Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1864-08-20
THE EVENING STAR.
INVESTMENT OF FORT MORGAN

TkSESTMENT OF FORT MORGAN
Rebel Accounts-Dog River Bar Crossed.
The Richmond Sentinel OF Wednesday, the
nth, contains a dispatch dated mobile, iotn.
which says that on the preVrou ots Gay .Wo m T
river bar, and, approaching within two miles
of The "obstruetioIfs," sheiled the rebel bate
ries and gunboats for three hours.
The rebel gunboats replied, according TO the
dispatch, but their batteries remained silent
At sunset the Yankee fleet withdrew from
their reconnaissance.
ON the morning Of the 10th heavy cannon.
aidfHg, in the diret ton of Fort Morgan, was
1eard at Mobile. t-.- Ell.
The Spirit of the Peopie-The City Not to
he Second New Ordeans-ne Prospect
The mail brought us yesterday Mobile pa
peers of the 10Th, the first that have been re-
ceiyed for some time They give rs some news
Of the fight on the 9Th, and the state of feeling
and excitement III the city. The Register says:
On receipt OF the news that the enemy had
passed Fort Morgan, the General ordered the
bell rung, according to previous notice, as q
signal TO the citizens that the time for com.
pieting their organization was at hand, and
that this work could no longer be delayed 1t
is unnecessary to say that this summons caused
great excitement; but if it partook OF the ma
ture OF panic we were unable to discover 1t.
Several new organizations were set on foot
among the citizens, while those of the military
who are here absent from tn cir commands,
showed a commemorate alacrity in their pre-
partitions for bearing share in the work be-
fore them. ~
Among the earliest acts of the day was that
of the Mayor and municipal boards, pledging
tine resources OF the city to the commanding
general, and requesting him to defend Mobile
to the last extremity. These are strong words,
and we doubt not the city authorities used
. the m with a full understanding of their great
import. We understand them to mean that
Mobile is not to be be made a second New Or.
leans, but that when enough shall have been
done for safety, and in vain tif it must be sou
the honor of the city will still remain in his
hands, and the wish of the people is that it be
made pile OF ruins, an altar OF sacrifice,
rather than become the theatre of such dis
graceful scenes as have been enacted in our
sister city. If there are any who dissent from
this view, who would consent to live under
Yankee rule, we warn them to look to their
goods and chattels-their household gods, and
the only ones which their craven spirits &C.
kr6w1edged-for we have sounded the hearts
OF the real people Of Mobile in vain for the last
three years if 1t falls into the hands of the en-
> envy otherwise than desolate, fire. blackened
waste.
But we are persuaded better things, though
We thus speak, and we do not believe 1t is writ
ten in the book of fate that the enemy are to
tread even the ashes of Mobile, and they them
selves do not expect it this time. Where is
their cooperating land force and without it
what impression can they make upon our inner
line OF defences Indeed, fthe forts but hold
ont, an opportunity presents itself for a splen-
did triumph, even over their naval force, with
whom il is a problem, for the solution Of
which we shall look with some curiosity,
how they are to run back past Fort Morgan,
Even, however, If the forts fall, the powerful
batteries W hich grid the front of our city remain
to give the enemy another Fort McAllister les
son, and with this difference: that at Fort
McAllster they had deep water to fight In.
while here its shallowness permits only the
access OF their weaker craft, many of which, if
ously, wi. be sent to keep the Tecumseh com
pany.
On that side we are safe; on the other it
behcoves us all, young men and old, to put our
hands to the work and give our services to the
commanding general, who will keep swatch
against Yankee force or guile.''
In conclusion, to the people of the city we
can only speak in the terms Of General Maury's
order. 1t means that the city should strip for
the fight, and send off the nou- combatants.
The steamboats, and railroads will carry off all
non contestants who apply, and without charge
to those who cannot pay. The object is to save
life and limb when the city is shelled. There
is no thought OF surrendering the city, nor any
belief that it can be taken.
An Appeal to the Citizens.
OF Mobile:
District OF the Gulf, has made an appeal to all
men in this community to take up arms and
organize themselves at once to repeI the enemy,
who has come again TO possess himself of this
harbor and city, and has assigned to Colonel
A. s. Heron the duty of organizing and COM
manding the Louisianians and the battalion of
duty OF organizing and comm andng ali other
troops which may be organized under this call.
The undersigned acce pit the respective posi-
lions assigned them by this order, and urgently
appeal to ell men in the respective classes des-
ignated to organize at once, and report with
their respective organizations to the Military
panies, and organize speedily, and report i'm
Men Of Mobile and vicinity. do not " hang
IRE" on this appeal. a. 5. HEBRON,
THOMAS ]. JUDGE,
Coils. and Judges of Military Court, Mobile.
The Prospect-Will Mobile Fall?
So far as we can judge from the tone Of the
Mobile press, there seems to be no fear or de-
spondeDcy on the part of her citizens The
opinion there seems to be that the city yet is
safe, and will be able to hold out against any
attack that may be attempted. The Georgia
press seems to be equally confident A paper,
familiar with the defences of Mobile, says Of
the situation:
The situation looks bad enou Oh to the super-
fetal observer, but to one acquainted with the
powerful defences Of Mobile, between Fort
Morgan and the city, all Of which have vet to
be overcome, the picture is not so dark and
sombre. Immediately guarding the city, and
Just below its lower suburbs, we have several
strong forts, constructed both upon artificial
islands and along the shores. In addition to
these, distractions are driven down into the
water Immediately under our heaviest guns,
which would be obliged to be removed before
vessel OF any class could 60 by and appear in
front Of the city. We think there are many
other works down the bay, Of great and small
proportions, which are capable of powerful
resistance. II Admiral Farragnt has no infan-
In much danger.
Miscellaneous
The Mobile Register says Admiral Franklin
Buchanan lost leg by amputation, and is a
prisoner.
Capt johnson, Of the Tennessee, is a prison.
er, and unhurt.
Capt. Pat Murphy, before surrendering the
Selma, laid her alongside of Farraguts flag.
ship, and. poured in her broadsides until he
was captured. The iron-clad double. ender
engaged her, and in the first exchange Of shots
the machinery of both was disabled.
The Morgan is safe, and there is hope that
she will reach the city.
Just before the fight began the Red Gauntlet
steamer ran the blockade and came safely into
port.
Atlanta.
From the Atlanta Appeal, Aug. A.
THE Unsatisfactory afternoon the enemy
made several vigorous assaults upon our Skin
mishers at various points along the lines, but
their efforts were soon suspended, in conse
quence Of the heavy storm Of wind and rain
that came up. This ceasing about O'Clock,