...rched overland from New Orleans. Everything was in readiness for an attack on Mobile by the middle of March, with from 25,000 to 30,000 troops, including cavalry; and the West Gulf Squadron, under Admiral Thatcher , was ready to co-operate. It was so strongly fortified by three lines of works on its land side that it was determined to flank the post by a movement of the main army up the eastern side of the ba...