The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1865-12-08

Sei
the ed Of February that city was ovscuaied Two hun
dred and twelve guns taken IN tho WORKS fom the
entrance Of Old river including those near the city, ana
thus this great and brilliant achievement WAS com
pletod
soura ATLANTIC sQrApRos-PALL or CHARLESTON.
In November 1854 the department officially advised
Rear Admiral Dahlgrsn that Major General Sherman had
commenced his march from Atlanta 20 the seaboaid and
that he might expected 70 reach tho Atlantic coast in
the vicinity of about the middle OF December
Rear Admiral Dggren was instructed TO BIO prepared TO
cooperate with General sherman, and furnish him any
needed naval which II might DO his power
10 render these instructions reached him. Rear
Admiral Dahlgrcn who thus not unprepared hear
had conferred with Major General Foster, then com.
mandng the Department 81 the South, and concerted
with him plans assist 30 far their joint forces would
allow establishing mmunlcatons with the advancing
general A combined expedition was at once organized
Tor cutting the railroad communication between Charles
and Savannah and otherwise enga gng the attention
the insurgents in thai quarter Force was displayed
the most important points along Carolina coast
and every available means adopted 70 aid in tho
OF the grand and novel military movement which in
progress through the heart OF hostile country
General Sherman reached the vicinity of Savannah on
and Rear Admiral bahlgrcen was umed,ately estab-
lished The latter made the best possible disposition OF
the vessels then under his command to assist the army
in obtaining possession OF Savannah By the 18th or
December the investment Of that city by the navy
one side and the army the other accomplished
Tho garrison however, succeeded In escaping
river and eGecting aretreat towards Charleston leaving
General Sherman to occupy Savannah the 21st Of that
month.
in assisting in the transfer OF the right wing " the army
to Beaufort s. c., and in the OF General Sher-
mans march northward that officer and his army were
aided by all needful naval demonstrations
On the 18th and 18th Of February joint movement
made along the approaches from Bulls Bay to
Mount Pleasant with view Of embarrassing the militia
ry commandant at Charleston and binding him as TO
the actual military design. No real serious attack
Charleston was rs asdased only divsIso was con
ments than that at BULBS Bay were made about that
period, fc details Of which will BIO found in the
this report They were intended simply to at
tract the attention of tho rebels and aid General
Sherman in accomplishing his great purpose Of moving
towards Richmond. Charleston in the meantime
vgilanty watched detect the first indications OF its
abandonment by the rebels, which II was known must
take place early day The troops stationed there
about were advanced and the iron clais moved
the rebel works During the night of the 18th
Of February the batteries were oeseicsy employed and
tho vessels the harbor gave them watchfu att ntion
The morning OF the 18th revealed tho fact that Charles
ton iated Thus, without final struggle, the
original seat OF the rebellion the most nvurerabe and
best protected city the coast whose defences bad cost
immense treasnfc and labor, was abandoned, and the
emblem Of unity and freedom was again reinstaed upon
The evacuation OF Charleston followed by that OF
Georgetown the 23d OF February and the 26th OF
that month the place itself was occupied by Rear Admiral
Dahlgren.
GULF NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. or MOBILE AND TIrH
REBEL FLEET.
When Vice Admiral Farragut left the West Gulf squad
ron, In the later autumn OF 1854 the command devoved
or Commodore James 5. Palmer, senior officer on the
STATION TINS oicer c0htnuo0 operations until the a:ri
val OF Admiral Farraguts successor Acting
raj Thatcher who bears testimony TO his subsequent
efficiency and untring services throughout the attack
on the defences Of Mobile and acknowledges also his
indebtedness to Commodore Palmer for the admirable
manner which the vessels had been prepared for
arduous service under that officers supervision The
resumption oil offensive operations against the cry OF
Mobile, under the direction of Major General Candy,
was not determined upon until carly in January, whe
Acting ResrsAdmira Thatcher then recently appointed
10 the command of the West Gulf squadron ordered
to proceed Immediately to- New 0rleaus IN order 10 co.
operate with The military conmander
The force placed under Acting Roar Admiral Thatcher
was Increased by light drought ircaclads detached from
the mississippi squadron for service in Mobile bay
foint movement by land and water was arranged and
carried into execution Indicate that the rebels were
about 10 evacuate the city led TO naval
IN force TO ascertain the facts, on tho nth Of March,
with fve monitors N rs close proximity as the shallow
water and obstructions would permit. This movement
drew from tho insurgents such fire ns TO place beyond
doubt that those desonses were still intact
me troops were landed on tne Zist o. March on tho
left bank OF Fishers river about seventeen miles from
It's Junction with the ana advanced as rapidly as the
condition OF the road would permit while the naval ve
sells sheled the woods and kept open communication
by signals with General Candy Tor cooperation tho
rebels doubtless believed that the naval vessels were not
able TO cross the bar Of Bakcly river and oven sue
cessfui In crossing that was IN their power 70 destroy
the ooas by ther marsh oa.lefes ana the
torpeoocs win whce the RIVER was hco lhcy 0id sue
cecd IN sinking TWO o. the noni.ors ana Ious WoooGn
gunboats at tho entrance OF bakcy river py tneso SUD-
marine implements OF aesMne.oh, asnongn .ne nver
had boon Hofoughy arax8eu, ana many soIPe1ooS
were removed before .ne vessels went over the Dar.
Beyond the sinking OF these vessels and inc loss Of Tow
lives no serious ATTENDED, tne approach 70
ana capture OF mobile.
The principal works OF detcnce between tne cry ana
the IorIesseS whcn guaiaea .ne entrance 20 .ie oss,
captured 10 august 1905 py the heet whne comnanuea
6y wce.Adm were fort Alexis ana spanish
For. ny ,ne % OF ApIii these naa Deeh composoy IN
vested ~ the troops ana during .he night o. tns osn ho
morning OF Ine sti .nsy weIe, All SMUT Ous svvo!c
Domoaramon', cagturou anu WIN ue,n rom i,oov :.
INV men, Win 10 neasy guns nm tne KEY 70 MoOhe
mus securely tno otner WORKS Oh mporanco pa.eI,cs
Iracy ana hueeI wcic within easy reach, ana ON Inc
evenns OF anc iltn tney wcrc cvacuatcu.
on NC !stn ne oop, were consoyeu 70 ING We. sue
Of the city TOT the purpose OF an atack hnd tnc neet
gained suitable posIl'on LOT us snaIc VI .ns
Work pu. y WIS soon asccIln-a lial ,ne w wus AZ
the mercy OF our All the rema nng having
pcen apshdoneu IormM SURRENDER was therefore ue,
mauea W roncra. uansel anu Aoss a.oa nrna,a
Instcher when was eomPneo Wi,i anu posseSson wss
axeh OF tne Guy. Ihe works wh,ch enSnohe. nooso
were OF Inmshse strehe.n am extent larry ~" guns
were capufod some VI saSn no" anu VI the Gal
io.v - ......,.- a.. - -.,....x -.
Ihn recei army on 9. ncna.ns .nc city, rus'ea. up
tue IoMDisoee. ircIaruions W ,onsw anu caPtuio
.not wc'o M $1,000 v, On , nar 80 =. p