New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-02-05


other, anc 90 situated as TO completely command the
entrar ee TO the harbor Fort Pickens is admirably
co-nstructed fertilization, at the extremity Of long,
sand spit that separates the Bay from the GuB
for distance And the fort is situated really
to command the entrance to the Bay completely. his
approachable by land only, along the narrow neck
mentioned Above and its defenses are so arranged that
small force may defend against vastly superior
numbers. Fort McCrea isatber dilapidated concern,
but is nevertheless strong water battery. Fort Bar.
rancas is well built, and powerful defense Of the
entrance Of the harbor but neither tie construction nor
position is adapted to resist strong land attack.
These three large Qualifications with all their guns,
ammunition, &C., were in charge of a single company
of artillery, under the command at present, of Lieut.
A. j. Simmer. The Navy Yard is situated upon the
same shore of the Bay, with the Forts McCrea and
Barrancas about one and half miles above the latter;
it was under the command Of Com James Armstrong.
The next officer i'll rank was Commander Ebenezer
Farrand. The dsposable force at the yard consisted Of
about seventy saiors or ordinary men, as they are
termed, and fortyeight marines under Captain James
Watson. There was also at the yard, subject 10 the
command Of Com. Armstrong the U. S. storeship Sup
ply, with two thirty Founders and thirty-eght men,
and the steamer Wyandotte with six thirty-twos and
eighty men. For number of days rumors had been
in circulation of intention the part Of the autho-
ties Of Florida and Alabama to take possession Of the
NayyYard and forts at this point On the night Of the
gth Lieut.. Simmer stationed guard at Fort BarTan-
cas- On the morning Of the 10th, he received orders
from the War Department requiring him TO use every
means in his power to protect Government property,
and especially to Keep control Of the entrance of the
harbor He was also informed, at the same time, that
the Commander Of the Nav Ya!d would be directed 10
cooperate with him.
On consultation with Com. Armstrong and the
promise of assistance from him, Lieut.. Simmer decided
removing at into Fort Pickens that post being
the most tenable position, and where lie could more
nearly obey the spirit of his instruction. This
matter being decided upon, the army officers went TO
work with will and during the next twenty -four
hours Lad thrown their entire force with all their pro-
yifions camp equrage, &c. into tie Fort, and by the
assistance of boats from tie Supply and W. andotts
lad removed their ammunition from Fort Barrancas to
the magazines Of Fort PickeIs
To what extent Com. Armstrong was ordered 10 CO.
operate with the army officers 60 not know, bat it is
fair presumption that t WIS to the "extent Of bis
power"
The Navy-YaId felf is go situated that no military
nan would think Of defending it aganst large attack
ing force with the means at the Commodore command.
In military point Of view retaining possession Of the
Navy.YaId WIRE Of email consequence. Compared to
successful defense of the entrance Of the harbor and
where il was necessary make choice the available
force ought 10y all to have been concentrated In
Fort Pekons. Taking this view Of the case, not
thinking lie was asking much from the Commodore,
Lieut.. Simmer urgently requested that the marines
might be sent to assist hi company Tie ordinary
men of the yard useless where they were, world also
have been undesirable addition and the two ships
could have been placed to make their guns COM
pletely cover an enemies advance by land. Lieut..
Simmer asked in all good faith for this cooperation.
Even after tie Eavy-Yard taken and surrounded
by AIMED men, aud before il was taken no
Wlote to the Commodore repeating his request
that the marines might be cent him while there yet
tme This again net with 10 attention, and three
hours later these men lad all been taken prisoners
without having made u show Of resistance, and
the brave little army band already in Fort Piekeps,
were left tp their own in carrying out their
authorities at the Navy Yard, and by what and whose
counsels it brought out may yet become subject
for official investigation, and it would be improper for
at this time TO express my regrets that while Lent
Simmer, ably seconded BY Lieut.. Gilman, has so far
met heavy responsibility with degree of energy
and decision worthy of very high praise cannot speak
in terms Of commentator of the way in which the
authorities at the Navy Yard met the responsibilities
that teyoly,d upon him in this