The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1864-08-18
FROM MOBILE.

Everything seems to be quiet at Mobile, the enemy
being engaged in repairing the damage sustained in
the engagement of the 5th instant. The Adcey!iSey
of the 10th gives the following comprehensive view
of the situation Of affairs
To persons abroad and unacquaintel with the to-
Biography OF Mobile bay, it will be well TO explain
that Fort Gaines Is twenty-nine miles from the Gity
the east end Of Dauphin island, and in
tended to be one Of the deiences Of the ntln ell
trance TO the Bay from the Gulf Fort Morgan Is
on the opposite shore 1t has always been matter
of query what Fort Gaines was built for. Between
il and Fort Morgan there is Il water expanSe OF
three and u half miles, but the ship channel Is on
the Fort Morgan side, and every heavy vessel pass
ing is obliged to run within a mile Of the guns OF
Morgan. On the Fort Gaines side the water is shall
l0w and no ship could pass within effective range OF
its guns. When the fleet ran i'll Friday, We do
not learn that Fort Gaines fired gun
Fort Powell lies little to the west and north OF
Fort Gaines and in the direction of the main hand
of the western shore OF the bay. 1t is built an
artificial island, directly Grants pass, which 1t
designed to defend-that pass leading INTO Ias-
cagoula sound and the lakes in the direction OF New
Orleans. Fort Powell Is about three-quafters OF
mile from the main land at Cedar Point, anu aJ low
water is orable 1t by this easy route that Its
garrison escaped If there had been no ford, 1T Is
probable that Fort Powell would still he III oh pos
session. Fort Morgan still commands the main ship
channel to the Gulf, and by this alone Farragut's
fleet can get to sea. He can only bring light yes-
sells and transports through Grants pass Fort
Gaines WAS of practical value i'll the defence OF
the bay. 1t adds to the facilities and convenience
of the enemy, but was not necessary to his opera
tiops The loss of the garrison is seIous but more
seffAs was the manner OF its surrender-the stain
upon our arms. That is to be wiped out.
With these explanations, the stranger will perceive
that the line of city deiences carried by the ene-
my is from twenty five to thirty miles distant from
Mobile. 1t has always been nlooted question
among military men whether or hot it wise To
try to hold these points. Many have been in favor
OF disrnantling Az the forts III the lower bay and
bringing their guns aii gafisons 10 the ihner ne,
nearer the city. The only, or the principal, reason
for contrary course found iii the importance OF
keeping possession of the shores Of the bay to
prevent the enemy from making water base near
the city for the advance of an apiy. The loss of
Grants pass gives the enemy this advantage That
is, he can sail up the bay with his transports,
loaded with supplies and troops, thus dispensing
with wagon trains, and land within short distance
of the eity But when he does this he has TO en-
counter the inner line of defences. When he does
that he is no to taking Mobile than Grant is
taking Petersburg Sherman, Atlanta or Foster,
Charleston In other words, tnis ety Is long ways
mand troops enough to take the city by land, nor
Farragut ships enough to break through the guns
and distractions ON the water front.
Brigadier-General Higgins, who seems to have
command of the harbor defences Of Mobile, has is
sued the following order to prevent the surrender
evacuation of any meTe forts:
without orders, and Of the surrender OF Fort Gaine,
solaton Of the direct and positive orders of the
general commanding the outer line of the defences
OF this city, is deemed necessary TO issue the fol-
lowing general order:
No OFFICER commanding any FoRr or BATTERY In
and around Mobile WILL HOLD ANY GoMMusIcArIos,
by flag Of truce otherwise, with the LAMB or Ma
VAL roRcEs Of the ENEMY without authority from
these headquarters.
The FORTS and BATTERIES OF this command MUST
AND SHALL BE HELD ro FHE LAST xxTaEAITY.
The commanding general reposes the utmost con-
hdence in the ability and determined resolution Of
the troops tnany Of whom are his old companions
IN arms and whose courage and gallantry have been
displayed under his eye on other eldl 70 forbid the