The Pensacola correspondent of the N. Y. Tribune writes from the U. S. steamer Brooklyn, off Pensacola bar, April 2d :
I can assure you our condition has been deplorable enough for some time past. At one period, we were almost reduced to the point of starvation, so successfully had the edict of Gen. Braxton Bragg, forbidding all communication with United States vessels, been carried out. As we were thus necessitated to procure the necessities of life elsewhere, we “up anchor” on the 22d ult , and steamed direct to Key West, at which place we arrived in excellent time, Here, everything was perfectly quiet, but as we run into the harbor, the hotheaded rebels that observed us busied themselves in hoisting secession flags, and as they were tauntingly flung to the breeze, accompanied the act with shouts of derision.
Their contemptible actions did not receive the least notice from us ; as our mission was not a hostile one, we quietly communicated with the shore, and in an incredible short period of time, had made purchases of such articles of daily consumption as it was actually necessary for us to have.
It was a subject of much merriment to us to become acquainted with the fact that immediately upon the secessionists, or those interested in the raising of the flags, becoming apprised of our partial dealings, in the purchasing of our provisions, they became pocket stricken to such an extent, that ere the next morning orders had been issued to lower the rebel ensigns, with what little effect they soon became aware. It did them no good, however, as under the circumstances he would not have expended a single dollar with them.
It is rumored on shore that reinforcements to the number of 5,000 men are en route for Pensacola. The force stationed there at present amount to 1,500 men. Well, “the more the merrier.” as that curse of every southern climate, “Yellow Jack,” will soon be upon them, unless I am wofully mistaken, to lessen their numbers and thin their ranks. Already the weather is becoming extremely warm, and as I write the perspiration is rolling down my cheeks.
What I assured you in a former communication, vis: that the secession soldiers here are nothing more than a drunken rabble—a terror to the whole neighboring country, has been verified in a manner that leaves not the least doubt in my mind that some of the so-called soldiers are eminently more fit to grace the inside of a penitentiary, than the ranks of an army.
Lieut. Gilman arrived a few days since, in a surveying schooner, with dispatches for the ships and Lieutenant Commanding Slemmer of Fort Pickens. He also brought money to pay the men at the fort, and to settle the beef and bread bills of the contractors.
The Warrington Light Infantry have removed from their quarters at the north gate, to the Redoubt, where they are stationed in charge of the magazine .
Immediately after our arrival at our old anchorage ground, off Fort Pickens, we received the 82 troops, which at the time of our leaving for Key West we transferred to the frigate Sabine. This was the ”unkindest cut of all,” as we had ardently hoped, and even prayed, that instead of this action on our part, we could land them, or rather hand them over to Lieut. Slemmer of Fort Pickens. Such orders, if they are ever to be received, I trust will speedily come, as the insurgents are working night and day like beavers, fortifying their positions, erecting sand-bag batteries. &c., and the longer our worthy Government holds back, the worse it will be for all parties, and the greater the destruction when the climax is attained
The Evening Star, Washington, DC