The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-08-09
INTERESTING FROM FORT PICKENS.
CAMP BRowN, SANTA Rosa ISLAND,
nv IL. u, o,,nA J,lv "a 1891


Letter from Adjutant James j. Heary, Of Col. Wilson'S
Zouares-Conditiono Of hs Mca--Io,o Watris Ohained-
Shakes Frogs and Young AlligatorsFo't Tdylor--Fot
JGerson--Fbrt Pieke'sf'lon of the Encdmpmen-Erery
Day VieW Of the Eneny--H His FoytiGcatons and Bate
rIesPtank Roads from the Fort 10 the Sand Batteries
and Sea Shore-Uasd Satss Regulars al Fort Pick''s--
Erccssire Hat Of The Wsathey-The Watch,ood Of The
Boys, Victoy or Death /" dc.
DEAR - write you in great haste, the steamer
leaves in one hour, seven A. N. When last wrote we
all laboring under excitement occasioncd by being
up all night in heavy rain securing the woods in search
of the enemy. II is chds play this travelling
sand hills, minute mountain and the next in
swamp, up to your waist in mre. The men are some
what affected from exposure to the sun, and darrhea
and dysentery, through imprudence In their diet and
drinking too much water, which is very plenty. We OBJ
Jain water by digging hole six TO twelve inches deep
in the sand, and placing board therein.
cause all the companies 10 dig fresh wells every
two days, az they become alled ia this time with
snakes, frogs and young alga,ors. The Adjutant
Generals Department of Florida from whom receive
my ordcrs) consists OF Fort Taylor Key West three
days sail from here Fort Jefferson the Island OF Tor
tugas small strip of land about mile and quarter
In circumference situated in the Gulf Of Mexico and
sixty miles distant from this point The fort covers the
entire island. think it the most beautiful spot In the
United States Fort Picsens is also embraced in the De-
partment Of Florida. Our encampment is planned
cording to strict army regulations comprising
pahy streets, each street receiving whatever the
majority Of its occupants decide Upon. The rcgincnta
parade ground the north side and the officers quar-
tiers the south side of the ercampmcnt, with
the exception OF the cOlones and my own,
which occupy the centre, overlooking the entire
camp We can see our enemy over the river hard at
work. daily, distinctly you tho street,
and Il seems hard that must look quietly and allow
him to proceed. II will come, however, shortly, aud
when il does the lesson and will teach these rebels
will be fearful. They have Notifications and batteries all
along the harb0r opposite for four miles, We swim
easily We have houses 10 destroy, but they
have thousands Our camp is beautifully situated mile
and half back Of the fort. Our men have abors of
green bushes built their tents We took possession
OF our quarters this morning and find the change very
agreeable assure you We rise AT break Of day hall past
three A. NJ work until half past five A. NJ get breakfast
work until half past nine A. NJ sleep lounge about in
the shade until half past three NJ; then work until
half past seven O'Clock p. n. Two hundred men
engaged building plank roads from the fort the sand
batteries and shore To carry supplies tho fort and
camps. Two hundred more working boats, unloading
the ships at anchor two miles from shore Our pckets
Should the enemy make landing this island they will
be warmly welcomed and should they drive us before
them, they will have to fight every inch of ground until
reach the fort, and there they defeat
There upwards Of 100 United States regulars in
side Of Fort pickens The weather here excessively
hot, aud have become as black a muatto We are
all however, making the best Of the change Of climate,
&C.. and inurng ourselves to the vcssitudes Of camp
life. The watchword Of our boys is ''Vctory death "
You shall hear from me per next steamer.