Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1870-05-27
kATTAWALLA, ARK, May 7th, 1870.

formed you that I was on the point of en-
barking on board of a canoe, for the pur
pose of discovering, if possible, effort
acres" more or less of dry land, whereo
the wicked having ceased from paddlin
the weary one might rest. Many day
were spent in groundless cruising befor
my dove like mission was accomplished
when finally one morning our little Graf
emerged from the tangled growth an
sluggish tides of the Bayou" adowl
which we had been drifting, and sho
boldly out into the bright, blue water
of Escambia bay" while fair to viev
rose the steeples and orange groves O
Pensacola, and little beyond the whit,
walls of the navy yard, enclosing the neat
cool Quarters, beautiful grounds, ant
huge docks and workshops of what wa
once the handsomest naval station in the
| United States. Farther up the bay Forts
| McRee and Barrancas throw their grim
| shadows into the blue waters beneath,
while Immediately opposite. on the point
of Santa Rosa Island, old Fort L" Pickens. =
famous now in story, stands like a stern
sentry. its Grinning batteries still frowning
| tiercely upon the poor dilapidated little
city lying at its feet.
Ny recollections Of Pensacola go back
to tho ''long ago." and it is hard for one
who knew it in its palmy days to recognise
now IN the grass grown streets and desert
ed Plaza. blackened ruins and desolate,
forsaken appearance, presented every
where, the lively, busting little city
of by-gone days, whose inhabitants,
as varied in their occupation,
as in their nationality, by their
warm and generous hospitality. adorn-
ed with many Of their own old world
customs and habits, giving to society
tone both foreign and pleasing made it
one of the most delightful places to visit
in this country. Especially was it n para
disc to the military - in those DAYS,
forming, as it did, the principal rendezvous
for the "Gulf Squadrons" of many ma
tons, and the old citizens yet speak with
pride and regret of the good old times
when, Instead Of the Insignificant, mean
ooking " dou BILE ender" now laying in
the bay, like policeman on duty, land
an alligator in aprc arance more
than anything else,) the stars and stripes
ioated from the must heads of proud |
50 three decksrs" and dashing fricates. |
surrounded on all sides by the Red Gross of
St. George and the tri-color and Lilies of
France. The Golden Standard of Spain, |
and many q one besides. whose boats were |
plying to and fro, from ship to |
shore, flied with jolly tars lin search Of
the Evolutionary and ever to. be remember
ed "glass and lass, y gaily uniformed Off
GERS, and the bright faces of their own
wives and daughters, while the
numerous military bands made the whole
air resonant with sweet sounds. Balls, pic
MICS, sercnadeS, Nc, were the order of the
day and night there. and many an old
grizzed ''sea dog" both Fed. and
Reb," remembers yet with pleasure the
times we Writc Of
I" When his heart was young,
And his courage Was high"
md his hopes were as bright as the lace on
lis jacket. When the hospital doors
If Judge c. and Judge A., Seniors
VI. G., Deb and H., Capts L. and
D., Messrs. 3. and W., and hosts
Of others, stood ever open to receive
hem, and beauty and welcome waited
hem within in that "goodIy age and
goodly time" when old Commodore D.
vas satrap oven Us. and ruled right royalty,
both afloat aud ashore, like @ noble old
gentleman as he was, God rest bis soul.
Heigho; we'll I had listened so attentive
y to the rhyme of ye ancient Mariner"
With whom l had been conversing the an
'ient glories of Pensacola in it's prime,
hat had almost forgotten that as yet I
lad had no dinner; SO bidding him hasty
dieu, made my way into mine inn,
where, however, was by no means des-
ined to take mine ease. True, it is, that
had much gumbo, fish, Florida chickens ,
n Gophers "a species of terrapin) and
together, found no difficulty in satisfy.
ng the inner man, after which, lighted
he pipe of meditation, and stretching my
elf out in grass hammock Swinging in
he long, cool yerandah, proposed to en- l
oy my ''0riuna cum Dig" las old Capt. f. c
sed to call it, vain delusion. for hungry
ousquito doing outpost duty Immediately {
ounded the assault, and horde of fam e
shing, ravishing '.gaILinipers" rushed to c
he attack. [ was routed in an instant, and
alling back IN great disorder, did not rally t
ntil [ reached the old plaza, when seat q
ng myself astride of an old rusty carronade (
smoked and swore until bed time. / then r
tarted for my room, and after careful
econnoisance in force, and finding the t
cast pretty clear I made a desperate rush 1
Or the ped, into which dI7ed head-fore-
1ost, and frantically tucking the musquito a
ars around me, grinned defiance to my b
pes. who having gorged themselves in the b
fternoon were not SO quick and prompt
4 their night attack, but who neverthe- b
,ss came up fast enough, and we're most T.
in their efforts to renew my ac-
uaintance; verify did I rejoice muchly O
4 my triumph, and having said, now I c
y me down to Sleep" in derision of my
'es, proceeded to take that rest which T
} much needed. But oh for the variety r
BID Big charity; ''hardly had I closed a
" eyes when they attacked me-not a
lin line of tormenting skirmishers, G.
ut in solid battalions, led by veterans, 81
:; we'll, all that I can say is, that r
they had all pulled together they would q
ave dragged me out of bed. So I made u
virtue of necessity and bolted, Selling O
y clothes as ran, being vigorously pur- c.
led by flying column of gallinipers to n
he foot of the stairs-fnally reached the b