The Black Republican., 1865-04-15
THE SIEGE OF MOBILE.

The attention Of the public has been re-
Gently so much occupied with the accounts
of the stupendous struggles in Georgia,
North and South Carolina and Virginia,
that events Of scarcely less consequence
nearer home have been measurably lost
sight of. The city Of Mobile has been for
some time invested by the most formidable
force ever assembled in the Department of
the Gulf and the work Of hemming in the
rebel forces defending it has progressed
steadily, in the face Of manifold obstacles,
and at the expense of severe personal exer-
tions and some valuable lives. Yet, I'D to
the latest received accounts there had been
nothing like a check experienced by any
part of the assailing force. The capture of
the important town of Selma is announced,
but we do not know that the report is suffi-
GENTLY authenticated to warrant implicit
belief in it. 1t was supposed to contain a
large quantity Of useful war material, such
as ammunition, heavy guns supplies, etc.
indispensable to the rebels, and valuable
to US.
Selma is situated on the Alabama river,
about sixty miles above Montgomery, and
the post once in our hands, commands the
river, as well as the Mobile and Ohio Raft
Railroad, which runs along the rear at a dis
tance of a few miles. The forts around the
city have been completely invested by
troops who have had some experience in
assaulting such strongholds, and their
speedy fall may be looked for with great
degree of certainty. The determination on
the part Of the Confederate commander to
make further resistance to the forces that
Gen. Candy has arrayed against him, is
more easily defended on the point of sol
dierly honor than the score ofprudence. He
may be able to protract the siege, and
thereby prolOng the sufferings of his troops
and our own, but the final fall Of Mobile is
placed beyond question. The place has
been scantily supplied with food at the best,
and prices have ruled at exorbitant rates in
consequence; but with the channels of sup
ply cut off, as will assuredly be the
case if Selma is in our hands, the
whole rebel army, as well as the
population Of the city viii ere long be en-
tirely without food The works around Mo-
bile have no doubt been admirably con-
structed for resisting open assault, but the
place that is so easily cUt off from its sources
of supply cannot be considered impregnable.
Food is one of the essentials required to
keep up an army, as well as for the support
Of the poor defenseless nQn-combatants that
have been left by their protectors to shift for
themselves as best they can.
The region of country in the vicinity of
Mobile is sandy and sterile, and until quite
recently at least, was not cultivated to any
considerable extent. At best, it could not
afford enough to feed population of $4,000
or 10000. 1t was impracticable, from the
circumstances, to lay in good supply to
provide for a contingency like the present;
there was not money enough in the hands
of the people to invite produce from the
country in large quantities; so notably was
this the case, that we have frequently re-
ceived well authenticated accounts or
severe pinching and want among the poo
even while steamboats, could run freely
to Montgomery, and the railroad to the in
terror of Mississippi was unobstructed by
the Union forces. If it were thus difficult
to procure food in the days preceding the
investment, it seems to follow as necessary
sequence that it will be impossible now.
Some of our soldiers who were wounded at
Spanish Fort, we are told, expect to be in
Mobile within a weeks time this may
prove to be the case, but after all it will de-
pend upon two other conditions. One is,
the quantity OF provisions now in the pos
session Of the rebels, the other, how long
the rebel commander can or win hold the
people to their sufferings, before the prompt
ings of humanity, the murnurs of his fol
lowers, or his own satisfied sense Of honor
prevails upon him to initiate Pemberton at
Vicksburg or Gardner at Port Hudson, and
surrender. We may hear of the occupation
of Mobile by Gen. Candy within week,
or we may have to wait many weeks. But
we may reasonably conclude that he has set
out to take it, and will have it sooner or