From Pensacola.
the Dispatch.--the preparations at Fort Pickens--increase of the Blockading fleet — military Restrictions — anecdote of Gen. Bragg.[Correspondence of the Richmond Dispatch.]
"Live Oak Camp." Near Pensacola, Fla., Nov. 11, 1861.
The welcome face of your valuable paper occasionally greets my vision, and from which I glean much of interest; and although your columns appear to be constantly full yet a few items from this out-of-the-way place may not be without general interest to your many readers.
Though at the present time quiet, there is no telling how soon a detachment from Lincoln's armada may feel in a mood to test the strength of some of our batteries, and send us a bomb by way of salute, on which occasion they may rest assured we shall not turn on them the cold shoulder.
Since our attack on Wilson's camp, the morning of the 9th October, the entire force on the island have been very industrious.
Billy's "pets" have had a new and complete fit-out, many wooden buildings have been erected, and they have quite a town there.
They have put all their "barbette" guns interim, mounted a number of extra ones on the Fort, (some of which are bearing up the island, so as to rake any force that should attempt to storm the Fort in that directions.) and Col Brown, with his late reinforcement, no doubt considers his position impregnable.
They have kept but one ship off the island since the first of last month until Saturday last, when daylight showed up six large vessels off the fort, and it was supposed that our allotment of the "armada" had arrived, but the following night three of them disappeared.
They are trying to be as mysterious as possible in their movements.
Events are thickening, and the next few weeks may decide the blockade question.
By-the-bye, the English papers have made positive assertions that some of our ports would be open in October. November is upon as, and no such result has been attained.
Have we been waiting for England to make good that assertion?
Enough has been said.
Action should now be the watch word
The news from Columbus is encouraging; that from Savannah is exciting.
Last night, at 10 o'clock, the 7th Alabama regiment, Col Wood, received marching orders, and this morning they are on their way to Chattanooga, for the purpose of looking after the Union men, who are committing depredations, such as bridge burning, &c., in East Tennessee.
The 10th Mississippi is also ordered from here, but I cannot give their destination.
To fill the vacancy made by the departure of these troops, some 2,100 to 2,200 Mississippi troops — part of which arrived yesterday evening, the remainder to arrive to-day are located near Warrington.
These comprise the 5th and 8th Mississippi regiments.
This portion of the army under Gen. Bragg is in good trim, and well disciplined for volunteers, and as a general thing are well satisfied, or would be put for their continued inaction.
Some dissatisfaction, however, is manifest at the reading of a "general order" recently, by which volunteers are brought up to strict army regulations, as to the number of servants allowed to each company.-- If the "order" had been enforced at the start, not a word of complaint would have followed.
The matter has caused much discussion, and I must record the remark of one man, as it is too good to be lost.
He said-- "The very thing we are fighting for is the privilege of doing what we please with our niggers, and if we are denied that right here at home, we are deprived of one strong inducement to fight. "
I must give you a little anecdote of Gen. Bragg.
Before the commencement of hostilities last spring, on the occasion of a visit to Fort Pickens by Gen. B., Major Vogdes did the honors, by showing the General about the fort, and on board the flag-ship, then in the harbor.
Among other things of interest, Major V. introduced the General to a very fine and well stocked "liquor case," at the same time remarking, "When you take me prisoner, Gen. Bragg, I suppose you will allow me the possession of my liquor case"--Gen. Bragg replied, "Certainly, sir." Well, you are aware that Major V. was taken prisoner by our troops on their recent visit to the island.
On the occasion of the Major being presented to Gen B. as a prisoner of war, the General jocularly remarked to him that "he could now send for his liquor case." At was a good joke, and seemed to be enjoyed as much by the Major as by any one of the party.
If anything worthy of note transpires here, you may hear further from Xenia. 