Southern war News.
Another Descent from Fort Pickens in the Breeze.
A Federal soldier writes from
Fort Pickens the following letter, which we find in a Southern journal:
‘
Very little sickness prevails in the camp.
There are but twenty of our men in the hospital.
Two cases of typhoid fever have occurred; both the patients are now convalescing.
We have not lost a man since coming upon the island.
The lack of fresh provisions is beginning to be felt.
I have not tasted a morsel of fresh meat for upwards of six weeks. Quite number of the regular soldiers have been attacked with scurvy, and a few of our men are beginning to get sore gums.
Yesterday I succeeded in getting a barrel of potatoes, the first we have had since our arrival, for the hospital.
You can imagine with what avidity they were eaten by the sick men.
Assistant Surgeon J. Weeds, of the United States Army, goes North upon the steamer
Connecticut, which is expected to sail to-morrow.
He has been very unfortunate Coming with us on the steamer
Vanderbilt, from the
North, he was attacked shortly after his arrival here with a disease of the eyes, (amaurosis,) which progressed, in spite of skillful treatment, so rapidly that he is now almost blind.
He goes on ‘"sick leave,"’ hoping to recover his sight when away from the glaring sands of
Santa Rosa Island.
The disease is quite prevalent here.
Two privates of the Sixth Regiment have already been discharged in almost eight less condition.
If we can credit the reports received from the enemy's camp, an extreme state of dissatisfaction exists, Desertions are occurring al- most daily.
Nine men came over here in a guard-boat about a week ago, followed the next morning by two others.
Part of them were Northern men, who had been impressed into Southern service.
Several negroes, male and female, have also found their way to the fort.
News reaches me that an enterprise of a still more desperate character than either of the above will be attempted shortly.
It is the firm purpose of
Colonel Brown to bring on a general engagement, by provoking the enemy to a point beyond mortal endurance.--
Colonel B. is cautious and does not wish to take the initiative step; indeed, his orders from the War Department are not to do so; but there is nothing to prevent his replying when once the enemy shall have applied the match to any of their big guns.
And reply he will.
Ere another mall reaches you, I hope to be able to chronicle such events as shall electrify the whole country.
The war must commence here in earnest before many days, and when it does, look for such an expenditure of powder as the New World has never before seen.
’
The Pensacola boys Becoming Impatient.
A correspondent writing from Pensacola., says:
‘
The news of the victory by our arms in
Kentucky brought again a refreshing of ‘"Oh, I wish I had been there to have shared the honor!"’ and the often-repeated, ‘"Oh, there it is again; those fellows on the
Potomac, or in
Missouri, or
Kentucky, are gaining victories, and wearing laurels, and we here forgotten!
I wish I was there!"’ etc., etc. But stop, my friend, you wishers; who knows but
Picayune Butler is coming to this town (
Pensacola) with his twenty-five thousand thieves, cutthroats, etc., etc.? Who knows but it is the intention of
Dr. L. & Co. to make winter quarters here for his pilferers?
Now just keep your mouths shut and eyes open.
Be sure and not let him catch you a sleep as a party of same name did not over a thousand years ago, at a certain navy-yard, on a certain boat, on a certain night, and won a certain little achievement, with no doubt a greater achievement in view.
I say, keep your eyes open, and before another mouth shall have rolled around
Dr. L. & Co. will give us a chance to wear a laurel or a whipping, one of the six.
’
The correspondent of the Montgomery
Advertiser writes:
‘
The lubbers of
Pickens are drilling themselves to death; all you can hear is drumming day and night.
They have one regiment of regulars in the fort, and
Billy Wilson's pets on
Santa Rosa, making about 1,700 men, all told.
They seem anxious for a fight.
I am in hopes in a few days we will be able to accommodate them.
Old Bro.
Braxton is now a full
jinerd, and if they go to putting on airs, he'll leave a great many of them
heirless, or make a great many of their kindred, parents, etc., so.
’
Lieut. Sharp, who is among the Hatter is prisoners at Fort Lafayette, writes that his comrades and himself are still confined at
Fort Hamilton, on
Governor's Island, and that they are all well, and as cheerful as men can be, situated as they are, and separated from the comforts and companionship of home.
They have a sutler, and enjoy all the articles of diet daily which the
New York markets afford.
Lieut. Sharp writes that
Lieutenant Pegram, who surrendered at
Rich Mountain, and
Capt. De. Lagnel, captured subsequently, have been transferred from Fort Lafayette to
Fort Hamilton, and are now quartered with all the commissioned officers taken at
Hatteras.
This removal is no doubt highly gratifying to
Messrs. Pegram and
De Lagnel, as they are thus brought in contact with brother officers and familiar and intimate friends.
The society at Fort Lafayette was as good as they could have desired, but they have more acquaintances on
Governor's Island, and enjoy more privileges in the way of recreation.
Accidental Suicide.
Samuel B. Pate, private in
Captain Guion's company of artillery, stationed at ForMacon, was killed on the 28th ult. by the accidental discharge of a rifle in his own hands.
He was acting as sentinel at the time, and came to an order with such force on the pavement as to fire the piece.
As in the case of a deplorable accident at
Fort Caswell, the cap had been removed, but, as we then, in accordance with request, warned our readers, there was always danger, on account of some of the detonating powder adhering.
Dismissed for disloyalty.
Prof. E. C. Boynton, of the chair of chemistry, mineralogy, etc., of the University of Mississippi, has been dismissed for disloyalty to the
South.
One of Walker's men.
A. P. Rudler, who was taken prisoner while under
Gen. Walker's command, has been elected captain of the
Baker Volunteers, and
Augusta company.
