American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1846-01-03

Correspondence of the American Republican,
U. S. STEAM-FRIGATE MISSISSIPPI,
Pensacola Bay, Fa, Dec. 10, l845.
A Peep into The U. S. Squadron at General Quar-
terS-.NdUal .MovementS-The .HditS-PTeSt-
dents Message Weather-H Health, Sc.
Nothing can be more erroneous than the
impression that the officers of the Navy, and
the men on board the vessels, spend their time
in idleness. A visit to the Gulf squadron will
satisfy any person that the contrary is the fact
The beauty, the cleanliness and neatness Oh
servable in all the vessels are credit to Com
modore Common and the gallant officers under
his command. | can speak particularly with
reference to the engineer department of the
steamship Mississippi. Considering they have
not their full complement Of men in. that de-
partment it is indeed laurel to that class Of
officers No stain or bemish is perceived; in
fact, white handkerchief may be used on any
part of the machinery without being soiled.-
She is a noble as we'll as powerful ship; her bur
then is 1000 tons; power of engine $50 horses;
she has at present on board 500 tons of coal,
sufficient for Is days steaming.
The destination of any of the ships is not
known. Their movements are kept so much
of a secret that the Saratoga had departed for
known where she was bound. 1t is supposed,
however, that there will be no movement of
account until the St. Mary's, which took our
minister to Mexico, returns, and she is daily
looked for, 1t is expected that Com Conner
will not leave here until his relief Com. Per-
ry, arrives in the frigate U. States.
In addition to the regular duties OF board all
ships, is combined the exercise at quarters
This, to citizens unpractiscd eye, is indeed
beautiful scene. Daily at 8, A. NJ, the Com
makes his signal from the flagship for general
quarters. The different vessels Immediately
reply by hosting their signals or respective
numbers, and the drums on board each ship
summon all hands to their respective stations.
The captains take their stations on the prone
made or poop decks, with trumpet in hand, and
in loud and commanding voice call all hands
for general exercise. Coast loose your guns"
"take out your tompons," "take off your
aprons" ''load with cartridge" ''ram home, -"
,'load with shell, "ram home," "prick car
tridge,'' son cap" "sland by" 'fire," "run
out guns" sc. To see the dexterity with
which all the ships conduct this exercise, all at
the same time, is indeed beautiful. After this
are heard the rattle for pikemen and the drum
for boarders. Then the "pikemen and
boarders on the starboard bow" "rcpel the
enemy" ''retire pkemen, "board." The tars
are seen with pistols and the cleaning blades Of
Cutlasses glItteriug in the all, rs though the
enemy were really at hand, combined with a
detachment Of marines, with musketry. The
order is given, ''boarders and plkemcn to quar-
ters." Next, the ships bells announce the
alarm Of ship on fire; the suction engine is i'm
mediately on the spot, hose rugged, and as high
as the main yards is seen stream of water
sufficient to quench any ordinary flame. This
accomplished, the order is given, "otiicers Of
the divisions carry on the exercise ana last
but not least, is the exercise of sailors at small
arms. The excellent drill of the old tars at
muskctry, strange as it may appear, would
make some of your good volunteer companies
blush. This ended, the Commander makes
the signal to discontinue the exercise; the
ships reply; the drums beat the retreat; the
victory is won; and all hands retire.
1t is source of regret to many of the clti-
zens Of this place as we'll as to the officers of
the squadron, that they cannot receive papers
from the North with any regularity; aud often
they do not receive them at all when they
have been sent by their friends. Whether this
is owing TO the arrangement Of the mails or
abstraction theretrom, we are at loss to
know.
The weather in this extreme end of the u.
States has been unusually cold and disagreeable
during the last month"; and we have had ram
the greater portion Of the time. Fires have
been quite comfortable. 1t is, however, as
usual, remarkably healthy; all the officers on
this station get fat and improve in health, and
| may add that a handsomor, Drawer and moro
spirited set Of men never before graced the
Bay of Pensacola. One of them recently mar
red wealthy and beautiful young lady of this
place.
P. S. The schooner On-ka-hye arrived here
yesterday from New Orleans, whence she sail
ed the 10th inst.
The Presidents Message was received in this
quarter with universal applause. Oregon is
certain. All are anxious for fight, but no
one expects it. We will back out John Bull
in the same way we did the cowardly Next
cans.
Although the Presidents Message was re-
ceiVed with applause, the Report of the Score,
tCry of the Navy met with universal condem-
~ nation 1t is thought honest George cannot
much longer hold his place.
CHRISTMAS PRESENT TO AN EDITOR. The
Wings ofNashua and Nashville, N. H., through
a committee, have presented to Mr.. Beard, the
editor of the Nashua Telegraph, one of Pratt's
patent Yankee card presses worth % and a