Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1861-12-20
FROM FORT PICKENs.

After waiting some time, with no other
than the rebel accounts Of the battle at Fort
Pickens, we have at last the truth Of the af-
fair. As VIC supposed, the accounts hereto
fore received through rebel sources were
rebel exaggerations, and that Fort Pickens
was not preached; Bragg did not capture il
did not attempt to storm it by attacking
him in the front and rear and that the real
victory, 80 far as any victory was attained,
was with the Federal forces under Colonel
Brown, making the attack from Fort Pickens.
The following extract from letter from an
officer at Fort Pickens, probably gives the
true version Of the matter
FoRr PfcxrSs. Monday, Nov 25
The long agony j., hope, over. and well Wa
have had much could reasonably hope or
and with much less loss and damage than could have
cspeetcd We we're under continuous and heavy fire
from the forts and batteries Of the enemy fourteen
hfeen in number for two days, with loss Of only one
afisates wounded, and which Is singular but
wa. hurt on the ramparts, the most exposed place.
You can have idea of the amount Of fire gave
and received when | tell you that we consumed hhy
thousand pounds of powder. and that three
tired every minute for two days The avalanche Of shot
and she'll terrible but soldiers did their duty
Union soldiers fighting for their country should, and
most ably did officers and perform their whole duty.
The Navy, unfortunately could not give the assist
ance We expected, in consequence Of drawing too much
water, and therefore failed in the great bcct Of
hopes, the capture Of Fort Mclkae
About two-thrds Of Warenion Is burned, and al
though we cannot see it, think much Of Woolsey,
village north of the Navy yard and good many build
ngs in the yard burned aud the remainder must be
sheltered by the heavy shot and shell increasingly
poured upon them.
Two steamers, the Time and Bradford, had become
particularly obnoxious soldiers who ardently de-
sired to destroy them but DRAoG afrad Of losing them,
always kept them night Pensacola and only sent
them down when loaded. At nine o'clock they accord
ngy came steaning down. little dreaming of the salu
tation that awaited them. The Time is Of those
story Mississippi steamers, pictures OF which you
see In chidrens books, and the bradford is small low
gunboat We waited quietly until they had both fasen
ed TO the wharf and let off their steam, when the word
given to FIRE, and FIRE did bech forth simultaneously
upon them nom twenty guns. We were Immediately
veuped in smoke, and continued for an hour when
at length could see, found the Time stl there,
but the bradford had gone
The former continued exposed our ERE all day, and
probably ruined, but her hull being only scow
could not sink her aud at night she was towed OF.
We think We have done most important service 10
The country In the frat place we have fully avenged
the gross insult offered to aag by the rebels attack
ing Billy Wilson's cAmp, aud irving attack our
batteries; aud with truth say that spot or
hemish has been received by the old SiaSpangled Ban
ner while in our keeping that has not been fully wiped
out.
In the second place. by attacking Bragg at thia time
ne think ire haze made nporant direysion ia faror
AZ Gen McrmaH at Beaufort, not only by preventing
bragg from sending troops there, NE has sent
some bat by compelling him bring Others here he
toas also daily strengthening his batteries. We have
very eHectnaly weakened him for time come
and have compelled him TO expend amount Of am
munition which he III afford TO lose.
We have, therefore, with eight hundred men with
one fort nearly surrounded by forts and batteries
two forts and at least heen bateTes) successfully at
tackled him, with his eight CT nine thousand troops