Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1864-08-18
FROM MOBILE.


TRoN MOBILE.
Their, is nothing OF exciting interest in the situation
around Mobile.
Il the opinion of the press Of that city that the
Yam zee cot srlf.red muca severely than at
fret supposed. All along the shore in the 9eghbor
hood OF Cedar Point is lined with tm5era, spars and
other fragments OF ships engaged in the late fight.
The Tfibule Of the IL h. received this morning. re-
ports all e. aOug the lines, aud has no information Of
any movements of the Yankee fset 10 the bay.
Brig d.e General Page has Issued circular expEefs
ing his qualification at tho department Of the garrison
a. Fort Mog,n daring the recent engagement, when
exposed to f,o which, for the time in severity, has
never en- Surpassed in tbs annals Of war.
Brlsadier General Higgins publishes in the Tritule
general order, Gated August Oh which contains the
following Gig i6cant para. raphs:
al Ia view of the recent evacuation Of Fort POsel
without orders and OF the surrender Of Fort Gaines
in violation of the direct and positive orders of the
General commanding the outer line OF the defences Of
the city, il is deemed necessary Issue the following
General Order:
M tfi,er commanding any fort or battery in aud
around Mobile will hold any communication by aIg Of
trucs or otherwise with the land naval forces OF the
enemy, Without authority from these Headquarters.
" he forts and batteries OF this command must and
shall be held to the last eIrsmiry"
expresses the highest confidence In the ability ard
determined resolution Of the troops to drive back the
invaders from bile he Gays many of these are his
old companions in arms, whose gallntry be has seen
I, sted upon many battle field.
Oar eadels viii 6nd the folio wing from the Tribune
of great importance in oomprehsndng tho present sat
uanOn, "a well the future movements of the enemy
against n bile;
To persons abroad and unat 1aintd with the topog-
rlpby oil Mobile Bay it will DO well 10 explain that FJrs
Gaiues is twenty m lea from the city the cas-.
eud OF Dau2hI Island, aud was intended 20 be one OF
the fences the man entrance to the bay from the
Gulf. Frt Morgan is on the p)osite shore. IT, has
has 'lRays been matter Of query what Fort Gaines
was built for Between IL and Fort Morgan there is n
wafer expavs, Of three aud half miles, but the ship
ehal mel on the Fort Morgan side, and evsry heavy
vessel p sing ia Obliged 10 Iun within mile OF the
guns Morgar. Ga the Fort Ga nes eide the water Is
ahAllcH and no ship could pas within effective range
Of lie gus When The feet in on Friday, We do
n 1t learn thai e. Gaines ited gun. Fort Powell lei
little TO the west o. north OF FL Gaines and. in tie
ion of the IN dn land Of the western shore OF the
Bay Il is buils on an artificial Island, directly on
Grants Pass which it designed to deieod--itas
pass leading into PScssoua Sound aud the lakes In the
dire cton of New Orleans. Fort Powell is about three
quarters of nile from the man land, at O .dsr Point,
aud at oa water is fordible II by this easy route
that It's garrison escaped. II there had beln no ford
ia pTo9aolo that Fort Powell would It be in our pos
| session. Fort Morgan sill commands the main ihp
channel 10 the Gulf and by lhs alone FArngars feet
can get to sea- lie can only bring rglt VESSELS aud
ansporis thFocgl Grams Pdss. Fort Gaines was Of
DO pla tiesl value the defence Of ths Bay. Il adds
t. tho facilities aud convenience Of tho enemy, but vas
necessary his operations. The loss OF the gani-
son is serious, but more serious the manner OF its
surTendsr-:he stain upon our arms That Is TO be
Wip out.
With lhese explanations the stranger VIII perceive
that the lne Of our city deepces carried by h. enc
from tV6n'y i've to thirty miles distant from NOBLE.
l. has alwsys btel moot lestion among military
| N whether not Il was Wlse to Try 10 to'd these
ponts Many lave been In favor Of dismanilipg all the
forts In the lower bay and bringing their guns ano
gsrrisons 20 The timer line nearer the city. The only
or The prnop pal reason 70 contrary course was tourd
10 the importance of keeping possession Of the shores
of the bay so ss to prevent ihs enemy from making
water base the city for the advance of an army
The loss Of Granite pass gives the enemy this advantage