1861 May 10 Fort Barrancus [Pensacola, Florida]

Head Quarters

Dear Wife,
I wrote you a few lines by
John B. Hart yesterday – Since that time
Genl Bragg has issued orders for
Every body not connected with the
Army to leave within twenty four
Hours or Attach themselves with
Some Company of their own selection
This order applies to both visitors
and Citizens of Warrington and
Pensacola – This is done for the
purpose of driving out all
Strangers loafing and suspicious
Characters which I think is a
very judicious and Commendible
order upon the part of the officer
in Command – It is now certain
that the long looked for and much
desired issue will be made in
a very few days – probably before
or by the time this reaches you –
The Eufaula Rifles were ordered
last Evening to Erect a Mortar Battery
and work on it day and night untill
it is completed which will be done
it is completed which will be done
in a very short time – Jack
McLunden Myself and several
others from Barbour County attached
ourselves to Capt Clark’s Company
this morning in accordance with
General Orders issued yesterday
with permission to leave whenever
we get ready with the understanding

[page 2]
that we are not to draw either pay
or rations – John C. McRae and
several others have also joined
Capt Bakers Company – Those from
Eufaula and in fact from any
where else are now precluded from
visiting this place and their friends
here unless it is for the purpose
of becoming Members of some
one of the companies and
suffering the pains and formali-
is and duties of a Soldier.
I am going to remain
here a few days for the purpose
of seeing and taking apart in
the fight – If however Hostilities
does not Commence by Monday
or Tuesday next I will probably
leave for Home as I cannot leave
My business so long unless the
fight does Commence if so
I shall remain untill it is
ended – There are about Ten
Thousand Confederate troops here
and as lively a set of fellows
as I ever saw – Capt Clark’s
Company is Considered the best-
drilled Company here and are
perfectly and entirely devoted
to their gallant and brave
Commander. I never saw a
Man in all my life have such
perfect ^ ‘and’ entire Controle of a set
of Men. in my life – His orders are
all executed with the greatest

[page 3]
alacrity and dispatch – A Salute
of Ten Guns were fired last Evening
from Fort Barrancus in honor of
the secession of Tennessee and
Arkansas which seemed to excite
the Men of Fort Pickens very much
The top of the Fort was litterly [literally]
Black with Men in about
ten Minutes after the firing Comm-
enced – If there is a fight here
it will no doubt be a bloody
one – as both sides are getting
well prepared for it –
The scenery
here is perfectly beautiful – and
evidently strikes one with the
marvelous grandeur and magnifi-
cence of Nature and Natures
God – Sante Rosa Island (on the
West End of which is situated
Fort Pickens) Streaches [stretches] itself along
the Gulf for about thirty Miles
averaging in width about ¾ of a mile
which is Covered with green
grass with ^ ‘and’ an occasional cluster
of Small Gun Pieces – The edges of
this Island are perfectly white
with sand banks reminding one
of the great Banks of Virgin Snow
to be seen in the landscapes of the
frozen North – Pensacola Bay is
situated between this Island and
the Main land which is about
one Mile in length and the
Most lovely sheet of Water I
ever saw in my life - the greatest

[[page 4]
place in the world for fishing
and bathing – the latter of which
I done a goodeal [good deal] of yesterday Evening
Remember me to
My dear Children –
Your affectionate Husband
W.H.L.
[William H. Locke]

MSS 13485