Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1864-08-25
The Situation at Mobile.

To persons abroad and unacquainted with the topo-
graphy OF Mobile Bay, it will be we'll to explain that
Fort Ganes IS twenty nine miles from TIE city, the
East END OF Dauphln Island, and was intended to he
one OF the deiences Of the main entrance to the Bay
from the Cult Fort Morgan is On the opposite shore
It has always bfen matter Of query what Fort Gaines
built for. Between it and Fort Morgan there is
water eXpanse of three and half miles but tie shin
channel is the Fort Morgan sde aud every heavy
vessel passing is obliged to within mile of the
guns of Morgan On the Fort Gaines side the water is
SHALLOW aud no ship could pass within effective range
Of lis guns. When the feet ra1 in on Friday we do
uot learn that Fort Gaines fired gun.
Fort Powell lies a little to the West and North of
Fort Gaines ard in the direction Of the main laud of
the Western shore Of the Bay It is built on an arti-
fetal Island, directly Grants Pass which it was de-
signed to detend-that pass leading into Pascagoula
Sound ard the lakes in the direction of New Orleans
Fort Powell is about three quarters OF mile from the
main land, Of Cedar Point and at low water s forda-
bic. 1t was by this easy route that It's garrison es-
capped If theEe had been no ford it is probable that
Fort Powell would still be in our possession. Fort
Morgan still commands the main ship channel to the
Gulf, aud by this alone Faraguts ct can get to sea
He can only bring light vessels and transports through
Grants Pass Fort Gaines was of no practical value
in the defence OF the Bay. II adCs to the facilities and
cOIVeni5rce of the enemy but necessary to his
operations The loss Of the garrison is Serious out
serious the of its surrender stain
upon our arms. That is to be wiped out.
FORT GAINES.
We are paneG and humiliated to have to record the
dgra eu capiiulaIOn of this strong work. provision
I'd for six months and with eff ctiVe garrison of 900
men. We give the following account, based not upon
rumore, hut upon official data:
Ga the 7th, Col. Charles Anderson, of the 21st Ala
bama being in command ofthe garrison, composed of q
part of his regiment, the battalion of Pelham Ca
des portion OF Gu peper'5 Artillery, and NE other
troops, numbering 600 men, communicated with tie
enemys f-et by flag Of truce without the sanction Of
bis Commanding General, General Page, at Fort MGR
gan.
Gen. Page irqaired of him. by signal what his pur-
pose No reply Or acknowledgment q,
although his attention wss called BY signal guns. He
teegrapbed repeatedly by Gen, Page, hold TO
your fort" On the night Gen. Page passed over
to Fort Cain. In boat and Was ast0nshed TO learn
that Col Anderson absent in the Yankee feet for
the purpose OF arranging terms Of captu atIOn. He
loft peremptOry orders fer him his return, If not
Cympaued by the enemy, that all terms Of surrender
were aunuIled, and himself relieved OF his command.
On tie morning of the 9th, be culsd his attention
again from Fort Morgan by signal guns and teegraphed
to the effect. Sill no reply. At halfpast nine
O'clock the enemy fay up on the fort. His
superora pronounce the conduct Ct Col Anderson as
"nexpliCabe and dsgraceful" And 80 the country
will pronounce. Col Andt rC0n had previously ta!e-|
grapbed TO Lieut. Gel. Williams OF his regiment, at
Fort Powell, if your fort is unterabe save your gar
rison" TIE lat part of the order attepded TO
fst and two forts have been surrendered the
emy 1t is lot thus that the Conf derate cause is to
be upheld We mIet have tffcers who do not know
how TO surrender ourposs of such entrusted
to their courage and discretion.
The army and the people Of Mobile (and the whole
male population is army will have to repair by
their courage and 10y atty thse ata! blunders, Call
them ny the mildest terms. We have the m=aDs do
it and the evidences all in the sulen de-
term nation Of the people that the is also here
If the enemy expect to fud the defence of these two
Confederate forts the of the resistance he will
encouner at tie city, he will be greatly disappointed
We have only to f ght for homes, but to
fedeem Confederate honor from the disgrace of these
uDpaIdonsble deteetions --A1obils Register.