I now find our own vessels are beginning to arrive, so that my alarms on that account (coal) are dispelled, and, so soon as the vessels can coal and get in their stores and munitions of war, we shall be ready to proceed up the river.
Yesterday was a day of rejoicing to me. We got the Pensacola over the bar, after two weeks’ work. Now we are all right. The ships are getting in the articles taken out to lighten them. The General spent last evening with me, and returned to Ship Island this morning. . . .
I am anxiously looking for the fall of Columbus, and something from Burnside. I see that Pennock was in the fight at Island No. Ten, and the Benton was severely handled. I hope the place will be ours before you read this—and a good many other places.
