June 22, 1861
Page 2
Letter from Pensacola
[From Our Own Correspondent]
Pensacola, Thursday night, June 20
At noon today the troops on duty at this place were reviewed and inspected by Gen. Bragg. They comprised eight companies of the Fifth Georgia regiment, Lt. Col. Bell; the State Artillery (Continentals), Capt. Homer, and the Autauga Cavalry, Capt. J. J. Cox, all under command of Col. J. R. Jackson, of Georgia. The troops looked magnificent. Hundreds of ladies and gentlemen braved the sun and the dust to witness the pageant. Gen. Bragg was accompanied by Col. Gladden, of the regulars, Assistant Adj. Gen. Ellis, Assistant Inspector Gen. Jas. E. Slaughter, and Lt. Geo. G. Garner. The General and staff dined with Mr. LeBaron; Col. Gladden and Gen. McCoy with Col. Jackson.
The Mobile spies spoken of yesterday, as having been arrested in the camp of the Continentals, were all tried by a drum-head court martial, convicted, and sentenced to some punishment. They have left for home, via the Perdiso, where they ____ hunting and fishing for a few days.
The steamer Niagara presented a beautiful spectacle last night. From her towering masts and rigging innumerable lights of brilliant and gorgeous hues were displayed during the entire evening—beacons, doubtless, to some wandering companion on the deep, as this morning a newly arrived steamer lay close under the guns of Fort Pickens.
Central bank notes are plentiful as ever, and at ruinous discounts to holders. They stink in the nostrils of all honest people—even the “rum mills” turn up their nose at them.
The mortar batteries at the Navy Yard were at practice again this evening. Some beautiful shots were made at a target anchored a mile distant. The long wharves and front buildings were lined with spectators of the exciting scene.
Haydon’s Mobile and Pensacola Express arrived this evening. It came through safe and full freighted.
[Transcribed
by Sharon Strout]