From the June 3, 2011 Long Recall Blog, reporting from the June 3, 1861, Charleston (SC) Mercury.
The paper doesn't want Confederate forces to attack Union Fort Pickens because it is a mile and a third distant from Pensacola, too far to breach and the barracks certainly can't be burned out like they had been at Fort Sumter.
Any storming party would come under fire from the Union fleet and the fort's entry had been sandbagged. This would result in a heavy loss of life.
Other reasons not to attack:
It is expensive for the Lincoln government to maintain the Union fleet guarding it.
Fort Pickens is a very sickly place, especially with bouts of Yellow Fever.
Union forces described as "on their best behavior." I'm not sure what this one meant.
Leave It Be!! --Old B-R'er
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