Red Wing sentinel., 1861-04-17
FORT TAYLOR AND KEY WEST.

The Newport Mercury publishes
long, interesting communication from
Key West, dated March 10th. w,
make the following extract:
Fort Taylor is rectangular in shape
that is, it has three regular fronts anc
one irregular or gorge front. It rest
on an artificial island, the base sixteel
feet high and eight feet thick; is o
northern granite bedded in the coral
The fort is constructed of Pensaco
la brick being eight feet thick. Ithas
four bastions which rake the front will
twenty four potnd howzitcrs. 1t ha.
two tiers of casments armed with eigh
inch columbiads. The tier plane OF
upper tier, has forty four ten incl
swivel guns; and twelve ten inch trav
ice guns.
The fort has but one entrance OF
|postern which is nine feet wide. Tho
gorge front is 600 feet in length, and
the three fronts are $50 feet.
The fort IS about twelve hundred feet
from the shore, and is connected by q
temporary bridge, but when compile
ted this space will be finished fol
officers quarters, as a dyke sixty feet
wide will be built and covered.
The short line will have a breast
high wall, defended by six twelve inch
columbiads. With the completion OF
this covered way the fort will be com.
pleted, and will be one Of the strongest
Notifications in the world.
Owing to the disturbed state OF the
country, Captain Hunt on his arrival
last fall, Immediately commenced to
put the fort in proper state of defence.
This was done by removing the wharf
at the west front, constructing q draw.
bridge and, closing the lower parts
except those occupied by guns. He
has continued through the winter to
strengthen the Fort in every possible
manner, and after making it impregna
Gle, he gave the military department
to Captain Brennan, First Artillery,
United States Army.
The force to be stationed at the
Fort will consist Of three companies Of
artillery under Maj. French, who is on
his way from Texas. .,
Beside the work drne to put the
Fort upon war footing, a very g:eat
amount.ot work has been done toward
completing it, the number Of men
employed being about one hundred,
forty Of which arc slaves. The men
very orderly and free from dissipation,
and not only willing to work for an
honest living, but, if need te fight for
the Unioa. The health of the men has
been usually good so far, and they
expect to close their work about the
middle of April.
Had not Captain Hunt placed the
fort in a state Of defece as soon as he
arrived here, it would have been in the
hands of the secessionts, but By his
foresight the fort is preserved to the
Government, who can hold it as long
as they desire. @
The town of Key West is situated
on an island six miles long aud two
wide, the highest elevation of which il
about twelve feet above the level o.
the sea. $500, 500 of which are ne
groes, the rest are heterogeneous sci
from all quarters-but the larger part
are known as Cohks, from the Bahama
Islands. Their occupation is gather
| ing sponge, Of which they sell about
$10o, 900 worth per year; many of the
Inhabitants are wreckers, and the res1
get 4 living by their wits. There are
but few very old Southern families
here. On the island are four church
ct, "a court house;jail and two wLippin:
posts. Drunkenness abounds. Ii
cense for sellieg liquor $50 Oper annum
For drinking, it is either four hour
in the sweat box, $40 fine or 80 lashes