This week's DAUPHIN ISLAND HISTORY BLOG entry is a little long but it's a good'un. Most of this post covers THE WEST POINT OF DAUPHIN ISLAND, a place over seven miles away from anyone living on D.I. in the present-day. Not only was the WEST POINT AREA the probable  location of Iberville's pile of human bones but the WEST POINT AREA of D.I. figures prominently in the strategic geography of two of Dauphin Island's greatest armed amphibious invasions: The U.S. Navy's two-week-long of bombardment of Fort Powell @ Grant's Pass in February of 1864 and the U.S. Army's amphibious landing at the west point on August 2, 1864.(this new entry also includes pilot guides for the mouth of Mobile Bay from 1823 and 1839.) Check out the latest BLAST FROM D.I.'S PAST @ http://dauphinislandhistory.blogspot.com

ABSTRACT LOG OF THE U.S.S. J.P. JACKSON, Acting Volunteer Lieutenant M.B. Crowell, U.S. Navy, Commanding

February 16, 1864 — From 12 to 4 a. m. : At anchor with the fleet off Dauphin Island. Moderate breezes from N. N.W. Saw several lights on the north shore and one on the Shell Bank. At daylight got our anchor, went alongside the schooner Orvetta, took her in tow, placed her in position, she stopping in the mud, Shell Bank bearing E., west point of Dauphin Island woods bearing S. E. \ S. Returned for another schooner. At 8 took the 0. II. Lee in tow and placed her in position; Shell Bank bearing E. by N., woods S. E. Returned and took the Henry Janes into position at 9:30; Shell Bank bearing E. by N. J X., west point of woods on Dauphin Island bearing S. E. i S. At 9 o'clock U. S. S. Port Royal arrived from westward. At 9 : 30 the first shot was fired by U. S. S. Octorara. At 10 o'clock took our station on the left as far to northward as we could get, in 8 feet 6 inches water, between the Orvetta and 0. H. Lee, and engaged rebel works with Sawyer rifle. At 12:40 ceased firing, having fired 42 shell, 23 of which taking effect inside the enemy's works. Up to this time none of the mortars have struck the fort. Saw a steamer, sloop, and schooner outside. The enemy returned our fire briskly at times, most of the shot fell short. From 12 to 4 p. m. moderate wind from N. N. W. All the mortar boats moving nearer to the fort under sail. At 2:30 p. m. the Sebayo stood to the westward. At 3:30 we commenced action again. At 3:50 the fifth shell was fired, when the Sawyer rifle split in the vent, about five inches long, which rendered it useless. During the afternoon action was continued by the steamers and mortar schooners with but little success. From 4 to 6 p. m. : Communicated with the senior officer. The rebel gunboat Gaines came down Mobile Bay and anchored near the Shell Bank. At 5:15 withdrew from action; stood to S. to communicate with outside fleet. Saw a gunboat outside standing to eastward. At 6:30 stood nearer the fleet. At 7 anchored in our former position.

PAGE  132-136 from CONFEDERATE MOBILE by Arthur W. Bergeron, Jr.

The anticipated attack on Fort Powell began on February 16, 1864. Six mortar schooners and four gunboats opened fire on the fort about nine o'clock that morning. The Confederates manning the guns in Powell replied infrequently to the enemy bombardment [ed. note: Fort Powell's guns included two SELMA, ALABAMA-made 7 inch Brooke Rifled Cannon, the most accurate naval gun of its day, as well as the Columbiad cannon now located near the Admiral Semmes statue at Government and Royal.] Most of the shells hurled at the fort fell short. A Confederate officer wrote later to his girlfriend: "The damage to the Fort was very trifling." At least five Federal shells exploded in the officers' quarters and destroyed them. Two men in the fort, one of them Lieutenant Colonel James M. Williams, commanding the post, were wounded during the attack. A shell fragment knocked Williams down and stunned him. According to a newspaper report, he barely escaped being killed: "The shell grazed the front of his arm and body, entirely tearing away the sleeve and breast of his coat." At least one Confederate concluded from the results of the bombardment that naval fire alone would not reduce the fort.

Heavy winds from the north prevented the Federal vessels from renewing their attack for a week...

... Farragut's mortar schooners and gunboats renewed their attack on Fort Powell on February 23 and continued the bombardment the two days following. On the twenty third, the Federal gunners fired slightly more than 300 shells at the fort but caused no damage and no casualties. During the attack on the following day, the Federal vessels threw nearly 375 shells toward Fort Powell. Again, few shells struck the target, and those that did had no serious effects. The Confederate artillerymen in Fort Powell initiated action on February 25 by firing on the Federal squadron. Despite the 470 shells fired in reply by the enemy, the fort sustained less damage than it had the previous day, although the garrison lost one man killed and two wounded.

A frustrated Union officer wrote to a comrade about these fruitless attacks: "We are hammering away at the fort here, which minds us about as much as if we did not fire- that is, the fort- for the men skedaddle as soon as the fire is at all brisk, although they will keep up anything like a fair fight, as they did with me for two hours yesterday in the ORVETTA, and until the the others commenced action, when they retired."

Heavy northerly winds, low tides and bad weather prevented Farragut's vessels from renewing their attack on Fort Powell until February 29, but on that day they carried ouOnagain had only negligible results: "Only 20[shells] struck the island and 3, the bombproof, killing or wounding no one and damaging the Fort so slightly that ten men in ten minutes restored it to its former condition." The Confederate gunners fired slightly more effectively than before. Although one of their cannons burst, the men kept on a steady barrage. Five shells struck one of the mortar schooners, forcing her out of action. The commander of the Confederate ram BALTIC wrote to a friend about the engagement:

"I saw some beautiful line shots made...during the bombardment, and am satisfied at least one of the mortar schooners would have sunk if sailors had been handling it [Fort Powell cannon], but unfortunately those who were working it knew not how to sight a gun." Finally, at sunset Farragut ordered his ships to break off the engagement. The fort's flag remained flying as the Federal vessels sailed westward.

The bombardment of February 29 convinced Farragut that further attacks on Fort Powell would yield no better results. He also realized that he could do nothing that would result in the capture of the forts guarding the entrances of Mobile Bay. High winds and low tides had prevented the Federal vessels from getting any closer than two miles to the fort. Several ships ran aground during the two-week demonstration and had to be towed off. The low water had made it almost impossible for small boats to land an assault force near the fort. Buchanan's [namesake for Buchanan Drive] small squadron of gunboats had assumed a position in the rear of Fort Powell where they could take the garrison off or reinforce it. The ironclad TENNESSEE could not get over the Dog River bar, but Farragut mistook the BALTIC or another vessel for the TENNESSEE. Thinking the iron clad ready for action, Farragut did not feel he could run into the bay without monitors or ironclads of his own. Lacking troops to cut off the land approaches to the Confederate forts, the Union admiral decided he could not attack Mobile Bay successfully and chose to end his demonstration.

PAGE 505 of HISTORY OF IOWA REGIMENTS IN THE WAR OF THE REBELLION(concerning the landing of the 34th IOWA INFANTRY on the west point of D.I.  the night of Tuesday, August 2, 1864) :

The operations of Rear-Admiral Farragut and General Granger against Forts Powell, Gaines and Morgan were brief and brilliant; and the troops who joined in these operations may well feel proud of their achievements. On the 2nd of August, 1864, General Granger effected a landing on Dauphin Island, and within twenty-one days from that time, each one of these forts was in the possession of our forces. The 34th Iowa was the first regiment to disembark on the west point of Dauphin Island. It was soon joined by the 96th Ohio, and a colored regiment; when the entire force, under command of Colonel Clark, with skirmishers well advanced and extending from shore to shore, marched forward in the direction of Fort Gaines. The night was dark and stormy, and an east wind beat a drenching rain directly in the faces of the troops. To any but soldiers, the occasion would have been dismal; but these brave fellows,trudging on through the mud and rain, were jocose and merry. Colonel Clark advanced about six miles, and to within two miles of the fort, when he halted and rested his command in line of battle. At day-light he was joined by the 67th Indiana, the 77th Illinois and the 3rd Maryland; when, after slight demonstrations, the fort surrendered.

PILOT GUIDES FOR THE MOUTH OF MOBILE BAY FROM 1823 AND 1839:

PAGE 145-146, COLOMBIAN NAVIGATOR; OR, SAILING DIRECTORY FOR THE AMERICAN COASTS AND WEST INDIES, 1823

The Massacre Island [ed. note: present-day Petit Bois Island) is rather more than 2 miles distant from Horn Island ; and between the two is a flat, with only 6 feet of water : the island is about 8 miles in length, very narrow, but remarkable, because it has a thicket of trees on its middle part, while there is not a tree on the rest of it. From Massacre to Dauphin Island, the distance is 4 miles, and a shoal extends almost the whole way. Dauphin Island is about 6 miles in length, and two in width, where broadest. The western part of it is a narrow tongue of land, with some withered trees ; the rest of it is thickly covered with pines, which, at the east part, almost come down to the beach.

Dauphin Island forms the west part of the entrance of the Bay of Mobile ; and, on the north, another island, named Gillori (ed. note: present-day Little Dauphin Island), succeeds it : from this to the continent there is a chain of shoals, through the straits, among which boats only can pass. Within a mile to the south of Dauphin Island is Pelican Island, which is arid and small ; about 3 miles from Pelican, to the east of it, is the east point of the bay, which is named Mobile Point, upon which there is a fort, and a thicket of low bushes.

MOBILE, — Between Dauphin Island, Pelican Island, and Mobile Point, there are shoals extending out from all of them, and which leave a channel of only about one-third of a mile in width ; these shoals extend to the southward about 4 miles ; and this is the length of the channel, in which there are from 4 to 7 fathoms, except at its beginning, where there are only 15 or 16 feet. The most certain mark to cross the bar in the deepest water by, is to bring the east end of Dauphin Island to N.W. by N., [N. 26° W.] and, following this course until Mobile Point and Fort bear, N. 1/2 W. [North] at the distance of 4 miles, you will be very near to the step of the bar, in 7 fathoms : from this spot, instantly, and in another heave of the lead, you may be past the bar, and be again in deeper water. It ought always to be kept 'in mind that this bar, being so very steep, is continually altering when there is a swell on ; therefore, no vessel drawing above 10 feet ought ever to attempt crossing it in bad weather. The first direction of this bar is towards Dauphin Island, by which you ought to steer at more than the distance of a mile ; and, having passed the knee of the east shoals, direct yourself to the N. by E. 1/2 E. for Mobile Point, to the north of which you may anchor in 5 or 6 fathoms, but without shelter ; for the bay is very large, and the current in it very rapid.

 From Mobile Point to the fort and town, which are on the northernmost part of the west coast, the distance is 9 leagues, and the depth diminishes gradually from 3 to 2 fathoms and less water.

The Town of Mobile, at the mouth of the River Tombigbee, is built on the side of a hill. It was, formerly, a city of considerable importance, is pretty regular, of an oblong figure, and situated on the west bank of the river. The Bay of Mobile terminates at a little to the north-eastward of the town, in a number of marshes and lagoons, which subject the inhabitants to fevers and agues in the hot season. Fort Conde, which stands near the bay, towards the lower end of the town, is a regular fortress of brick, and there is a neat square of barracks for soldiers.

Large vessels cannot go within 7 miles of the town, so great a part of the bay being shoal. On the shores are great numbers of alligators, as well as in the rivers and lagoons.

Mr. Darby says that, " Above the bay, the river of Mobile presents an appearance nearly similar to that of the Mississippi ; but the banks of the bay are generally high, and not subject to inundation. "

 Between the localities on the Mississippi and Mobile rivers there exists a very strong contrast. From the shortness of its course, the latter is scarcely subject to any of the evils attending an inundated country, when compared to the former. The floods of the Mobile are sudden, and soon subside : they occur at most seasons of the year, but are most abundant in spring. Before the violent heats of summer, the waters of the Tombigbee and Alabama are abated, and their swamps are, in a great measure, drained.

PAGE 194-195, COLOMBIAN NAVIGATOR; OR, SAILING DIRECTORY FOR THE AMERICAN COASTS AND WEST INDIES, 1839

MOBILE — Between Dauphin Island, Pelican Island, and Mobile Point, there are shoals extending out from all of them, and which leave a channel of only about one-third of a mile in width ; these shoals extend to the southward about 4 miles ; and this is the length of the channel, in which there are from 4 to 7 fathoms, except at its beginning, where there are only 15 or 16 feet. The new lighthouse on Mobile Point exhibits a brilliant fixed light, at 55 feet above the level of the sea. Besides this light- house several buoys have been laid down to facilitate the navigation. On the Bar, in 17 feet of water, on the eastern side of the main ship channel, is a spar buoy, painted black above white, the lighthouse bearing, by compass, North, distance five and one half miles. Passing this buoy, the course in is N.N.W. 1/2 W. in 4, 5, 6, and 7, fathoms of water, until past Sand Isle [Little Pelican?] on the `larboard hand.

 E. 1/2 N. from the Sand Isle, and on the eastern side of the channel, is another spar- buoy, painted white above black, in 10 feet of water, lying on a very steep bank ; midway between which and the island is the main channel.

W.N.W. from the lighthouse, on the west bank, in two fathoms of water, is a third buoy, painted white. There is also an iron spindle or beacon on Sand or Little Pelican Isle.

To enter, bring the east end of Dauphin Island to N.W. by N., [N 26 degrees W.] and, following this course until Mobile Point and Fort bear N. 1/2 W. [North] at the distance of 4 miles, you will be very near to the step of the bar, in 7 fathoms : from this spot, instantly, and in another heave of the lead, you may be past the bar, and be again in deeper water. It ought always to be kept in mind that this bar, being so very steep, is continually altering when there is a swell on ; therefore, no vessel drawing above 10 feet ought ever to attempt crossing it in bad weather. The first direction of this bar is towards Dauphin Island, by which you ought to steer at more than the distance of a mile ; and, having passed the knee of the east shoals, direct yourself to the N. by E.1/2 E for Mobile Point, to the north of which you may anchor in 5 or 6 fathoms, but without shelter; for the bay is very large, and the current in it very rapid.

From Mobile Point to the fort and town, which are on the northernmost part of the west coast, the distance is 9 leagues, and the depth diminishes gradually from 3 to 2 fathoms and less water.

The Town of Mobile, at the mouth of the river, is built on the side of a hill. It was, formerly, a city of considerable importance, is pretty regular, of an oblong figure, and situated on the west bank of the river ; but the greater part was burnt down in the autumn of 1827.

 The Bay of Mobile terminates at a little to the north-eastward of the town, in a number of marshes and lagoons, which subject the inhabitants to fevers and agues in the hot season. Fort Conde, which stands near the bay, towards the lower end of the town, is a regular fortress of brick, and there is a neat square of barracks for soldiers. At a. mile below this, on Choctaw Point, is a harbour-light, for which a grant was made in 1828. This light, bearing N. by W. J W., leads directly up to Mobile.

Large vessels cannot go within 7 miles of the town, so great a part of the bay being shoal.
On the shores are great numbers of alligators, as well as in the rivers and lagoons.

 Mr. Darby says that, " Above the bay, the river of Mobile presents an appearance nearly similar to that of the Mississippi ; but the banks of the bay are generally high, and not subject to inundation. "Between the localities on the Mississippi and Mobile rivers there exists a very strong contrast. From the shortness of its course,- the latter is scarcely subject to any of the evils attending an inundated country, when compared with the former. The floods of the Mobile are sudden, and soon subside : they occur at most seasons of the year, but are most abundant in spring. Before the violent heats of summer, the waters of the Tombigbee and Alabama are abated, and their swamps are, in a great measure, drained."

 In February, 1815, H.M. ship Gorgon, Captain R. R. Bowden, lay at anchor, in 6 1/2 fathoms, sand and mud, clean good holding ground, three miles South of Dauphin Island, with the Bar of Mobile bearing E. by N. While in this situation, a strong gale of wind blew on shore from the S.W., and veered to the S.E. A long heavy sea set in, — the ship pitched deep with a heavy roll,— perhaps from an undertow : in this manner, with a whole cable, and top-gallant-masts struck, the ship rode perfectly safe, with little strain on her cable, for thirty hours, when the wind shifted to East, and from East to N.N.E., and blew very cold and heavy for thirty-six hours. The strong southerly swell, setting on shore, caused the ship to roll heavily, but perfectly safe and easy. Captain Bowden says, " I never observed either a S.E., S.W., or N.E., gale continue forty-eight hours, — seldom more than thirty. The N.E. gales are heaviest ; and perhaps southerly gales are not dangerous. Southerly gales veer round to the eastward,moderate a few hours, and are succeeded by strong N.E. and N.N.E. gales. N.E. gales veer to the N.W. and West, become moderate, and fine in a few hours. " Having rode out the gales from the S.S.E. and N.N.E. I weighed, on the 23rd of February, for the Havanna, the wind blowing strong from the N.E."

 The rise and fall of tide, near the Bar of Mobile, when uninfluenced by the wind, is about 2 feet on the full and change ; commonly, 16 to 18 inches.