The New York herald., 1862-01-18
OUR KEY WEST CORRESPONDENCE.

Arrival Of fe Rhode Observation-Disclosures Of Fort Pick
ews-Desription Of the FoAt-Remarks Regarding the
BoNbdydment-7he Blockading Flec-The De Soto Run
ming into French Seamer-Operations of the Steamer
NaO London-7ro ops Ship LIand-Cdpture Of the
VeWus By the Rhode Isdnd-Chanos and Movemests of
Officers Of the Sqsadron-Captaim Geo. y. Xahe, Of the
Rebel Army-RebeI Desrters-Captain, Creso and Pas.
sesgos Of ne Vemus-Remarks IN Regard to the Block
ade-ArrivoI of the Flambeau, dc., dc.
The Rhode Island has arrived, bringing Of an
other bombardment at Fort Pickens on the 1st inst
which lasted for twenty hours am sratined to say
that no was killed, and but slghtly wounded
our side. Col. Brown seems determined not to allow
them to remain quiet, or else he may have opened
the ball merely as q New Years gift
the morning Of the s.sn.r reDel steamer
was observed from Fort Pckens making her way TO-
wards the Navy Yard. She behaved in a. very defiant
manner, some on board waving rebel flag, which
seemed to say "You dare not fire at me.n This was
not to be borne with patience, COL Brown had fire.
quenty warned General Bragg that the presence Of these
steamers would not be put up with. As she approached
Fort Pickens opened upon her, when she rereated
double quick time. The fire from Fort Pickens was
Immediately answered from all the rebel bat
terios, and the engagement became general. The
firing kept up throughout the day. and at
night Piokens maintained slow nre from the
lSinch morars which hotly returned by the rebels
About eleven p. NJ fro broke out in the Navy Yard,
which continued throughout tho night, and from the
extent of the conagraton is supposed that the greater
part Of the buildings in the Navy Yard have been de-
stroyed, and also the larger part, not ALL the
Of woolsey, which is adjoining the Navy Yard on the
north.
The firing both sides was remarkable for its
extreme accuracy Shells in countless numbers fell in
side Of Fort Pckens, and 1t is wonderful that loss
was sustained. Our side returned the compliment in
equal proportion but have no doubt will have the
old story from General Bragg, that he took 1t all very
cooly, aid their loss was nothing.
The scene during the night was magnificent In the
extreme Every shell could be traced in its course
through tho air from the time IL left the gun until
exploded and this connection with the ccn1agratiop
rendered the whole affair sight such as Pensacola and
but few other places had before witnessed The
illumination great that II distinctly by
the Unted States steamer Mcrcedita, when over forty
All our batteries were engaged, and did their work
admirably. Fort McRac, which had been so roughly
handled by squadron and patery Scott at the last
engagement appeared TO have resumed It's accustomed
vig'r, for II kept up constant fire throughout the
seve RAJ Of the squadron present but took no part
in mo fight, and II is as well they didt not for nothing
could have been gained and probably much would have
been lost had they attempted TO have opposed their
wooden sides 10 stone walls and eartbworks.
The oomblrdmont waa the old story Of fort against
FORT at distance too great for any decisive result We
gain nothng yet expend great amount o powder, shot
and shell, and they the same. Apart from tho burning
of Warrington the Navy Yard Woolsey doubt II we
have done them any injury worth speaking Of and for
Fort Pickens 1t is strong as before the rs. lombard
ment Thore wero but fow if any accidents worth re-
.cording during this affair. Colonel Brown by way OF
pravado suspended light outside Of the fort that the
rebels might better where TO fire at What his
were for doing he alone knows. No doubt they
ewere good ones.
I cannot conceive what benefit can accrue from these
hon baments especially when have force 10 fol-
Yew up any advantage may gain. Colonel Brown Is OF
Gpnon that had be Eve thousand additional troops he
eoutake tho Navy Yard aud Forts NcRac and
scrbars he might, but II remains bo Il h. can
Nun think that he would wait until tho required force
4, Uyon before commencing active operations Of any
Skaession Of the rebels DO o.actualy senced be-
ere NY attack can DO made with ten thousand men,
vuh N reasonable prospect OF permanent success.
IT, Oicdc slnd has visited all the blockadng fleet
at vly vessel, the bark Midnight having sailed for
20 ward IS soon as her mails and supplies were
~ sousN % Bcrwick's or Atchafaaya Fay ths United
.c (, vea. Mongomery stationed At Southwest
.n.cs sesu Wio at Outre, tho Mississippi and
v,nc pns. rps % Island the Nagara asship) Preble,
\, Sws prse sp cve and BY far the most vessel
~ ~ ~ ~ M draught Of water. In the squadron
"a "a sSooums @ ~ m up the traffic through Mississippi
sound and few ds, sincs, while cruising there. she
captured vessel nam, W h,rrca hass cs co,,on ths
,o,ors WIN c'so " ~, Ship Island. Tho lie Soto
srrcs at shin Island ba, ing in tow tho French steamer
war Milan. dsabIedbe Desoto having run into her At
night of the asses Of the M nc pnnar :, ,rncd oo
~ Mo Frsnrha was going into the river,
by permission CT the govern, isavi, ,ha ,.n,,o Wv s
families that ssirous Of - ns Nh. w 's,oy h y,
Davis Co. The 4 amer dispaye ~ & s". ~ wnen run
into AMI all hsr actions secmot psv .nas sno was
stranger trying f our blockade wa % " psav. S, " not
The honith and condition OF our cops ou sup sianu
excellent and the Notifications Vore rap'ay assu
ming very formidable character. ....., -
OF kepuo the irigate Potomac was B. ~'''"o"' 'hs