AUGUST 9TH, 1864: Though the Union fleet controlled Mobile Bay and Forts Powell and Gaines were un Union hands, Brig. Gen. Richard L. Page, formerly a U.S. Navy officer and until recently a commander in the CSN, gallantly refused to surrender Fort Morgan to the overwhelming forces arrayed against him.
Federal naval forces took station off the fort while troops began a land siege
After a brief bombardment, Farragut and Union Army commander Major General Gordon Granger advised Page: "To prevent the unnecessary sacrifice of human life which must follow the opening of our batteries, we demand the unconditional surrender of Fort Morgan and its dependencies."
Undaunted, the Confederate officer replied: "I am prepared to sacrifice life, and will only surrender when I have no means of defense."
He was fighting his fort as he would have his ship.
It was too bad that Fort Gaines' commander couldn't have been more like Page.
--Old B-R'er
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