The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1861-05-08

No. 50.
Pensacola. its Fortiacations.

1t is now accessible to frgates The bar is near the
coast and the channel across short and easily passed
The harbor is perfectly landlocked and the roadstead
very capacous Thereae excellent positions within for
repairing building and launching vessels and for docks
and dockyards in healthy situations The supply OF
good water is abundant These properties in connec-
ton with the position of the harbor as regards the
coast, have induced the government to select it us
naval station and place OF rendezvous and repair
The upper of Pensacola bay receive The Yellow
Waters of Pea river Middle river and Escambia river
eleven miles from the gulf
Santa Rosa island is situated east by northwest by
south fourteen leagues, and completely shuts out Pen
sacola from the 1t is so low that the sea in gale
washes its top. 1t is not than one-fourth of a
mile wide. The west point Of this island is at the mouth
of Pensacola bay The latter is not than one and
quarter miles wide.
FoRr PIcEESs.-The principle means Of defense to
the mouth Of Pensacola bay and the naval station is
fort Pickens. This fort is first class Fashioned fort
built of New York granite and situated on the east
point OF Santa Rosa island Its walls are fortyYe feet
in heigth by twelve feet in thickness it is elnbrasured
for two tiers of guns which placed under the bomb
proof easements besides having one tier of guns eE
barbette The guns from this work radiate to eyer7
point of the horizon with flank and entading fire at
every angle of approach The work was commenced III
1928 and finished in 1858, 1t cost the United Statcs
government nearly one million of dollars. When on 4
war footing its garrison consists of $50 soldiers It's
armament, only portion OF which IS within its walls
consists otortytwo pounder iron guns So; thirtytWo
pounder iron guns II; twenty-our FOUNDER iron guus
49, eighteen FOUNDER iron guns 3; twelve pounder iron
guns 49, brass field pieces g. brass flank howitzers 2G
heavy eight inch howitzerS 49, thirteen inch mortais l.
heavy ten inch aortars 4; light eight inch mortars A
sixteen inch stone mortars 4 coeborn morars s. total
armament 2l0.
The fire from this work completely covers the ravy
yard which could not hold long against fort Pick
The bar the exterior of the bay three miles
distant and beyond that there facilities for hos
tile feet to lie in safety.
FoRT MREA.-This fertilization is situated on Eos
ters bank and guards the west side of the mouth OF
Pensacola bay. tits embrasured for two tiers Of guns
under hombproof easements, and has tier bar
bette. It's armament consists of 50 guns and in time
of requires garrison OF six hundred and fifty men.
This work cost the United States government abou:
100000 It's guns radate every pon tot the horizon
It's very effective work. The full armament of this
fort is not complete, but sufficient number of guns are
in battery to make it very formidable rival of fort
pickeus. Below this fort is water battery, which
mounts some eight ten guns The interior of fort
MRea is provided with the necessary shot furnaces Off
GERS and soldiers quarters, magazines, Sc.
Fort Barancas is Oh the north of Pensacola bay aud
directly fronting the entrance to its mouth The work
is erected the site of old Spanish fort The fort is
Fashioned work, built ont of heavy masonry, and
mounts forty-uine guns and in time of war requires
garrison of two hundred and fifty The armament
of the work is fully mounted and its magazines in
good order In the of the fort is redOubt which
is auxiliary fort Barancas Some extensive repairs
hanking hOwtzcrs of Scarpt and conterscarpt be
mounted with very little labor
Fort Pcens held by the United States forces under
command of Lieut.. Semmer. All the other forts in
the possession of the Confederate States forces under
brigadier general Bragg All eyes turned to
wards Pensacola with more than usual interest.
FRASKLIN, La, April 20.-To-day St. Mary is unit
the southern question. A call made few days
since, in which the Co0pelatonists took the lead for
St Mary to arm her sons and prepare for war. The
call nobly responded to. Yesterday the time
appointed for the meeting to lay the foundation for
complete parish organisation for its military defence
Wemet the courthouse crowded with citizens of the
parish anxious do their whole duty to the south
Our secession friends must admit that the cooperation
lists here erowdng for the very front ranks that
danger is al our door. They have done noby and
feel proud Of them ST Mary should be proud Of them
All the old parties came together in about the right
spirit. There little Of the old party leaven at
work in the organisation Of the meetng-a little of the
old tactics for advantages which were hardly
worth STOPPING tor but the people of neither the old
parties to blame for this With that unpleasant
exception, the spirit Of the meeting was all right
Three companies were nearly completed in numbers
before sundOwn, and soon the organisation proposed
will be accomplished The meeting called upon the
police jury appropriate $50 600 III arnlng home
pancS and Cquppng volunteers to 90 out of the parish
and special meeting of the members Of that body in
the afternoon promptly made the appropriation. Some
Of wealthy planters said they willing pay
their portion of 100000 tax, any other amount
needed Mr. G. L. FQsilitr remarked to the meeting
that if the poor helped to fight the battle Of the
country the rich would be willing to foot the bills
and this sentiment enthusiastically apploudcd by
the audience.
Virginia is with us-coOperation is about to triumph
and co0perationists are everywhere leading off nobly
and bravey for the south in the perls which surround
and menace her, All parties viii do their duty in ST
Mary The future will be harmonious. FAIR PLAY.
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he has had considerable experience with most if not all
of the breeds known in the West talking Of the