June 25, 1861
Page 2
ITEM FROM PENSACOLA—A letter from an officer of our regular army near Pensacola, ordering the Advertiser and Register sent to his address, furnishes the following interesting paragraph, which we take the liberty to publish:
The health of the army continues very good and at this post most excellent, our Regiment (the 10th Mississippi Volunteer) having lost but one man, besides Col. Phillips, from illness since leaving home, the 26th March. Although the weather is very warm, we manage at this post, with a constant breeze and a swim twice a day in the surf, to keep pretty cool and comfortable. Our men are getting tired of the monotony of daily infantry and artillery drill, police duty and guard mounting, and await with some impatience the opening of the fight. It will be a magnificent night, Messrs. Editors, when the battle begins, our batteries ranged in a semi-circle extending over four miles, belching out shot and shell towards the centre, while there will be one blaze of fire sending out iron messengers in return—a sight the like of which has never been seen probably on the continent. The vessels will probably take a part, but only at a safe distance.
[Transcribed by Sharon Strout]