, 1865-03-30
MOBILE CORRESPONDENCE.
military Move Probable Speedy
Downfall OF Ntobtle--t;eu. CnnkF-
The Rebel Force in Mobile,
Correspondence Of the Chicago Tribpne.7
Fl. GAMLs, Ala, NEAR Mobile,

Correspondence Of the Chicago Tribune,7
Fl. GAMEs, ALA., NEAR Mobile,
March 20, 1865.
While Sherman In The Ca1olinas, Sheriduu
in the valley, and, in fact, the troops In every
department are making their rapid aud bril-
liant movements, the little Army Of the Cult
Is by no meens idle. To-day the 10Th Army
Corps, under Gen. 4. ]. Smith {familiarly
known as Smiths gueEillas}, recently trans
fer1cd to this department, Is crossing over to
Cedar Point, on the mainland, from Darphin
Island, where 1t has been esmped for few
weeks past. From Cedar Point It will prob
ably move directly on the Notifications of
Mobile, which is distant about twenty-five
miles. The 18th Corps, under Gen. Granger,
crossed over several days since, aud are now
IN their way towards the rear Of Mobile.
The forces which left Pensacola some DAYS
ago, 4i16tr Gen. Steele, have not since been
heard from, but will doubtless turn up at the
right time and In the rtght place.
There Is snch combination of movements
now IN operation against this part Of rebel
dom that think 1t must result in, the speedy
downfall Of Mobile and the capture of the IN.
terror cities Of Selma and Montgomery To-
gethez with the entire length Of the Aia6arsa
river.
OF the strength of the forces operating in
this department. it would not be proper to
speak, ont it Ia sufficient. to say that Gen.
Canby has under his command troops suti-
cient to capture the three cities ab1vc named
stDElg, Or 10 more column on each place
and Take them all at the same time. WHAT
his policy may be is only known 10 himself
and his personal stat. Neither will II be
known ultil all things ore consummated. In
this CONNECTION let me speak word in regard
to our venerable commander, Afaj. Gen. E..
R. S. Candy. he Is u man Of undonbtcd oblk-
itT, but as yet las never had command IN
pe.st II Of large army ope attng In the tield;
hence tAe great interest that is 1elt In regard
10 The success of Ills plans. He has long BEEN
in command Of the military division Of West
Mississippi, during which lime he has con-
tsolled the Affairs under his commnnd with
admirable success, and with honor to himself
and satisfaction to all concerned. Unlike
: scmt OF Ills predecessors, be ID 80 free irum
any accusations Ut diabono1able specnlatlons
that do net think TINT such thought ever
entered the mind Of the most fasttdious, and
Il be proves as successful in mancurerlng an
army In the field rs be has been III controlling
the affairs IN his military division, the coun-
Try need have no fears as to the result OF the
campaign.
As to the number of rebel troops now de-,
fendlng Mobile, no correct estimate can be
made. Deseiters from tie rebel army various
1y report from s. coo to Is 0o0, that the city ia
well 10, tiled, and twill be defended to the
last, )" Of which TACT I have not the least doubt,
but as the .lasr' or last ditch Is an indefinite
time or place, and Liable to be stumbled into
almost any day, do not think you need be
at nll surprised II the salorous defenders Of
Mobile take 1t into their heads to initiate
The ex3np1e Of their chiyelrous brethren OF
Charleston and Savannah. and decamp some
Of these dark nights, forgetting to take with
them their heavy siege guns and other neces~
eary implements of war. That they will MT
be able TO resist the forces now moving on
their works, Is 1act 80 clear that they taem-
-. - H.. ~. lzAf fAAu l.
feat1ug Or even checking them. Tie move
ments OF Gen. Canby, though not rapid, are
made after mature deliberation, and with .
view to results. The people OF the North
may become little restless at the sloWucss
o, our movements, but just assure them that
things q e Progressing tavorably in tie De-
partment OF The Gull, and that as fast as We
muye northward the States Of Louisiana,
Flor;da, Mississippi and Alabama are forever
cleared Of The rebel ho,des who have so long
Lad supreme commando Our movements, II
not rapid, will at least be decisive. -.
VnnrH