June 26, 1861
Page 2
Our Army Correspondence
LETTER FROM PENSACOLA
[From Our Own Correspondent]
PENSACOLA, Monday night, June 24
About seven o’clock this morning a very large steamer, supposed to be the Vanderbilt, arrived in the fleet outside. She came up under a full head of steam and dropped anchor near the Niagara. The Vanderbilt sailed from New York on the 11th, and the papers of that city report her freighted for Fort Pickens, with eight 10 inch Columbiads, a large quantity of army stores, lumber, and a scow, etc., to be used in transferring her heavy freight to the shore. She has something on her deck very much resembling a scow. Her decks appear crowded with people, though no mention was made of troops having sailed on her. I hope she will plant her guns in battery safely—in the sea!
Two notorious robbers, rogues and negro thieves, named Metlook and Etheridge, were hung forty miles from this place, in Baldwin county, yesterday, at one o’clock. Metlook has been in jail once or twice in Mobile, for running negroes, but always escaped. They met their fate like devils—refusing all religious ceremony. They have at various times run off negroes from the Mobile and Great Northern Railroad—at least had the credit for it.
Haydon’s Mobile Express, “loaded to the guards,” came through last night, and leaves for Hall’s landing this evening.
Quatermaster General Calhoun arrived Saturday night on business connected with this important branch of the service.
Sure enough, the big dog with the brass collar arrived yesterday in one of the old style steam frigates—probably the Mississippi or Susquehanna, from whose foremast now floats the broad blue pennant of some commodore.
It is said by persons from the Navy Yard that a considerable number of troops were landed from the Vanderbilt this morning. I give this as I hear it.
P. S.—Another large man-of-war steamer has just anchored under salute by the squadron. She came from the westward. Four of the same sort are now lying in a bunch.
[Transcribed by Sharon Strout]