The Oxford intelligencer., 1861-05-15
From Our Own Correspondent.


ago, it win no doubt surprise you and your read
to learn that things here still in statu quo
The two opposing forces are still facing each
other deiantly, as you have doubtless seen fight
ing cocks; with feathers up and heads down,
peckiag al the sand, watching for the first move
ment of attack, or the first opportunity to ply
the gaffs effectualy. Fort Pickens has not been
captured. Col Brown who commands there,
recognizes the danger and difficulty of his posi-
ton, and seems to have still lingering hope
that his masters at Washington will make an
amicabe settlement with our Southern COnfed-
eracy. and that he will be permitted to retire
honorable from the trap in which he has been
caught Gen. Braxton Bragg, whose acquaint-
ance Santa Anna did not seem anXous.to cult
waite at Buena Vista, is master OF ceremonies on
our side, and is quietly yet zeaiously and IN
iiringly at work. making every preparation to
give Col Brown such grand entertainment as
he never danced at in all his life before Like
great spider with a blue-bottlc fly safe in his
net, Gen Bragg is perfectly at case, and pro-
ceeds, lesurely but securely, to fasten his lines
about the limbs of his VICTIM who will at last
make one great but vain struggle to get free
Colonel Bropn is IN The esb, and if he ever gets
out again, buebottle flies need never be any
more afraid of great spiders.
Fort Pickcns is not yet taken, but there are
several reasons which lead me to believe it nW
be before many days:
First: Though Fort Pckens docs not lie in a
position altogether so vulnerable as that of Fort
SUMTER yet it is far from being impregnable-
Santa Rosa Island, on the western extremity of
which stands the Fort, faces the entrance of
Pensacola Bay, in such manner that the point
where the Fort is, becomes the centre of a semi
circle of mainland, extending from Fort McRec,
one mile and an eighth distant, and little north
of west from Picilens, to a point half mile
southeast of the Navy Yard. From the latter
point to McRee the total distance is something
more than four miles. Fort Barrancas, said by
military men to be itself strong as Fort Pickens,
is situated about two miles east of McRee. This
semi-crclc of four miles in addition to the forts,
is dotted all along, thicbly almost as they can
stand, with sand-batteries mounted with guns of
very large calibrc and of the most approved pat
tern, the muzzIes of which are pointed to Pick
ems as the rays of light from snnglass con-
verge at the focus Huge columbiads, the very
reverberations Of which will shake the hills for
many a mile around; Dahlgrcn guns in great
profusion mortars for shell and hot-shot rified
Armstrong guns, and every muntion of war
everything, in fact which can assist us In re-
ducing the insolcnt foe whose iootslep pollutcs
our SOLVE have all these in the greatest album
dance. That Fort Pickcns can withstand the
deuging fiery, iron rain which will descend up
on it when the bombardmcnt has once begun,
is simply impossible.
Second: General Bragg, in command at this
point, is gallant officer, promoted to his pres
cat position on account of the genius and valor
displayed on many occasions, but especially at
Buena VISTA where aided by the Mississippi
Regiment, he undoubtedly turned the tide Of
battle, and placed the laurel wreath of victory
above the old American flag. He feels that his
reputation already won, and his future prospects
for glory and advancement, depend upon the
manner in which he conducts operations here,
and upon the success which will attend bim-
Nothing will be left undonc-cvery possible cf
fort will be made, by Bragg, to share our coun-
trv's praises with Dcauregard. Defeat would
ruin him; success would make him one of the
greatest men of the day. Think you he will
fail when so much is 1T stake?
Third: The men who are besieging Pckcns
arc of the picked met Of the country-men
descended from fathers of war-proof" and to
many of whom the terrors of battle and the
sweet pride of victory arc Familiar They are
not hrcling soldery, They are not men who
delight in warfare, and have gathered to the
battle field as vutures do to feast upon its
bloody horrors. They are the quiet, good citi-
zcns, whose lives at home are in the paths of in
dustry and peace. But the war-cry of their
native land has sounded. The oppressor is gath
crng his hosts to force the yoke of mis- tyranny
upon her. As one man, nervcd with all free
mans strength, they have rushed to the battle
plain; and when the hour of conflict comes,
they will be found where glory leads the way /;
| the might of host in every patriot arm, hurl-
] ing DaCk, Ike CnaH DelOGe tne WIFI, tle poor
! spirited mercenarics who have not the sweet in
centives of home, country and right to nerve
their hearts to look Death in the face Can
| such men as ours are, led OH by the blest light
of so holy rause, and having on their side the
smiles CT God and the prayers of the good-can
such men know defeat?
Fourth A great many persons, ignorant OF
the position of affairs at this point, imagine that
! the ships of war, concentrated here by the Lin
coin Government, will give us more trouble than
Fort Pickens itself Gen. Bragg would richly
deserve the ccnsures of our countrymen, it. in
his eagerneSs to reduce Fort Pickens, he had
overlooked the danger of bombardment from the
fleet He has not proved himself so poor a Cen
eral as that. The ships cannot approach near
enough to Santa Rosa Island, on tie south side,
to prove of any service to the Fort, in case it is
attacked except by reinforeements, which
would have to be carried from the ships to the
Fort In small boats and at great risk, to be.
when they got there only so much more food
for gunpowder. The feet could only assist the
Fort by entering the harbor by way of the chan
mel between Pickens and McRee To do so.
they must run the gauntlet of McRee's guns,
and Of the guns in the various batteries from