Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1864-08-19

TEE DLrNcEs or MoI.LI.-IT1m a late
de,crirtron OF the delenccs of Mobile, we ez-
tract the following. notwithstanding the
powerful obstacles TO be overcome, Admiral
Farasut and bis feet have made t.eir way
INTO tile hay, have captured or DESTROYED uo-t
Of the rebel lcct, and seem to De In air
way to have speedy posscs'iIn of what .,-
mains both Of vessels and forts
The desenccs Of Mobile embrace aImcs; every
thing which has ever been devised T. strengthen
a threateued or 5eleagered city. There are two
entrances TO the bav-one by the eastern prjeci-
ion of Daupain isl and, called the Swash Chauie',
which is employed by all ships Of heavy Tonnage;
the other BY the north Of Dauphin Island, tc-
tween II and Cedar Pont-the southern-most
extension OF the main land. The Swlsh Channel
has about s feet Of water, and is between two
and three miles broad. The island which divides
these channels IS narrow- and is about I'D mil's
long The passage between the island and main
land Is not practicable for vessels Of heavy draft.
The approach OF an attacking feet must, there
fore. be made by the SWash Channel
Mobile Point, low and sandy continuation Of
the eastern main land, makes on; Tor nearly -0
miles 20 the west end f the main and, anu IS
its termination fortified BY Fort Morgan III s,
the chief defense Of the hay and city IS built up-
ON the site of Old Fort Bower. which beat of a
British feet in September 1914. Il is a stone
fort fcatiou. was a long time 10 process Of con-
struction, and cost 81 800, 900 It mounts 100
guns. Fort Gaines, upon the other side OF The
channel, was commenced but not finished tci-re
the rebellion. II was designed TO Cooperate
with Fort Morgan, and by a cro>s-hre reader
entrance impossible. ltis said 10 mount 81 guns
which is the number for which II was intend
Ell. Between these two forts a Inc Of sple 90
struc;icus stretches under the guns of the ioslS'
with 8 single narrow opening near Fort Mols IN
for in rress and eSress Of blockade runuers- Ini3
opening i oommanied by number Of heavy
guns trained upon 1t from the iolt, and IS cor
SANITY pa;roled by picket boats
The other opening, known es Grant = taa7'
which was cmplayed by the line Of cleaners ply
;n- between Mobile ami New Orleans, IS dom 4
atei by to-t Powell, on the southerlnost point O.
the western e1as. Of The main land, which mounts
twelve guns; by a waier-ba-tery OF nine long
range guns; and q series Of -.rA-rork- wAosl
,-alanear is uut Auosn. sand Island Nhicn
les little beyond Fort Gaines, has oeen fie-
p,red with earth-worLs and armed WITH A-A,y
-nus These dcfenses are increased M Their cil-
eency by the presence Of some, Il not al, oi 'n'
i-og-clads, kept in readiness 20 ASST the foris.
But tbs exhibit does not include the delensiv'
works. They are for the protection of the uaJ
ami 10 pre-ent entrance from s-l. hen l"el
have been reduced ar passed and the bay entered
a long line Of enlrepchments all ercnmsaiA'ion'
or the seward sile Of the city, answer equa
dei-nses On the aul front
The rcbel nayy in Mobile, amber command
of the rebel Admiral Buchanan (now wound
ed and prisoner), previous to the attack 0
the L. s. feet, was as follows;