The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1861-10-22
THE EXPEDITION TO SANTA ROSA
ISLAND.

ing reports brought by passengers and letters by
this mornings train from Pensacola we had almost
despaired of obtaining anything approaching re-
liability We fortunately, however, found DIR.
Manly, who happened to be at the scene of action
on a peaceful mission from whom we received a
connected account His account is substantially
as follows
On Tuesday night, about II o'clock, some
twelve or fifteen hundred of our men, under COM
mand of Brigadier General Anderson, crossed
the bay in two small steamers and scows attached
to them The men were picked-generalIy from
fourteen to seventeen i'll number-trom the COM
panies of the regiments from Alabama, Florida
Georgia, Louisiana, and Mississippi; no full COM
pany being taken, except, perhaps, the Clinch
Rifles, from Georgia The party dlsembarked from
point opposite Pensacola, Santa Rosa Island,
about five miles from Fort Pickens. The men
had to wade, and some of them to swim, to reach
the beach Some of their cartridges, &c got wet
Landed on the Island, they were divided into
two squads, one proceeding directly across to the
southern beach, beyond Billy Wilson's camp, and
the other marched down the northern beach, op-
posite each other. They killed the sentries as,
they went, some six in number, spiked the guns,
set fire to the cabins in which the Zouaves were
camped, and shot them as they ran out. All agree
that the Zouaves ran incontinenty for Fort Pick
ems They rarely looked back or stopped to fire
dl
thrown up some sand banks, but none Of their big
guns were mounted. Our men took over goodly
quantity of rat-tail files, with which they securely
spiked every gun except two. They burnt all the
houses aud stores except the hospital
The only formidable resistance was from some
L. S. regulars, sent out from Fort Pickens to re-
deem the ground which the cowardly Zouaves had
abandoned. The regulars, however finding our
force larger than they had expected, seemed to
have become panic stricken, and retreateG until
our men were in the act of returning from the
island, in obedience to the 81 gnal from the Navy
Yard They then advanced and fired deliberately
our men, hudded up in the boats and did them
more damage than they had received during the
fight on the island. 1t was at this time that Ge n.
Anderson wounded in the arm. Two or three
guns were also fired at them when crossing, from
Fort Pickens, without effect.
Our men supplied themselves we'll with small
arms that they took from the enemy.-They also
killed one negro and captured another Seventeen
prisoners that they brought back; how
many if any more, is not known. One account
said the notorious Colonel Billy Wilson, had
made strai g!lt run from his m,orgue to the Fort
Another account tiom one of the captured prison
stated that he had not slept at camp that night
as usual, having remained at Fort Pickens All
from our men who participated agree
that they killed between two or three hundred of
the Yankees. Our loss in killed and missing is
forty, and thirty-fve wounded, five of whom died
yesterday. Most of our losses in the skirmish are
attributed to cross firing, when our men we're shoot
ing at the ZOuaves from opposite sides, and to
their not being able to distinguish the badge of
their comrades in the darkness of the night, and
shooting one another
Lieut.. Sayre, when seen last, was on the beach,
in wounded condition. His friends who had
him in charge had carried him two three miles
and were finally compelled to leave him to save
themselves. He had requested them to do so
previously, but they chung to him to the last
and then put coat under his head for
A pillow. lie was shot in the thigh and was much
exhausted from bleeding He fought calamity as
prisoner in this helpless condition by the Yam
KEGS. Capt helms, of one Of the Georgia COM
panes was killed, whose death was greatly regret
ted Notwithstanding the unfortunate accidents
referred to OccaSoning the death of many of our
brave soldiers, the object of the expedition was
accomplished, and the result was
highly satisfactory and inspirting to the officers
and men of our army. The only object contempla- |
ted was the breaking up of Billy Wilson's camp,
and not the taking of Fort Pickens.
This done completely. No artillery was
taken over-only small arms pick-axes, fre-balIs,
and files. y reserve force, composed of the re-
mainder OF the 9th Georgia Regiment, had started
over to reinforce our men, when the signals were |
fired by General Bragg for the body on the island
To return. 1t was about o'clock in the morning; |
they had been entirely successful, and, being in
Danger of being surrounded by the feet and the
force at Fort Pickens, it thought prudent for
he troops to the Bay. Major Nodges, one |
Of the distinguished" Yankee prisoners TAKEN !
told our officers that Colonel Brown the commaE-
der at Fort Pickens, wa. to open his batteries on
hem yesterday or last night but, up to 9 clock, |
when the train left, no demonstration had been |
made. Our wounded were being well cared for
by the ladies of Pensacola.
The Pensacola Observer contains the cores |
pondence between Col. Brown, in command at
Fort Piekens and Gen. Bragg commander of the |
hospital at the Navy Yard. Col. Brown says he |
notices large yellow Eag on the building in the |
line of his batteries, and says it may be used as a
protection for Confederate troops, and gives /
notice to Gen. Bragg to have all the women,
children, aud sick removed.
Gen Bragg replies that the building now used /
Is hospital has always been used as SUCH and he |
intends to continue using it for that purpose He .
will respect Col Browns hospital, even though /
the Federal guns are directed to the destruction !
pf the Confederate hospital. Gen Bragg says he /
will hold Col Brown responsible before the world !
or any injury to his hospital.
PENSACOLA, Oct. IA flag of truce was
sent from Fort Pickens, to inform Gen. Bragg
hat the prisoners would be sent to New York on ,
sunday. Gen. Bragg sent the Paymaster over,
n no paid the men in full for the remainder of
heir term.