GAINES AND MORGAN.

IF IT be true -- and who can doubt it -- that there is no rest for the wicked, and if we give this expression a literal meaning, we naturally come to the conclusion that the Seventy-Seventh was a very wicked Regiment, for most assuredly they enjoyed but few seasons of repose.
        On the evening of July 30th, the Regiment left their camp and went aboard the steamship "St. Charles," and the next morning found them once more in the vicinity of the Gulf. Owing to a storm the vessel could not cross to Ship Island, the point of immediate destination, until Monday, August 1. On that day, at 3 o'clock P.M., they cast anchor off the dreary coast of the island, and waited for further orders. During the night of the second, the vessel left Ship Island, and the next day reached the blockading fleet off Mobile Bay. In the distance loomed up the frowning battlements of Fort Powell, at the junction of Mississippi Sound with the Bay, while in the immediate vicinity the rebel gunboats watched vigilantly the movements of our land and naval forces. A crisis was evidently approaching, and all were anxiously awaiting the result of the impending trial of strength and skill. On the third of August the troops disembarked, landing on Dauphine Island, Alabama. The army was commanded by Major General Gordon Granger, and the navy by the brave and successful hero of many battles, Rear Admiral D. G. Farragut, Commanding West Gulf Squadron.
        The troops landed on the west end of Dauphine Island. The water was so shallow near the shore that the vessels had to cast anchor some distance out, and skiffs were employed to land the troops. Before night they were safely on shore, and ready for future operations. On the east end of the island was Fort Gaines, probably the strongest work on the Gulf coast. The capture of that stronghold was the object of this expedition, as a preliminary to the reduction of Fort Morgan, across the channel, and the ultimate capture of Mobile. At that time General McGinnis was in command of the troops on Dauphine Island, while Colonel Grier, of the 77th, was second in command. Very soon, however, the General was relieved, and the Colonel was ordered to take command, as will be seen by the following extract from a letter written at the time:
        "Fort Gaines, Aug. 8, 1864. * * * After a day or two, however, Gen. McGinnis was relieved and Col. Grier of the 77th, was ordered to take command of all the land forces, which he did with characteristic energy, so far as I know, to the entire satisfaction of Gen. Granger and all the troops. So when you see Canby or Granger mentioned, just remember that our Colonel is often the one who did the work. * * *" It may be well to mention, in this connection, that Col. Grier retained the immediate command of the troops until the capture of Fort Gaines, and was then ordered to the peninsula on which Fort Morgan stood, and was in command during the siege and capture of that Fort.
        After the troops had landed on the island, they were pushed forward in the direction of Fort Gaines, so that by the evening of the 4th of August, they were within a mile and a half of the enemy's works. Skirmishing began immediately. Five companies of the 77th -- "C," "D," "F," "H"  and "I" -- were sent to the front to strengthen the pickets, and to push the advance sufficiently near to allow the planting of our batteries.
        In the meantime the navy was busy. The channel, between Fort Gaines and Fort Morgan, was about three miles wide, but the rebels had driven piles across, leaving only a narrow channel next to Fort Morgan, through which vessels could pass. About 8 o'clock on the morning of the 5th, the gunboats moved slowly forward in the direction of this narrow channel. The monitors led the way, followed by the flag-ship "Hartford," with Admiral Farragut on board. One of the monitors, in entering the bay, struck a torpedo, which exploded, and the brave Capt. Craven, and his crew of a hundred men, found a watery grave. When within range, the heavy ordnance of the Fort opened fire on the daring fleet, while the latter replied with such vigor that the earth and the ocean trembled with the concussion. The conflict was short, for soon the fleet had passed the Fort and was safe inside the bay.
        But their work was not yet done. They soon encountered the rebel fleet in the bay, under the command of Admiral Buchanan. One of the vessels belonging to their fleet, was the celebrated ram "Tennessee." The engagement was short and severe. The Union fleet, as usual, was triumphant. Admiral Buchanan lost a leg during the action, while our loss was severe. The "Tennessee" was captured, the rebel ram Morgan, was run ashore and burned, while several of their vessels made their escape up the bay.
        After our fleet had entered Mobile Bay, Fort Powell, in the Meditterranean Pass, was evacuated, and the guns of Fort Gaines were turned upon our land forces. For a time there was some lively shelling. But our troops were not idle. A landing had been constructed on the coast about a mile and a half distant. Large siege guns were landed and brought forward for the reduction of the Fort. Earthworks were thrown up, and our skirmishers not only held their ground, but steadily advanced. There was no escape for the garrison, and our boys felt sure that the surrender of the Fort, with all that it contained, was only a question of a few days at most.
        On the morning of the 7th, a flag of truce was seen approaching the lines from Fort Gaines, and the firing ceased. The next morning the Fort surrendered unconditionally to Admiral Farragut. The troops composing the garrison marched out in front of our lines and stacked their arms. They numbered 725, and were mostly boys about seventeen years of age, belonging to the 21st Alabama Regiment. As soon as the surrender was made, the "Stars and Bars" -- the emblem of secession -- was hauled down, and the Flag of the United States floated proudly over the captured works.
        The next day the Regiment packed knapsacks and went on board a vessel intending to cross the bay, to operate against Fort Morgan, the next point of attack. In crossing, the vessel ran on a sand-bar, and stuck fast. Another came to their relief and shared the same fate. They were then transferred to the tin-clad "42," and the next morning returned to Fort Gaines.
        In the meantime, Col. Grier, with all the land forces, excepting the 77th and one other Regiment, crossed over to the peninsula, and laid siege to Fort Morgan. The bombardment went on day after day by the monitors and the land batteries, with heavy replies from the Fort. The 22d, however, was the "big day" in the siege of Fort Morgan. At daybreak a heavy cannonading began by the batteries on land and sea, and was maintained, without interruption, all day and far into the night. The Fort was enveloped in a dense cloud of smoke, and twice, during this terrific firing, the buildings inside were set on fire by our shells.
        Such a conflict could not long continue. At 7 o'clock on the morning of the 23d, a white flag was hoisted on the works, and one was seen approaching our lines. The firing ceased and terms of capitulation were agreed upon. At 3 o'clock P.M., Fort Morgan was again the property of the United States. The Stars and Stripes,

"Flag of the free heart's hope and home,
By angel hands to valor given,"

floated proudly over the fortress, and the ramparts were patroled by the "Boys in Blue."
        The Regiment remained on the island until the 25th, when they struck tents and went on the steamer "J. M. Burr," and crossed over to Fort Morgan. Here they took on board the 96th Ohio, and also a lot of spades, shovels, axes, wheelbarrows, etc., and then ran up to Cedar Point, above Fort Powell, and landed. They marched about a mile and then returned, as the point was so swampy they could find no place to encamp.
        The Brigade now consisted of five Regiments, the 23d Wisconsin, 67th Indiana, 77th Illinois, 96th Ohio and 161st New York. But in less than a week another change was made, when the Brigade was reduced to three Regiments -- the 34th Iowa, 67th Indiana and 77th Illinois -- and commanded by Col. Clark, of the 34th Iowa.
        Details went to work on the point, throwing up breastworks and bringing forward artillery from the boats. rhe boys enjoyed themselves feeding on fish and oysters, which were abundant, while the mosquitoes enjoyed themselves feeding on the boys. But as there was not room enough for so many troops, the Seventy-Seventh and two other Regiments crossed the Bay and landed at Pilot Town, four miles in rear of Fort Morgan. But they did not remain here long. On the 9th of September they went on the steamer "Thomas Sparks," and turned their prow in the direction of the Mississippi. Early on the morning of the 11th they landed in front of the old familiar levee at New Orleans, but were immediately sent up the river to their former camping-ground at Morganza.
        As this was the year of the presidential election, a vote was taken in the Regiment at this place, in order to feel the political pulse. The vote resulted as follows:

        The result showed very conclusively that the boys did not consider "the war a failure," as some of the politicians of the North had declared it to be.