, 1861-12-17
The Late Fight at Fort Piokens.
JAMEs's GUNS DECLARED USELESS
AND THE PARKOTT GUN
HECONI4ENDED.

The official report Of General Harvey Brown
relative to the brilliant fight at Fort Piekens,
is crowded out Of our columns this morning
by the pressure Of other matter. It is plain,
succinct and sollierly statement Of the whole
affair, and confirms t.as an undoubtcd victory
for the Union arms. Fort Pickens remains
unhurt. Fort NcRae was sadly shattered by
our fire, and the town Of Warrington and part
Of the Pensacola Navy Yard were burned.
Only six men in Fort Pfckens were hurt
General Brown has suggested in his report
several points gathered from lis experience in
this action, for which nc make room, as fol-
lows:
HEADQUARTERS DEPARrMxsT OF FLORIDA,
FoRT P1CKEas, Nov. u, 1861.
GESERAL-The bombardmcnt of the ed and
sd has ELECTED some facts TINT are OF impor-
tance, and notice them that NC may in future
profit by them.
fsrst-Tlat with the most efficient guns Of
the largest caHbre and served in the best man-
ner,- 10 serious injury can be done to stone or
brick walls, or to guns in sand batteries, or to
troops serving them, unless probably by rified
guns, if properly protected, ut q distance OF
from two thousand to three thousand yards.
Second That shells end hot shot are not to
be depended on for firing even wooden build.
ings, unless having in them i1ceHdiary com
position.
E15'd- That pieces Of port fire are ncarl,
useless as such incendiary composition.
EouTth-That brick buildings co.ered with
slate cannot be fred by either hot shot or shells
ut thc distance named, unless By accident, un-
less the shells have rock fires.
FIh-Tlat tile trouble and expense IL
CURED in protecting forts BY sand ing trav-
crses, DC, is far more than repaid by the say.
ing Of the lives Of the defenders.
Si7A-Ihat no dependence is to be pLaccd
on Jaincs's rife projcctilcs, either as it re-
spccts accuracy or range. If had had guns
to be depended on, could have Eilenccd the
most Of the eneuys sand batteries and the
guns in Barrancas.
| Sttenh-That ships with tlcir present arm
aInent cannot for IN hour contend against
| rjfied guns, and that if our navy is not al
! once supplied lihcrally with good rihed guns
it Will be very likely to be disgraced.
|, E!yhfh-Tlat on service here, and believe
tue remark applies with equal force to every
river and harbor in the Gulf, Il gunboat draw
ing six feet water and well armed with gouj
| 17tied guns can do more .nd better service thar
81 forty gun ship, or than such ships as the nj
agara and Richmond
Ni1M-Ihat sail vessels are utterly useles;
| III enforcing blockade.
| 1e,ah-TLat PARROTS rit1ed guns are eff
clent, and that forts should be inmediatel,
| supplied with them and with full supply o
ammunition.
| would strongly urge that dozen Of Par
rott's thirty Founders, or, if to be had, o
larger calibrc,, lie sent 10 this post, with :
| good supply Of ammunition, :ls early Us posi-
| bic. had one which found to be excellent
| lut when the navy met with such uishap il
the Mississippi was compelled to let FLAG
| Officer Mexican have il and ono Of my twelve
| poundcr Parrctt guns to put on one OF hi:
| ships TO save them from being driven out O.
the waters BY little steamer having riaei
| gun Oh board. HARVEY BRoWE,
| Colonel Commanding.
| Brigadier General L. Thomas, Assistant Ad
jutant General, United States Army, Washing