Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1864-08-18
The Derenscs of Mobile.


lenses of Mobile, recently published by |
one of our exchanges, shows the obsta-
cles which Admiral Farragut has had to
in his attack upon that city
"The defenses of Mobile embrace al
most everything which has ever been
devised to strengthen q threatened or
beleaguered city. There are two en-
frances to II g bay-one by the eastern
projection of Dauphin Island, called the
Swash Channel, which is employed by
all ships of heavy tonnage; the other
by the north of Dauphin Island, be-
tween it and Cedar Point, the southern
most extension of the main land. The
Swash Channel has about eighteen feet
of water, and is between two and three
miles broad The island which divides
these channels is narrow, and is about
ten miles long. The passage between
The island and main land is not practi-
cable for vessels of heavy draft The
approach of an attacking feet must
therefore be made by the Swash Chan
mel.
Mobile Point, low and sandy con
tinuation Of the eastern main land,
makes out for nearly twenty miles to
the west Of the main land, and has its
Termination fortified by Fort Morgan.-
This, the chief defense of the bay and
city, is built upon the site of old Fort
Bower. which beat off British fleet in
September, 1914. 1t is stone fortifica-
ton, was long time in process of CON
struction, and cost one million and
half of dollars. 1t mounts one hun
dred and thirty-siX guns. Fort Gaines,
upon the other side of the channel, was
commenced, but not finished before the
rebellion. 1t was designed to co-ope-
rate with Fort Morgan, and by cross
fire render entrance impossible. 1t is
said to mount fifty guns, which is the
number for which it was intended. Be
tween these two forts line of Spite OBJ
structions stretches under the guns of
the forts, with single narrow opening
near Fort Morgan, for the ingress and
egress of blockade runners. This open
ing is commanded by number of heavy
guns, trained upon it from the fort, and
is constantly patrolled by picket boats.
The other opening, known as Grants
Pass, which was employed by the line
of steamers plying between Mobile and
New Orleans, is dominated by Fort Pow
ell, on the southernmost point Of the
western coast Of the main land, which
mounts twelve guns; by water bate
ry Of nine long range guns and series
of earth works, whose armament is not
known. Sand Island, which lies little
beyond Fort Gaines, has been prepared
with earth works, and armed with
heavy guns. These defenses are IN
creased in their efficiency by the pres
ence of some, if not all, of the iron
clads, kept in readiness to assist the
forts. ..-
But this exhibit does not include the
defensive works. They are for the pro-
lection of the bay end to prevent en-
trance from sea. Wien t.lney have been
raa ir.cca or passed, and the bay entered,
! long line Of entertainments or circum-
| valuations on the seward side of the
| city answers equal defenses on the land
front. The whole southeastern front OF
the city, from the Alabama river to a
little stream called Dog river, is strong
| ly intrenched, with twelve independent
| earth works of considerable size in their
rear The intrenchments and one of the
channels to the city are, in their turn,
strengthened by a battery of nine guns
| on Point Pintos, which rakes them.
A battery of five guns at Garrow' 8
! Bend lends aid to that on point Pintos,
| and sweeps the channel and its obstruc-
tions for three miles. Other earthworks
| near the city are built to repulse an at
tack Kom Spring Hill, supposing our
| forces to march from Portersville on the
Mississippi Sound. These are said to
be eighteen miles in length, and are
mounted with ordnance of an inferior
quality A casematcd battery has also
been constructed in the marsh, which
was built of dirt and spiles for that
purpose, and is armed with three one
| hundred pound rifles, four nine-inch
| Dahlgren guns and three ordinary thir-
ty-twos.
| Near the Alabama river, there is re.
doubt to aid the marsh battery, which
commands the bay. Another redoubt
mounting four guns is north of this or
the railway. The railroad bridge at
Three mile run is guarded by a redoubt
| The great earthwork several miles in
| extent, WHICH SlrcbCueS from Ine smell
road entirely around the city to the Ala
bama River, is several miles long, de-
Tended by breast works and rife pits
A battery of six guns is erected between
the shell road and Alabama River. The
army which holds these various fortifi-
cations is under the command of Maj
Gen. Dabney S. Maury. 1t is supposed
that the withdrawal from the city OF
troops to relieve Johnston, so hard
pressed by Sherman, has reduced the
force under his command to three OF
four thousand men. The total guns
mounted in the various defences is two
hundred and seventeen.
But the forts, breastworks, booms
earthworks and batteries enumerated dc
not make the whole of the resisting
power of the city. The bay lies between
Fort Morgan and Destruction, and it
has been amply provided with defences
Admiral Buchanan, who has command
ed there since the rebellion began, ha,
devoted his energies to constructing :
feet to assist the army; and Selma
nearly two hundred miles north of tn,
town, on the Alabama River, has built ;
20 N, opd savot al ppnhoa "a rndor h;o az