Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1861-01-23
THE SURRENDER OF THE PENSACOLA NAVY
YARD.

The Pensacola Observer brings US the particulars of
the surrender of the U. S. navyyard at Warrenton,
near that city, to the Florida aud Alabama troops num-
berng sevea companies with nearly 800 men, rank and
file. The surrender took place on the 18th inst.
and the circumstances attending narrated fol-
lows
The troops arrived at the east entrance of the War
renton hayward about IL o'clock, A. NJ aud there
hailed Col Lomax, accompanied by Major Marks and
Adiutant Burrows Of the Alabama regiment, and Col.
r l.. Campbell aid-de-camp to Col Chase, and Captain
Randolph late OF the United States army, as also Capt
E,rrspj of the yard, proceeded Immediately to the
office of Commodore Armstrong, commanding, for an
interview which was promptly accepted by the
be chief officer Of the yard, when event Immediately
traDspred as affecting it important After the
Introduction of the distinguished parties, Col. Lomax
read the order from the Governor oil Florida by auhon
Z, of which he demanded immediate possession of the
Yard and its paraphernalia OF every description.
| Commodore Armstrong responded substantially for
W. cannot give the precise language that he had deyO
I'd nearly the whole OF hs long lie to the public SER
vice of his country that he had loved aud protected its
9 in sunshine and in storm; that bis heart was then
bleeding over the contemplation of the distracted con-
zion OF the American Union; that he native of
Kentucky which had no navy, and therefore, knew not
where ne should 20 10 make livelihood IN his declining
years that he hal adequate force 10 make resistance
aud that if he had Notwithstanding the foregoing con-
sierauous he would prefer the loss o! his own lie to
Z destruction of the lives of his felow-countrynen.-
lis voice trcbed with emotion he closed his brief
aud affecting remarks by the announcement that ne re-
nquished his authority 70 the representative OF the SOW
ereiguJy OF Florida.
The order was Immediately given by Capt. Renshaw,
lag officer TO haul down the Tag Of the Union, which
was done aud in lieu thereof is another Tag with thr-
teen alternate stripes Of red and white, and blue held
with a large white star announcing the changed poliil-
| C 4 condition Of our State Everything conducted
I -. IMAM
degree OF solemn interest which manifested upon
the Of the hundreds of citizens and sol
/ diars present.
| Capt. Randolph placed in command of the yard,
and Col LOmax took possession OF Fort Baraucas and
quarters where he remains stpioned Immediately 0Ppo-
site and in full view of Fort Pickens occupied by United
States troops with the old Gag OF the Union flying in the
breeze upon its rOwning walls. The spiked guns, fifteen
in number Barancas, have been replaced by drilling,
I foe effective
We omitted to mention that the magazine, containing
!arge amount Of ammunition, taken by detaeh-
of troops, soon as the command arrived at The
\ yard.
/ Lieut. Simmer in command Of Fort Pckens, Is na'
tive OF one Of the New England States and has the rep
uatOn OF being brave oeer. In reply TO the commits
soner who waited him to know be would surrender
the fort DO said he had Instructions from Washington 70
keep it. and he should violate them. He will doubt
less resist long he can. lie must ultimately yield,
/ hoEeyer TO the superiority Of nunbers.
Lieut. Berrymsn, commanding the Wyandotte. kept
his steamer necessarily moving at various points,
opposite the yard and Signalling 70 the commander at
Fort Piekens the movements of the troops.
FORT PICKENS
This fort near Pensacola and now in possession Of U.
s troops, TO the number Of between 200 and $780, was
designed to mount PIP guns and immensely strong
position, and commands the entire harbor The Pensa.
cola Observer says:
II We are 10 have war the seizure OF this stronghold
Is Of course, Of The first importance for unless il
e1pied by Il viii secure 70 the enemy base of op1r,