USS Brooklyn: watching and waiting and being blown about by gales
From The New-York Times February 27, 1861:
INTERESTING FROM PENSACOLA.; LETTER FROM ON BOARD THE BROOKLYN. THE FARCE OF SECESSION IN FLORIDA– CHARACTER OF THE TROOPS IN POSSESSION OF THE GOVERNMENT PROPERTY– OUTRAGES UPON UNION MEN, ETC. AFFAIRS OF THE NATION.
Correspondence of the New-York Times:
UNITED STATES STEAM-SLOOP BROOKLYN, Off Pensacola Harbor.
TUESDAY, Feb. 12, 1861. …
The town of Pensacola is held in possession by a mob of about 400 persons, 300 of these being from Alabama; those from Mississippi that were recently here, have decamped to their homes. They came here with the avowed intention of assisting the undisciplined gang, called soldiers, that were here before them, but it would seem their only purpose in visiting this section was, of eating and drinking everything there was to be obtained, either by fair or foul means, and then evacuating; in this they were eminently successful, and when they had accomplished it, shook off the dust of their feet against the city.
Pensacola Harbor and Defenses (NY Times 2-1-1861)
The citizens that have visited our vessel inform us that the condition of these so-called soldiers is miserable beyond description; they possess no money, clothes or provisions — in fact, it is nothing more than a drunkenable, being such a terror to the whole neighboring country, that the establishment of a guard has been necessary to protect the wives and families of certain citizens. These outlaws have, in their drunken expeditions, entered houses when the male members were absent, and with pistols presented at the heads of the female members thereof, demanded all the provisions the house contained; in case of refusal, as has occurred in one instance, insult upon insult was heaped upon the heads of the unprotected females. Their sole occupation is nothing less than robbery, and every chance that is given is availed of by them.
As you are well aware, they have possession of Forts McRea and Barrancas, and they have erected a few six pounders along the beach. This seems, as far as my observation extends, to be everything of note or importance accomplished by them. Discipline and order are unknown within their ranks.
USS Wyandotte: no white flag while firing salute for Washington's Birthday 2-22-1861 (drawing by officer of Lieutenant Slemmer's command)
I have to inform you that the United States steamer Wyandotte enters and departs from the port with a flag of truce flying at her mast head; it makes our very blood boil to witness this humiliating spectacle, and the bowing of the knee by the President of our country to these highwaymen of the deepest cast. We have thought how truly lamentable it is, that such inefficiency and weakness as has recently been observed by us, should have characterized the Administration of our Executive head. …
I would not have you to understand that all the men under arms here are such deeply-dyed characters as those alluded to — who, for personal emolument, would stoop to any act, however base and atrocious it may be; not by any means, as I truly believe that some among them, unconnected with these base acts, are perfectly sincere in their actions, and think that the taking-up of arms is justifiable; these misguided men are those whom we should pity — they will soon discern the error of their ways. On the contrary, there are others who do not at all sympathize with them, but for sake of their lives are really compelled to join the rebel band, and assent to every proposition advanced by them. In connection with this, I have to tell you that an old grey-headed man, whose Winters have numbered seventy or more, and who had resided in Pensacola for twenty years, was driven from the place a short time since; he was given but four hours’ notice by the leaders to leave — and was told that if after the expiration of that period he remained they would not answer for his personal safety. The tottering old man, upon the verge of the grave, and one whom a savage would not harm, was driven from friends and home simply because he had avowed he still loved the glorious Union. He is now living aboard the Wyandotte, where no harm can come to him. I narrate this to reveal how far their espionage extends.
The only one thing desired by us is to receive orders from Washington to retake the Government property here. We could disperse the parties that now have possession of it in two hours, and hold it with our soldiers and sailors against any odds.
It is becoming perfectly outrageous that we should be stationed here, subject to merciless gales, and the sight of such contemptible actions as are daily occurring, and still be unable to raise a dissenting voice or deprecating hand.
Adam J. Slemmer (1864 photograph)
Again, we could, without any trouble whatever, land our troops at Fort Pickens, but no, we cannot; unless orders arrive we are powerless. It is a burning shame that the brave and gallant Lieut. SLEMMER, who sadly needs reinforcements, should not have the troops we have on board, and which were originally intended for him. This officer is a fitting coequal with Major ANDERSON, and deserves much credit for his conduct upon many trying occasions. It is the opinion of many, that were it not for our presence, Fort Pickens would have been attacked several days since. As it is, our large guns are a terror to them, they knowing full well that in case of necessity we would use them, and that in a manner to do terrible execution.
The frigate Sabine and sloop-of-war St. Louis are lying alongside of us; the Macedonian left us on Saturday for Vera Cruz. [A recent gale drifted us 70 miles to leeward.]
We are totally in the dark as to how affairs are pro grossing at the North. The one thing we care and hope for is, that an immediate settlement one way or the other may be consummated.
1) The Naval Historical Center displays several photos of the USS Wyandotte.
2) The USS Brooklyn was commissioned in 1859. Captain David G. Farragut was its first commander.
3) Adam J. Slemmer taught at West Point from 1855-1859. He died in 1868 “from lingering effects of typhoid fever that he had contracted during the Civil War.”
4) More disparaging images of President Buchanan. In yesterday’s post Major Anderson’s brother is implying that the president is keeping Major Anderson locked up on Fort Sumter as a prisoner of war. Now we read that Buchanan is bowing/kneeling to “highwaymen” – the rebels at Pensacola.
5) You can read the entire article at The New York Times Archive
6) The South has been talking a lot about federal coercion. On the other hand, it seems that in Pensacola, as in Charleston, the secessionists are coercing inhabitants to join the rebel forces – or else.
