The National tribune., 1905-12-07

3AVoIA SSSCN9to0 080ne works erected
Tor the lofeose lof Mobile, and forcing
the surrendse or evacuation Of the city;
: Or $ thiD Wan4ound g involve too great
; Q 6elay. . dl1ectsmovement upon Mont
gomery, shieine for the subsequent
operations ofs1ho army the base Of sup
plies from Mobile to Pensacola Bay, and
using the railroad from Pensacola to
} Montgomery for that purpose. In car
frying out the first part Of this plan the
main army, moving BY land and water,
was to establish itself on firm ground
on the east side Of Mobile Bay. Steele,
with sufficient force to meet any oppo-
sition that could be sent against him,
was to move from Pensacola. threaten
} Ing Montgomery and Selma, and cover
ing the operations OF the cavalry in
} disabling the railroads. This accom-
plished. he was to turn to the left and
season for operations against Spanish
} Fort and Blakely. Minor operations
} Cor the purpose Of distracting the enc
my's attention were to be undertaken
at the same time from Memphis, Vicks-
burg, Baton Rouge, and the west side
Wilson's raid would give full employ
ment to Forests rebel cavalry.
Beginning Of the Movement.
On the 18th the general movement
commenced. Bertram's Brigade (Sec-
ond Division, Thirteenth Corpse, closely
followed by the other divisions Of that
corps, under Gen. Granger, moved by
land, the route turning Bon Secours
Bay. crossing the East Branch of Fish
River as low down as practicable, and
striking the North Branch at Dannelly's
Mills.
A brigade Of the Sixteenth Corps was
landed at Cedar Point, on the west side
Of Mobile Bay, with Instructions to oc-
cupy Mon Louis Island with as much
display of force as possible
On the 18th as much of the Sixteenth
Corps, under Smith, as could be pro-
vided with transportation was sent by
water. through Bon Secours Bay and
Fish River, to Dannellys Mills, the point
of concentration, to hold that point In
the movements by water the army trans
ports were conveyed by the navy, and
the lighter vessels of the squadron were
used as transports. On the 18th the
naval demonstrations were extended up
the bay to the neighborhood of Spanish
Fort. The favorable weather that at
tended the commencement Of these
movements was followed by a terrible
storm Of wind and rain that made the
transportation by land and water SO diff
ficult and tedious that 1t was not until
was concentrated and Its supplies re-
newed.
On the morning Of the 25th the Six
teenth Corps followed by the Thir-
teenth Corps, except Bertram's Brigade,
moved by direct road from Dannelly's
Mills to Deer Park, distance of eight
miles, and halted for the night. Ber-
trans Brigade moved at the same time
by the Montrose road and halted at
Rock Creek. on the left Of the Six
teenth Corps.
On the 26th the Sixteenth Corps
moved upon the same road to the South
Branch OF Bayou Minette, hating at
Cyrus Sibly'sd Mills, and threatening
4 both Spanish Fort and Blakely. Gran
ger, with Veatch's and Bentons Divi-
sions OF the Thirteenth Corps, moved
directly for Spanish Fort, crossing the
two branches of D'Olive's Creek, and
establishing himself on the southeast
front OF Spanish Fort, and commune
eating by pickets with the left Of the
Sixteenth Corps. Bertram moved up
the Bay road and halted at the lower
crossing Of DsOffve's Creek. In these
movements no serious opposition was
encountered. The rebel force under
Gen. Liddell was posted to resist the
advance, but being disconnected by the
thanking movements Of the Sixteenth
fCorps, fell back into Blakefy and Span
fSh Fort and destroyed the lower bridge
on Bayou Minette, cutting off their own
communication between the two places
except by water
On the 9th Garrard's Division (Six-
: teenth Corps) was established in an in
lTcHCHeu camp 10 cover the right ana
: rear OF the army. Smith, with the
others, McArthur's and Carrs Divisions
: Of his corps, was turned to the left to
} close In upon the enemy's intrench-
ments. Changers Corps was advanced,
Neatch's and Benton's Divisions NOV
ing directly forward and Bertram' g
brigade swinging around to the
!, left and completing the close IN
yestment of Spanish Fort by land In
this order Carr's Division occupied the
extreme right. his right flank resting
! on Bay Minette below the bridge, sue
ceeded in order by McArthur's Divi-
sion of the Sixteenth Corps, Benton's
and Veatch's Divisions and Bertram' S
Brigade Of the Thirteenth Corps-the
last with the left flank on the imprac-
ticable marsh that bordered D'Olive's
Creek These movements were sharply
contested by the rebels at every point,
and the number Of casualties was con-
siderable. particularly in the Sixteenth
Corps, the right Of which was exposed
to an enfilading fire from rebel gun
boats and from Batteries Huger and
Tracy On moving from Dannelly's
Mills, the temporary depot at that place
was broken up, and the supplies and
material except the bridge over Fish
| River Cleft for the use Of the cavalry
that was to come up by land, and guard
ed by gunboat and an infantry bat
talion), and transferred to the supply
vessels. The engineer trains and ma
terial were ordered up from Mobile
Point, and the whole, under convoy of
the navy, were awaiting the completion
OF the investment for the establishment
of new depot. This was established
at Stark's Landing, five miles below
Spanish Fort. Wharves were built.
roads opened, and the supply of the
army secured. AS a part of the Six
teenth Corps (the part Of it's land trans
portatfon and the general supply trains)
were yet to come up, the corps COM
manders were instructed to push their
works forward as rapidly as was con-
sistent with due care for their men, to
take advantage Of every opportunity