New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-04-09
-. !, ,sation TO the harbor. forts, &C.. that
nav not Be uninteresting.

may not be uninteresfing.
ksv West, as 10 well known, is an important
naval station; it is the hesdlsnd of the Southern
,o.st situated on the northwest end of an island
of the same name, but occasionally known as
Thompson's Island; it is four and One-eighth Of
mile in length. and one in width. The barbor
Is magnificent, admitting vessels drawing twenty
eight feet of water, and most fortunately, is well
defended at this time. This point is the key to
the northern passage of the Gulf of Mexico, as
this route is much safer, anil some nnety-two
miles nearer than around Tortugss. The entire
island lies on bed of limestone, about eighteen
inches below its surface.
Fort Taylor is new, frst-class Fashioned"
fort is of brick, built upon granite foundation,
che work on which was commenced in the year
1916. 1t is almost completed a few minor jobs,
such as tho erection of platforms for barbette
guns alone remaining to be done. In form the
fort is On irregular quadrangle, having three
channel curtains" of equal length, aud guage
sr shore " curtain" of greater length. Its stua-
t'on is on the southwestern portion of the island,
u the entrance of the harbOr, in from six to
yelye feet of water, and distant FROM the shore
)me 800 yards.
The work is pierced for three tiers Of guns
70 under casemented bomb-prOOfs. and the
her en- bGrbette, or open. 1t will mount l25
n-inch Columbiads on the channel fronts, and
q heavy guns on the shore front. | have ascer-
aimed its full war armament conists of 100 guns,
ne majority of which are now in such condi-
Il On as to Withstand the most protracted seige.
4 l.. T.
L ickness, and rises abruptly from the water to
tes hight Of fOrty.two feet SIX inches. am hap
TO inform you it is well supplied with provis.
is, ammunition, fuel, hospital and artillery
cores, and In addition, has excellent quarters for
IL officers and barracks for the men. Its force
al present is large. and they are under the
',cmmand of Capt. J. NJ. Brannan, United States
Artillery, and Capt. E. b. Hunt of the Engineer
Corps. To take this fort would require an i'm
rlense number Of Mississippi "Vounteers, the
majority of whom i surmise, would Ego under"
and the expenditure of an amount of treasure
which States that have repudiated their debts, or
would like to, do not possess.
Fort jefferson, TOrtugas, is an immense bias
sioned work. the wall being of brick, with
year 1916, and in a strategetical point of view,
is designed to command the admirable harbor,
living in the heart of the Florida Keys, The
Sort is pierced for three tiers of guns, two under
bomb-proOf classmates, and the other en- barbette,
or open. The casemated tiers are capable OF
mounting 800 guns A wide and deep ditch,
communicating with the sea, surrounds the entire
work, and this is protected by counterscarp of
immense length.
The guns of this work command the inner
harbor. Its armament in time of war consists
Of $50 guns and 1000 troops 1t ia now well
manned, and is under the command OF Breyet-
Major Lewis G.. Arnold, u. s. Artillery; assisted
By First Lieut.. Henry Benson, First Lieut..
Matthew NJ Blunt, and Surgeon Adam w. Nc
Laren. Further than this it lie sufficiently well
supplied with provisions, fuel, ammunition artil-
Iery and hospital stores. These particulars l
have reason to believe are very correct.
Immediately after our arrival at our old anchor
ave ground off Fort Pickens, we received the 81
troops, which at the time of our leaving for Key
West, we transferred to the frigate Sabine. This
was the "unkindest cut of all, as we had ar
d6ntly hoped, and even prayed, that instead OF
4his action on our part, we could land them, or
rather hand them over to Lieut.. Slemmer OF Fort
tickens. Such orders, if they are ever to be re-
,eiyed, trust will speedily come, as the insur-
gents are working night and day like beavers,
sortifying their positions, erecting sand-bag bat
tsries. &c, and the longer our worthy Govern
ment holds back, the worse it will be for all
parties, and the greater the destruction when the
climax is attained.
In view of what we have passed through Of
late viz: half rations, no news, no chance Of
communication with our friends, neglect at the
hands of the Department. insult from o drunken
army of rebels, would like to inquire what the
Administration can mean Have you prece-
cent for such o course as has been pursued to-
ward usi Can you tell US why the Government
ass quietly allowed these robbers to take pos
session of valuable property, and sell part OF 1t,
1ud appropriate the proceeds
II is rumored on shore that resnforcements to
she number Of 5000 men are en- route for Pen
sscola. The force stationed there at present
amount TO 1900 men. Well, Z" the more the
rperrier," as that curse of every Southern eli
mate. Yellow Jack" will soon be upon them,
unless am wofully mistaken, to lessen their
numbers and thin their ranks. Already the
weather is becoming extremely warm, and as
write the perspirstiOn is rolling down my cheeks.
What l assured you in former communion
Goa, viz: that the Secession soldiers here are
nothing more than q drunken rabble-a terror
l.. ~ III L. try hos