Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1861-12-17

conducted with system and efficiency
Msjor. Tower, Surgeon Campbell, and Assist
ant Surgeon Sutherland, in their respective
duties, sustained their high regulations. Cap
tains Robertson, Duryea, and Blunt, and Lieu.
tenants Pennington and Seeley, respectively
commanded Batteries Lincoln, Scett, Totten,
and Cameron, and small battery at Spanish
Fort, and the other officers batteries In the
fort, with distinguished ability. Captains Do
bies' and Bailey companies were with the bat
teries at Lincoln and Cameron, and did their
duty faithfully and efficiently The companies
Of Captains Henberer and Duffy, of the Sixth
regiment New York Volunteers, were succes.
sively on duty at the fort, and rendered cheer.
fully important assistance to me. The regu.
lar companies engaged at the batteries, ali Of
whom performed their duty so efficiently as to
precIude my MAKING distinction, are Com.
Panies A, F, and L, First Artillery; G, II, and
h, Second Artillery, and G and e, Third In.
fantry, and Companies G and 1, Sixth Regi.
ment New York Volunteers.
In closing, tender to Flag Officer Mexican
and Capt. Ellison, Of the navy, and to their
officers and crews, my best thanks for their
able cooperation, which would have had the
happiest results but for the unfortunate fact
tnat great draft of water prevented their suf.
nclently near approach to the works of the
rebels.
| am, General, very respectfully, your obe-
dent servant,
HARVEY BRowN, Colonel Commd'g.
Brig. General L. THOMAS, Adjutant General
U. s. Army, Washington, D. C. !
Headquarters Department of Florida
Fort Ptekcns, Nov. Is, 1851.
General: The bombardment of the 22d and
z5d has ELECTED some facts that are of import
ance, and notice them that we may in future
benefit by them.
L. That with the most efficient guns Of the
largest calibre, and served In the best manner,
no serious injury can be done to stone or brick
walls, or to guns in sand batteries, or to troops
serving them, unless probably by rifed guns,
II properly protected, at a distance of from
TWO thousand to three thousand yards
2. That shells and hot shot are not TO be de.
pended on for firing even wooden buildings,
unless having in them incendiary com position.
.. That pieces of port fire are nearly useless
as such incendisry composition.
f. mat brick buildings covered with slate
cannot be fred by either hot shot or shells at
the distance named, unless by accident unless
the shells have rock fires.
D. That the trouble and expense inourred in
protecting forts by sand-bag traverses, DO, is
tsr more than repaid by the saving of the lives
Of the defenders.
o. That no dependence is to be placed on
James rife projectile, either as il respects ac
curacy or range. If had had guns to be de-
pended on, could have silenced the most of
the enemy's sand batteries and the guns in
Barraneas.
z. That ships with their present armament
cannot for an hour contend against rifled guns.
and thatH our navy is not at once supplied
h6erally with good rifed guns it will be yery
likely to be disgraced.
8. That on service here, and believe there-
mark applies with equal force to every river
and hsrbor in the Gulf, gunboat drawing six
feet water, ard we'll armed with good rifed
guns, can do more and better service than 40
gun ship, or than such ships as the Niagara
and Richmond
g.. That sail vessels are utterly useless in en-
forcing blockade.
10. That Parrott's rifed guns are efficient.
and that forts should be Immediately supplied
with them and with full supply of ammuni.
ton.
would strongly urge that a dosen of Par
rott,s 3O-pounders, or, if to be had, of larger
calioer, be sent to this post, with a good sup
ply OF ammunition, as early as possible. had
one, which found to be excellent, but when
the navy met with such mishap in the Missis-
slppi, l was compelled to let Flag Officer Nc
kean have 1t and one of my l2-pounder Parrott
guns to put on one of his ships, to save them
from being driven out of the waters by little
steamer having q rifled gun on board
am, General, very respectfully, your ob't
servant, HARVEY BRowN.
Col Commanding
Brig. Gen. L. Thomas, Assistant Adjutant
General U. s. Army, Washington, d. G.