The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1861-07-19
Operations at Fort Pickens.

Ibis important fort, situated near pen>
sacola, Florida, still holds ou. for the gov
ernment, Notwithstanding it has for months
been surrounded by Gen. BRAGG, of the
Confederate army, with large number of
troops. A letter from an officer on board
a U. S. vessel of war, under date of June
26, gives the following sketch of operations
in and around the fort:
"The latest news on shore is dated last
evening. l obtained it easily. 1t am
Quits to this: The rebels have completed
their four new batteries, and have them
we'll fitted with guns. This makes about
eighteen they have in all, including McRae
and Barrancas. Wherever columbiads
came from-several have been mounted on
Barrancas, instead of the common guns
heretofore located there. received from
several sources assurances that the seces
sionists really need the necessaries of life,
and have narrated accounts to that effect
before. But I do think they are exagger-
ated-for this reason, that the Alabama
Railroad is open, and surely, if there are
any provisions in the so called Confederate
States, troops would not be permitted to
starve in Florida. Besides, to tell the
truth, our own food is not SO good that we
can afford to despise salt pork and bad
biscuit. The singular outlet at the upper
end of the bay, through which the rebels
are said to receive great many little
things, has been reconnoitred with partial
success Henceforward the visits of that
indefatigable little steamer to the Confed-
crate camp will be few and far between.
There are now about 5000 or 5000 sol
diers attached to Bragg's command. The
Navy-yard is divested of everything calcu
lated to burn that could be removed. A
company of Atlanta mechanics garrison
the premises, and 90 outside occasionally
to assist in "sapping and mining" on the
road to McRae, which is better fortified
than many suppose.
| understand that the artilerists who
came from Louisiana are rifling several of
the guns, mounted near the old Navy Yard
water-tanks. There are now plainly visi
to the pract;ced looker-on, fourteen 80
pound pieces bordering the wharves at the
Navy Yard. They are well situated, and
could seriously annoy landing party in
open boats The battery at the south end
Of Warrington is said to be admirably con-
structed and manned by good gunners.-
1t is in this neighborhood that Lieut.
Slemmer's old quarters, at Barrancas the
Fort Barrcas. (Which | see nearly all the
New York journals confounding with
Barrancas) and Barrancas Redoubt are
located. To the Empire State of the
South" as some Of our friends (9) are call
ing Alabama, tie protection of this posi-
ton is confded. They say that they can
keep their posts forever. l should not be
surprised if many of them remained there
until the Day of Judgement.
The Vanderbilt and another steamer
will leave her in a few days. Let me close
by recapitulating our condition. We
have about 1000 men, of all sorts, avail
able here. Bragg has some 5000. But
we have Pickens, and Bragg hasn't; and
never will have, while grass grows (every-
where but on Rosas) and the water runs.
SIX O CLOCK, p. MI hear that Gen.
Bragg has sent to Richmond for 1000
troops that he expresses the fear that
nothing but vigorous attack on Pickens
can save Florida, and that he anticipates q
landing of our troops. This may be false :
but it may also be true. Whether we
mean to land or not, is not the question ;
but it is absolutely necessary that we be
strong enough to do it if we feel inclined
that way. Rosas Island is 60 miles long,
or thereabouts, and can be attacked far
away out Of range of Pickens. Let Mr.
Cameron look to it that we are not only
impregnable, but all-powerful.