The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1877-02-15
Drowned.

immediately after the capture Of the Tennes-
see, the admiral turned his attention toward
Forts Gaines and Powell, the former located
on Dauphin Island, and the latter at Grants
Pass the inlet to the bay from Mississippi
Sound. \ homburdment of the latter work
was begun and continued through the greater
part of the day. The fort returned feeble
fire, and at night, nearly the whole garrison
after arranging to blow up the fortitcation,
fled to the main-lind on the west side OF the
bay. The expected explosion took place at
ABOUT eleven o'clock, Il. NJ, and was success
| fully accomplished.
| on the morning Of the 9Th. the iron-clads
Winnebago and Chicl;asaw steamed down to
within short range of Fort Gaines, and opened
fire on the enemy.
This fort was garrisoned by S56 men and otti-
GERS, under the command of Colonel c. d. An
derson, of the Confederate Army. The Soldiery
was composed principally of young high-toned
ariStocrats from the city of Mobile and vicinity,
who had no relish for feld-serrice at the front
in Il more northern cline, and who also con-
sdered themselves perfectly safe at Fort Gaines
while the Upion fleet was blockading the fort
outside the bar. They We're unprepared, how
ever, to receive this sudden and unexpected at
tack from the rear; and after enduring the
bombardment long enough to satisfy them that
1t was dangerous business, and that Farragut's
monitors We're in earnest, they urged their
commander to surrender without further loss
of life. Consequently, on the morning of the
Ith. flag of truce boat from the shore WAS
sent alongside the flagship Hartford, and Con-
federate Major NJ. IL. Browne stepping on
board, delivered the following proposal to sur
render to Admiral Farragut
Headquarters, Fort Gaines, Aug. 7th 1s64.
TO Admiral Farragut, Commanding Naval Forces
of Dauphin Island:
Feeling my inability to maintain my present posi-
ton longer than YOU may see fit to open upon
with your fleet, and feeling also the uselessness of
entailing upon ourselves further destruction of life,
have the honor to propose the surrender OF Fort
nj prnrr STR pt 81 n
magnanmiy for obtaining honorable terms, which
respectfully request that you will transmit to me,
and allow me sufficient time to consider them aud
handed you by Major NJ. Il. Browne.
am very respectfully, your obedient servant,
c. ID. ANDERSON, Colonel Commanding.
At ten O'Clock. \. NJ, Il small naval force was
landed at the fort, and the terms of surrender
completed. The fort, garrison, stores, etc,
We're surrendered to the navy, amid the shouts
and cheers of the men i'll the squadron, and
which reverberated for miles over the BAY.
The Confederate prisoners were sent to New
Orleans. and soon atterward the fort was gar
risoned by troops detailed for that purpose.
This act ended the Mobile Bay fight, in which
the navy only took part, and the admiral there
upon issued the following order, which was
read on the quarterback of each vessel
L. S. Flag ship Hartford,
Mobile Bay, Aug. 9TH, lS6t.
The admiral returns thanks to the officers and
crews of the vessels of the fleet for their gallant
conduct during the fight.
1t has never been his good fortune to see men do
their duty with more cheerfuness; for although
they knew that the enemy prepared with all
deyi ish means for our destruction, and witnessed
the almost instantaneous humiliation of our gal
liant companions in the Tecumseh, and the saugll-
ter of their own friends and messmates and gun
mates-st there was not the slightest evidence of
hesitation to follow YOUR commander in chief thro'
the line of torpedoes and distractions, of which
knew nothing except from the eXaggerations of the
enemy-"that we must all be blown up as certainly
as we attempted to enter Mobile Bay" For this
blind confidence in your leader, he thanks you.
ID. &. FARRAGUT, Rear-Admiral.
In this connection, the subsequent arrange
ments made for holding the position thus val
antlv gained will bear brief repe'iti here.
On the morning of the Sth, the Union General
Granger, with five thousand troops, arrived
from New Orleans, through Mississippi Sound;
and under cover of the squadron, and by use
of its boats, landed his army about two and
half miles to the eastward of Fort Morgan, and
at once constructed earth-workS entirely across
the peninsula-thereay cutting Off the retreat
of the Confederates from the fort, and also pre-
venting the arrival of re-enforcements. Within
three days after landing, the Union sharp-shOot-
ers were lying within one hundred yards of the
fort, greatly to the annoyance of the Confeder-
aes. Batteries were then planted by the army
and navy at distances ranging from two hum
dred and fifty to eight hundred yards, aud bear.
ing upon the fort.
While constructing these batteries the men
were protected, in the daytime, by the sharp
shooters, and at night the fleet shelled the fort
TO prevent the enemy from strengthening his