Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1861-04-17
The Second Point of AttncII-situation and
Strength of Pensacola.


The Second Point of AttacI-situation and
Strength of Pensacola.
The second point of attack, on the part of
the Oonfederates, will undoubtedly be PEN
sacola. The first object will be to clear the
Southern border, and leave fair field to
meet the national forces from the North,
wherever they may enter the Confederated
Territory, whether by sea or land, and it is
highly probable that the place of meeting
will not be very distant from Washington,
as every possible stratagem will be used to
drive Virginia into the Oonfederacy imme-
diately. The question whether Fort Pickens
can be held, until re- enforced, is conse-
quently one which is asked by every one !;
and any thing relative to il is seized with
eagerness. s...
The town of Pensacola is small, contain
ing not more than 1000 inhabitants. Its
harbor is one of the most capscious in
America, the water on the bar being twenty
one feet deep at ebb tide. The exact hight
of the tide we are unable to state, but it is
not very great. One of the best navy-yards
established by the Government is here To-
Gated, but is now in possession of the Con-
federate troops. I
Fort Pickens is situated on Santa Rosa
Island, fiat piece of land, rising bat little
above the surface of the sea. The walls of
the fort are forty five feet in hight by twelve
in thickness; it is embrasured for two tiers
of guns, which are placed under bomb proof
classmates, besides having one tier Of guns
en- bdrbeas. The guns from this work rad.
late to every point of the horizon, with flank
and enflading fire at every angle of ap-
| proach. The work was commenced in 1928,
and finished in 1853. 1t cost the Federal
Government nearly 100000. When on a
war footing, its garrison consists of 1890
| soldiers. sr-.. .Fs ...'
The total armament consists of 2l0 guns,
60 of which are iron forty. two Founders, II
thirty-two Founders, 40 twenty-four pound.
ers, 8 eighteens, l3 twelVes, 6 brass field.
pieces, 26 brass flank howitzers, 10 heavy
eight inch howitzers, thirteen-inch NOR.
tar, heavy ten. inch mortars, 4 light eight
inch mortars, sixteen-inch stone mortars,
Coehorn mortars. This fort completely
a
commands the town and harbor,
The forts in possession of the Confederates
are McRae and Barancos, the former one and
quarter and the latter one and three. quar-.
ter miles from Pickens. Besides these, othel
batteries have been erected, mounted ant
manned with about 5000 men. .E-r
There are two channels entering to the
harbor, one of which is very near SAINTS
Rosa Island and Fort Piekens and the othel
near Fort McRae, but both are commanded
by the artillery of the Confederates, though
the distance to be run is not great and al
the water is deep, re. endorsements can, VIZ
suppose, be taken to Pickens without grea
difficulty. ,.. !. is' To-
! When, the Secessionists first seized th'
Nayy-yard, there were but eighty troops
commanded by Lieutenant Slemmer, il
Fort Pickens, but it is believed that re- en-
foTcements, numbering several hundred
have since been landed but of this there i
no positive certainty. There are 800 mel
on the feet, now lying at the mouth of tn
harbor, besides the ordinary crews, and will
if practicable, be landed.