Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1861-12-20
NEW YORK Dec. 18th

NEW DIRK, Dec. IZCn.
4 letter from Key West of the 5th inst,
states that their Pensacola dates are Of the
Goth ult 1t appears that rebel steamers
had been plying between the Navy Yard and
town constantly, carrying guns, aud NUM-
tons: and Col. Brown notified Bragg that he
should fire on them, to which Bragg replied
4" fire away"
On the morning of the 22d two steamers
again appeared.
Col. Brown disabled one, the other escap"
ed. A general cannonading then took place
between Fort Pickens and the rebel Forts
the Niagara and Richmond opening on Fort
McCrae and several water batteries, the sne
cagement lasting nearly two whole days.
Fort McCrae was silenced, also the water
batteries in reach of the Richmonds guns.
No person was injured on board the MAJ
CARA. James Cook was the person killed on
the Richmond. Both vessels were slightly
damaged in the upper works.
Fort Pickens had not even a sand bag dis,
placed by Fort Blrrancas' fire. IN the
oath while removing fuse from she'll it
exploded, killing 3 men and wounding many
others, Col. Brown says he has Fort Barr
rancas completely at his mercy, and is await
ing reinforcements to hold the Forts, when
he shall take them.
Another letter states that one of Wilson s
Zouaves was killed and another wounded on
the ODD.
About $500 guns were fired in the two
DAYS At three o'clock on the afternoon Of
the Odd. Warrington was set on fire by our
Guns. and that place and nearly ull of the
NAVY Yard DESTROYED. The Steamer Times
was disabled at the first shot. The rebel
fire slackened on the second day.
Two companies of Wilson's ZOuaves have
charge of the batteries near the Fort and the
remainder of the regiment are in trenches to
repel midnight attack.
The heaviest rebel guns are near the Light
House and their best mOraN on both sides
of the Hospital.
The water battery below Fort McCrae is
a bad customer. The ranges OF our artille-
ry are splendid.
Another letter dated 24th, states that Col.
Brown prohibited firing unless the rebels
first open it, it being the Sabbath. One of
our guns burst yesterday.
The rebels have evidently suffering much.
Two Union refugees arrived at Nashville
on the 9th instant The city was in
high state of excitement on
that day and the following, owing to an at
tempt being made to draft citizens into the
army. The Indignation Of the people wa
intense. The riot broke out in the 4th
ward, and four policemen, who attempted
to auell the mob, were shot dead. The mon
rushed to the Capitol to attack Gov. Harris,
who fed to Memphis. The papers on the
next day announced that he had gone thith-
er on business. Last Saturday $500 men from
La. passed through Nashville for Bowling
Green, carry black flags embellishedwith skulli
and cross bone. They were mostly gu days
men and were armed with shot guns. Th'
people of Nashville were constantly expecs
ing intelligence of battle at Bowling Green
| The Rebel force at that place was estimated
by the papers and well informed people a.
| * 600 men. Reinforcemeuts were constant
" Soiug forward The hospitals at Nash
Vile were filed with the sick. The number
was estimated at from 5000 to 10000. Al
the Texas Rangers were on the sick list anC
in most pitiable condition.
The Montgomery Mail of the 9th inst.
congratulates its readers on the report tina
old Harvey Brown has died of wound re
ceived in the fight at Fort Pickens. Passen
gers from that city this morning say tina
the report is firmly believed, but not posi-
lively known to be true.