The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1917-02-04
PENSACOLA FLA, SUNDAY MORNING FEBRUARY 4 1917

ing, and we were within easy range
of the men of war just outside, to
say nothing of the guns of Fort Pick
ems itself, which were frowning upon
Us. Our troops having disbanded to
burn the camp, We're necessarily in
great disorder and could not now
stop to organize. In this manner we
had gone only few steps when we
saw glistening in the light of the
burning camp line of bayonets just
across our way and only a few yards
distant from US. Some one said.
'They are our men," A volley from
them, which killed and wounded some
Of our men caused the cry, ''They are
Yankees" and the fire was returned
by few OF our men. Colonel Jack
son, coming up about this time gave
the order to cease firing and to form
line, saying, "They are our men"
In obedience to his order to form a
line, | ran and placed myself on the
colone's left. One or two others did
the same. but most of the men did
not seem to hear or understand the
colonel's order. At any rate, it was
not oseyed and the firing was kept up
by some of our men, while others
were saying, "Don't shoot! They are
our men,"
An Unforeseen Attack.
In the meantime the unknown line
were pouring hot fire into US. About
this time | saw a man on a mule
riding up along the beach meeting
US. He said something to the men
nearest him and Instantly several
guns We're aimed at him. and he was
taken down off his mule. He proved
to be Major (afterward Brigadier
General) Vogdes, commander of the
battalion Of United States regulars
for so it proved to be-who had been
| obstructing our march; and he had
come to demand our surrender. While
we were busy burning the camp, the
/ commander of the fort had sent this
battalion around on the gulf beach
! to get in our rear and capture us.
His battalion now gave way and fed,
i leaving the way open for the contin-
uance of our retreat.
One of our boys mounted the mule.
while the major, together with the
other prisoners, was carried along
with US. We now proceeded as rapid
| ly as we could, carrying such of our
wounded as it was possible to move,
toward our boats, expecting to have
the guns of both the fort and the
ships outside oQen upon US for it was
now daylight. This, however, they
did not do, either from fear of kill
ing their own men, or because We
were shielded from view by the
bushes on the island.
Upon arriving at the boats we
found that the tide had receded, and
they had been moved farther out
into the water, in consequence Of
which we had to wade some distance
to reach them. No order had been
observed in the retreat from the scene
of the battle, and each man waded in
and got aboard as soon as he arrived.
The steamboat was headed from
shore with the two barges behind,
ready to start as soon as the order
! was given.
While we were thus embarking the
| enemy, who had followed at a safe
I distance, approached the boats under
protection of the brush, and opened
rifle upon US with their long range
guns. We returned the fire but to
little or no effect, as they were, be-
sides being concealed from view, out
of range of our guns. All having
gotten aboard, the order was given
to the steamboat to move, when it
was discovered that the barges were
aground, caused by the receding tide
and thu nddnI rrrninrI.A A.. 4-.-.-.-