Section Xx.--fall Of Mobile And Beginning Of The End

Spanish Fort having fallen into the posse9sion oí the Umoa torces April 8, while Forts Huger and Tracy, at the mouth ol the Tensaw, were reduced at the same time by the war vessels in Mobile bay, the Federal fleet at once moved ten miles up Tensaw river in the vicinity of Fort Blakel.v, cutting its water Communications. Meanwhile, as elsewhere narrated, the fort was assaulted by General Steele's forces and carried, wuh twenty-flve hundred prisoners. 1 Tüe eastern deienses of Mobile having thus all lallen nto the hands of the Federáis, the city was promptly evacuated. In the light of these events the following, taken (rom a leading Mobile paper issued April 8, the very day Spanish Fort feil into our hands, is interesting reading: "We maintam that the expedition vrhicb the enemy has put on foot for the capture of Mobile Is inadequate for the end in riew, and that we have ampie power to resul and thwart his purpose. "His whole force is massed in front of our defenses on the eastern shore, and up to this time we confldently state it as au irrefutable fact thal he has not gained a shaving. He maltes an infernal noise with bis mortars and big guns, but not one bomb ia fifty hurts anybody, and he has not even grazed our works, which are twice as strong as they were when ihe fight began, and are growing more and more so every hour the ñght continúes. At the rate of progresa the Yanks are making over the bay a gallant and experienced Confedérate offlcer says t will take them just five years and three montfas to take Mobile. By that time we may indulge the hope that "something will urn up. " The evening of April 11, the writer with lis company erossed over to Mobile and bat night slept in a vacant house near the ay. A few f eet in front was a huge canDon with a pyramid of cannon balls by ita Biao. frear by was a magazine containing shells and other explosivo ammunition, looking much like an out-door cellar. The grass over this and all about the cannon was green and beautiful, and a few feet in iront were the waters oí the bay. ■ The Confederates had retreated up the Mobile and Alabama river3, and up the former stream the 13th Corps was at once ordered, ioüowing for a time the Mobile & Ohio railroad. In passing about Mobile the great strength of its defenses was remarked even by our common soldiers, and had the Confederates had sufficent men to have manned the works they would have been almost impregnabla against direct assault, One of the ablest engineers ia the Confedérate army said Mobile was the best fortifled place in the South. At Whistler, a litlle station on the Mobile & Ohio railroad, a few miles f rom Mobile, quite a lively skirmish was had with the enemy's cavalrv. 'J'his was the last engagement the 13th Corps participated in, and is further cjaimed lo liave been tbe last battle of the war. (tumors now began to be circulated that Lee had Ireen defeated and Kicbmond captured. But these were not conh'rmed. Mean tune the army moved up tlie country somer forty or flity miles iiorth ui Mobile. The march was tur the most pai t tbroughathiuly-populaled regiun witb otjly uow and theu a farm house. One day the maren led over heavy roails, and all day long through acolci, rtnzling rain. Towards nlgluUie cumumnri tiHlied. aud the wnler, wild noma miiipmiinn. found comforiable quarter bef ure the Ore of a rude negro cabin, ar.n ai.e wnu ifauOh relish the coru "fliw mi" preparen al ls hearth by a colored Aunty. Ah, youthful comrade ut thatflav.now grown to mature niiddie age, aad, may lie, the posse.isor of ampie fortune, and, perhaps, the favored one of a ctioice eirelo of friendsl J)o marble steps leading ttuuugh wide door way and staiely tia.ll to spacious rooms witb velvet oarpet. nchly-upholstered f urniture and frescoed ceiliug. pervaded tUrouRhout - even in mid-winter - with a lummer temperature, seein half as ïnviting as did thal rude threhold and rough little lovf door throngh wbich you that day could uot enter without bowmg your headl ' Or doo luxurlous food. prepared with special ira to tempt and tickle tho paiate, and eateo frota dauitiesl china upon the flnest and whitest tabla linen. give vu half the pleasure you that day had frum Aunty'ï luie-aik.. eaten opon tho plaiu board table besida her simple hearth 1 , About a weel af ter leavmg Unbilo tbs commaud received ulUciai uolice ei thefall of Richmond aud surrender o' Lao. AU were of cuurte rejolued, knowutg tho war would ooo end. For two or threa days tbe army eamped near the reaidence of Mrs Uodbow, tho motner of Mrs. Oeneral Karl VaD Uorn; it was a plaiu story frame Uouse. painted whila. Oeneral Van Dom had been conspicnons in tbe Confedérate ervico, but during tbs second year of tht war bad a personal difflculty witb Doctor Peters, of Tennessee, by whom Iib was killed. His wifa was living in the quiet lonely región, retired from the world, apparently with uo companion save her molber. Wbila eccamped at tbis place the new of Lincoln1 assassination was received. Itwu terrible news to the toldiers, and the first impulse of every man seemed a desire to in some way avengo tbe Presidenl's death. And had the enemy been in our immediate front in batlle array there is no question but at this period tbe Union soldier would have fought with unusual determinaüon; but the Confederacy was crumbling to pieces, and shooting enemiss of the (Joverumen t was soon to be a thing of tbe past. The cominand finally went into camp immedialely on tbe bank of Tombigbee river, at a place called Mackintosb Bluff fiere a tall flag-pole eighty feet high wa erected, and all seemed to have a good time The war was suUstantially over, and uo more hard campaigns bem in prospect. Uier seemed nolhing to do but wan until sucb time as the Government should nee fit u muster us out. ' A few of the better-disposed people seemed willing to renew their allegiance to the Government, and over such the army 'extended its protection, furnishing, wbeo desired, guards for their property. Upon two or three occasions the writer went upon this service, and his guard dut; at one house is well remembered. Tbe people were well-to-do, out, like very many Southerners, hved in a large log house, the maln part of which consisted of two large, square rooms with a large open space bet ween and a wide porch m front of all, while at the rear was the dimng-room, and at a tittle distance the kitchen. The lady of the house was very pleasant and chatty, and had much to say regarding the pleasant winters they had been in the habit oT enjoying at Mobile before the war put an end to Southern prosperity. She was of rather full figure, and in flusb times had evidently been inclined to dress and gay society. The husband, a lean, lank Southerner, was disposed to be taciturn. He made free use oí the "weed," however, and under the inspiration of a large "cood " of this, especially if his wife was away, warmed up enough to measure off witb great deliberation a few words by way of conversation. He talked most of dogs and hunting, and said there were yet many deer and some bears in the forest. He stated that hunters were, however, compelled to wait tiü the water in all the streams and bayous was at a very low stage, so that tbe dogs used in hunting could cross without swimming: otherwise, they were liable to be destroyed by alligators. He maae the further statement that adog's barking near the bank of a stream would cause any alligators within ear-shot to at once come to the spot whero tbe dog was supposed to be. When asked concerning the liability of an alligator attacking a human being, he said they were not apt to attack a white man. "ButI tellyou," he added, "they're death on niggers and dogs." By and by dinner was announced and was served with considerable formality; several servants - yet practically slaves- being ín attendance. The whole of the table service was very good, and the dinner was as excellent as it could well be made without wheaten flour; corn-meal In several forms was made to take lts place. Tombigbee river was high and the current was very swift. Several old canoes and rickety boats were at the water's edge, and in these excursions were sometimes made to the opnosite shore, half a mile distan t. in searrh of mulberries. One day the writer, wi'.h a rompunion, had crossed the nver In one üt , íese frail Doats, and was gathering mulberries from a tree on the farther shore when there was seen coming down the river- a sharp bend was made opposite the camp- a fleet oí vessels. As the Federáis had no steamboats on the river those in sight were looked upon with suspicion. H was soon discovered that they were gunboats, but not of the Federal navv. They passed near by and anchored a Hule farther down in the middle of the river. This was the remnant of a Confedérate fieet that had retreated up the river upon the faü of Mobile. On returning, we passed very near these vessels, but those on board seemed as quiet and orderly as if attending a funeral. Pretty soon a whole fleet of transports hove in sight, and it was learned that these, with the gunboats and all other Confedérate property of a military character, had a few days previous been surrendered by General Richard Taylor, the Confedérate Department Commander,to Oeneral Canby, represen ting tUe United States Government