The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1864-08-17
ADDITIONAL FROM MOBILE.
NARRATIVE OF THE PASSAGE OF THE
FORTs-ACCoUNT FROM ON BOARD OUR
t,Ut

of the enemy into Mobile Bay. The Tribune has a
very interesting narrative, written in Fort Morgan
from which make the following extracts
THE OPENING VI THE FIGHT.
As the sun rose ON the following day, WE discov-
cred that the eet had during the night, hauled off
to the eastward and contracted their line into a
semi-circle nearly due south of the fort and within
not more than three miles from the main inlet into
the channel. Their appearance was quite martial
the broad pennons that foated to the breeze from
the top of their dark turrets seemed to bid defiance
to the diminutive forces that were manning the
ramparts of Fort Morgan, and called UP a sneering
comparison between their bulky forms and the al
most plny size of own little fleet, which was
coolly expecting the advance OF their forIgsdstie
adveIsaries.
At thirty minutes past six a signal shot was fred
from the extreme right wing OF the Eederais; that
shot falling short southeast of the fort, WAS soon
after followed bya shell, which burst the fort
sending its deathdealing trments over the officers
quarters outside. BY that time, all was movement
and activity within the walls; the officers, rushing
to their several posts, leading their detach-
nents to the southern bastions, and the fn steady
tramp Of their brave followers the only sound
heard through the stiffness of the morning
The fleet then commenced their forward move
ment and closing up 5n their centre, as to bring
the leading ships OF the extreme right and left
wings abreast, formed thei ives into echefons
and made their way towards the Lie ID OF the pass.
In front, westward, rode the Tecumseh, double
turretted monster, vomiting fire through eight aper-
lures constantly revolving. On her left large
sized fgate, and i'll their wake the balance OF the
tleet each succeeding file covering III part that which
preceded it, To those who look only to the outward
appearance of things this array looked quite mar
tal but for those to whom the respective forces OF
the contendlng parties were Known 1t lost all It's
prestige, and derived other interest but that
resulting from the really beautiful architecture OF
the Federal navy, sailing up with force OF over
three hundred guns Of the largest cabre to over
power fort and fleet mounting not more than forty
of vastly inferior weight.
1t was then 1880 A. NJ, and as their line advanced
they discharged their broadsdes at the fort and kept
moving on until the headmoSt vessels within
not more than half mile from our batteries. Then
calm deep voice Is heard, and the command, COM
mence firing" rings along bastlonS. 1t is an
swered with cheer soul-stinlng cheer-that
comes from the willing and devoted breasts of the
brave men who have for over twenty minutes stood
like statues by the side of their guns Soon the
pieces sighted the lanyards pulled, and soon the
sharp, shfill sound of our heavy Parrott guns Is
heard whiStling through the air their square,
headed bolts tearing their way towards the IN
vader's ships. AS to each brOadside, answer IN
defiance OF their superior numberh-to every shot
fired by Us a hundred shots reply. Soon the heavy
sands of the southern gacs and the turf OF the par
apets are seen bursting up III every direction, bury
ing under their flying masses the heavy chases OF
csnnons, and covering up with their rubbish the
gallant fellows serving the pieces.
As General Page PAGES up and down the parapets
hailed with cheers by the men who so dearly love
him. he hardly to notice the hail of ire, iron
and lead that rushes over and past him. lie seems
to find in them Old familiar voice, which merely
recalls to him that sentiment that idol of his LIFE
| duty
THE SINKING OF THE IRoN-CLAD TFcUMsEH.
As he slowly passes each battery, he stops and in
a few simple Woids encourages the men and advises
the officers, often sighting the piece which, under
his experienced eye, sends, ghtniDgilke, It's steeed
bolts into the elemy's qudklng Hanks Yet, the
long line still SLOW y advances, and as the first file
is entering the channel fire concentrates the
monster monitor Tecamseh, who, steering oil west
ward, brvely TO stand the shock, till sudden
", and Just Captain Hughes has sent her amid
ships of his heaviest shots, she disappears by
| magic from the broad bosom OF the waters, en-
eIlphcd iii whirlpool which so rapidly closes upon
her. that before the as0nised gaze OF the spectator
has commenced searching for her. nothing more than
| ripple is seen settling on the surface of those
| waves which moment before she was so proudly
| riding. Sunk, sunk III the deepest depths Of the
Gult-sunk with one hundred and fifty living souls,
six OF whom only escaped-the captain and pilot to
the ships and four men TO the shore A cheer: the
/ cheer OF five hundred men is raised what i
| now the grave of the insolcnt invadecs-a grave
from which none will rlse TIL a Just and a'englne
| God shall call them up TO be doomed to the still
more ftightful and everlasting punishment reserved
| for the murderers CT public peace and domestic
| happiness.
| Yet, the frghtful example before them deter.
| them not, and, rushing under increased steam
they advance, coming through the pass, till the fore
1 most ones have already presented their broadslde
to the western flank OF the fort. But there nstea,
Of being able to concentrate whole fire on them
the traversesare SO awkwarily disposed thatthe gun
Of the southern baStlOS cannot DE- pfougnt 10 Oe:a
on the channel, there being no room tQ.swing then
to the rgh and thus comes the illustration OF thei
oftTepeated prophecies, as TO the folly TO proyid
the fort with defences calculated only 10 rcpel th
enemy whilst oft in the Gulf instead OF tempting
him to come right abreast OF the fort, and Their
pouring in our deadly yolleys.
Thus as each succeeding file passes out OF th
range of our heaviest metal, the brave einnonieT
| are compelled to turn their muzzles away from i
and direct their fire the succeeding file; tha
| at no time more than hye and sometimes less THAI
n
| the fleet. But even under such disadvantages til,
brave defenders of the fort give not up the contest
and after having received the fire OF the iT.nparta
the enemy still have to the gauntlet at the wate
battery, which frowns ut the foot OF the southwes
| and western bastions.
THE TENNESSEE IN ACTION.
Another peal of guns is heard. 1t is the Tennes
| see with Admiral Buchanan standing outside he
| shield, as in. the fight of the Merimac. Iher,
again he confronts them, and as each passes and
fearful OF his blows, gives him wide berth TO tn
l eastward, he pours into them his steady ana feSl
lar fire first the monitors, shying off TO the west a
least twelve hundred yards, then the cautious Brook
lyE and Hartford, then the whole ieet running pas
him in terror as much OF his name as OF has deeds
One, two three, then six, then ten twelve, seven
teen pass him aar oil, and SEVENTEEN receive his sa
lutte; and then with the wings that fear lends Q
the pale-faeed poitroon they rush down towards tn
western shore, far beyond his range. OF those wh
! | lag behind, two engage the Selma, each OF whlc
, could haul her up her deck fancy Joly-boat
, three make for the Gaines, which, i'll still create
disproportion, PUSHES in their midst and boldly at
tempts to grapple the most powerful of her adverse
ries Fooled in this foolhardy enterprise, receiving
in few minutes fifteen shots through her hull an
machinery crippled and almost sinking she seems
under the yiyifying touch Of the gallant Bennett,
recover for moment the spassnodic energies OF
diving man, and extTicatlng herself by u supreln
effort from the grasp OF her powerful enemy, sh
. | franticay .rnshes towards shore, where, sil
| beaches high and dry the solid sand, her whol
Frame shattered and exhausted by the efort, ref
ders low rambling sound, US the death-rattle of
giant.
Selma raked lore and aft by the broadsides OF he
antagonists is swept by their shot, and her decl
" covered with the dead and dying. She strikes ths
flag what she vaiiantly defended--thus, the ga
. liant Pat Murphy falls in the hands OF the enen,
who triumphantly raises their infamous stars All
stripes over the immaculate standard of the Soutl
. Meantime, the Morgan has hueged IN the easter
| shore and exchanging rapid shots with two Of Il
! Federal ships, she adroitly manages to draw Q
from the unequal contest and thus save at least Oh
of our gallant ships after receiving only slight
. iuies; and well did she act, the b. ave ship tor
- the Games and Selma were already disposed OF, 81
would have been beset by not less than seven Of Il
: most powerful gunboats. With the gallant deed
!, Captain HARRISON who, on the same night, took
. ! his vessel to Mobile keeping up q running fig
with thlee OF the enemy, the world is ALREADY q
a 4uaihted but what they know not, Ii that when 81
= started, he and his nubla crew had pledged thef
7, seves on their sacred lives and honor, TO blow b
: | up sooner than let her fall in the enemy's hands
And row, all anxious eyes are turned towards II
Tennessee which still, in tho middle Of the cian.
-, seems proudly and dehantly 70 expect the eon,bia
: | efforts VI the seventeen heavy crafts hovefi
on her flank and rear; but she soon realizes the Ii
=, that afraid of her, even IN the proportion vi
- teen to one they intend TO drive her under thca
= by the worms: starved out Of coal and provision
| she will fall an easy prey into their hands.