The Portland daily press., 1864-08-29
FROM MOBILE.
Parttc.tars Of the Naval Engagement ia
Mobile Bay-Operatioas OF the Federal
Fteef-Arrtrat oT Sick and Wounded Sod
diers from Near Orleans.

fteet-Arrtrat cT SICK and Wounded Sot-
diers from Nesr Orleans.
WASHINGTON, Aug. II.
The Navy Department Is 10 receipt of dis
patches from Admiral Farragut, dated Mobile
Bay, 18th, he says:
Notwithstanding the loss of life particularly
to the Hartford and terrible disaster to the
Tecumseh, the result Of the fight was a glori-
GUS victory and he has reason to feel proud of
his officers, seanen and marines of the squad
ron, Tor IL mas never fallen to the lot OF an Of
hcer to be thus situated and thus sustained
Regular discipline will bring men to any
amount OF endurance, but it is the natural
power Of hidden dangers, particularly when
so awful destruction OF human life as the tor
pedo, which requires more thar discipline to
overcome.
In the course of the narrative the Admiral
says:
'As had an elevated position in the main
rigging, near the top, was able to overlook
not only the Hartford, but the other vessels OF
the feet / witnessed the terrible effects of
the enemy's shots and the good conduct of the
men at the guns, and although no doubt their
hearts sickened as mine did when shipmates
we're struck down before them, yet it was but
moments hesitation 10 lay their comrades
aside and spring again to their deadly work.
The Admiral also says it was only at the
ing officers that they yielded to the Brooklyn
the privilege of being the leading ship OF the
line, as she had four chase guns and an inge-
NOUS arrangement of picking up torpedoes,
and because, in their judgement, the flag ship
ought not TO be too much exposed. This he
believes is AL error, for apart from the fact
that exposure is one of the penalties of rank
In the navy, it always will be the aim Of the
enemy to destroy ships and SO it appeared In
the sequel. Such al attempt was very per-
sistentIy made, but providence did not permit
it to be successful.
CAIRO, ILL.,, Aug. 20.
The steamers Continental and Leviathan
from New Orleans, Goth, have arrived.
Col. Dwight, Commissioner OF Exchange,
corrects the statement published in the news
papers concerning the exchange of prisoners
at Tyler, Texas. He says no right has been
waived temporarily or permanently in the ex
change, which is man for man, leaving all
dispute where they stood before.
A letter from the squadron in Mobile Bay,
dated the 18th, says naval reconnaissance on
the 18th, towards Mobile, found formidable,
but not insurmountable, Instructions, besides
batteries, rams and sunken vessels, and a
strong easemated fort mounting ten guns. In
all the spaces bet0 cen the batteries and sunk
en- vessels, and between both shores, were
piles, the tops of which where sawed off just
below the surface of the water and have heavy
iron bolts in them, sharpen at the upper end,
SO as 10 tear off the bottom o. boat passing
over them.
Men were seen waking over two ram lock-
ing contrivances. The whaaves were crowd
ed with steamboats, and among them four
English built crafts, probably blockade run
ners. The streets Of the city were completely
deserted. The rebels are completely cut oil
from their rear works.
The health Of the army and navy is good
The feet was still pou ding away at Fort
Morgan with considerable effect. No casual
ties are reported on our side.
Intelligence from the Rio Grande is to the
effect that the rebel General Ford occupied
Brownsville two days after our forces evacu-
ated the place. ond proceeded TO rent out the
property Of Unionists, but the Mayor of the
city continued to exercise his functions
Ford has only a small force and is evidently
prepared for rapid retreat If necessary.
New YORK, Aug. Is.
A U. S. transport from New Orleans 2lst,
arrived to night with 1874 sick and wounded
soldiers. She brings the following news from
Mobile:
Several gunboats had gone up the river as
far as Dog River Bar. The Metacomet and
Selma made a Reconnaissance within three
miles of Mobile and found the rebel steamer
Nashville sunk across the channel. The gun
boat Morgan was lying at wharf at Mobile
and they opened fire on her. She steamed
out and returned the fire, aiming principally
at the Selma. her lata cohsort. The batteries
around Dog River Bar are not manned.
Admiral Farragut is busy putting things in
order. The Hartford was being repaired
The Admiral has succeeded in obtaining the
services Of the man who set the torpedoes and
he is now taking them up. Our soldiers and
sailor are in the best OF spirits. The fire of
Fort Morgan on the Tennessee does not ipjure
her particle.