[from the Greenville (Ala) Observer.]
the evacuation of Pensacola.
For some time past the Confederate authorities have been engaged in removing the commissary stores munitions of war, and indeed everything that was valuable to us from the vicinity of Pensacola.
This having been completed, on Friday night last, they destroyed the public buildings in the city, burnt the military camps, an having removed the machinery and other valuables from the Navy Yard, Marine Hospitals, and our Forts, they too were destroyed or rendered useless. We have had the pleasure of a conversation with a gentleman just from Penancold, who was present at the interviews between Mr. Bobs, the Mayor of Pensacola, and the Federal officers, and learn the following facts. On Saturday morning, about 7 o'clock, a small schooner sailing under a flag of truce, anchored opposite the city, and dispatched a messenger to the city who stated that General Arnold, commanding at Fort Pickens, was aboard the schooner and writhed to see the Mayor. Mr. Bobe replied to the messenger that he had an office in the city, and if General Arnold wished to see him he could call there. Arnold then dispatch two Lieutenants to the Mayor to demand the surrender of the city. Mayor Bobe refused to comply with the demand but stated that all the military forces had left and he had no power to oppose the Federate. With this the officers left for their boats, asking, however, to be escorted to the shore, which the Mayor granted, and defiled a party for that purpose. The schooner then returned to Fort Picken, and in a few hours the Harriet Lane a Federal war steamer, came up and anchored in front of the city, and the Commodore dispatched a messenger to the Mayor of the city with the following communication:
[correspondence.]
(copy)
U. S. steamer Harris Lane, off Pensacola, may 8, 1862.
Sir: I wish to confer with the authorities of this place, whoever they may be, civil or military, in regard to preserving good order in case there should be any disposition to commit excesses on unoffending and loyal citizens; and I wish to obtain information relating to late events, and the destruction of public property.
I take this opportunity to say that any abusive or disrespectful conduct from mobs or other parties in this town towards the persons belonging to the naval vessels of the United States, will be treated as an inimical act, and will be resisted as if it was assault and battery.
No one need fear any interference with their rights or property, as long as they conform to good order.
Your ob't serv't,
D. D. Porter,
Commanding Mortar Fleet.
To which the Mayor replied:
Mayoralty of Pensacola, Pensacola, may 10, 1862.
In reply, I would state that I am ready to confer with you, either at my office or on board your vessel, in regard to the subject matter of your communication.
In reply to Mr. Bobe, Porser addressed him a note, stating that he was unwell, (drunk we suppose,) and that he would confer a favor upon him by visiting him on board the steamer Harriet Lane. Mr. Bobe consented, and accompanied by another gentleman from Pensacola, went on board the vessel, where at first they were received very courteously. After the usual salutation were over Mr. Bobe was invited to the Commodore's private room. Having repaired there and being seated, Porter taking the cowardly advantage of being upon his own vessel, had the unblushing impudence to say to Mr. Bobe that he (Porter) presumed that the people of Pensacola were pleased to be placed once more under the protection of the Federal flag. To which Mr. B, looking Porter full in the face, in the face, in a scornful manner, said: ‘"Sir, are you aware who you are talking to?"’ The miserable wretch cowered under these words and looks and finding that he had mistaken his man, begged to be excused for the 1th union. The conversation then turned upon the subject of Porter's letter to the Mayor. When through, the stopped Porter asked Mr. Bobe how many troops we had in and near Pensacola. Mr. Bobe replied that that was a question he should not answer — and at the same time took up his hat and departed, leaving Porter in a stew on account of the Mayor's defiant answers to his ungentlemanly questions.
After Mr. Bobe had been compelled to surrender his civil authority, and having done all he could for the city and the few remaining citizens, and like a gentleman and a patriot, not willing to live among the thieves he knew would be placed there, he took his departure late on last Saturday evening.
We can but hope that those who have remained will deport themselves as true and loyal Confederates, and suffer martyrdom rather than take the rotten oath of allegiance to the United States.
Burning of the Navy.Yard.
A correspondent of the Mobile Register under date of May 10th, gives a brief but graphic description of the burning of the Navy, Yard, which we append.The scenes of last night closed the long campaign of Pensacola — of its history you are sufficiently familiar. The order for the destruction of the Warrington Navy-Yard, and all public property at that place and Pensacola that could not be moved, was successfully carried into execution, and the roughly executed at the Yard and Pensacola.
About 11½ o'clock the signal being given be Brig. Gen. Thomas Jones, in an instant the touch was applied at every point, and in a few minutes the wood work, gun — carriages, etc, in Forts Barrancas and Mekae and the Hospitals, together with all the other buildings in the Navy-Yard proper, in the vorlages of Wolsey and Warrington, were in flames. At the same instant the torch was applied to the oil factory and all the Government buildings in the city of Pensacola, also to the steamers at the wharf. The scene was grand, thrilling, and sublime. The whole boy was as light as mid-day, while the murky clouds overhead reflected back an apparently liquid sea of fire. Fort Pickens could be plainly seen, and its garrison seemed to have suddenly aroused, astounded and surprised.-- in a short while, however, Pickens opened with shot and shell. Our boys, not relishing the compliment, instantly returned from one or two smooth bore 44's and 33's which quickly cleared the ramparts of Pickens of all sight seers. Whether anybody was ‘"hurt,"’is not known. Pickens seemed to be, and must have been, perfectly ignorant of our movements, and from the heaviness of its fire was in a paroxysm of wrath and rage.
The task of dismantling the forts and batteries, and the removal of everything worth transporting, even to small bits of copper and lead, in the face and very teeth of t he enemy, was one of a most difficult and delicate nature. This has been most admirably executed by Gen Jones. The Federal can now take possession of an unhospitable and beach.
