The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1886-04-22
Correspondence Of FLoRrDrAN]
sc Night Qaarters." or an UAoAp
ted Attack.

Correspondence Of FLoRrDIAN.1
sc Night Qaarters." or an OheAp
ted Attack.
One of the most startling features OF the VA
val Drill which we witnessed, was the repuise "
an imaginary enemy" who made an uneApe0
ted night attack upon the feet, under cover Oh
the darkness, and who, judging by the warm'h
of his reception, must have turned out in " over
whelming force"
We had seen the feet come up the beautiful
Bay of Pensacola that afternoon, while we were
storming the deserted parapets of Fort ficKens,
with a brilliant battalion of young ladies and
Northern excursionists. Having captured the
fort and surprised the natives, we listened awniie
to the echo of our lonesome footsteps on the
Waited pavements, under the arches where men
once crouched to escape the Confederate shells
that were sent unsparingly from the Navy Yard
and Forts Barrancas and McRea just across the
channel and as we were inspecting large can
non mounted on the southwest corner OF the
parapet, and pointing its black muzzle seaward'a
gun from the flagship told US that the squadron
was about to move up the bay and anchor OH
Pensacola.
We were 10th to leave the view spread out be-
fore us from this elevated perch, where the white
caps of the Gulf could be seen to the left and
the substantial but silent workshops OF the Navy
Yard were just over the channel, and to the
right the broad bay of Pensacola reflected the
sunshine of perfect day, and on its ruftied wa
tiers sail boats of every variety were scudding
along, while in the distance the dark outlines OF
nn,llA no QppD
ting the surface of the harbor. The fleet OF war
ships had just passed up the channel. and were
now steamng slowly up the bay in single file.
Our steam tug the Juno" was soon follow
ing the fleet, and though stiff breeze was blow
ing we overlook the vessels after an eight mile
chase, Just as the heavy anchors were dropped
not far from the bluffs above Pensacola.
Admiral J0uett was so much pleased at the Ia
cilites afforded his fleet in the splendid harbor,
and at the safe passage of his flagship Tennes-
sec" up the channel, that he sent word to Col.
Chipley of his intention to celebrate his advent
at Pensacola by something little startling to
andsmen though he declined to say what the
programme would be.
At the appointed hour-nine o'clock at night
"a large party of cXcurSi0nists from the city
were stcamng towards the upper bay where the
fleet lay quietly at anchor 1t was beautiful
evening, and the pale crescent of the moon gave
just enough light to show the outline of the fleet
in the distance, and we could also see that sig
mails were being exchanged between the vessels
by means OF waving torches.
AS our side-whec steamer, the New
Camelia," approached the anchorage, fireworks
were sent off from the upper decks, and unskill-
full rockets were launched aloit in every direc-
ton.
The young people on board also attempted to
serenadc the sailors by singing Nancy Lee"
and many climbed to the upper deck to have
good view of the fleet which was now within a
few hundred yards of us.
Suddenly rocket sent up from the flag
ship, the unending tail of which left our puny
fireworks so far behind that all on board was
instantly hushed into silence to see what
~ Immediately three white lights were
run up the flagship, which young officer
near us from that vessel, told us sgnified that
the Admiral had left the ship.
Scarcely had the three lights ceased swinging
when we were all startled by full broadsde
from the Tennessee which opened fire first
with her port batteries and then her starboard
We were close behind the ship, and the effect
upon the excursionists electrical to say the
least. In moment more all was silent The
officer from the flagship was as much surprised
as any of the rest of u.s. and said that this sudden
| outburst meant night quarters" or an unex
pected night attack on the fleet, and that not a
man on the squadron excepting the AdmiraD
| knew that it would take place The object was
| to see how quickly the various vessels could re-
spOnd to the alarm and bring their batteries to
| bear upon the enemy" The crews, of course
were taken off their guard, and the men were
| lounging around on the deck or swinging
in their hammocks. Nevertheless it IS hard
| to catch Uncle Sans tars a mapping In less
time than it takes to write these words the bat
| teries of the Brooklyn" had got to work, and
her heavy guns waking up the prosaic peo
pie of Pensacola. Nor were the other members
of the fleet slow to follow, and broadsile after
| broadside followed each other in quick success
| sion, from the Yantic,' "Swatara" and "Ga-
| lena" Thick clouds Of smoke drifted slowly
| over the surface of the bay, and the bright fash
| ing of the guns was occasionally varied by dis
| charging terribly destructive compound of
"Greek fire" from the side of the vessel, ev.
| IDENTIFY intended to repel boarders This fire
swept across the waves like the fiery breath of
serpent, and would certainly destroy anything
that came in its way. After the expenditure of
great many pounds OF powder, and the rafting
of nearly every window in West Florida the ZEN
envy" was repulsed, the firing ceased the smoke
lifted and the New Camelia' cruised bravely
| IaJ
| hOmeward \
| For the FLoRIDIAN.l
Easter.
More than eighteen centuries ago the lone,