I immediately ordered Major Arnold to proceed to support Major Vogdes with two companies, and at the same time sent an order to Colonel Wilson to advance and attack the enemy. I also despatched a staff officer on board the steamer McClellan, with orders for him to take position opposite the landing place and open on the enemy; unfortunately at the same time directing him to go to the Potomac, lying near, and ask for some men to assist him, in case landing was necessary. Captain Powell directed him to tow his ship to the scene of action, which so delayed him that he did not arrive until after the enemy had vacated. Captain Powell acted from the best motives, and, under ordinary circumstances, from correct principles. But the result was unfortunate; as the McClellan could have driven the rebel steamers away, and we must have made prisoners of most of the invaders. At the request of Major Arnold, late in the morning, I sent forward a light field-gun, which, however, did not reach him until the affair was over. As I propose only briefly to allude to the volunteers, I respectfully refer you to the official report, marked A, of the colonel of the regiment. The picket of this regiment and the guards sustained its principal if not entire loss, and behaved well. Capt. Daly's company, on duty with the regulars, did good service, and the Captain is spoken of by Major Arnold in terms of high approbation. He had two men killed. Capt. Bailey's company was at a battery, and not called out. He was performing his appropriate duty during the fight. Major Vogdes, with Companies A, First Artillery, and E, Third Infantry, proceeded beyond the Spanish fort, about a mile from this fort, when, from the obscurity of the night, he found himself and command completely intermingled with the enemy. He was immediately recognized, and made prisoner; the command devolving on Capt. Hildt, of the Third Infantry, who disengaged his command from their perilous position, and opened a heavy fire on the enemy, and finally, with great gallantry, forced them to retreat, (he being ably supported by Lieut. Seely, my assistant adjutant-general, who volunteered for the occasion,) with a loss of eleven killed. Major Arnold at this moment came up and, the enemy retreating, followed on. During this time Major Tower and Lieut. Jackson, whom I had successively sent on to push forward the Zouaves, succeeded in getting some collected, and Col. Wilson also advanced-the enemy precipitately retreating. Major Arnold, with Capt. Robertson and Lieut. Shipley's companies, promptly followed, and attacked, as they were embarking, the other companies arriving up successively. Capt. Robertson opened a heavy fire, at short musket range, on the crowded masses, and Lieut. Shipley, some fifteen minutes later, joined him, and their fire must have been very effective. This was continued so long as they were within range. When they had got beyond it, the gallant Major ordered them to cease firing, and to give them three cheers, to which no response was made. During the time of this occurrence Major Tower came up with two small companies of Zouaves, and subsequently Col. Wilson with a portion of his regiment. When it is considered that less than two hundred regulars, with some fifty volunteers, pursued five times their number four miles, and expelled them, under a heavy fire, from the island they had desecrated, it will, I trust, be considered an evidence of their having gallantly performed their duty. The plan of attack of the enemy was judicious; and, if executed with ordinary ability, might have been attended with serious loss. But he failed in all save the burning of one-half of the tents of the Sixth regiment, which, being covered with bushes, were very combustible, and in rifling the trunks of the officers. He did not reach within five hundred yards of either of the batteries, the guns of which he was to spike; nor within a mile of the fort he was to enter pell-mell with the fugitives retreating before his victorious arms! I have now in my possession nine spikes taken from the bodies of the dead, designed for our guns. Our loss is of regulars, four killed, twenty wounded, most very slightly, and eight missing, among whom is Major Vogdes; of the Sixth regiment of New York Volunteers, ten killed, nine wounded, and sixteen missing. The enemy lost, as known to us-fourteen killed, including one captain; seven wounded, including one lieutenant, (two since dead;) and five of ficers and twenty-two enlisted men prisoners; and as he was known to have carried off some of his dead, and probably most of his wounded, those in our hands being all severely so, and unable to be removed, and as the heaviest loss is supposed to have been in the boats, at the re-embarkation, it was probably three times as great, in killed and wounded, as I have named. I close with the agreeable duty of naming to you the officers engaged, who so faithfully performed their duty. I mention Major Vogdes first, who unfortunately was taken prisoner before a gun on our part was fired, to say that as second in command, and my executive officer, he has efficiently and industriously performed his duty during the whole time of my command, and his services have been very valuable. Major Arnold, who succeeded to the command after the capture of his superior, conducted the affair with great gallantry, prudence, and ability. He speaks in the highest terms of Captains Robertson and Hildt, and Lieutenants Shipley and Seely, and indeed of all the others whose names I give: Major Tower and Lieut. Reese, of the Engineers; Lients. Duryea, Langdon, Jackson, and Taylor, United States Artillery; and Captain Dole, of the New York Volunteers. And it gives me great pleasure to append the names of non-commissioned officers and privates named by their company com- | manders for distinguished good conduct, and to recommend them to the favorable notice of the Government. The following are the companies of Major I am, Colonel, very respectfully, yours, the front as skirmishers, and Capt. Duffy with twenty men to the left flank, to endeavor to find out the whereabouts of the enemy, and draw their fire, when bang, we got it from all sides. By companies and file I wheeled my men into line to the left and returned their fire. At this moment a blaze arose the tents were all on fire; the quartermaster's and commission store or building was also on fire, all at one time. The distance from the camp to the commission building is an eighth of a mile. We could then see our enemy, for the first time, in dense masses in the centre of our camp and extended along the ridge. Companies were seen moving across the ridges endeavoring to surround us. A large body of men were also drawn up fronting the camp, firing into our camp and us, setting fire to every thing. We retired behind the first ridge toward the sea, halted, and faced the enemy. I had but sixty men with me. I sent out for the rest of my men and officers, but could not find them. Stragglers came in and reported that LieuHuberer, Hotrel, and Lieutenant Silloway had tenant-Colonel Creighton, Captains Harelton, retired toward the fort. On hearing this, I said to my few men: "We will be cut off; they are trying to surround us; we are too few to fight so many," and they gradually, being in SIXTH REGIMENT N. Y. 8. V., good order, moved toward the beach on to the CAMP BROWN, FORT PICKENS, Oct. 14, 1861. first battery, where we halted and rested a few GENERAL ARTHUR-Sir: We have had our moments. We then, as daylight appeared, first fight. It was a terrible one for the enemy. marched in chase of the enemy. Until this We lost nine men-wounded, seven; missing, time I heard no news of my men or that of the ten-out of what few I had with me. You regulars. I then learned from Major Tower must know my companions are scattered about. that several companies were in chase of the I have with me five companies, numbering enemy. We hurried up, some seven miles, and three hundred and sixty, of which fifty were arrived a few moments too late at the place sick, forty-seven detailed on service at the fort, where the enemy were getting slaughtered by and about seventy on guard that night. We our men while they were endeavoring to emhave to watch a mile of the beach and three- bark. There were three steamboats and three fourths of a mile in front of our encampment. barges. The enemy lost in killed and wounded The island is three-fourths of a mile wide at this about five hundred men. Gen. Anderson led point. We had one hundred and thirty-three them on. Their war-cry was "Death to Wilmen to turn out. son. No quarter to Wilson's Zouaves." Five thousand dollars was the reward for him dead or alive. All our loss is about twenty killed, fifteen wounded, and twenty prisoners. Col. E. D. TOWNSEND, Asst. Adj.-Gen. P.S.—I have seen a Pensacola paper, which gives their loss as follows: killed, twenty-one; wounded, thirty-eight; prisoners, twenty-two; which probably is not one-fourth their actual loss. General Anderson is severely wounded. COLONEL WILSON'S REPORT. On the morning of the 9th instant, at halfpast three o'clock, the enemy attacked us in three columns, commencing by attacking with small parties of twenty or thirty men every sentinel. Two companies charged the picket tent, the three bodies, numbering in all two thousand men, simultaneously firing volleys of musketry into the hospital and guardhouse. We were out and formed in quick time. The sentinels, the guard, and officers came running in. They had fought retreating, until overpowered, killing quite a number of them. Several of our pickets were killed and wounded. Private W. Scott deliberately waited until one column was within ten feet of him, and then shot the commanding officer, Capt. Bradford. In an instant after we were formed, fronting, as I supposed, the enemy. It was so dark that I could not discover a man ten feet off. We were fired into from three sides. I had just sent out Capt. Harelton with his company to Our new clothes are all destroyed. I have lost every thing I had; my men also. They burned us out completely. Our papers and books are burned. My commission is safe. I sent it to the post-office the day before the fight. My men did well. They have smelt gunpowder-now they are all right. We commence the fight to-morrow. They have twelve thousand men. They are exhibiting my hair and head in Pensacola--the reward is already claimed; also an old flag which I nailed to a flagstaff on the 4th of July, which has been hanging there ever since; nothing left, however, but the stars. The ladies have cut it up in pieces, and have it pinned on their bosoms as a trophy. Every one in Pensacola has my sword and uniform. I must have had a large quantity of hair, plenty of swords and uniforms. They say if I was to be taken alive, I was to be the pickets fought with dogged obstinacy. The put in a cage and exhibited. ground was contested foot by foot, and a handYesterday five Americans and two ladies es-to-hand conflict was going on in the mean time. caped from Pensacola, and gave us all the news of how they describe the terrible victory. We lay upon our arms every night. I have slept but very little this week. I don't feel well. I have got the diarrhoea. We will want eight hundred uniforms. Your obedient servant, WILLIAM WILSON, Colonel Commanding. CAPTAIN NORMAN'S STATEMENT. The following account of the engagement was furnished by Captain Norman, of the Wilson Zouaves: On the morning of the 9th of October, at three o'clock, it being pitchy dark, the attack was made. On the evening previous to the fight the rebels landed five hundred men on the lower part of the island, and on the same evening two steamboats were noticed to leave Warrenton, which circumstances had the effect of putting the Zouaves a little on their guard. On the muster being called, but two hundred and fifteen of the Zouaves were reported ready for immediate action, several companies of the regiment being sent to Tortugas and intermediate localities. Colonel Wilson and Lieutenant-Colonel Creighton were on the island, however, with their handful of men. The steamboats, with the rebels on board, proceeded to a point three miles below the camp, and succeeded in landing one thousand more men, thus leaving the rebel attacking force on the island, one thousand five hundred in all, the whole under command of General Anderson of the rebel army. They remained under cover of night in this locality up to two o'clock in the morning, when they made a sudden and furious onslaught on the Zouaves. The night was dark and lowering, so that a man could scarcely be distinguished twenty yards ahead. Not a sound was heard save the regular tramp of the pickets and the voice of command as it rang through the silent night air. The movements of the rebels were conducted with the greatest caution, and the Zouaves little imagined so incensed and bloodthirsty a foe was so near them, panting for their blood, until the first shot was fired, which instantly aroused the camp. Onward, however, through the gloom of the hour the attacking party came, certain of an easy victory. They formed in three columns: one on the right taking the Gulf shore, one in the centre taking centre column, and one on the left taking Pensacola Bay shore. Previous to this order of march, five rebels were detailed to challenge each picket, and stop their voices forever should they give the alarm too soon. This movement was effectually done, almost at the same instant of time; but the rebels found that, though they had five of their men against one of the Union pickets, yet they had to cope with soldiers and heroes, for The main body was now fast approaching. Colonel Wilson had his little party of men drawn up in line of battle, expecting the attack to be made on the right, but he, unfortunately, was deceived on this point, it being commenced on the left. About one hundred and fifty men of the regular army had joined the Zouaves from the fort, so that the whole force actually engaged was three hundred and sixty-five, pitted in deadly strife against fifteen hundred rebels. As the right column was coming up and rounding the hospital, private Scott was challenged by Captain Bradford, of the rebel army, whose men, without waiting for a reply, shot Scott dead on the spot. The gallant soldier fell without a groan. The rebels then sent a volley through the surgeon's tent, but finding they were attacking the hospital, orders were at once given to march toward the camp. By this time the left wing of the enemy had succeeded in entering the camp of the Zouaves, and now came the most terrible and exciting part of the conflict. The pickets being engaged with the right and centre columns of the enemy, and the main body of the Union troops expecting an attack on the right, the left wing of the assailants entered the camp almost without a shot being fired. The enemy then fired a murderous volley into the gallant band, which was returned with unerring aim, causing havoc and confusion among the rebels. The Zouaves, however, so sudden was the attack, were thrown into confusion, but speedily rallied by the efforts of their officers. The fighting was now conducted with a desperation on the part of the Wilson boys. They, however, did not fight with regard to order. Bush fighting was the mode adopted, and several of the Zouaves were seen to hold their ground against treble their number of opponents for over an entire hour. Various were the acts of daring and impetuous valor displayed in this unequal contest by the Federal troops. Lieutenant Baker, of Company F, distinguished himself bravely throughout the whole struggle. Colonel Wilson fought valiantly. Captain Norman was cut off three times by the rebels from the main body, and would have been taken prisoner but for his cool and determined bravery. But for the steady action of the entire force they would no doubt have been cut to pieces. Capt. Hildt, of the regular army, with but eighty men under his command, it is conceded, did the most service of any officer in the action. When the fighting first commenced, he ordered his company to march down upon the island, taking the left of the battle. When about a half mile from the camp, he was met by some seven hundred of the enemy, when the most spirited part of the entire conflict began. The little band of eighty men at once attacked the seven hundred, and succeeded in cutting their way through them. The superiority of the Union forces was well attested on this occasion. The command of Captain Hildt were all regular troops to be sure, but then they were pitted against nearly nine times their own number-prisoners, three of whom, being surgeons, were nine men to one! At this period of the engagement, the rebel General Anderson ordered the retreat to be sounded. When this was done the rebels fell into immediate confusion. The cause of the retreat being sounded appears to be a misconception as to the position of the Union forces, the rebels thinking that they were in their front instead of in their rear. If the Unionists were in their front, between them and the mode of escape from the island, it would be quite natural that in retreating toward the shore they should overwhelm their assailants. But this mistake proved the defeat of the rebels. In retreating they ran to the right of the island, where they were met by a body of regular troops under command of Adjutant Seely. Running to the left, they also encountered a force of Zouaves, who repelled the attack with great bravery. The Union forces now closed in on the rebels, and they ran like sheep down to the shore, pursued by their brave antagonists. The battle cry of the enemy was, "No quarter for Wilson and his men;" but they found that the first part of the sentence would be applied with truthful force to themselves. They now pursued their headlong course down to their boats, on board of which they hurried in the greatest confusion. The boats, unfortunately for the enemy, were fast in the mud and could not be got off for some time, with all the exertions that were being made by the steamboats. Now was the time when the carnage commenced in earnest among the rebels. The Federal troops, pursuing them to the shore and concealing themselves behind embankments and other places erected for the better defence of the island, poured down murderous volleys upon the heads of their enemy. Very little defence could be made by the rebels, and they had to receive the balls of their victorious enemy without being able to shelter themselves in any way. The scene of this portion of the contest is described as being dreadful-the cries of agony and the moans of the dying breaking forth through the pauses of the firing; the shouts of the victors and the curses of the defeated, the voice of command and the sharp click of the musket following shortly after-all, indeed, rendered the scene one of horror and heart-sickening. From the proximity of the Zouaves to their defeated foes every ball sped with unerring aim, and it is affirmed that on this occasion alone there could not have been less than one hundred and fifty rebels killed. At length the flatboats were got off by the steamers, but before they got into the centre of the river one of them sunk, riddled with several balls, and many of the rebels here met a watery grave. The morning after the battle a large number of dead bodies were found floating on the water, and nineteen lying dead on the battle-field. The loss of the rebels is estimated at about three hundred and fifty; loss of Zouaves, ten killed and sixteen wounded; regular troops, six killed, twenty wounded, ten prisoners. The Union forces took thirty-five let go the next morning. General Anderson, of fillibuster notoriety, who had command of the rebel expedition, was wounded in both arms in the early part of the conflict. LIEUTENANT D'ORVILLE'S STATEMENT. On the night of the 8th instant the enemy commenced landing troops at Deer Point at about nine o'clock in the evening, the moon having gone down. The attacking force was two thousand five hundred in all, one thousand five hundred being engaged in the attack, and one thousand held in reserve on the two steamers. Beside the steamers, there were two large launches and some small boats. The debarkation completed, the enemy divided into three columns, one marching down the south beach, one along the sea-shore, and the other down the centre. Their intention was to surprise and. surround the camp, cutting off the retreat of the Zouaves to the fort, and driving us before them. They, however, encountered one of our outstanding pickets about two miles from the camp, who challenged them and fired, killing two of the enemy, but falling himself after being pierced by three balls. The sergeant of the guard running up to see what was the matter was killed, and the remainder of the picket guard retreated to the main guard, and gave the alarm. By this time the camp was gained, and the men being hastily roused from sleep were drawn up under arms. They advanced under command of Col. Wilson and Lieutenant-Colonel Creighton, and encountered the centre column of the enemy, with whom they exchanged shots. Thinking that the attacking force in the centre was smaller than it really was, one company was left to hold it in check, and the remaining four companies were deployed to the right to prevent the camp from being surrounded. On reaching position, however, it was found that the enemy's left column had already outflanked us, and were actually firing the colonel's quarters, and other tents in our rear. We then turned upon them, deployed by companies as skirmishers to right and left, and surrounded the enemy. A general fight ensued, in which the rebels fought with desperation and malice, and our men stood their ground with unflinching courage. We charged them three times, and at the last got them beyond the camp. They then sounded the retreat and retired in good order for about two miles, when our side being reinforced by two companies from Battery Lincoln and two from the fort, the enemy made off at double quick for their boats. We followed them up as closely as possible, and fired volley after volley into the boats and launches as they pushed off from shore. One of the launches, containing about two hundred and |