camp that night, well loaded with flour, bacon, tobacco, etc., found in a rebel commissary building, which had been hastily evacuated. "In concluding this report, I deem it but due to the commissioned officers and enlisted men of my command, to praise them for the brave, efficient and persevering manner in which they have conducted themselves from the beginning to the end of the investment. Where so many have performed their arduous duties so equally well, it is invidious to notice any distinctions of merit, and I have none to make. Throughout the whole siege, they have labored almost unceasingly, by day and night, with pick and spade, as well as with arms, all intent upon accomplishing the common object.

"I herewith enclose a list of casualties occurring in my command during the siege just closed.

"I have the honor to be, Sir,

"Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

"CAPT. GEO. B. CARTER,

"L. BLANDEN,

"Col. Comd'g Reg't.

"A. A. A. Gen'l,

"1st Brig. 3rd Div. 16th Army Corps."

Thus, after a sharp contest of thirteen days, one of the most important defenses of Mobile, with four or five hundred prisoners and a large amount of artillery and small arms, fell into Union hands. Considering the space of time employed in reducing the stronghold, the investment of this place was fully equal to that of Vicksburg, though at no time was it so complete.

The rebel artillery was handled with great skill,

and was pronounced more effective than any ever before experienced in such operations.

In addition to their direct fire from formidable land batteries, during most of the time the water battery, known as Fort Eugee, located within close range, upon an island at the head of the bay, and their gunboats, were continually playing upon the Union lines, having from that direction an annoying enfilading fire, to which the right of the Federal army was particularly exposed. General Canby caused a battery of eight sixty-four pounders to be erected in a position commanding Fort Eugee, and in a short time her guns were silenced, and the gunboats driven farther up the bay, where they could do no harm.

While the investment of Spanish Fort was progressing, a portion of the besieging army, the 2nd division of the 16th, and the 1st division of the 13th Corps, were withdrawn and sent to reënforce the troops under General Steele, who had arrived from Pensacola, and had laid siege to Fort Blakely. After the fall of Spanish Fort, Blakely was the only remaining obstacle to the possession of Mobile city, and on the 9th of April a general assault was ordered upon that place. The troops which had taken Spanish Fort the night previous, were at once concentrated near there with instructions to act as a reserve to the charging columns.

At an early hour on the morning of the 9th, the Ninety-fifth was on its way for Blakely, arrived near there at noon and bivouacked in the reserve line of battle. Soon afterward the general assault commenced, and the fort was carried by storm without requiring assistance from the reserve troops. Between two and three thousand prisoners were here captured, and another large quantity of artillery and small arms.

These events, as predicted, determined the fate of Mobile. Forts Spanish and Blakely were her great points of guard, and when they succumbed she must likewise surrender. After they were taken, the Union iron clads could move up the bay to a close range, and reduce her to ashes in case she attempted to hold out longer. But she made no farther efforts at resistance, and on the following day after the capture of Blakely, the mayor of the city surrendered it to the military authorities of the United States. It was occupied by a portion of the 13th Army Corps, and soon the stars and stripes floated in triumph over the "Bay City of the South," and all her contiguous forts and strong places.

The campaign against Mobile was now at a close, and the presence of the 16th Army Corps, which had contributed so materially to crown the Federal arıs with recent successes, was immediately required in another portion of Alabama.

CHAPTER X.

The 16th Army Corps ordered to Montgomery, Alabama - Rumors received before leaving Blakely, of General Grant's victories in the East - The suspicion with which the Ninety-fifth received flying reports, since they were deceived at "Big Sandy" - General Grant's success confirmed - Enthusiasm with which the Intelligence was received by the Regiments-The Ninety-fifth cheer lustily-The March through the Pine Forests-Guideboards A Rattlesnake Affair - Arrival at Greenville - The Ninety-fifth garrison the Town-Feelings of the Inhabitants A Paper published by the Soldiers - March continued to Montgomery Arrival there - General Wilson's Raid through this Section Tooops camp around the City - Rebel paroled Soldiers from the Eastern Armies pass through-Beauregard, Bragg, Pillow, Semmes Dick Taylor and Kirby Smith surrender - The Rebellion at an end-Drills resumed by the Ninety-fifth-What General A. J. Smith thought of their Dress Parade - Anecdote of the "Pointer Dog," and how Colonel Blanden came by it Order from the War Department to Muster out Troops - The Men anxious to get Home - The 16th Corps retained for Garrison Duty in Northern Alabama.

DIRECTLY after the capture of Mobile, the 16th Army Corps received orders to proceed by land to

Montgomery, some two hundred miles distant, and on the 13th day of April it moved out from near Blakely for a long march to the first capitol of the Southern Confederacy. The route taken was over the old post line, traveled in times of peace, and lay through a dreary and almost interminable forest of pines, for which this section of country is celebrated.

Before leaving Blakely, vague rumors had reached us of the great battles between Grant and Lee, at and around Richmond, and a report circulated that the greatest rebel chieftain had surrendered with his entire army to the Lieutenant General of the Federal armies. Full confidence, however, was not placed in these flying rumors, and the 16th Corps was well on its way into the interior of the State, when news was brought by a courier from General Canby, at Mobile, confirming beyond doubt the glorious successes of the armies under General Grant, the capture of Richmond, and the entire overthrow of the rebellion in the East. The reliability of this intelligence was strengthened from the fact that General Smith, immediately on its reception, caused the information to be officially announced to each regiment of his command, and in response, the men made the silent old pine forests resound with their vociferous and oft-repeated cheers. It was on the 19th day of April that the great news was read to the Ninety-fifth, during a halt made for that purpose.