In the
Mobile (Alabama) Advertiser we find the following interesting letter, dated
Pensacola, June 25:
A foreign steam sloop-of-war has arrived outside, and lies a short distance from the flag-ship of the
Yankee squadron.
As well as we can make out, she flies
Swedish colors-- indeed, a vessel of that nation was expected — as a Mobile house wrote to this place, some weeks ago, inquiring whether, in the event of her coming, she could be supplied with stores and coal.
We would all like very much to see her enter the harbor, when we would extend her true Southern hospitality.
Two large transport steamers have arrived since my last night's letter.
One of them came in this morning at 11 o'clock. From their rigging, smoke-stacks, etc, it is thought they are the
Illinois and
Swan.
The former anchored near the
Niagara; the latter steered on to
Fort Pickens.
The
Vanderbilt occupies the same position as yesterday.
These vessels all appear crowded with men, and have on them, as reported, columbiads and rifled cannon.
It is said the
Vanderbilt has on hoard
Billy Wilson's regiment of New York roughs and rogues.
If so, God grant them a safe and speedy arrival on this side the river.
Our neighbors have burnt a good deal of powder to-day in doing honor to a stranger flag.
Wander if they'd salute a Confederate flag, if a fellow were to carry one out?
Gracious, and wouldn't they!
The Continentals were out again this evening, practicing with their rifle cannon at a target anchored a mile and a half in the bay. The shots were excellent.
It is said, but on what authority I know not, that old
Jones, who was arrested in
Mobile for trading with the fleet, is now on board of one of the ships in the squadron.
He was once a Pensacola pilot.
P. S. --At seven o'clock this evening the
Vanderbilt left her anchorage, and is now close under the guns of
Fort Pickens.
A few minutes later and the Swedish war steamer steamed off to the eastward.
Pensacola,June 27. --For the last two days we have been favored with cool, refreshing showers, and all fear of sickness, from the long drought has disappeared.
The numerous arrivals in the fleet of the enemy since Monday have created a great deal of excitement; and flashing eves, lighted countenances, and lively and spirited conversations have taken the place of the dejected faces and dull thoughts of our soldiers.--Last night was a wakeful one with the gallant Continentals — not that they so much expected an attack --but the bright prospects of a glorious future had so lighted their imaginations that to sleep was beneath the dignity of proud man, surrounded with the ‘" pomp and circumstance"’ of war. Their battery has been made complete by recent requisitions on the Ordnance Department, and the
General has ordered them to be furnished with thirty-two more draught horses for their pieces.
Their caissons are supplied with ammunition for either war or target practice.
Another deserter to-day from
Fort Pickens.
A mule from one of the recently arrived transports, not liking his quarters on the island, or driven to desperation by the sandflies, swam from the beach at
Fort Pickens to our shore, and made his way to the hills, in spite of soldiers and batteries, which were charged in gallant style.
Verily, old
Lincoln's service must be a hard and degrading one, when his mules desert.
The
Pensacola telegraph company have put up the posts between Farnesworth and the
State line, and in a few days the wires will be stretched — making a direct line to
Montgomery — and having a line from
Barrancas to
Pensacola, news will travel with the lightning's speed between the army and
Richmond.
The company has the most attentive operatives; keep their line in the best order, which is very important in the present stirring times, and would meet returns for their outlay, if the wires were unrestricted.
The Government ought to pay this line something extra for the sacrifices they make, and the additional expenses incurred in keeping it always in order for the transmission of its messages.
A boat, under a white flag, came over from
Fort Pickens yesterday evening.
The visit was of a private character.
The officer, a lieutenant, was met by
Lieut. Slaughter, to whom he delivered a letter from a lady to her husband,
Colonel Strang, whom she supposed at
Warrington.
He left a few days before for the
North.
Many troops are thought to have been landed on the island this week.
This morning, hundreds of them were in bathing on this side the island, cutting up terrible swells.
If
Billy Wilson's Zenaves, they needed washing.
Their tents are stretched on the sandy beach, whoever they are.
The Continentals, as well as the stationary batteries, were practicing with shot and shell this evening.
There has been no addition to the fleet within the last twenty-four hours. The transport steamers --which we make out from their rigging, smoke stacks, &c., and now discharging-- are the
Vanderbilt,
Swan, Atlantic,
Illinois and
Cahawba.
The citizens of
Pensacola held a meeting yesterday, and resolved themselves into a military organization of home guards, to be armed in the best possible manner.
Let old
Lincoln's myrmidons advance — their graves are open.
