Book Description

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1879 edition. Excerpt: ... landed on Dauphin Island, a long, narrow strip of land on which Fort Gaines is situated, the landing being covered by the Conemaugh, Lieutenant-Commander J. C. P. DeKrafft. Farragut appreciated the assistance of the army in this case, and the responsibility of his position. He determined not to commit the imprudence of beginning an attack without having taken every precaution to insure success. He says in a private letter: " I am ready to take the offensive the moment the army will act with me. There is no doing anything with these forts s0 long as their back-doors are open; besides, my communications must be kept open for supplies, which requires a force of troops to cut off all the enemy's land communication with Mobile." The 4th of August had been fixed upon as the day for the landing of the troops and the entrance into the bay; but, as Farragut says in his detailed report of the engagement, " owing to delays mentioned in Captain Jenkins's communication to me, the Tecumseh was not ready. General Granger, however, to my mortification, was up to time, and the troops actually landed on Dauphin Island. As subsequent events proved, this delay turned to our advantage, as the rebels were busily engaged during the 4th in throwing troops and supplies into Fort Gaines, all of which were captured a few days afterward." The attack was now postponed till the next morning. The following letter, which I give in full, shows that Farragut appreciated the desperate work before him: "flag-ship Habtford, "off Mobile, August 4, I864. " Mt Dearest Wife: I write and leave this letter for you. I am going into Mobile Bay in the morning, if God is my leader, as I hope He is, and in Him I place my trust. If He thinks it is the proper place for me to die, I am...