The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1872-11-10
LETTER FROM PENSACOLA, FLA.

". 4, =. p
Dear Star:
Acting on my conviction that you desire.
Whenever it is possible, to act in that province
which the Press claims 81 almost peculiarly its
own in enabling him who runs to read, I yield
to g not uncharacteristie inclination to have
= chat with you.
Pensacola is the subject of my story. Many
of your readers have doubtless heard of the
place, in some indistinct connection OF fab
and oysters and q more limited namber--sur-
vivors from those famous organizations the
Louisiana Guards, Crescent Rifles, Orleans
Cadets, st. Paul's Chasseurs-a4Pied, the red
| capped Zouaves and Louisisna Regulars-re-
| tain yet perhaps n vivid recollection Of their
months spent here under 'Bragg's iron disci-
pine. II those recofiections are not sii of the
pleasantest nature, it may be ascribed to the
rigors of war aud not to any radical defect in
the place. In truth in those days Pensacola
And the neighboriug towns of Warrington and
Wolsey conld be seen only in their most On
favorable aspects The Confederates held the
mainland and the hay, while the Yankees oc-
cupied Santa Rosa Island which forms break
water separating the Gulf from the Bay, and
with their guns la the batteries aud Mt Fort
Pickens--
II oine their breath bad watched with grim defiance
The sea-coa.t opposite
If we tako into consideration the fact that
the hostile guns were separated by an interval
of little over n mile, and likewise remember
that both sides for nearly nine months indus
triously held their breath and did little else,
we caunot condemn our boys very uureason-
able in rowing weary. Bnt those things have
past.
The forts aud batteries which for two memo
rable days In November, 1861, belched thunder,
fire and smoke have vanished from tho earth,
| rest like sleeping lions meath the shadow of
| the United States flag. The change has been Of
advantage to Pensacola. Aside from its meg
niicent harbor, beyond oil odds the finest
south of Norfolk, and one Of the finest in the
country, and its easy. accessibility from the In
terror of Alabama and Mississippi, 1t possesses
Q fruitful source of prosperity in the immense
timber forests which extend to the north, east
| and west. This mine Of wealth has begun to
be developed only since the war, and already
| the results Of this Development are to be seen
in her rapidly increasing commerce and the
unprecedented activity remarkable in every
branch of business. When her direct lines Of
| Communication with the interior shall be com.
pleted, Pensacola will take her proper stand
| among her sisters as the Queen City of tho
| Gulf As yet she has not advanced far enonRl
| TO enable her to ovote but the barest attention
to her urban appearance, and hence the old
town, or what the fire left of 1t still shock
architectural Sensibilities by the sight Of odi
fces built in the old Spanish time, when wha
We now call Louisiana was bnt amali portio
Of the Province of Florida. Pointed roof
! with their obtrusive gables. long, low, franz
buildings, all gallery and windows who's
A charm Of antiquity 10 heightened by NOS
plentiful lack Of paint are the rule ia the OLD
part Of town, Jet ] would not beundsrstoot
ss denying ID tho place ali reason to boast o
her residences. Is possesses many handsom'
places, ecmbfnaslozs Of The ornamental and
ussfai. which testify to the spirit Of improve
msnt anaong her citizens.
Afseng ne posi- 5sRsn advances ere the nav
lcathorIo c3ureb anask the psstorsbip % Rsv
u nsratA ana apnyans scbaol con
n ~ ~ ~ c'ss q Sisters ms .,
Z II slins ilaf. ess
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