
dom float proudly again their starving city He said
that 1t was common to hear and women talk over
the blessings they enjoyed under the old government
and ask themselves what they had to fight about and
for whom they fighting. Also that IL they had
the power they would drive their oppressors
and surrender the city and fortiacations 10 the
fleet Such Is inside picture Of the
city Of Mobile, and one IL is and IL Is far
there
many other places In Rebellion be about bad
and Jeg DAVIS don't look to the time he may
hno morning have a revolution hands
The old gentleman mentioned that ladies whom he
knew to bo violent secessionsts the commencement
were now as meek as lambs and wanted peace on any
terms. They have verified the old adage-vz: people
who will dance pay the fiddler.
lis nored that the railroad from Mobile northward
entirely ended except by small squads Of cavalry
but it leads away from tho front Of tho Union advance
1t does not require strong guard as It otherwise
would Between Grants Corinh and Mobile is
broken track OF several miles extent, many bridges
destroyed and distance OF 32s miles easy
march even in friendly country Therefore the guard
In tho vicinity Of Mobile sufficient. II is said that the
combatants would gladly welcome the Union troops
Many Of the rcbe oc who property In and around
Mobile have transferred their rights the foreign con.
suls for OF the result Of the attack when 1t shall
come fight will be a desperate n only one. half
IL by rebels that threatened by their generals
Nous pcrrons.
Jersey City Iron.Clnds,
Tue three Ericsson batteries now building at Fulton
Foundry Shpyard, Jersey City, are fast nearing com
pie tion and if the engines ready could soon be
launched. They the recumseh Manhattan and Ma