Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1861-05-03
LATEST FROM PENSACOLA.
From the Augusta (Ga.) Evening Dispan.

From the Augusta (Ga.) EUening Dispah.
As the news from Pensacola is sought after with
much interest by our citizens take the liberty OF
publ shng the following private letter. received at this
Office this morning from a volunteer
WASHINGTON, April 25th.
Dear Friend AIS / have a few leisure moments
this morning. | will employ the time in writing you
short leter-giving you few items from this great
theatre of military action.
After several attempts was yesterday permitted to
visit Fort McRle and upon examination Of the fort
ress find that it has been most grossly msrepresented
by newspaper correspondents generally, and especially
in an extract published in the Dispatch time SINCE
in which the following dimensions are given
This fort is not large, covering only two acres
and is built of brick. The walls the base forty
feet thick and 60 up with gradual slope to the height
OF forty feet, being fifteen feet thick at the top"
do not think the Fort more than an acre OF
land The walls built Of brick-about forty feet
high aud than five and half feet thick with
no slope whatever having at the base and summit the
same Dimensions You may rely upon the truth of this
statement took the trouble TO measure. McRea has
tive tiers OF port holes through which her firing will be
done when the hour Of battle arrives, as no guns are
mounted on the top. The Fort has twenty-five guns
mounted and ready for acton-sxty-four pounders-and
the remainder orytwo and thirty -four Founders. -Four
Mississippi companies quartered in and around
the Fort-tho understand change in this matter
will be made at an early day.
Fort Barancas is situated about mile and half
FROM and almost due North Of Fort Pickens with the
deep blue waters of Pensacola bay rolling between which
is Just at this point aeout mile wide. Barancas is
erected on the site of the old Spanish Fort San Carlos
de Barancas directly fronting the entrance TO the mouth
of the bay The Fort has several guns mounted the
larger number of which small to render effective
service in bomba dment of Fort Pickens About q
half mile to the OF Fort Barancas is redoubt OF
considerable magnitude in which Is stored large guam
tity of ammunition for the of the Southern Army
This redoubt auxiliary Blrancas, and is connected
with that Fort by Of ubteranean passage, which
renders it valuable as magazine than it would
otherwise be.
The Navy Yard is located about a mile and half
northeast of Fort Pickens the east end Of the little
town of Warrington, and the mainland with the Ma
rine Hospital the Barracks, and all the forts except
Pickens which sits the western extremity OF Santa
Rosa Island, and commands the entrance to the bay.
Within the enclosure of the Navy Yard are many ee-
CANT buildings private dences OF the officers OF the
Government and other bulldogs. have been Informed
that the public works in this vicinity were erected at
cost of ory-three millions of dollars, which, conclude,
is correct have now paid them all VISIT except Fort
Pcke and hope that in less than ten days from this
date will not be compelled except this stronghold OF
the enemy which the attention of the whole Ameri-
can people is directed with almost breathless silence,
awaiting With inpatient anxiety the result oil the ap-
preaching ccrf ct.
We all know that the battle OF Fort Pickens will not
end as did the battle of Fort Sumter, and yet, we who
expect to engage in it anxious indeed for the hour
of attack 10 arrive We IGNORANT OF the number
aud strength of the enemy though believe it to be SUI
cient TO give bloody fight. While on the summit OF
Fort McRea yesterday, took peep through tee-
scope at Santa Rosa Island and her Notifications Pckens
is well garrisoned and it is thought that the Island is
thoroughly fortified by Federal troops two companies OF
which are of the flying artillery drill.
few miles east of Fort Pickens, on the South eide
of the Island, are visible number Of soldiers teats
which said be the quarters of the two companies
Of flying artillery
counted seven men Of vessels lying at anchor
mile two South OF Pckeus, which will no doubt come
TO her relief when the time Of trouble arrives.
From what | can learn from observation and other
wise, convinced that cur hope for victory depends
upon the strength and efficiency Of sand batteries
many of which arr complete and ready for service.
The red-whiskered gentleman who had charge OF the
Warrington post Office when arrived here, is now in
irons Mongomery, awaiting bis trial. having beep de-
tected in attempting to convey letters to Fort Pickens