AUGUST 7TH, 1864: Col. Charles D. Anderson, CSA, commanding Fort Gaines at Mobile Bay, proposed the surrender of his command to Rear Admiral Farragut.
The monitor USS Chickasaw had bombarded the fort the day before and Anderson wrote: "Feeling my inability to maintain my present position longer than you may see fit to open upon me with your fleet, and feeling also the uselessness of entailing upon ourselves further destruction of life< i have the honor to propose the surrender of Fort Gaines, its garrison, stores."
Before 10 a.m., 8 August, the Stars and Stripes were flying over the works.
I'd have to consider this an act of cowardice on Anderson's part. One for which he should have been court martialled.
--Old B-R'er
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