Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1861-05-29
DsspStftstn OF Treeps at Pensacola and
Prospect of Fight.
oor1espnndence 81 the N.x Orleans Plcsyu

correspondence
PENSACOLA. May %, 1861 Pensacola, usually
quiet place is oaiet still but it is the quiet of
military camp. Between here and Warrington, the
navy yards forts and batteries there are now some
$4,000 troops from Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama.
Georgia, and Florida. They are the very flower OF
the land. Some OF these have come down at mo-
ment's call; but most of them are well drilled In
cavalry, artillery infantry exercise AL OF them
are filed with the patriotism which makes good sci
diers, well as good citizens, and where tue den-
cheney of drill Is felt they are making It up IN
zeal and energy. do not believe there was ever
an equal number of men collected together VINO
could more be depended upon for the defence OF
their country and their homes. All OF them are
men Of property, most of item EmeR OF wealth.
strong, athletic, active men. whose powers OF en-
DURANGO are fully equal to their unconqueraoie pa
triotism.
OF course only a comparatively small number OF
these men are actually needed for manning the bat
ferries and holding Fort Pickens and the neet AZ
bay. Most Of the Others however, nave nad some
part in the erection of the batteries or other WORKS
| Immediately connected with the siege while aare
daily engaged in drilling and preparing for What
ever action they may be called to take part in. 1t
is most excellent school of discipline and the II 0oO
men collected here will soon be the nucleus OF
| large and we'll al pointed army.
OF the works erected here. or in progress OF
for the reduction of Fort Pickens, it Is not
of course proper for us to speak in detail IL Is
sufficient to say that they of the most extensive
| i
that even with his slight knowledge of them, they
| give marked uneasEess to the enemy. Battery has
| in fact been added to battery. now of mortars,
now of the largest sized guns till they would bet
ter be counted BY miles than by numbers. Every
| thing, moreover, is ready, and the word of com
mand only is awaited by the devoted fortress to be
overwhelmed with a perfect storm of shot and
shell.
In the meantime the enemy are hourly manifest
ing more and more uneasiness. Long SINCE every
| hat he 10 fhar
Fort Pickens and now, if despairing of its sue
cessfu defense they are busiy engaged in erecting
batteries all along the Island, the better to resist
| assault or make good their retreat. Some of these
batteries distinctly visible; others are doubt
less masked. but they will not save them. Once the
fort battered down and our brave troops on the
| island, they will sweep over it with fury tina
nothing resist. And of the immediate reduction
of the fort at any moment the word may be given
there can be no doubt. The day or hour when thu
action will begin, none can tell. IL may be tomor
row morning, it may not be for weeks to come
This only we do know. Everything is ready, while
time only strengthens our position. The ultimate re
ductOn of the fortress is a certainty. 1t only re
mains to be seen whether the enemy will honorably
retire from it, when unable longer to hold it. o.
only after other works of destruction, fsr NOR
Vandalic than those of Norfolk. al ude TO the de
fenceless village of Warrington and the Navy Yard
which may be burned, and with them millions o
property wantonly destroyed, but the spirit of
f ee people, armed in the sacred cause of ibert.
and national independence can never be quelled.
As to the feeling Of our troops in the immediat
prospect of fight, l hardly need say, after wha
have written. that it is excellent. There is no ex
hbition of excitement of Indifference. 1t is tina
of brave men, who are at the post of duty, and ar
resolved TO conquer or die. Where all are well post
ed and judiciousy, according to their service, it
now difficult to say who will bear off the highes
honor. 1t will be gratifying, however, for thos
who are jealous of the credit of State to know
1 his hrar Iaa,iS sxptn in hp
he thickest OF the fight. A large number of theI
we're long since detailed for battery service, Will
he others will doubtless be called upon TO pay tn
, | arliest visit to Santa Rosa.