The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1864-10-01

&, OCTOBER 1, LIT
II installed nfcttcrcd by plcdges there isno reason
to believe he would not assent to any arrangement
one knows better than hinsef is equally wicked and
prefltlesa.
The London Star thinks the Yankee successes at
Atlanta and Mobile will powerfully stimulate the
war feeling IN the North and inassnuch as they
bear very hardly upon the South IL is possible that
the Southern leaders may be much inclined to listen
to ocospromise before their military strength is
clined te treat with Mcclellan than Lincoln. But
the Northern people will see less cause for change
Nhen Lincom's administration brings success.
The london Nesrs says:
In presence Of the great movements in the field,
the proceedings Of the Chicago Convention are OF
McCleliaa's platform is friendly 10 the Union, with
efforts for its pacific re-cstabtshment In point Of
fidelity, the Democrats cannot compare with the
Republicans, while nothing could be weaker than
vague aspirations after peace basis at ALL or
ON basis which the South has repeatedly declared
it will never, under any circumstances, recognize
Letter from the Commander Of Fort Gaines
The Mobile Advertiser publishes some extracts
from letter from Colonel G. d. Anderson, who
surrendered Fort Gaines, and is now In prison at
New Orleans The letter is tohis wife, and is given
to the public in defence Of Colonel Anderson's fame
He says;
was compelled to surrender Fort Gaines through
feelings Of mercy for my officers and men. who
untenabie, the aeet having passed and an over
whelnling force besieging by land, the only three
guns with which / could have responded to the
neet disabled, my picket line driven back to the
last notch, the bitches and parapets swept from
every direction by the euemys shoe alad shelL no
safe shelter in the miserable apology for forica-
ton, two sick men having been killed in what was
considered the best casemate, Threatened with tre
men.ous confagration from the buildings within,
and the magazine in great danger Of being blown
up, and all hope Of escape of accomplishing the
slightest good by holding out, gone did not con-
slider Mobile in danger, for the enemy had evidently
not come prepared for anything except to gain the
harbor for safe anchorage and preliminary
step towards further operations III the fall As soon
the fleet ran in, Colonel Williams retreated with
his command, and therein acted more sensibly than
any of US. The whole line ought to have been pre-
pared for the same thing. Under these circum-
stances, my command was seized with the appalling
conviction that our case was hopeless, and seemed
paralyzed with the prospect of certain and useless
destruction. realized all these horrors Of the sit
uaon, but said nothing and continued diligently to
make the necessary dispositions and give eneour-
agement, being resolved on making the best fight
that was possible. When, however the officers came
to me after midnight, while was hard at work. and
expressed themselves decidedly in favor OF sur
render, and assured me that their men concurred
with then saw ut once that nothing more could be
done. You may imagine with what crushing h,l-
initiation this conclusion came upon me- for as yet
had OILY sixteen or seventeen men killed and
wounded and knew that it was expected of me to do
something more for reputation and the honor of the
flag.
expected to be ostracsed, and as 1 could not
maintain the etiquette of the military code without
exhibiting too much selfshness, nothing left
Inc but to consult the great natural and moral law
which promptetme to do exactly as did. might
have got out of the scrape by demanding to be
leved, but thought that would only make matters
worse, for had any other officer, General Page
himself attempted to fight that fort another hour
feel satisfied that there would have been mutiny and
a really disgTaceful surrender at last
I see it has been stated that / acted contrary to
the express orders of General Page This is not true
previously ntimated to HIM my condition, and that
I would soon have to sucCumb, but he only charged
me to do the best could. He knew quite well that
the fort could not hold out make fight, and that
the time for orders from him had passed. l am also
blamed for not answering his signals. My reason
for this is, that negotiations were then pending, un
der flag of truce, and therefore had no right to
communicate. AS regards my not consulting him
about the surrender, was cut off and surrounded,
and could only act OH my own responsibility. Be-
sides this, Captains Smith and Thorn had visited
Fort Gaines only the night previous, and foreseeing
the inevitable result, they told me that the General
left the matter entirely with he. General Page also
came over while at the iieet and learning the
whole state of affairs, why did he not assume COM
mand and illustrate just for day, the mad, for
lorn and unavailng desperation Of making human
however, he returned Immediately, thus avoiding
any implication, which, for his sake, was exactly
what desired, as l entertained the higkest possi-
BILE regard for General Page, and felt conscientiously
that was doing the best that could be done under
the circumstances. l regret exceedingly TO sus-
pect that the General had not much charity for
me.
AS for other calumnies SO literally bestowed OH
me, shall not trouble myself to refute them. am
heartily sustained by my whole command iii the
course pursued, who alone could fully appreciate
the circumstances of our position, and hence con-
dently expect to be sustained by the fathers,
theirs, wives, sisters and little children represented
in that command.
Rest assured that it will right after awhile.
Meantime DO not suffer yourself to be annoyed by
what you may hear derogatory to me-
You cannot conceive the curious and absurdly
false rumors about US that i'll circulation even
amongst the Southern sympathizerS here, such for
instance as q that am Baltimore Plug-ugly and
sold Fort Gaines and that numbers of us taking
the oath OF allegiance to the United States," Sc
Our friends here rapidly arriving at the truth,
however, and the ladies' who still fondy devoted
to our cause are vieng with each other in doing
honoran kindness, though We not permitted to
look upon their faces. The Yankees will not allow
us to do So because they say they cannot control the
ladies. Verify, more loyal people to the South
cannot be found
l will write you III my next OF my condition here
which is anything but pleasant. l quite well al
present Ny love to all
Afectonately, your husband,
C. ID ANDERSON