, 1861-02-04

6loulaLt OAtllE Ale ee4s4Ies w 14o Aat4sC Slatt-
Touccy has sent him back again; and unless
his policy can be oyerruled before Ingzaham's
departure, re may expect the important and
valuable squadron to which be goes will some
fine day sail into q Southern ha1bor and ccase
to become the property Of the United States.
An effort will be made to keep Capt. IngEeham
at Acmc. Pray out there that Old Buck may
not have the fear Of assassination uppcrmost
and prove, obdurate on the day when the facts
are laid before him. There is watch on Tou-
cey, md you may not be surprised to hear that
be is offered his wall nggpapers before the
close Of MI. Euchanan's term.
The quid nunes Of this city are greatly e1cr-
ciecd about the fate Of Fort Pickcns, md news
Of the arriyal Of the Brooklyn, with her rein
forcements Is looked for with grcnt anxiety.
As have said before, Gen. Scott Is confident
but other military men who hare not his faith
in the loyalty. Of the troops, are trembling and
before that fortress, acnd this extract from
the Baltimore sin: = 80
"Ma}or Ben posey Lane, Of Mobile, IN Off
cer who served with distinction through the
Mexican war, and who is now 4 member Of one
the Alabama companies at Pensacola, writes a
lengthy letter to the Mobile Eetning Se1cs,
under date Of the 10th, from which re make
the following compilation:
We Of the Mississippi md Alabama regi.
ment, containing eight Mississippi and two
Mobile companies, under Col. Albert, Of Miss,
are quartcrcd at the U. s. Marine Hospital, Just
opposite Fort Pickens, and about ~ miles
distant Fort San Carlos de Barrancas is
about half mile south Of our quarters it II
II miles distant from Fort Pickcns~ Fort
McRae is still further south, and is ~ miles
from Fort Pickens. 1t is on San Rosa Island
which Is about forty miles long and about one
mile wide. We can distinctly see the cannon
Of Fort Pickcns from our pinzxa," Nearly all
tho guns have been shifted to tha laid side,
and tho most active preparations have been
made for the defense. Oar preparations con
sist in four Dahlgren long - guns mounted at
vessels from coming inside Fort Pfckens.
At Fort Bar7ancas We have mounted about
twenty-five 33-poundcrs. At Fort McRae there
arc four Columblads and u large number oi
done to-dny. Fort Pickens mounts 2la guns,
md requires a garrison. Of 1900 men. 1T
present garrison consists, as far as We can as
certain with certainty, Of 81 soldiers. Some
eailors have been sent to 1t from the steamer
WIandotte aud the storeship Supply. 1t Is
so men If this suppositton is correct, The
| garrison docs not exceed 1888 men He is Q
very tirm and brave man, as / am credih1y in
formed He will not surrender until he Il
compelled By an overwhelming It woulG
be d violation Of military rules to giye state
ment Of our strength. We must lnmbne
slcmmer, If we can It is no secret about oul
them with his spy glass. Slemmer has ! beau
| tllul young vile, who is very spirited. Sht
| tells him to fight to the last She few arpuuG
us over this side IN such way that she wnt
arrested and sent away. The United Etatcs
steamer Wyandotte, OF eight guns, is lying
near the fort on the outside, readyto assist il
| the defense.
+ /, Fort Pickens is very strong position. o.
| the water side It has three tiers Of guns, tW{
rows Of casemate5 md one Of bdY6eRta,: Yer,
few Of them arc mounted; and suspect thu
| G1emmer has closed up the lower casemates
fense On the land side. On TINT side there is
great ditch which would be Q slaughter pen, i
| We were foolish enough to enter 1t.
| There is q INST deal Of impatience and dis
content among the troops, especiall IN our reg
lment- The men arc eager fof the fray, ," ant
arc free and outspokcn in their criticism upo1
the loss of time By delaT and fnnctivitE..
something is not done. here By next Tuesdsy
| there Will be revolt against the commanders
Land my friends propose to leave On TINT day
have no time to waste In garrison duty, :
submit to military prudence by Withholding a
psesen5 4ny 9!se4saon II OF ne mcans proper t,
| that Y can BE- token By our present force /,
twenty -four hours. hare PREPARED the rf,,+
and 1t has been discussed night and day In -;
room by numbers of officers. I have sub nj;
ted It to two resigned officers Of the navy. A.
they heartlly improve oft -,
There are some splendid personna m:tfer,,
in our regiment. The. Aississiplans are
brave and noble set Of fellows. Gentle men {
highest position and talents, officers Of fie
snnk at home, are found here In the ran ks, wi
q muskct on: their shoulder. Gen. dornsb,
who commanded the army in Nica Iagua, ii;
Is an able officer, is q private In the rank
Capt. Morrison, professor In tho military al
paztments of The Alabama University, d actin
q pavateln Eapt Q'Hara's E ompany. Hcl