--
Mr. Russell, the London Times correspondent, furnishes the following pen and ink sketch of
Gen. Braxton Bragg, the commander of the Confederate forces at
Pensacola:
‘
The commands of the
Confederate States army at
Pensacola is about forty-two years of age, of a spare and powerful frame; his face is dark, and marked with deep lines; his mouth large, and squarely set in determined jaws, and his eyes, sagacious, penetrating, and not by any means unkindly, look out at you from beetle brows which run straight across and spring into a thick tuft of black hair, which is thickest over the nose, where naturally it usually leaves an intervening space.
His hair is dark, and he wears such regulation whiskers as were the delight of our
Generals a few years ago. His manner is quick and frank, and his smile is very pleasing and agreeable.
General Bragg received me at the top of the steps which lead to the verandah, and, after a few earnest and complimentary words, conducted me to his office, where he spoke of the contest in which he was to play so important a part in terms of unaffected earnestness.--Why else had he left his estates?
After the
Mexican war he had retired from the United States artillery; but when his State was menaced he was obliged to defend her. He was satisfied the
North meant nothing but subjugation.
All he wanted was peace.
Slavery was an institution for which he was not responsible; but his property was guaranteed to him by law, and it consisted of slaves.
Why did the enemy take off slaves from
Tortugas to work for them at
Pickens?
Because whites could not do their work.
It was quite impossible to deny his earnestness, sincerity and zeal as he spoke, and one could only wonder at the difference made by the ‘"stand point"’ from which the question is reviewed.
General Bragg finally, before we supped, took down his plans and showed me the position of every gun in his works and all his batteries.
He showed the greatest clearness of unreserved openness in his communications, and was anxious to point out that he had much greater difficulties to contend with than
Gen. Beauregard had at
Charleston.--The inside of
Pickens is well known to him, as he was stationed there the very first tour of duty which he had after he left
West Point.
It was late at night when I returned on one of the
General's horses towards the
Navy-Yard.
’
