June 4, 1863, The New York Herald
THE REBEL POSITION IN THE GULF.
The rebels are determined to intensify their strength on several, as it were, cardinal points of their so-called confederacy, and one of the principal of these points in Mobile. A large sum of money and a great amount of labor have been employed since the breaking out of the rebellion on the defences of this place, already well defended by the forts erected by and at the expense of the United States. From the Gulf of Mexico there are three channels into the harbor of Mobile, two of them (the most easterly) being defended by Fort Morgan, while the western one is fully guarded by a casemated work known as Fort Gaines. The swash channel, which is the principal one by which vessels of any size can enter the harbor, runs directly under the guns of Fort Morgan, and it is by this channel that nearly all the vessels that have recently run the blockade of the harbor of Mobile have effected their object. It is said the foreign consuls, especially the Spanish, are heavily engaged in this business. To further defend the harbor or bay a line of spiles has been driven between the channels, and their tops cut off so that they cannot be seen when the tide is in, and are but barely visible when it is out. Spiles have also been driven into the Dog river bar, along the channel line and on either side of the entrance to the bay, so that it would be almost a matter of impossibility for a vessel, unaccompanied by a thoroughly versed pilot, to reach Mobile even if it passed the forts. Further than this, a sloop loaded with stone rides at anchor at the entrance, and at the first sign of invasion she would be scuttled and sunk in the channel. It is true the rebels place but little reliability in the power of resistance offered by Forts Morgan and Gaines; yet they would prove sufficiently strong to allow them time to complete so simple an operation as the sinking of a vessel prepared for the purpose.
From some cause to us unknown the rebels at Mobile are expected an early attack upon their stronghold, and to repel any invasion they are now putting forth their utmost energies to be prepared when the time comes.
But once in the history of the war has any preliminary plans been made to reduce this place, and that occurred shortly after the capture of New Orleans by Admiral Farragut, when he sent Commander D. D. Porter, with a portion of his mortar flotilla, to ascertain if it was practicable to use his “in the open roadstead. Farragut himself intended to attack the city by running the forts, and a large portion of his fleet was marshalled at the portals of this rebellious city; but the overwise powers that be sent out orders that the attack should be postponed, and consequently the fleet was withdrawn, and the rebels have been unmolested in their preparations for the defence of the city and harbor.
One of the largest naval stations in the confederacy is located at Selma, some distance above the city of Mobile, on the Alabama river, where no less than one ram and four or five gunboats have been constructed for the navy of the confederacy. To give an idea of the importance of this naval station we only to append a list of the officers on duty there: –
Commander – F. Farrand.
First Lieutenant – Van R. Morgan.
Assistant Paymaster – G. H. O’Neil.
Master – John Pearson.
First Assistant Engineer – W. Frick, Jr.
Carpenter – John T. Rustic.
In addition to these officers there have been attached to the station at various times ordnance officers of the best talent in the rebel service, and several hundred men have been constantly employed in the construction of new gunboats and in refitting old vessels; and at the present time the rebel navy in Mobile bay consists of the following vessels: –
Iron-clad ram……..Baltic.
Iron-clad…………Morgan.
Steamer………….Gaines.
Steamer………….Selma.
Steamer………….Alert.
Steamer………….Crescent.
ADMIRAL FRANKLIN BUCHANAN IN COMMAND…
In addition to these are several sailing vessels, which belong to the State Coast Guard, and perform picket duty in various portions of the extensive bay. It has been reported that the ram is a failure, but such reports were set afoot previous to the dash made by the iron-clads at Charleston. It is only where they are tried the fact of their success or failure is truly ascertained by our fleets.
The entrance to Mobile bay is between Mobile Point and the eastern point of Dolphin Island. The distance between them is about three and a quarter miles. The interior of the bay has water enough for any vessels which cross its bar, which has about fifteen feet upon it at low water. On account of a shoal formed opposite the mouth of Dog river, eleven miles south of the city, vessels drawing more than eight or nine feet cannot at low water go further up the bay.
A short distance above the mouth of Dog river, and on the bar bearing the same name, some obstructions have been placed, and in some places vessels have been sunk, blocking up the channel, leaving only a narrow passage through them so that their own vessels can get through.
Lines of intrenchments have been thrown up encircling the city from near Dog river around to the Alabama river, and no less than twelve large independent earthworks thrown up in rear of the line of intrenchments. On Pintos Point is a nine gun battery commanding the line of obstructions and one of the channels approaching the city. At Garrow’s Bend is a five gun battery, also commanding the obstructions and the main ship channel for a distance of nearly three miles.
The remaining earthwork in the vicinity of the city are intended more particularly to repulse a landing of troops on the western shores, or a land attack which could be made at Portersville, on the Mississippi sound, and thence marching up by the road to Spring Hill. The intrenchments are about fifteen miles in length, and were built some time ago, and at various points signal guns and cannonades have been mounted so that they can throw showers of grape and canister among the advancing foe. A tract of marshy land has been made solid by means of spiles and earth, and on this made ground a casemated battery has been built, armed with ten powerful guns – viz: three rifled pieces, four Dahlgrens and three long thirty two-pounders. Between this battery and the Alabama river, near the latter, is a redoubt which sweeps the level plateau, over which it keeps guard, as well as commanding the bay. Passing further to the north another redoubt is met at a village on the railroad, and this work is armed with four heavy guns. Still another redoubt or earthwork guards the railroad bridge at Three Mile creek, and to the west of Mobile is a series of earthworks, several miles in extent, further defended by a series of formidable breastworks, extending from the shell road entirely around the city to the river. Between the Alabama river and the shell road a six-gun battery commands the position.
Fort Morgan, the main protection of the city of Mobile, Ala., is located on a long, low, sandy peninsula, called Mobile Point, at the entrance of the bay. It cost the government in its construction and armament nearly a million and a half of dollars, and is capable of mounting one hundred and thirty-two guns and of garrisoning seven hundred men. It is built upon the site of Old Fort Boyer, which was noted for its successful resistance of a British fleet on the 14th of September, 1814. The old fort was a small redoubt, with an armament of twenty short cannonades, and garrisoned by only one hundred and twenty men, all told. On the day above mentioned four British vessels, carrying ninety guns, sailed up and opened fire upon the fort, having previously prepared a land force, consisting of over seven hundred and fifty men, with a battery of two pieces of artillery. After a sharp engagement the British were completely repulsed, with a loss of two hundred and thirty-two killed and wounded and the Commodore’sship entirely destroyed.
The accompanying map gives all the locations of the rebel lines of defence, and the position of a portion of their fleet.
The rebel troops of this vicinity were formerly under the command of Major General Simon Bolivar Buckner, but on the 8th of February last Major General E. Kirby Smith went to Mobile to take charge of the post or to command a portion of Buckner’s army: subsequently Major General Dabney S. Maury relieved him, and is now in command of the forces at the city. The garrison of Fort Gaines falls far short of one thousand men, while that of Fort Morgan is about fifteen hundred. About two thousand men have charge of the city, and with the exception of the simple garrisons of the outlying earthworks this force constitutes all the troops in that vicinity. There is a garrison at Meridian, at the junction of the Montgomery Railroad with the Mobile and Ohio stationed there with the double object of throwing troops either upon Mobile or Vicksburg. It is currently reported among the rebels that their commander intends to fight to the last, and rather than surrender the city he will burn it to ashes. The citizens, however, object to such a course, and threaten to shoot the first man that dares to set fire to their property.
Jefferson Davis visited Mobile shortly before New Year; but his visit was far from being one of enthusiasm. He made a pointed and pathetic address to the people; but the apathy with which it was received rather discouraged him in his hopes of holding the hearts of the Guard Mobile.
Not long since the French consul communicated with the senior officer of the blockading squadron. He stated that, owing to the arbitrary proceedings of the military officers of Rebeldom, it was impossible for the citizens of Mobile to get any supplies or provisions from the country; that all the railroads were in the possession of the government, and that not a pound of provision or anything else that was not for the army was allowed to pass over the railroads; hence starvation was staring the people in the face.
He wanted permission from the Commodore for a steamer to be allowed to make a passage to New Orleans, with several hundred persons of foreign birth, principally French and Spanish subjects, that they might avoid absolute starvation.
The matter was referred to Admiral Farragut, at New Orleans, for his decision. It seems that it would not be exactly right to permit the rebels to rid themselves of a starving population, and saddle them on us in the condition of paupers; for things of all kinds have been so very high in price for a long time, that the people in question who want to escape must be about penniless; but whatever decision the Admiral makes will of course be correct.
There was an old gentleman in company with the consul who was very chatty and communicative. He said the people of Mobile were growing very restive under the pressure of their military despots, and that they longed to see once more the glorious old banner of freedom float proudly again over their starving city. He said that it was common to hear men and women talk over the blessings they enjoyed under the old government, and ask themselves what they had to fight about and for whom were they fighting. Also that if they had the power they would drive out their oppressors and surrender the city and fortifications to the fleet at once. Such is an inside picture of the city of Mobile, and a sorry one it is, and it is fair to suppose that when so much want exists there, many other places in Rebeldom must be about as bad; and if Jeff. Davis don’t look to the matter in time he may some fine morning have a counter revolution on his hands. The old gentleman mentioned that several ladies whom he knew to be violent secessionists at the commencement were now as meek as lambs and wanted peace on any terms. They have verified the old adage – viz: people who will dance must pay the fiddler.
It is rumored that the railroad from Mobile northward is entirely undefended except by small squads of cavalry; but as it leads away from the front of the Union advance it does not require so strong a guard as it otherwise would. Between Grant’s forces at Corinth and Mobile is a broken track of several miles extent, many bridges destroyed, and a distance of 328 miles to travel – no easy march even in a friendly country. Therefore the guard in the vicinity of Mobile is sufficient. It is said that the non-combatants would gladly welcome the Union troops. Many of the rebel officers who own property in and around Mobile have transferred their rights to the foreign consuls, for fear of the result of the attack when it shall come. The fight will be a desperate one if only one-half is done by the rebels that is threatened by their generals. Nous verrons.