Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1861-11-01
Fremont Journal.
Far,lsalar. g .ao san,a no.a Auasn.

among tho arrivals by tho Mcclellan
yesterday from Fort Pickens, we're sevOn
persons who had been living at Milton, in
Alabama, thirty miles above Pensacola,
and who have succeeded 10 making their
escape from The rebels with a good deal of
difficulty. Their names are as follows:
N. A. Packard and wife; Mr.. Gillette,
Express Agent; Mr.. Johnson, Engineer on
the Alabama and Pensacola Railroad; Capt
John Butler aud wife, and Frank Smith.
They were all in favor Of the Union, and
have left tho South, at The sacrifice of all
their property, on account Of their attach
ment to the National Government. In an
interview with Mr. Packard, we learn a good
deal that was interesting concerning affairs
in that quarter He had been making ar
rangcmcnts for some time to leave at the
first favorable opportunity On the 10th
he went down the river to Pensacola on
business, and, in company with the others
named went on board lighter lying there
with the professed purpose of returning to
Milton. They had some difficulty in get
ting permission TO leave the wharf after
sunset as this was contrary to the regula-
tions, but finely succeeded Tho right was
dark and threatened rain. They stccred
across 10 Deer Point where they left the
lighter and proceeded in small boats 10
Santa Rosa Island, where they landed as
il itproyed, somo eleven miles above the Fort
They camped in hollow during the night
aud the next day, fearing that they would
be discovered by the guard boat in case
they attempted 10 60 by water, they crossed
the Island and walked all the way to Will
sons camp, from which they soon made
their way to the Fort. They came to New
York in the Mcclellan, on which they were
obliged to pay dollar and half each for
very inferior fare.
Mr.. Packard says that the attack on
Wilson's camp was avowed in Pensacola to
have been part Of an intended attempt to
storm the fort. News had reached the reb-
els that feet was on its way TO the Gulf
with $4,000 men, and it was deemed neces-
sary TO attack the fort before its arrival
They had arranged, therefore, that 1900
men should attack and destroy Wilson's
camp, while 1000 moro should cross the
island and attack the fort in tho rear
Bragg opening his batteries upon it at
given signal. The 800 men sent to sur
prise the camp were all picked men, / Z be-
ing selected from each company of the va
rious regiments. The other 1000 were
Georgia troops, and could not be collected
from the town in which they were scattered
soon enough to take part in the affair."
They were just ready to embark when the
others came back after their repulse.
1t was universally conceded BY the reb-
els at Pensacola that the expedition was an
utter and costly failure. About fifty of
the men carried cans of camphene for the
purpose of firing the tents. They came
upon Wilson's men and took them by sur
prise. Part Of them fought very we'll, and
Major Creighton ordered them 10 charge
but his orders were countermanded aud the
troops fell back towards the fort in some
confusion. Capt. Hill, meantime, hearing
the firing, came out of the Fort with two
or three companies Of regulars -repulsed
the rebels, drove them into their boats and
killed many Of them after they had en-
barked. One rebel officer was shot in the
cabin Of the steamer in which he was cross
ing, when more than half mile from shore.
The regulars showed the most perfect dis
clpline and courage, and fired three shots
to the rebels one-taking very accurate
aim and hitting nearly all tho men in the
head or breast. He said it was con-
ceded at Pensacola, land indeed the rebel
newspaper accounts already received, state, J
their loss at 40 killed and so or 60 wound
ed. The loss on our side was either IL or
13, MIR. z. did not remember which, killed
and wounded. The reported destruction
of property in Wilson's camp is utterly ur-
true. They partly burned one barrel Of
pork, not damaging more than a quarter Of
it, set house on fire, and destroyed Is or
20 tents. Beyond this they did no damage
whatever.
Mr.. Packard states that COL Brown had
made all his arrangements to open his bat
teries upon Pensacola on the 18th; and that
he was prevented by the affair at the mouth
Of the Mississippi, which made it nee
essary for two of the ships which were to
have taken part 10 the action, to go to the
aid of our blockading feet.
Affairs IN Pensacola are represented as
being anything but prosperous. The reb-
els have about 1000 men there, but pro-
visions were very high, and the Govern
ment had begun to seize grain, pork and
whatever else might arrive for the public
service, paying only at such rates as they
might fix. Pork was selling at $55 a bar
rel, and at 80 cents pound at retail. Su-
gar cured hams, S5 cents; butter sixty cents ;
corn 81 so; Flour ss to $I2 a barrel, etc.
Every man suspected of owing any debts
at the North, was compelled to declare the
amount under oath, and pay il over to the
rebel treasury. Nothing was 10 circulation
bat paper money, gold Commanding a pre-
MUM Of 20 per cent. Corporations and in
dividuais were issuing shinplasters Of all
sizes. I"
Mr.. Packard states that any one suspect
ed Of Union sentiments is in great danger
Of being mobbed, though a Mobile paper
stated that over 400 "alien residents' had
gone from there to Richmond 10 get pass
ports to the North, under the proclamation
giving them 40 days to leave. He says
there arc still great many Union men
there, but they dare not give the slightest
expression to their sentiments. Mr.. p.
himself is a native Of Maine. 49,
sn, Terrible Rland Man.
Nr4a