The National tribune., 1905-12-14

swamp on both sides of the bayou made
the approaches to it so difficult that 1t
proved to be of but little service. In
consequence the divisions of the Thir-
| teenth and Sixteenth Corps did not
! reach their positions as early as Gen.
| Dana. had anticipated. While waiting
| their arrival he passed to the right of
| the line, and found that the prospects
of a successful assault were promising.
The Colored Division had already gained
and held some important advantages
on its front; Andrews's and Veatch's
! Divisions were well up with their work,
| and the resistance of the enemy was
| less spirited than on previous days. Soon
after 4 o'clock Smith had completed
his arrangements, and telegraphed to
Gen. Dana that his two divisions were
up and in position. Garrard had noti-
| fed Steele that he would be ready to
advance at $50 p. m, and Benton's
| Division was reported to be crossing the
bridge near the left of Steele's front.
Preparations for Assault.
Steele was then instructed to time his
movements with those on the left, to
advance his line strongly supported, and
| If possible carry the enemy's works. A
| little later Benton, who had not yet
| reached his position, was instructed to
| turn at once to the left and follow up
| and support these movements. The line
al this time was nearly four miles in
was as follows: Hawkins's Division of
Colored Troops on the right; Andrews's
1 Division, Thirteenth Corps 1.-TWO bril-
gades), on the right center; Veatch's
Division, Sixteenth Corps in support on
the right and left center, and Garrard's
Division, Sixteenth Corps on the left
The enemys line had a development Of
two miles and half. 1t consisted of
nine strong redOubts connected by rifle
pits and palisades, and was covered in
| front by slashings and abatis, and in
some places by outworks Of telegraph
wire and by torpedoes or subterra
shells. The advance was made at the
appointed time, and was as nearly 81
multaneous as it could possibly be from
length of the line and the obstructed
character of the ground. With a gal
lantry to which there were no excep-
| tons the troops pressed forward under
heavy fire of artillery and musketry,
passing over exploded torpedoes. net
work and abatis. ard assaulted and car
ried the enemy's works in about 20
minutes, each division carrying the
works in it's front. The immediate re-
suits Of this victory were numerous
| flags. all the armament, material and
supplies and 3,700 prisoners of whom
three were Generals and 1877 commits
stoned officers of lower grades.
| The development of our lines at
Biakely was four miles; at Spanish Fort
Il
distance three miles. and from the de-
pot at Stark's Landing to the left of
Spanish Fort four miles. The inner
line of communication was about II
end the outer line % miles in length
| The country embraced in these lines
was broken and rolling. intersected by
streams and ravines with abrupt banks
and obstructed by large tracts of i'm
practicable marsh. Batteries Huger
and Tracy still held out, and until they
were reduced Blakely River could not
be opened for the navy and for the
army transports. In anticipation Of this
contingency Springs cavalry had al
ready ocen sent up the river to collect
boats to pass troops over to the island
to cut off communication between the
forts and Mobile. Lucas, with his cav
airy, had been also sent to Claiborn
with a battery of rifled guns to block
the navigation of the Alabama River
and cut off the retreat from Mobile by
/ that route. On his march to Claiborn
he struck and dispersed the 18th Con-
| fe1erate Cavalry capturing two flags,
two officers and ~ enlisted men.
i The Enemy Evacuates.
On the 10th additional batteries for
heavy guns bearing on Huger and Tracy
were established on the east shore Of
BAY Minette, and a boat expedition for
q night attack on Tracy was organized,
but at 10 o'clock that night both works
were abandoned by their garrisons and
their magazines blown up. Before day.
lIf mt of the 11th the preconcerted sig
nal indicating the commencement of
the evacuation of Mobile was given from
the marsh in front of the city. Ar
rangements were at once made to bring
up to Blakely the supplies for the force
to be sent to Montgomery and for the
Occupation of Mobile. On the after
moon and night of the 18th Granger,
l n hn nd trA nj .
the corps. marched to Stark's Landing.
where he embarked, and on the morn
ing of the 18th. under convoy Of the
ravy. crossed to the west side cf the
bay. landed at Catfish Point, five miles
below Mobile. and occupied the city at
: Loon that day.