Rebellion Record: a Diary of American Events: Documents and Narratives, Volume 8.
Frank Moore, Ed.

[139]

I regret to state that, after the assembling of the rebel officers at the appointed hour (two P. M.) for the surrender, outside the Fort, it was discovered, on an examination of the interior, that most of the guns were spiked, and many of the gun-carriages wantonly injured, and arms, ammunition, provisions, etc., destroyed, and that there was every reason to believe that this had been done after the white flag had been raised. It was also discovered that General Page and several of his officers had no swords to deliver up, and, further, that some of those which were surrendered had been broken.

The whole conduct of the officers of Fort Gaines and Fort Morgan presents such a striking contrast in moral principle that I cannot fail to remark upon it. Colonel Anderson, who commanded the former, finding himself in a position perfectly untenable, and encumbered with a superfluous number of conscripts, many of whom were mere boys, determined to surrender a fort which he could not defend, and in this determination was supported by all his officers save one; but from the moment he hoisted the white flag he scrupulously kept every thing intact, and in that condition delivered it over; whilst General Page and his officers, with a childish spitefulness, destroyed the guns which they had said they would defend to the last, but which they never defended at all, and threw away or broke those weapons which they had not the manliness to use against their enemies; for Fort Morgan never fired a gun after the commencement of the bombardment, and the advanced pickets of our army were actually on its glacis.

As before stated, the ceremony of surrender took place at two P. M, and that same afternoon all the garrison were sent to New-Orleans in the United States steamers Tennessee and Bienville, where they arrived safely.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

gentlemen: The further sacrifice of life being unnecessary — my sick and wounded suffering and exposed — humanity demands that I ask for terms of capitulation.

Very respectfully, etc.,

General: I have notified Admiral Farragut of your desire to capitulate. Until his arrival hostilities will be suspended, when your proposal will be duly considered.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

General: In reply to your communication of this date, received by Captain Taylor, asking for terms of capitulation, we have to say that the only terms we can make are:

First. The unconditional surrender of yourself and the garrison of Fort Morgan, with all of the public property within its limits, and in the same condition that it is now.

Second. The treatment which is in conformity with the customs of the most civilized nations toward prisoners of war.

Third. Private property, with the exception of arms, will be respected.

Very respectfully, your obedient servants,

gentlemen: Your conditions in communication of to-day are accepted; but I have still to request that the terms asked with my sick be granted and inserted in the capitulations.

I will be prepared to surrender at two o'clock, and to embark as soon as possible.

Very respectfully, etc.,

sir: Your despatch, numbered 368, is received, informing the Department of the capture, on the twenty-third ultimo, of Fort Morgan. This is the last and most formidable of all the defences erected to command the entrance to the bay of Mobile, and it is a gratification that its capitulation was effected sooner than had been anticipated. I will not, in this communication, stop to comment on the bad faith exhibited in the destruction of the arms and property in the Fort after its surrender, which is reprobated by you with just severity; but I desire to congratulate