's battery, with one ten-inch and two smaller guns.
There was a ten-inch columbiad mounted on a point in the
there were two ten-inch and several smaller guns mounted.
Nearly all the heavy guns used here were transported from
, after the seizure of that place by the rebels.
The scenes of last night closed the long campaign of
Pensacola — of its history you are sufficiently familiar.
The order for the destruction of the
Warrington Navy-Yard, and all public property at that place and
Pensacola that could not be moved, was successfully carried into execution at the
Yard and
Pensacola.
About half-past 11 o'clock, the signal being given by
Brig.-Gen. Thomas Jones, in an instant the torch was applied at every point, and in a few minutes the whole works, gun-carriages, etc., in
Forts Barrancas and
McRae, and the hospitals, together with all the other buildings in the
Navy-Yard proper, in the villages of
Woolsey and
Warrington, were in flames.
At the same instant the torch was applied to the oil-factory and all the government buildings in the city of
Pensacola, and to the steamers at the wharf.
The scene was grand, thrilling and sublime.
The bay was as light as mid-day, while the murky clouds overhead reflected back an apparently liquid sea of fire.
Fort Pickens could be plainly seen, and its garrison seemed to have suddenly aroused, astounded and surprised.
In a short while, however,
Pickens opened with shot and shell.
Our boys, not relishing the compliments, instantly returned it from one or two smooth-bore forty-fours and thirty-twos, which quickly cleared the ramparts of
Pickens of all sight-seers.
Whether anybody was “hurt” is not known.
Pickens seemed to be, and must have been, perfectly ignorant of our movements, and from the heaviness of its fire, was in a paroxysm of wrath and rage.
The task of dismantling the forts and batteries, and the removal of everything worth transporting, even to small bits of copper and lead, in the face and very teeth of an enemy, was one of a most difficult and delicate nature.
This has been most admirably executed by
Gen. Jones.
The Federals can now take possession of an inhospitable sand-beach.
About half-past 7 o'clock in the morning a Federal sailing schooner ran up within about half a mile of the city, and sent a boat on shore with a flag of truce.
The Federal officer was more anxious to find out what was going on and obtain information than anything else, for the manner in which he sailed up the bay was very cautious and prudent, as though he expected a rebel ruse and the destruction of the property the night before had merely been done to catch him and his little schooner.
He was promptly rebuked by a confederate officer, who was standing near by unofficially, by being told that he had no right to ask such questions under a flag of truce; a very proper rebuke, which the
Federal officer seemed, for a rarity, to feel and appreciate.
The interview alluded to above was with
Mayor Bobe.
The surrender of the city was demanded and promptly refused.
The
Mayor was told that the city would be occupied during the day by the
Federals, and that the people need not be alarmed, as they would be protected.
In the boat's crew two deserters were identified.
The city is generally deserted, but few people remaining.
The track of the railroad is torn up and the iron removed.
The telegraph-office is closed and the wire removed.
