The Daily Dispatch: September 21, 1861., [Electronic resource]

The affair at Pensacola.

‘ The accounts we have received of the recent attempt of the Yankees to land at the Navy-Yard at Pensacola, do not appear to reflect great credit on the watchfulness of our men at that point. The Yankees were nearly ready to land when they were discovered, and had they been more in force might have caused considerable damage before they could have been repulsed. That our men fought bravely, we can readily believe; but that they came very near being surprised at their posts by the enemy, seems evident. In all cases where men are on duty for a great length of time without alarms, they are inclined to get a little less watchful than is desirable; but soldiers, as well as others, should remember that ‘"eternal vigilance is the price of liberty,"’ and that the surest way to repel an attack is to be at all times prepared to meet the enemy. It should be borne in mind that the enemy now in Fort Pickens, is watchful and unscrupulous, and that he is only waiting the time when he can strike our defences with effect. We hope the result of the recent experiment will be to place the Confederate soldiers fully on their guard. There can be no excuse for a surprise.

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