The New York herald., 1862-01-19
INTERESTING FROM THE FLORIDA KEYS.
OUR KEY WEST CORRESPONDENCE.


OUR KEY WEST CORRESPONDENCE.
m Krf wnr, Dec 80, 1901
ARRIVAL Of Vsssels-Ns,Os from NassaG--Repors from
7an.pa-Retryercing Key West and 7ostugas-
Necessity for Ia Government Fbundyy and Machine
SAop-Coal on the Lland-Necs from Hauana-AsrioaI
WAe Winona and Kitotiny- -Nesw from Font Js6sr-
Wdtr-Sedmer Primya, &c., dc.
Christmas week has been Of constant gaysty;
balls, parties. "tea fights" &C.. &C., have been all the
rage, and the presence Of large number Of navy and
army officers has aided the permanent society Of the
place in making their entertainments Of very brilliant
character. We have ball hand for this evening,
given by the ocers Of the squadron in port which
promises to be very great affair, and it will be- from all
hear, the ball Of the season.
In the last few days have had large addition 10
the naval force of the Gulf. On Thursday last the
United States ship Nightingale arrived from New York;
on the 2Sh first arrived the United States
tiago de Cuba, from Port Royal and Nassau then the
United States steamer Mercedita, from New York. and
lastly the United States gunboat sciota from Philadel
phia Yesterday the gunboats Itasca and Sycamore
rived SO that we have in port eight vessels Of
The Itasca has made very long passage Of
| the old story-broken down machinery She will be
compelled, learn, to proceed to Havana in few days.
for repairs, before being able to join the squadron.
The Santiago de Cuba, last from Nassau reports that
the Confederate steamer Theodore had gono sea- but
was known to be within fifty miles Of the port taking IN
salt She will, no doubt after procuring cargo, at
tempt TO run the blockade more, and 1t remains
be seen with what success.
The steamer Isabel, under English colors went
sea short time since remaining only -four hours
and then returned to port. This . trick on their
part to entice the Fambeau after her so that the
Gladiator might have the opportunity Of escaping with
her cargo of arms but Captain Temple old fox
to bo caught in any such trap and the good people Of the
strictly neutral port Of Nassau gave it up bad job
One Of the coal vessels which not allowed 10 land
their cargoes In Nassau, has arrived here and is
discharging; the other is expected in q few days.
We have report from person who made his escape
from Tampa that the good people Of that locality
structing number Of fiat bottomed boats, with the
tention Of making descent in force upon this place.
Their plan is to land the north part Of the island under
cover Of the night and apply the torch the in
several places, and escape in the manner they
camo Their project is feasible one for tho small gar
rison here is used up in looking for Fort Taylor
and there would be no difficulty in destroying the city
with comparatively little danger to themselves. With
the exception Of the fort exposed to attacks from
all Sides and are at the mercy Of any power that may
choose to establish themselves on the key.
Tho loyal people Of Key West waiting with anxiety
to see what action the government going for
their protection with and Of all
much uneasiness and is due them that the govern
mcu should at place tho island and its inhabitants
on perfectly footing The present garrison Of
Fort Taylor is not any more in proportion to its
men, than was in Fort SUMTER and its armament, al
though much larger work very much inferior deem
proper that this information should be make public
our people should know the present deenceess condition
Of one Of the most important military posts the
try-onc worth more to us than fifty Sumcrs.
took occasion in my last to urge the immediate
armng provisioning and garrisonng of this post and Tor
tugas, and again repeat it. There but seventy
guns mounted in Fort Taylor-about one-third of its
armament and the present garrison divided into three
relicis, would be only sufficient to sixteen guns.
Such is the present condition Of this most important
military work. An English fleet armed with Armstrong
guns, could destroy Fort Taylor and at the time
coumbiads Of the sor, which has not one rincd gun
The guns Of the land face Of Fort Taylor command about
vent landing on the east end and by regular breaches
construct works before which the fort fall in very
short tme for the covered face but fairly commenced
| and cannot be finished for long time.
will require at least four Thousand troops 70 properly
garrison this places thousand for the interior of Fort
Taylor the remainder to hold the island. and by tho
Of strong esrthworks prevent landing on the
eastern end At least fourth Of the force should be
ent their annoying tho residents Of the city Acom
pany OF Wilson's 2ouavcs here for short time and
hear many complaints regarding their conduct ladies
were frequently nsulted and at last compelled
remain at home, unless accompanied in their walks by
| gentleman
they at the same time express the wish that matter
how many troops are SENT they do not desire other
commander than the present Major Hill of the &c.
cond artillery. All classes loud in his praise and
they say that he has during his short admlnstI alton.
by rmness tempered with kindness. done more for the
security and comfort Of the inhabitants than any
mandcr that has been here.
| The necessity Of government foundry, machine and
blacksmith shop at this point is severely felt There
has been time enough since the breaking out hosti-
ties TO have erected large enough make all ord
nary repairs, and it is disgacefu to think that United
States ships compelled to 20 Havana to have
work done that should be done here The work on the
fort is delayed for tho same reason; their locomotive
broke down aud they obliged TO send 1t Havana
where requires weeks 10 work that could be done in
| as many days in an American machine shop.
About one tho.sand tons OF coal have arrived
last which will be nearly all taken by the vessels
the barbor leaving supply Of but few hundred
the island. coal hulk moored IN the habor would ros-
many advantages the present mode coaing
| vesses and be great saving o.! time and expense.
| BY the Nonparel from Havana, hear that the
2sth irst fleet of thirty sail of French English ves-
seis arrived in that harbor The presence Of large
leet of English men owar In snch close proximity and
in such uncertain times makes feel uneasy. A sud.
den DASH slcsd waf be declared by scb force Eng
land has wilhn one hundred miles, would be rather apt
to make our hold OF Key West Of very short Duration
learn that tho expenditure OF powder during the late
| bombardment at Pickons was sixty thousand pounds,
one half Of all they had and immediately after Colonel
Brown vessel TO Fort Jefferson Tortugas and took
from there the larger part Of heir supply. We have
here only moderate supply of powder shot aud she'll
and the next call may BIO on Us. This should not lie.
"Robbing Peter TO pay Paul' will in these
| times
The gunboat Winona has arrived, bringing papers to
the 22d inst We are Pleased 10 learn that matters do
| not look so war,ike as per Inst advices, and
IN horcs that all may yet be well and that England
| will not BE- ferocious in her demands. should
| not il will be sad dsapDoiut
| TO those who arc friends Of and know the cond!.
ton Of the southern concderacy, and how entirely they
depend ng upon diversion In their bytsomc
fsrccn Power for Ultimate success Hardly had the
Winora anchored before another vessel of war
ported coming in This proved 10 be the schooner Kit
tatinny OF four guns from Philadelphia, bound the
Gulf bockading squadron. Tho Mcrcdita sailod this
afternoon for Fort pckcns She took passengers Lieu
| tcnas. Boyd, United States Navy, and Iiaulenaus
Crosby and Ramsay Of the First and Second artillery
| join their companies al Fort Pickcns We have had
news from the Gulf coast since the Baltic. All Is sup
| posed to be quiet.
The schooner Tortugas from Fort jefferson, arrived
to-day, reporting all quiet at that post, and tho work
the fort progressing rapidly. Several hundred men, be-
sdes tho garrison are busily engaged mounting the
i lcn,N Nutns nnl he flrt