The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1861-07-05

cover Lne gunnerS, IN addition to the rat.
holes" at the bastions. More heavy guns
are expected, which, with the aid of few
more mortars, will enable the garrison to
hold their own against everything but a
regular siege on the land side, and so long
as the feet covers the narrow neck of the
island with its guns, it is not possible for
the Confederates to effect Judgment. IF
Fort McRae were strong and heavily armed
it would in1ict great damage on Pickens !;
but it is neither one nor the other, and the
United States officers are confident that
they will! speedily render it quite untenable.
The bouctes feu of the fort may be put
down at forty, including the available pieces
in the classmates, which sweep the ditch and
the faces of the curtains. The walls are of
the hardest brick, of nine feet thickness in
many places, and the crest of the parapets
on which the merlons and traverses rest are
of turf. From the walls there is splendid
view of the whole position, and l found
my companions were perfectly well ac-
quainted with the strength and locus of the
greater part OF the enemy's works. OF
course held my peace, but 1 was amused
at their accuracy. "There are the quarters
of our friend, General Bragg" "There is
one of their best batteries, Just beside the
lighthouse" The tall chimney of the War.
rington Navy Yard was smoking away
Justify. The Colonel called my attention
to it, $40 you see that, Sir? They are
casting shot there. The sole reason for
their 'torbearance' is that navy yard. They
know full we'll that if they open gun upon
us we will lay that yard and all the work
in ruins" Captain Vogdes subsequently
expressed some uneasiness on point as to
which l could have relieved his mind very
effectually. He had seen something which
led him to appreheEd that the Confederates
had strong intrenched camp in rear of
their works. Thereupon l was enabled to
perceive that in Captain Wedges mind there
was strong intention to land and carry
the en.my's position Why, otherwise, did
you care about an intrenched camp, most
excellent engineer? But now l may tell
you that there is no intrenched camp at ALL
and that your vigilant eye, sir, merely de-
tected certain very absurd little burrows
which the COnfederates have in some places
thrown up in the soft sand in front of their
camps, which would cover man up to the
knee or stomach, and are quite useless as
breastwork. Ii they thought a landing
probable, it is objectionable in them to
neglect such protection. These burrows
are quite straight, and even if they are
deepened the assailants have merely to
march round them, as they extend for some
only forty Or fifty yards, and have no TANKS.
The officers of the garrison are aware the
enemy have mortar batteries, but they think
the inside of the fort will not be easily hit,
and they said nothing to show that they
were acquainted with the position of the
mOrtarS.
From the parapet we descended by a
staircase into the classmates. The Conlede
rates are greatly deceived in their expecta,
ton that the United States troops will be
much exposed to the sun or heat in Pick
ems. More airy, we'll ventilated quarters
cannot be imagined, and there is quite light
enough TO enable the men to read in most
of them. The plague of flies will infest both
armies, and is the curse of every camp in
summer. AS to muquitoes, the Confede-
rates will probably suffer, if not more, at
less as much as the States troops. The
effect of other tormentors, such as yellow
fever and dysentry, will be in all probabili-
ty felt on both sides !; but unless the position
of the fort is peculiarly unhealthy, the men,
who are under no control in respect to their
libatiOns, will probably suffer more than
those who are restricted by discipline and
restricted to regular allowance. Water
can always be had by digging, and is fit to
use if drank Immediately. Vegetables and
fresh provisions are not, of course, so easily
had as on shore, but there is a scarcity of
them in both camps, and the supplies from
the store ships are very good and certain.
The bread baked by the garrison is excel
lent, as l had an opportunity of ascertain
ing, for | carried off two loaves from the
bakehOuse on board our schooner.
Our walk through the easement was very
interesting. They were crowded with men,
most OF whom were reading. They were
quiet, orderly locking soldiers-a mixture
of old and yOung-scarcely equal in stature
to their opponents, but more to be depended
upon, should think, in long struggle.
Everything seemed we'll arranged. Those
men who we're in bed had mosquito curtains
drawn, and were reading Or sleeping at their
ease. In the classmates used as hospital
there were only some twelve men sick out of
the whole garrison, and l was much struck
by the absence of any ioul smell and by the
cleanliness and neatness of all the arrange
ments. The Colonel spoke to each OF the
men kindly, and they appeared glad to see
him. The dlspensary was as neat as care
and elbow grease could make it, and next to
it, in strange juxtaposition, was the labora
tory for the mandatory OF fuses and deadly
implements, in equally good order. Every
thing is ready for immediate service. am
inclined to think it will be some time before
it is wanted. Assuredly, if the enemy at.
tack Fort Pickens, they will meet with a
resistance which will probably end in the
entire destruction of the Navy Yard and Of
the greater part of their works. A weeks
delay will enable Col. Brown to make good
some grave defects; but delay is of more
advantage to his enemy than it is to him,
and if Fort Pickens were made at once the
point d'apputi for vigorous offensive move
mont hv the feet and nv a land force