Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1861-04-17
The Impending Civil War.

built in the olden style, with low, narrow
windows and projecting roofs, which in
some instances run into a shelter across
tho sidewalks. In speakin of Pensacola,
the Mobile AdcertiSer, in a recent issue,
says g.
PENSACOLA is historic ground, and its his,
toric note is essetally military. Centu,
ries ago the warlike events of which II.
with its vicinity, was scene, gave its
name place on the page of history. In
its tine it has known many masters. and
none surrendered it except of necessity,
few without a struggle, and none gained it
except by the power Of compulsion. 1t
IS "debatable ground by its tradition,
It's chronicle apd its local conditions. BE.
fore the days of De Soto it was not the uns
disputed possession of the aboriginal ma
tlonalities; for our meagre records of those
times and people show that different
tribes came and sojourned on the waters
OF the bay and made it sort of common
tefrl!ory-a quasi neutral ground, where
they could spend warm season in fishe-
ry, and enjoy The cool Guif breezes which
famed the waves of the bay of "Pensaco-
ila'-of "Ochus"-of "Pan2acola"-- of
"Pensacola," as we of this day finally have
1t in its confirmed nomenclature In later
Tunes the Spaniard, the Frenchman, the
Brltlsher and Anglo~Amercan contendAd
for It's ownership, and eGeh Snd all pos.
sesscd and held it n ct drmjs primarily. and
some by treaty right, for a time. There
jackson added something of fame to his
name--there Briton fought with Spaniard,
Spaniard with French and Indian, and
indian with Indian and now agair il is
the fair bone of contention between the
rival races Of Anglo-Americans. Ia these
latter days Of ats history il is become AhR
point OF interest in the eyes Of the nation,
and may possibly have the eyes of the
world directed to 1t as the Crimea Of the
New World Set us consider this posi-,
bIity, promising that Il is contngentupoa
the course of governments, and not upon
the humors OF those concerned in the pro-
cecdings of the locale. The war between
those mighty Powers, Russia, France and
England, was fought out on the narrow
Seld OF the Crimea, and now, before blow
is struck, it may be consideIed that, in n
large measure, the complexion of our diff.
iercnces with the United States may be
decided by the course pursued at this rew
Crimea, the classic Bay of Ochus." and
before this Sebastapol of Pickers. If we
get into difficulties, it may he through the
agency Of this same troublesome locality
IN Its proving true to its tradition.
As summer residence, Pensacola is de-
ightEul for the town is pleasant, the
drives e cd, the scenery romantic. the
water excellent. and there is a fine breeze
from the sea in the hottest day of sum
mer. The sunset scenes are as beautiful
as any in the Bay of Naples.
PENSACOLA BAY.
Pensacola Bay is twenty seven miles in
length, and in its broadcast part twelve
miles in width. It lies immediatel- ot
! the mouth of the Escambia river. Run.
ming along the front of the bay for four
teen leagues, nearly east and west. i n
long line of sandy shore, narrow. barren.
ana as low that in severe gale tbs rad
waves dash over it, Pensacola bay has
rare properties rs a harbor, and cannot be
cXcelIed on the Gulf, if hy any in this
Gountry. 1t is accessible to frigates of
large size there being twenty one feel of
water on the bar and when once inside.
all the ships OF II navy could ride in
safety. The channel runs near the coast
rcross the bar, which is short and easily
passed The harbor is completely land
lock- ed, and the roadstead capacious.
The peculiar position OF Pensacola ,Lay
makes it sirable as naval station, as
excellent positions for backwards can bo
found in the har5or. When the railroad
from Montgomery, now in progress of
completion, shall have been finished, the
facilities for reaching it will be SO much
lnoreasea that it will present quite aaoth.
er appearance. The upper arm of Pensa>
cola bay receives the Yelowwater or Pea
river MiSdie rivel and Escambia river,
eleven miles from the Gulf of Mexico.
FORT TCKENs.
Fort Pickens, the great bone of conten-
ton in the Gulf section of the South, is
the piriinsGiipQ@ work OF defence for Fensa-
cola harbor. is built on q low sandy
spot, cn the westernmost end of Santa
Rosa Island, and little over one mile
distant from Fort McRea, which forms
another sentinel to the bay Fort Bjckeps
is first class bast work, bui 1t of
stone for foundation purposes, with walls
of brick and bitumen. Its walls are forty
feet il height, by twelve feet in thickness.
II is ombraspred for two tiers of gnns in
bombproof casemateS, aud one tier open
or en- Jarbeae. The work has all the usual
concomtants of first class work, viz -
covert ways, dry ditch glaciS and outworks
complete. The guns from this point radi.
ate to all points oi the horizon, with flank
and eniiading fire in the bitches and ev.
cry angle Of approach. Its guns COM
mand Fort Barrancas, Fort McRae. the
Navy yard, and the other works now in
the possession of the Confederate States
troops. The work was commenced in
1928, and finished in 1853. 1t cost the
federal government nearly one million of
dollars. When on war footing the gar
rison consists of 1000 soldiers. Its pre.
sent armament consists of-In bastion, 2G
twenty four pound howitzers casemate,
2 forty two FOUNDERS, 81 thirty two
pounders, SO twenty iour pounders in
borbette, y eight inch howitzers, eisl>
teen Founders, l2 twelve Founders, ten
inch columbiad, mounted, and len inch