The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-07-01
RI OF THE WAR.
3Ilfr OF THE DAYS WHEN
& TN boys WERE RECKLEss.
on Party Of Festive confederates
urprised . vainslorious Troop Of the
sny-very Desperate Chances
pcessfuly Taken.


many years ago chose it for the site
he navnl station for Its war ships |
duty on the gulf. The early Spanish
rers built the town Of its name about |
miles up the bay onits western shore.
Navy yard Gas the station is called |
b is located about midway between
Town and gulf on the same shore, the
ern, and comprises comfortable dwell
for officers and men, warehouses for
hinqs needful for ships Of war, large,
llent hospital. etc. On the same
IL, right where the bay meets the gull,
Il Is an old, .but not strong fort, Nc
and about mile up the same shore
y Is new and peculiar fort, Barrancas
Ait down in the soft earth, and il has
foreground galleries OF arched brick
III.
here lies along the mainland, eastward
here many miles, a low, narrow
Hbank island called Santa Rosa, whose
Htern end is in the very entrance 10 the
vbor, and on this point was built the
M defense, Fort Pickens, one OF the
Hgest In all the country. II was truly
idable to the old wooden fleets.
the general seizure OF the United
rs forts by the southern Governors
n attended secession, we secured
ae and Barrancas; but the great fort
mot captured, and the northern gov
nent promptly threw into II a strong
ison OF 500 regulars under Col.
|Tne and Mai. Vogdes. The Niagara,
Y1largest Of the war fleet, was ordered to
\ anchor lust outside the point, near
fort. Col. Billy Wilson, with his
lyes, was ordered thither, and they
into permanent camp on the island
ut half mile east OF the fort. 1t was
Try large regiment, full OF conceit, and
made up OF as brawney, reckless men
pould DO found in New York. II was
orted that on landing, each man knelt
swore on the Bible, never TO cease
Iting sshile Confederate flag waved.
|m the tall lighthouse. on the main
thu WOULD be seen practicing the
tnye< with their sword bayonets-
ingf mary boys in gray.
Illus was Federal force which
n be hy estimated at about 1900,
DIudin. marines" OF the Niagara.
4 rhe f6-.lof the Confederates were
by. sand batteries along
Ihore on WI oh were heavy guns. There
vas one mortar battery, by which We
loped 70 drop ten-inch bomb shells from
pity hight into Pickens. in the event Of
yIhe Confederate government was being
Iirricd on u Montgomery, Ala, distant
)hly 40 milcs In the interior, across
country yhich afforded no barriers in the
Ehy Of rivers or mountains to impede In
lasion, M I was thought best TO keep
bod torce. II this point, lest the enemy
ldfnw and an overwhelming arm,
Awch upon our capital. We had |
hriny. y u, 900 and Gen Bragg wa
tomn,, 'Ader. The troops were en-
fcd for miles along the shore. tn,
0ye Gladden., a Mexican veteran, wa
Win brigade from Louisiana. Man,
Idle. rnd ana elderly gentlemen o
a6incfiSr were here, "a soldering" a
nvh pr ,atcs, 10 show their love OF tn
use. an encourage the youngsters an,
~ and ale GENERALLY. There was enougl
y The ''silver-tongued" Capt. Alphea
Iher's company, OF Eufaula, Ala, :
{.rry on a government. One OF his mel
klbeen q member OF Congress; and nov
his ripe old age Is a United States sen
or, Mr.. Pugh, OF Alabama.
In the fixt several weeks there was a
acnt desire among our troops TO posses
z big fort, too, even II II had 10 be take
storm; and once scaling ladders wer
ready for this, but the mad projeC
,s fortunately abandoned.
Thus did the hostile forces lay within
lie end quarter Of each other, the fin
cnty-two loot channel Of this exceller
lrbof keeping the peace between then
ne dark night some enemy's oar boa
me within short range OF the navy var
"a fired round OF grape into Il an
Illlcd OF with yells Of dcrision. tn
islanlpnunsu may have been the cause
tbe taiid4 night expedition 10 be ma
M long aiterward, one evening when
waA I, ntsrdark that the onemy's watc
! oil mol see what was going on on o,
sidsic< To channel, n picked detail wi
m1de,H ten men from company. The
fropln Ntlc collected behind an old bull
ing St,d Iieutenant-C Colonel Chalme
(akt$ ard Gen. Chalmers) took COT
MAJ Ard hadea neat little battle spcccl
pIck q stnung that we were going on
J.refat1 GRAND. We were then doub
Xickcdfo w. navy yard wharf and Co
cq6d OH the little ferry steamer 20 Pens
3oIa, Whole ~e joined other details.
Atisr3aiting until several hours In Y
nipht va were ordered on board io
.sfotf'tlnats), and these were towed
two nckcty old steamers as small as CIV
wfrd>een.
We utfc landed four miles up the 4
and % fas not 10 be heard by the onem
We hadl 600 men. II was n clear, sts
light light, no moon, and only gent
Ibreczo was stirring.
Tho force was divided into three @
umns. One was ordered 10 advance in I
iircction Of the enemy by the harb
b,ach, one by the outside or gulf beac
md tie third, our little band OF abou
All company, were ordered down the mi
lh Of the island, and at ~ near doul
uaick as possible, which speed the bru
Ind crass made fearful marching. But
Irpt this gait, which soon ran us upor
Scntinel, who banged away, OF coun
Ne dashed on the faster, running o,
bthers until We were halted near the &c
hive camp.
The zouaycs were now all aroused a
turned out and fired quite volley ut RI
Iom In our direction. suppose that I
Object Of our little column was TO draw III
Intention. Their officers duly stopped
wild firing and began 10 form the men
battle. Their line was 10 near that
could hear tho rattle Of The cartridge boz
/ and the voices Of the officers NJ they plaS
The men and gave their orders in low ton
seemed that they were preparing
\arye our little band Of not more q
tenty men, and many Of thsm beard
uths OF the class who rushed early Il
army ''ior the fun OF the thing"
} feared for the result Of an attack by
zrxhclmIng force Of staIwast mon "
yns& edge bayoncis on such. Tho s'au
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