The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1864-08-10
Mobfie-A Powerful Movement I'm Sup
port OF sherman and Grant.

port OF sherman and Grant.
The cheering rebel news from Richmond,
which we published yesterday, that the main
body Of Admiral Farragut's squadron, running
the gauntlet of Fort Morgan, had entered Mo-
bile bay; that in the naval fight which followed
the rebel feet of iron-clads and cotton-clads
had been so terribly cut up that it was doubt
full if single ship could be saved and that our
neet was approaching the city, would seem to
justify the conclusion that If Mobile is not
now it very soon must be occupied by the
Union forces. 1t is probable, however, that it
will yet be work Of some time and Of con-
siderable labor to reduce the city to capitula
ton.
A very important step, indeed, towards this
result was made by Admiral Farragut in effect
ing passage into the bay, and another in his
demolition or dispersion Of the enemys squad
ron; but the toughest if not the toughest, part
Of bis work, on the 9th of August, was still be-
fore him. From Fort Morgan up the bay to
Mobile the distance is about thirty miles, the
upper twenty miles of whch-through . tor
tuous and INSTRUCTED channel-afford no water
for vessels of more than ten feet draught. tits
probable that some OF the Mississippi river
craft of our squadron can be worked up to
the city; but we apprehend that the enemy's
earthworks on the little island which imme-
diately covers the town. and on the mainland,
on both sides, will be found too strong for any
weight OF metal which Farragut can bring
to bear against them. He may, perhaps
be able to approach sufficiently near,
at long range, to she'll the town into q
surrender, or to cover the landing Of our 40
companying land forces at some convenient
point for an effective flank movement; but this
will depend upon the Developments Of close
reconnaissance Of the enemy's line Of defensive
works.
The entrance (three miles wide9 to Mobile
bay, which is commanded on one side by Fort
Morgan, is held on the other by Fort Gaines,
on Dauphn Island. detachment OF our 90
operating land forces had been put ashore on
this island to advance against the rear Of the
fort-a movement from which we infer that our
admiral and general in command will first
labor to secure an undisputed possession Of the
bay and its outlets before moving deliberately
against the city itself. In any event, the pres
ence of Farrasut's squadron in the bay reduces
the enemy to choice between two alterna
tives: they must prepare for the abandonment
Of Mobile, or call in heavy achievements to
maintain it. But from what quarter are these
reinforcements to come. Mobile cannot be
strengthened without weakening Hood at At
lanta; but Hood is so fur weakeped already
thai be needs reinforcements as badly as Naury
The rebels in the Southwest, in q word, are
just now in this position: Mobile and Atlanta
are each necessary to the maintenance of the
other, and yet the one must be sacrificed to
save the other, or both will be lost. Thus, IL
Admiral Tarragut has done nothing more than
to carry bis squadron into Mobile bay, and to
diminish the enemy's feet therein, he has con-
tributed not q little to strengthen both Sher.
man and Grant, whether the enemy may elect
to reinforce Aaury or to abandon Mobile.