The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1865-04-21
Forrest and ROddy Flee for Life.
Immense Destruction of PrOperl,
List Of Casualties.

The Cincinnati Commercial Of Tues
day publishes letter from one Of its
correspondents dated Spanish Fort,
Ala, April 9, 1865, giving detailed
account of the reduction of Spanish
Fort, and the capture of both it and
Fort Blakely. These, with other small
er defences, are on the east shore OF
Mobile Bay, the former at and near the
mouth of Tensaw River After the
capture of these delenees the way was
open for the approach of the gunboats
to Mobile. The rebels seeing their
danger, Immediately evacuated the
city. The eVaauation was fastened by
the appearance of Gen. Wilson, west OF
Mobile, with his splendid column of
cavalry, which had swept through the
entire State, whipping all the rebel
forces that dared encounter them, cap
turing Selma and Montgomery, and de-
stroying immense quantities of sup
plies of all kinds, arsensls, machinery,
shops, mills, &c.
We subjoin interesting extracts from
this correspondence
ASSAULT ON SPANISH FORT.
have traced, in outline, the progress
of the siege of this fort up to the even
ing of the Sth. At 5 o'clock in the
evening, all the land batteries opened
on the fort, the fire being particularly
heavy on our right, where the tremend-
GUS, crushing momentum of the so
pound PARROT shells from Battery
Smith were playing fearful havoc with
the slight sand-works and their be-
leaguered defenders. Their range was
enfilading, and, being unexpected, they
seem to have so effectually battered
down the works and driven back the
rebels, that an assault in this quarter
was determined upon at once. Ac-
cordingly, between 6 and o'clock,
sudden lull in the roar of artillery gave
the signal to advance. Two brigades
of General E. A. Carr division (3d), of
the 10th Corps, which occupied the ex-
treme right, charged calamity on the
rebel works, and in few minutes had
captured 300 yards of them, clambered
on the inside, and taken prisoners about
800 men-the greater part of two entire
regiments As it was now night, they
intrenched themselves securely, and
lay under arms. Many of the rebels
had bestowed themselves 50 deep in
their caves in the sand, to avoid the
fire of our cannon, that they were tax
en- entirely by surprise Said one of
their officers, THE first thing we knew
was, that the Yankees were dragging
us out of our quarters and our beds,
saying, Surrender, boys, st once.
The hold which this splendid charge
had given US on the fort was 80 strong
that the remaining rebels appear to
have despaired of holding the works,
and at ! o'clock A. NJ, April 8, the
whole fort was surrendered into our
possession.
The entire garrison of Spanish For, ,
az il fell into our hands consisted o.
twenty-five commissioned officers and
Eve hundred and tBentyseYen enlisted
men. The regular garrison Of the fort
is stated ct 1900 men, and since il was
computed that there were at least 5000
men in it when it was first invested, it
is evident that either great many IS
/ capped in the night in small boats, or
were killed or wounded, though even
six newspaper columns of casualties
would scarcely account for the deficit
The guns taken with the fort are emu
nerated below.
ID should be stated to the credit Of
the Sth Iowa, of Colonel Geddis bri-
gade, that they were the FIRST 10 leap
over the parapets and enter the works.
The prisoners represented principally
the States of North Carolina, Texas and
Alabama. They were sufficiently well
clad in the inevitable linsey-woolsey OF
the color of 8 butternut colored bull
dog. moderately well shod and other
wise equipped. They are not disposed
to defend the sowing of torpedOes, say
| ing they should not be held responsible
/ for obeying the orders of suPeriors.
CAPrURE OF BIAKELY IANDr'a
The news of the capture of Spanish
/ Fort appears to have had contsg lous
effect on the gallant command OF Gen.
Steele, investing Blakely and reverse
effect on its garrison The intelligence
was, by some means, impaired to the
rebel commander at that point, and
esrly on the morning Of the 9th, it was
apparent that they despaired Of holding
il. and had alresdy began TO evscuate
They appear TO have anticipated that
las was the faet) great part of the
! troops formerly occupied before spanish
Fort would at once be despatched 10
the assistance Of General Steele, and
they determined TO elude the attack,
which they knew must be final
General Steele vas early made aware
of the movements Of the enemy, and,
with his ACCUSTOMED energy and promp-
bude. st once repaired 10 the frontin
person, and ordered all dispositions to
be made to prevent the rebels from get
ting away. He Was restless, as if await
ipg an order to attack, but still meme
came. Up to 9; 80 A. n, he had not
even been officially notified of the tall
Of Spanish Fort, which occurred eight
hours before, although Blakeiy Is oaly
six miles above the fort 1t appears thal
q telegraph operator had been notified
toinform him, but, for some reason Aac
been unable 70 do So and deem i
, quite probable that an order from Ten
Candy, directing Gen. Steele 10 attach
che FetEeAting enemy st once, Nss de