New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-06-19
NEwYoKK DAILY TRIBUNE WEDNESDAY JUNE ~. 1861

have a clear and well-defned object That Of Fort
Pckens is to defend the entrance 10 the harbo Of PEN
sacola, and at the came time TO provide against
TN attack Of an enemy superior by sea and land,
| on the land side from Santa Rosa Island.
The work has a causewsy on the land side which
adds TO it's defense against enemy established on the
Island. In designing the work it supposed that
the enemy, being superior by land andsea, might effect
landing the Island and take possession Of the fort
1t became, therefore, necessary to dspose the lines
Of the faces and TANKS most effectively protect
the channel and oppose the greatest resistance to the
land attack, and at the time, arrange them as
10 give them the greatest amount of exposure to the
fire of the works on the mainland, which works are
now in possession of the Seceders In order to secure
this last nearly all of the faces and TANKS placed
as 10 be seen either in reverse if prolonged, pass
through some point the opposite shore, from which
battery can fire along the iacethus the fires re-
garded as the most dangerous 10 which work can
possibly be exposed. The shore of the mainland is
slightly elevated above us It encrcles us to the extent
of about 40 degrees occupying line of about miles
in extent; the different points are situated at from
about 100 to 900 yards from You will see that
this formation gives him many advantages for lombard
ing To provide against THE danger, we have been
virtually necessitaed to construct what may be called
new fort. This has been effectively done thanks to
the industry Of our and the skill OF the engineer
soldiers Without these last we could not have accom-
plished what we have done. Tie instruction which
these ast have received at West Point has saved the
country thousands of dollars, and may be many valuable
lives The present difficulty over, hope that the
country will vote liberal amounts for the thorough in
sruciiop of the soldiers in all that belongs to the art OF
war.
The defiance Of the enemy's batteries from us VIII
prevent his employing very effectively against US any
guns except heavy morars, columbisds and rled can
non. His ability TO njure us will depend upon the
number Of guns of tLose kinds which he has at his dis
poeal.
Our position is not, however, limited to Fort PekenP
We able to oppose to the enemy's fire line OF u
miles extent, inferior, it s trae to his, and thereby
giving him the advantages of converging fire, but at
the same time of such extent rs to compel him TO
divide bis fire. Our ability to oppose him will depend
upon the number of guns Of heavy caber aud riiled
cannon we may be able to employ within that cir
Gle. Having command Of the sea, and unlimited means
at our disposal we do not doubt but that we will III
timaiely be able to discharge fire superior to that of
the enemy. Furnish us with the means and the Sc
cedes can never take the fort, no matter how many
men may be brought against it. Give US the means,
and with the Assistance of our brave allies, the navy,
we will soon drive the enemy from bis present position.
do not initiate the Seceders in their game Of Bragg
unless by unforeseen accident do not believe 1t
possible for them at present 10 take the fort.
do not imagine that, unless compelled to il by po-
ical considerations, the enemy will make any attack
On the fort. His bombarjment might inconvenience
u.s. ours would destroy the Navy-Yard and the work
shops aud render hs position Of not the slightest con-
sequence to him. Gen. Bragg is an able and expert
euced officer, and not easily moved from position
which was adopted after mature deberston. lie
knows what he is about and lie not to be moved by the
clamors Of political demgogues. Davis knows that the
encampment at this place is an excellent school for his
young SOLDIER; he will not foolshly throw it away
lie has already removed Of bis best troops from
this place to tie North; their places have, however,
been filed by others
II would not be proper for me to mention our num-
bers, the state of our works, or armament. We
have constructed severa batteries exterior to the work.
which will render important service Both officers
and men are enjoying good health and WILL when the
proper time comes, perform their duty
We have but one regret-thst our duty keeps us
away from that part Of the country where for the first
time military operations are being conducted by armies
approaching in numbers those Of European nations
We regret not to be ableo participate in hegrsnd mill
tary combinations under the eye Of our great captain
We do not fear for country so long a the direction
of affairs are Jeff in his hands; but should the Admin
istation get aside hs plane and adopt those which will
be offered it by plausible politicians, ignorant OF any
thing belonging to war, then indeed have we reason
TO fear for our country However, if We cannot up
hold her honor and glory can at least die for her
X.