Daily Democrat and news. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1859-1864, 1861-04-26
The Intention Ia A. uauk Fort P,ckens
BETRAYED.

We copied yesterday from the cores
pendent of the Pensacola Observer, a
statement that an attack was to have
been made on the night following, on
Font Plckens. The attack was not
made. The reason why is given 10 the
following from the Mobile Tribune of
the 10th inst:
On Friday, Gen. Bragg had all the
plans necessary laid for taking P'ckeus.
Sent,nels Of Slemmer are said to have
been brlbed up to his gates. "Nemo."
alias Matthews, correspondent of the
Pensacola Observer, betrayed the plan,
informed the fleet and fort, and frustrat-
lo,ooa 49,. .x.s'.sns. The fort WAS -rels-
stood upon the beach and counted
eighty five men as they defled from the
snrt boats OF the BROOKLYN into the fort.
1t was officially announced, at the
headquarters of the Colonels Of each
regiment, on Saturday, that Gtn. Bragg
would have taken Plckens the night be-
fore, perhaps without the loss OF man
or the firing OF a gun, had 1t not been
for the trcachcry OF a friend in whom be
had had confidence for years. (Allud-
ing, no doubt, to Capt. Adams, in com
mand of the tlect.)
Matthews was arrested last Saturday,
upon suspicion Of being spy, end sent
to Montgomery tor tigation.
On Thur. day, messenger from Lin
coin (Lieut. Wo,deu, U. 5. NJ, arrived
at the Navy Yard with verbal dispatches
for the fort aud fleet. He was suffered
10 pass over. 1t is supposed he instruct
cd the feet to throw reinforcements in
at once.
Five signal guns were heard at 8
o'clock in the fleet, at which time the
movement took place, Bragg spy was
arrested and detained until morning.
"Nemo,' the correspondent aforesaid,
as we learn from the Montgomery Ad-
vertiser ofthe 18th, was arrested by Gen.
Bragg, and was taken to that city on
the 10th, on the charge Of having COM
municaied intelligence through his let
tiers which gave the enemy warning OF
the intended attack. He was, however,
released, the Court considering his act
one of indscretion merely.
THE DEFENcE OF NEW ORLEANS.
The people OF New Orleans are cast
ing about for meaps and methods Of de-
tending their city from attack by the
government. Numerous plans are pro-
posed, one Of which is given along with
a diagram to the Picay,1ne. 1t proposes
the construction Of > series Of submarine
batteries, the nature of which may be
inferred from the following description
The submarine battery, tor such it is
represented at A., placed in position and
ready for use, consists Of an oval shell,
made Of thin copper, the longer diane
ter Of which 10 8 feet inches, the short
er feet inches. In this are placed
several copper tubes. and in the tubes
conicsl shot, as seen at A., the lower
part Of the tubes and the lower part oil
the battery being filled with powder
the upper part Of the battery containing
atmospheric air for the purpose Of insur
ing perfect combustion Of the powder,
and also for the purpose Of giving the
battery the right specl6c gravity. At b.
are the charcoal points, which are con.
nected With copper wiresC. c. The bat.
terry is anchored in the river at the most
favorable point, the top of the battery
being about the depth that vessel,
keel would be below the surface. When
. enemy's vessel passes over, the opera.
tor on shore, by means OF q galvanic bat
terry, sends an electrical current along
the copper wirep, which, reaching the
charcoal point., plays between them, ig.
mites the powder and blows up the YES.
sci.
| A series Of these batteries could be
placed at various points on the river, and
without loss to ourselves We could de.
stroy an enemy's fleet. Seeing it, great
advantage, have considered the plan
worthy your attention ~ citizens, and
- guardians Of the public safety Of Z
great commercial metropolis, open to
/ thu nftnok 0f m anaolnnA en>rr~