The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1862-05-30
From the Gulf Of Mexico
DETAILS OF THE OCCUPATION OF
PENSACOLA.
The Movement by Com. Porter
against Mobile.
The Confederate ArOn-Clad Vessels Tor
its Protection.
OCCUPATION OF PENSACOLA.


Mayor promised that the citizens would
behave themselves peacefully. The rebels
had evacuated the place on hearing that our
steamers the day before, were going to run
into Mobile Bay, and that the squadron
and mortar boats would soon follow.
The evacuation, though probably occupy
ing three or more days, was finally accom-
plished on the night of Friday, the 9th inst.
About IL o'clock, the rebel coast guard
fred about one hundred and fifty or two
hundred musket-shots on the beach, and
soon after signal lights were sent up from
Forts McRae and Barrancas, and from the
navy yard. Immediately flames were seen
issuing from both forts, the Marine Hospi.
tai, the storehouses in the navy yard and
intermediate points in the rebel lines, some
ten miles in extent. The flames spread
rapidly, and lit up the whole country for
miles around.
As soon as General Arnold, who has
command of this point, became aware of
their purpose, be opened fire from Fort
Pickens upon the rebels-who could be
seen running along the beach with torches
in their hands-with very happy effect.
He succeeded in driving them away from
the lighthouse and Fort Barrancas, thus
saving these two important works. The
lighthouse is not injured at all and Fort
Barrancas very slightly; only the postern
of the gate was burned. But Fort McRae
is entirely ruined, except the water battery,
which is unipjured.
The magnificent marine hospital is a
heap of ruins. Only small portion of the
wall is standing. The Marine Barracks,
being fire proof, are unipjured. Only few
of the remaining buildings in Warrenton
and Woolsey were burned. All of the 20
vernment buildings in the Navy Yard, ex.
cept the foundry and machine shop and of
ticers' quarters, were burned; also the ship
Fulton on the stocks, together with a large
quantity of coal lying on the wharves.
Every preparation was made for destroy-
in the Custom House, it being filled with
combustible matter, but from some cause it
did not ignite.
AT Pensacola they burned two steamers
the Neafie and Bradford-and the large
oil works in the outskirts, with SIS, 900
worth of oil. They attempted to burn the
wharves at Pensacola, but Captain r. Fl.
jackson, Aid de- Camp to General Arnold,
who went up in the schooner Maria J.
Wood, with twenty-five men, with a de-
mand for the surrender of the city-suc-
ceeded in extiDguisbiDg the flames and saw
ing the wharves, large quantity of lumber,
two scbconers loading with cotton and oth-
er property. Ia this be was aided by ma
ny citizens of Pensacola who appeared to
be glad to see him.
Captain Jackson was conducted to the
Mayors Office, where he met the Mayor
and a number of Aldermen. TO his demand
for the surrender of the city the Mayor &C.
ceded, as he said, "to the extent of bis
ability"
Captain jackson was told by the Mayor,
Mr.. BObee, that Gen. Jones, who has been
in command since Gen, Bragg left, was
determined to destroy the city of Pensacola;
and it was only at bis earnest solicitations
that he fually consented to spare private
1t is impossible yet to tell the amount of
ordnance stores which have fallen into our
hands, or the number and condition of the
guns. Most OF their best ores were removed
by Gen. Bragg in March. Since Bragg
left, the force here has been about 5000,
about 500 of whom were old troops left by
Bragg, and the remainder ninety day volun.
teers. Gen. Arnold has long BEEN anxious
to attack them, but being upon an island,
without the means of water transportation,
be has been unable to move.
On Monday Gen. Arnold intended maxi
ing a reconnaissance in force, and taking
formal possession of the abandoned works.
A story is current that an Internal ma
chine is attached to the magazine of Fort
Barrancas, to blow up when occupied by
our forces. To give plausiblity to this,
the key to the magazine was found hanging
in the entrance by the postern gate, looking
like an invitation to walk in that way
Gen. Arnold las wisely ordered thoroug Oh
examination to be made by Major Tower,
OF the Engineers, before allowing our troops
to enter.
THE ATTACK ON MOBILE.
SHIP ISLAND, May lO.-The mortar flo
tilla LETT the Pilottown on Monday the 9th
lnst., tor this place, the steam vessels arriv
ing the evening of their departure, and the
ia L.