DEPARTMENT OF THE GULF: Initiation of the Operations Against Mobile; The Mortar Fleet and Gunboats Attack Fort Powell (3/11/1864)

New York Times - Times Machine ^ | 3/11/1864

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Free Republic University, Department of History presents U.S. History, 1861-1865: Seminar and Discussion Forum
The American Civil War, as seen through news reports of the time and later historical accounts

First session: November 21, 2015. Last date to add: May 2025.
Reading: Self-assigned. Recommendations made and welcomed.

Posting history, in reverse order

https://www.freerepublic.com/tag/by:homerjsimpson/index?tab=articles

To add this class to or drop it from your schedule notify Admissions and Records (Attn: Homer_J_Simpson) by reply or freepmail.

Link to previous New York Times thread

https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/4223257/posts

[Homer_J_Simpson]

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[Homer_J_Simpson]

Department of the Gulf: Initiation of the Operations Against Mobile – 2
The War in the Southwest: Affairs at Chattanooga – 2-3
From Tennessee and Alabama: Union Convention at Huntsville, Ala. – 3
The Army of the Potomac: Arrival of Gen. Grant – 3
Gen. Butler’s Department: Suffolk, Va., Captured and Occupied by Our Forces – 3
From North Carolina: The Recent Execution of Deserters by the Rebels – 3
Prisoners of War Exchanged: Federal Officers Released from Richmond – 3-4
The Presidency: Letter of Declination from Secretary Chase – 4
Abolition of Slavery in Virginia – 4
News from Washington: Special Dispatches to the N.Y. Times – 4
Proceedings of Congress – 4-6
Editorial: The Work of Or Armies – Economy of Forces – 6
Editorial: The Confederate Currency – 6-7
Bragg and Grant – 7
Management of Our City Conveyances – 7
England’s Disposition – 7
General News – 7
Amusements: Italian Opera – 7
Metropolitan Fair – Book Department – 7

[Tell It Right]

If anyone is interested, "Fort" Powell was really "walls" made from sand and seashells, itself on an artificial island made of sand and seashells. The island was made before the war, with the "fort" portion made by the confederates.

Though I just poo-poo'd its strength as a fort for not really having walls, it's effectiveness was of worth. Before U.S. Captain Farragut famously said, "Darn the torpedoes! Full speed ahead!" (except he didn't say "darn") at the Battle of Mobile Bay, he had faced Fort Powell. Between that and other engagements Farragut faced on his way to Mobile Bay, Farragut's fleet had 315 casualties, with only 32 among the Confederates.

https://encyclopediaofalabama.org/article/fort-powell/
https://encyclopediaofalabama.org/article/battle-of-mobile-bay/