Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1862-05-29
. EVACUATION OF PENSACOLA.
,nsuder Porter's Official Report
Affairs nj Mobile.

81 ptustch 10 the New i,rE Tribune,
WASHINGTON, May 81, 1862.
The following report concerning the
.cO,tion of Pensacola, and the condi-
! If affairs at Mobile, has been re-
we'd at the Navy Department from
muodore Porter of the mortar fleet;
U. :. Steamer Harriet Lane,
Pensacola, May 10.
vm--On the 7th inst, l left Ship Island
n the steamers belonging to the NOR
Aotilla and the Sachem, for Mobile
n for the purpose of fixing on place
the mortar vessels to lie, and to plant
bow, for the ships to run in by when
sy should arrive. Great excitement
.msd to exist within the forts on the
nearapce of our steamers. l have rea-
to think that Fort Gaines was evacu-
ed and some were of the opinion that
troops were leaving Fort Morgan, but
think that they were reinforcing II from
prt Gaines. cue
One of our steamers, the Clifton, got
hore under the guns of Fort Morgan,
hich opened fire on her, and when they
d got her range beautifully, and were
rowing the shot over, they stopped flr-
. Lieutenant Commanding Baldwin
emf to work coolly, and got his vessel
inst as | sent him assistance, and
bie I had to cover him from Command
Randolph gunboats, which were con-
initiating an attack on him. Thinking
,,er of il, the Commodore went up to
Ibile.
Me weather being bad | sent the
Gamers back to Ship Island, and stald
bwelf to relieve Lieutenant Command
h Febiger. while he went to Ship Is
and to coal. Vi cruised that night IN
hore to the eastward in hopes OF picking
some vessel trying to run the block
Al 2 a. m. brilliant light illuminated
be sky, and ] discovered that the Navy
lard at Pensacola, Fort McRea, the Ma
&al Hospital, Warrington, and some part
4 Pensacola, were in flames Fort Pick
&s, bombarding with shell, we soop ter
nld when light would permit, entered tn
harbor of Pensacola. | found all tn
aforementioned places burning ferceiy
md mostly in ashes. Without communl
Mating with the fort. proceeded to tn
bwn of Pensacola, where [ found tina
Ben. Arnold had already sent Captain
ackson of the army, in the Schoone
Mood, to call upon the town TO Surren
Dr.. sent for the Mayor on board tn
aiarriet Lane. who promised that the CIT
zens would behave themselves peace
uny.
found that the rebels evacuated til
place on hearing that our steamers, tn
bay before, were going TO run into Nj
pile Bay, and the squadron and mortf
totilla would soon follow them. A tho'
sand rebels were encamped five mile
outside of Mobile. They had destroye
Everything that time would permit. Flo
Barrancas, the Marine Barracks, Music
Office in the yard, one new stone buhdln
the simithery, believe, and the shear
are still in fair state of preservation
The yard was so hot that | did not
into it.
Gen. Arnold, having no steamer
command, and no means OF transport
ton, | placed the Harriet Lane at
service, and at three o'clock had 4
men, two pieces of artillery, and hor:
and some luggage carts on the other si'
when the troops took possession and hol
ed one more the United States flag
the forts and Navy Yard so long occupi
by the rebels.
We land 900 more men on the oil
SIDE tonight, when | shall proceed
aunt up some steamers for Gen. ARM
% Keep open communication between
United States troops and to cover tn
attacked. He is without any supp
o. this kind, so necessary to General
bis position.
DAVID d. PORTER,
Commanding Flotilla
hon' q. WELLEs, Sec'y Navy.
u Richard Shepard, of Hydepa
says the Newsdealer,) got seriously
Jured one day last week while at work
1wsaw-mill, owned by Lyman Prescott
waterbury. He had put rest un
.ne log he was saving, and took his lie
~ hold it, when the saw struck one
Sl the lever, bringing the other end uE
.orcloly as to break his jaw bone and
,iOasly inJure him otherwise. He is
10 be doing well now.