Dispatches to Pensacola

MONTGOMERY, April 12, 1861.

General BRAGG, Pensacola:

Lieutenant Worden¹, of U. S. Navy, has gone to Pensacola with dispatches. Intercept them.

L. P. WALKER.

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BARRANCAS, April 12, 1861.

Hon. L. P. WALKER:

Mr. Worden had communicated with fleet before your dispatch received. Alarm guns have just fired at Fort Pickens. I fear the news is received and it will be re-enforced before morning. It cannot be prevented. Mr. Worden got off in cars before I knew of his landing. Major Chambers is in the cars. He will watch Mr. Worden’s movements. If you deem it advisable, Mr. Worden can be stopped in Montgomery.

BRAXTON BRAGG,

Brigadier-General.

1. John Lorimer Worden—Ordered to Washington early in 1861, Worden received orders in April to carry secret dispatches—regarding the reinforcement of Fort Pickens—south to the warships at Pensacola. During the return journey north, Worden was arrested near Montgomery, Alabama, and was held prisoner until exchanged about seven months later. Worden would later command the USS Monitor during its battle with the CSS Virginia.