Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1861-04-25

Eagles" from Mobile, Alabama, under com
mand of Capt. Ben Lane Posey. They ar
rived on the 18th of March, and were
placed Immediately in command Of tht
Barrancas Redoubt. Capt. O'Hara's mill
tia and the Florida militia were then dis
banded.
Reinforcements then began to pour ii
from all points. They have been arriving
almost every day since the goth ult. Th'
result is now an aggregate Of 5000 men
They consist of the following elements
A brigade of Mississippians............l,7oo 700 men
8 battalions of Alabamians 400 "
9 companies of Floridisns. 600 "
battalions, Georgans (not all here) LOO "
2 companies, Louisianans, (zouaves) 200 "
5000
1t may be necessary to explain the topo
graphy of this locality, for the better uu
derstanding of our position here. Warning
ton Navy Yard is about eight miles from
Pensacola. 1t is about two miles from For
Pickens, which is 90 the southern point o.
Santa Rosa Island, which is about forty
miles long, and an average Of mile wide
divides the waters of the Gulf from those
of Pensacola Bay. The entrance from the
Gulf to the Bay is about one mile wide.-
1t lies between the south end of Santa Rosa
Island, on which stands Fort Pickens, and
landspit of the main land just opposite,
on which stands Fort McRae. Fort Pick.
ems is 500 yards from the end of the Island,
and Fort McRae is so near the water that
its base is washed by every wave that breaks
upon the beach. Pickeus and McRae are
1000 yards apart. The main land oppo-
site Fort Pickens is semi.circular in form,
the Navy Yard forming the northern point,
and Fort McRae the southern point. The
space between is occupied by the village Of
Warrington, which extends PARALLEL to the
beach for mile. Next comes the Marine
Hospital; next Barrancas Barracks; next
Fort San Carlos de Barrancas; next the
Lighthouse; and last, Fort McRae The
further point of any part Of this semi.circle,
is not exceeding two miles from Fort Pick
ems. One thousand yards in the rear Of
Fort Barrancas stands Barrancss Redoubt.
These are all the points in the field of ope-
rations which have ga local designation and
name" have given this minute topo-
graphical description of the field of opera,
tions for future reference by your readers,
whom advise to preserve it for that pur-
pose; it will greatly assist them in under
standing the letters written from this place.
I will next give you statement of the
positions occupied by the several corps of
the army. The navy yard is occupied on
ly by Capt. Lees company of Georgians
from Atlanta. 1t has 10 men. Sixty-eight
of them being machiuists, it has been con.
verted into corps of sappers and miners.
The south end of Warrington-the Bar.
rancas barracks, Fort Barrancas and Bar.
rancas Redoubt-are occupied by the Ala.
bamians. Barrancas Redoubt, the most i'm.
portant of all these positions, is occupied
by the cred Eagles" under Captain Ben
Lane Posey, who is commandant of the re.
doubt The space between the redoub,
and Barrancas barracks is occupied by the
Georgians. The Mississippi brigade is post
ed between Fort Barrancas aud Fort Nc
Rae, Immediately in the rear of the light
house. Fort McRae was occupied yester
day by an Alabama company under Capt
Draper.
Last night, about 7 o'clock, I was startled
by the firing of cannon at the feet 1 was
about to start to call on some friends in the
Mississippi brigade. I heard five guns fire
at intervals of about three minutes EACH
I went down to the Light House, and found
that two companies of Mississipplans had
just left to reinforce Fort McRae, where an
attack was anticipated. The light of the
Light House was extinguished. The off
Ger of the day came gallopiug past, with
orders to call out all the troops under arms
all night, and some never slept at all.
The firing was to announce the arrival Of
the storesbip Relief with provisions for the
garrison and feet. Reinforcements were
probably thrown into Fort Pickens las,
night. The element were favorable for it,
and the time was doubtless improved. 4
collision is probable now at any moment
All the batteries were supplied with ammu
milton to-day. The Wyandottc, which has
been plying about the bay at pleasure, was
notified yesterday evening to leave, and il
she comes in again she will be fired on
We are looking for steamer to arrive to
night from Mobile, with large cargo o.
Quartermaster's stores. Her entrance may
be interferred with, aud that will, if it hap
pens, produce collision.
Our main reliance for offensive operations
is upon the small batteries along the beach
There are three of these in the navy.yard
mounting about 32's each. There is anotb
er battery-an admirable one-in the south
end of Warrington. 1t is just opposite
the main gate of Fort Pickens, which ii
distinctly visible from it. This battery vii
knock down the gate. The best battery O.
all is one of three teninch Columbiads, be-
tween Fort Barrancas and the Light House
1t will be finished tomorrow. The mex
best is battery Of four eight-ipch Colum
biads, just below the Light House. Thi:
has been finished for some time. These
bear on the south side of Fort Pickeus
which is mere brick wall only four fee
thick. This part of the fort was never fin
ished. Columbiads will soon demolish it.
That will be very well; but then comes
"the tug of war" 1t will be an ''imminen'