Daily Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1860-1862, 1861-11-27
PENSACOLA, Friday Night, Nov. %

place has commenced This morning at
precisely ten o'clock, by my time piece,
without warning or intimation, the guns of
Fort Pickens opened on the gunbOat helms,
transport steamer Time, and the little Cush-
man-the two latter lying at the foot OF
Central wharf, the helms in the basin of the
Dry Dock.
The Federals fred a number of guns be-
fore our batteries replied; when they opened,
under the joint explosions, the earth and wa
ter seemed agitated at their terrible voices.
The houses of Pensacola shock at the earth
quake voices of innumerable batteries, and
soon the buildings by the water side, the
sandy beach and the long wharves, project
ing far into the bay, were thronged with SOL
diers, citizens, strangers and Ladders, under
such excitement as only wars dangers and
alarms could produce.
All communication with the lines below
was impossible only through the govern
mental interdicted wires, aud up to the pres
ent hour we are without any further infor-
nation than limited view affords.
The morning was hazy, and with the smoke,
the enemy's batteries, as well as their ships
of war, are not very distinct. Their air eX-
ploded shells, however, are quite plain, and,
up to the present moment, appear to have
done no more mischief than brighten from
the decks of the Time and Cushman their
crews.
The gunboat helms, in command of Lieu
tenant Munston, of the Louisiana Infantry
quite the basin under shower of shot and
she'll, and proceeded in direction of the
Floridians, who are stationed at or near
town Point on the main land and opposite
the city. From front posisiOn on the hey,
we witnessed her departure from the yard;
the enemy for many minutes devoted their
whole energies TO her destruction, bomb
shells and rife balls falling like autumn
leaves over and around her. Once we
thought bomb had fallen on her deck. She
was almost bid from view by smoke; fortu-
nately it oVerreached her, causing only
slight designation of her railing. She fir
ed from her little piece two shots at Billy
Wilson's batteries, and proceeded on to the
Florida camp.
Eleuen O'Clock 4. M-The helms has arriv-
ed at her wharf, and Capt. Keys reports the
facts as above stated, except that he is not
certain whether it was the sand batteries or
Fort PickenS opened the ball. Whether
Billy or Brown, they were in dead earnest.
The steamer Time still occupies her position,
apparently unhurt. Had the effort been
made, it is thought by those on the helms
she might have got out and come to the city.
OF this we will probably learn more when
Capt. Wingate comes up.
1uS VI tue lIl5dltS COIO-
RADIO and Niagara, it is thought, and a gnu-
boat, have moved down from Wilson's camp
to the mouth of the bar, ane are, as well as
we can discern, delivering brOadsides at
Fort McRae. up to this hour, we had no
from the yard. save little news
boy, who, according to his own story, "cut
stick" at the first gun.
y TiCslUe o'clock.-No news yet from below.
With the glass we can see the fleet in the
same position as an hour ago, firing with
great rapdity, but the particular object of
their rage we are unable to discover. Fort
Pickens and the Island batteries are answer
ing our guns with ierocity. Our forts and |
batteries replied with equal alacrity-we |
trust to God with killing effect. There is no |
abatement in the city excitement, and every
now and then shout from citizens and SOL |
Tiers falls on the ear. Preparations are ma |
king by some to send their sick families up |
The road. No fears are entertained of the |
enemy's success. Col. Johu r. Jackson COM |
nands here, having the Fifth Georgia Regi- |
nent, Capt. Homer's Battery. Capt Cox's |
cavalry, and Battalion of Home Guards, |
lnder him.
One o'clOck.-The negro crew of the steam
IT Time, or portion of them, have arrived.
They left in double quick'' on the first fire,
md of course thought of nothing but escape.
They report Capt. Wingate, Charley Brock
ley, and Mr. Justice Morton in the yard when
hey left. Mr.. Morton was aboard in the ca
,acity of Clerk, and much disabled by long
ickness. 1t is hoped he is ':all right with
he rest. EEb Htt
THO o'cEock.-Mr. Myers has arrived: be
eft the yard at eleven O'Clock. The steam
II Time, i is thought, is not much injured,
,ut under range of the enemy's big guns.
Her loss just now is unbearable-stean pow
II in the bay is quite limited; Capts Lanier
nd Crump have all their teams strung out.
,ept up by wagon trains. Our boys will not
ave to fight on empty stomachs.
Three ocI0ck.--A gentleman has just az
ived from below. The enemy sent a shot
trough our hospital, in which there were a
lumber of sick; no injury that he could
earn. Our men at the batteries are said to
landle their guns with great courage and
oolncss.. The General expresses the great
st confidence in his men aud batteries. The
Colorado and Niagara are still laundering
way at the Barancas and Fort McRae.
-Four O'cloct.-A gentleman from Warning
on and the Navy Yard, just come up. He
cit at o'clock and reports that one or two
persons had been killed at the yard and that
ONE of the buildings had been materially
Injured. Harry Mccarthy has also come up,
,ut left before any damage had occurred. A
ong train of government wagons had just
uttered the yard when the firing commenced.
/ number of animals were kIlled-the dar-
ties quit their teams and such scramble for
afe places was never witnessed since that of
Bull Run.
Fire O'Ciock-The mail closes in a few min
ties. My despatch was in the Office at an ear
y hour but could not be got off until the gov
dispatches had been sent, and per-
mission obtained from below. Mr.. Thornton
he operator, has no one to assist him but he
s game and makes no complaint.
Another gentleman from just below says