Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1864-08-18

throwing solid shot weighing 400 pounds each,
which are irresistible
The Enquirer has the following on the gen.
eral appearance Of the
Horizon.
There are pauses in the struggle OF war,
when, exhausted by effort, or watchful of ad-
vantage, each combatant economises his
strength, and seeks to inflict some blow deci.
sive Of the conflict. There is, apparently such
pause at Atlanta. Sherman has, with un-
precedented audacity, carried his columns
seven hundred miles from his base, and, with
communication interrupted. Passing def1les
and crossing rivers in the presence Of formi-
dabie army, he is now face to face with the
defences OF one Of our most important store
cities. Adopting the strategy Of Grant, he
sends out mounted infantry to cut our supply
lines and compel General Hood to evacuate
Yankee troops to repetiuon of the repulses
heretofore inflicted upon them. In the mean
time, Sherman, like Grant, is securely fortified
in entertainments he boasts that he has envi-
roned Atlanta completely, and only awaits the
result Of his outside operations to close the
campaign with brilliant victory.
This is the Yankee view of the subject. On
the other side. we have repulsed. dispersed
and captured ihemos formidable force of the
raiders, and General Hoods army seems well
supplied. stsong, and confident Of its ability to
hold its position. We confess to have felt the
common anxiety when the change in COM
manders indicated failure In the retrograde
strategy which had brought Sherman so far
into the interior. Regarding Atlanta as less
defensible than Chattanooga, Kenesaw or the
Chattahoochie, we saw no alternative but
further retreat or the capture Of our forces by
cessful resistance Of Hood, tie gallant response
of the Governor and militia of Georgia to the
call OF honor and patriotism; and, above all,
the sudden pause in the progress Of Sherman,
until Stoneman should carry out his part OF the
programme, have encouraged Us to hope that
the Yankee Hannibal will be toiled, and that
Atlanta, like Rome, will be destined to behold
from her battlementS the formidable foe foiled
and retreating.
Grants latest movements indicate purpose
to intrench himself IN safety, and await the
mac. OF course he Will not admit the failure
OF his design upon Richmond by Withdrawing
his forces.
The plan Of the valley campaign seems we'll
maintained. 1t has been committed to q pru-
dent and resolute officer, and we have no fear
OF any serious disaster, but confidence Of
substantial success. 1t is proper to advert in
been effected by Averill upon a portion Of
McCausland's cavalry.
With high admiration Of the latter officer, we
are compelled to say that the cavalry under
his command have not acquired that conf
dence which is enjoyed by the veterans of
Fitzhueh Lee and Hampton. The cavalry un-
tations of the country during the raid of Hun
ter, and those commanded by the gallant ana
lamented Jones seem equally unfortunate.
lent plan OF dismounting all stragglers and
skulkers, and assigning their horses and equip.
ments to good infantry soldiers.
The Fall of Fort Morgan Conceded.
The Richmond papers generally concede
that the fall of Fort NJ organ is now only q
question OF time. The Examiner OF August 10,
says:
1.-THE telegraph informs us that two OF our
three forts that guarded the entrance to Mobile
Bay are gone. Fort Powell was evacuated
and blown up, and Fort Gaines, it seems, was
basely surrendered to the enemy. We fear
Fort Morgan will follow. For Morgan stands
on the long, narrow strip of land on the east
side of the strait which is the main entrance
to Mobile Bay. Fort Gaines is situated on
Daupbin Island, which is on the west side OF
the strait. The channel Of the strait runs close
under the guns of Fort Morgan. Fort Powell
seGs sma nar Island an na in t6s bay mile
these positions was armed with the finest guns
we have in our service.
Mobile exists no longer as q Port OF entry.
Hitherto, once in q while, vessel would slip
in there There is now an end OF all that The
telegraph further informs US that the people
of Mobile do not blame the naval officer for
anything that has .befallen them. Nothing is
said as to their opinions regarding the military
authorities.
In its issue OF August II, the same paper
says:
We have nothing later from Mobile than
the press telegram published yesterday. Official
dispatches from Mobile, giving accounts Of af.
fairs there, say nothing of the bad conduct of
Anderson, or any body else, but simply state
that Fort Powell had been blown up, and
Fort Gaines surrendered. Fort Morgan still
holds out, and will, no doubt, make gallant
and, perhaps, protracted resistance; but its
fall is, we presume, but question of time.
We know OF no means by which il can be sue.
cored. We have no rams 10 sweep down and
clear out the Yankee fleet. 1t may be possible
for the garrison TO evacuate it in safety, and
blow 1t up.'