The New York Herald Newspaper, October 17, 1863, Page 2

2 NEW YORK HKKALD, SATURDAY, OCTOBER 17, 1863-TRIPLE SHEET. __ NEW YORK HEALD, SATURDAY, OCTOBER 1i, beea~tee ue & og ally 0 to the or asl FROM NEW ORLEANS. 09) 12’. ccraige recort un IMPORTANT FROM Ax a deralge resort ir —— Ina lester 1 of the eh yto.mer the Rio 1 am pow vreparet rticulars of the affair. The seizure was made by the nited States sloop-of-war Seminvle, Captain Rolando, on the 11th uit., information heving Europe of the contraband character of the vessel. Tho ‘vessel was leaded in Kngland with arms and munitions of war by the Southera rebel association of Londom. She proceeded to Matamoros, discharged her cargo snd then Icaded with cotton, of which she had nine hundred and four bales when seized, The vessel aud cargo are worth one miliion of dollars. The cotton was to nave been taken to Nassau or Havana and there sold, and then the vevaal, which is pierced for six guns, with plenty ot deck room to munipulate them, was to have been fitted oui as ‘® privateer to prey upon our commerce, ‘The Sir Robert Peo! was built in Englana for the China trade. she isa ‘verse! of ong thousand seven hundred and fifty tons, her model unexceptionable, splendid engines, kc. re- forring to her log it was ascertained that her average speed is fifteen knots, equal to the speed of the pirate Alabama. Had she not been captured sho no doubt would havo proved & formidable xesse! against our merchant marine, Her crew consisted of fifty men. some of whom betong to the British navy, and bad permission of thelr foTorBment to taxe service on her. Another instance of itish ueutrality aud British perfidy. Since the arrival of the vessel at this port her hold was searched and ar- tillery carriages, shot, sbell and muskets wore discover. ed. Her condemnation is certain. She will prove an excellent addition to our naval fleet, Ty addition to this capture our Gulf squadron has given Additional proofs of its oficiency. Tho blockade rauners schooner Flving Scud and the brig Atlantic were rec ntly captured off Matayorda Bay, Texas, by the steamer Prin- cess Royal The achooner arrived here, but the Atiantic was recaptured by the rebel crew, en roule for this city, and ware 2, i Re 1 ingen me ey od ig cargo of powder in Texas, and the PF cary 1s POLICY. eo they were from Nassiu, having been loaded under 4 | the auspices of the noted block»de runner firm of Addorly &e. & Co, ‘Tho vessels were on their return to Nassau, laden » with cotton, when captured. AS I close this letter, a gentleman direct from Texas called on. ne, aid rovorts ¢).t ev 8 the opportune. time to take military occupation of “Voxas, ‘The people of the State and the rebel officials are in hostile opposi- tion. He suggeated several plans to mo to effect this object, but of which I will remain silent. ‘The Union men of Texas are at a loss to know why our government shelved General Hamilton. They still losist that he is the only reliable man that can procure ® suc- cessful reactionary movoment in favor of the Union; and furthermore, it be should come into tho State with ten thousand men, within a short time secession and the rebel army would receive a promptatd summary quictus, Will General Halleck take notice? The rebel blockade runner Alabama arrived hore yes terday. She is in charge of Acting Ensiga Dyer, of-the gunboat Engenie, to which vessel she ts a prize. She has 4n nacorted cargo. The Health Officer of New Orleans reports one hundred and sixty-two deaths for the week ending October4. No cases of yellow fever are reported inthe the weather here is quite cool. The atmosphere is bracing, and all appenr to enjoy it hugely. A correspondent of the Brownsvilie (Texas) Fiag, « rebel sheet, communicates the following account of the Sabine Pass affair:— Sazrve Pass, Sept 8—9 P. M. The ball is again opened in texas. We bave met the enemy and they are again ours, Yesterday the Union fleet commenced showing themselves off the bar, and by night it numbered some fiftecn vessels. ‘This morning it had increased to twenty three vessels of all sizer, Afteen of them inside the bar. About seven A. M. five of them d vanced and commenced shelling the forts, but getting the range of the forts they bauied off until about tb ee M., when two steamboats hove in sight up the lak; three of the Unton gunboats advanced and commeiced with shot and sbell at the fort—one coming up the channel and two the other way. As soon as they came within close range for aH our uns the fort opened on them, and within half an hour a cloud of steam was seen to rise from two of them, ‘and then the white flag was run up on thetwo, The third went off badly crippled. ‘The fleet inside then put out. We bave the gun boats Clifton, of ten guns, and 8a- chem, of five guns, They took off the Clifton one hundred and eighty seven prisoners, besides some thirty killed and wounded. Commander Crawford is among tbe prisoners. From the Sachem some fifty prisoners and eighteen killed and wounded. The Davis Guard, under command of: Lis aint Smith, who volunteered to assist, have won lasting honors for themselves and their country. Not a man hurt 1 gun dismounted—all ready for another fight. The prisoners say there are ten thousand men on bourd their vessels, and that they will come again ; but we are now better prepared and await their pleasure. Braconr, Sept. 9—1 ?. M. The prisoners captured yesterday at Sabine Pass have arrived here. There were fifty men killed apd wounded on tho Sachem and Clifton. vs Naw Ontnans, Oct. 9, 1863. Erroneous Impressions Concerning Commerce withthe West— Sec.ssion Reports to Alienate the North and the West— Trade on the Mississippi—Its Advantages to the Country— Conflict of Authority Relating Therelo—A Cuse in Point— Army Speculators ana Percen'age Officialse—Embargo on the Transportation of Cotton—A Self-Constituted Arbiter of iver Trade—Willfd Violation of Important Orders— The Treasury Department and Its Special Agents—In- create of Trade—Naval and Military News—Another Prize—Another Regiment for Locat Defence—Important Tax Notice—Letter from Jeff. Davis on the Par Value of Revel Currency, de. My attention has boen invited by several leading mer- chante of this city to an erropeous impression promul- gated by the Western press to the offect that tho military and civil authorities of this department discriminate in favor of Northern trade to the prejudice of the West, so that commerce with the latter section is retarded and almost prevented. Such statements have no foundation in fact, and are the conseption of the fevered fancy of the morbid minds of the half and half secessionists of this lo- cality,{who circulate such statements to alievate the North and the West. Again it has been urged, and with some considerable vebomence, that restrictions on West- ern commerce ‘are 80 great that there aro but very few shipments! of merchandise for up the country out- side of this military department, the difficulties of obtaining permits for personal travel being 80 exceedingly annoying; and that the pass or permit sys tem is so derterously used as to throw as much as pos- sibl of trade and travel into the Gulf route, These st ments are simply ridicalous, false and full of harm. The systom of military passes, every one knows who keeps the run of war events, is to some extent oppressive; nevertheless it cannot be dispensed with in times of ri belliog tike the present without prejudicing the operations of oar army and the best interests of the country at largo; but to assert that discriminations have been made to the favor of ono and the prejudice of another ts er - roneous. General Banks desires ali to bo treated alike, and bis impartiality in these matters bas gained him the confidence of ull the leading loyal men of this city and the State of Louisiima There are adusos and drawbacks In traie in this and Gen. Grant’s department which demand spoedy attention from the authorities at Washington. it ts an element ta political economy that a country prospers through the operations of commerce and trade—buying, solimg and exchanging commodities; the greater the facilities given to such commerce and the fewer obstacles put upon it ihe more successfnl it will be, and the wealth of the conn, try locreased in a corresponding ratio, ‘The subject that interests the States bordering on the Mississippi—avd indeed I may include the whole country—is dispensing by trade the staple products—sugar, rice and cotton. When a fow ago the Mississippi river was opened from its source to its terminus by our victorious arms, the whole country sent up a shout of enthusiasm ; aud this was followed by an official coclaration that ‘trade is Arrival of the Sieamship Columbia, AFFAIRS ON THE RIOGRANDE POPULAR FEELING IN TEXAS. GALVESTON AND ITS DEFENCES. WESTERN TRADE ON THE MISSISSIPPI. Jeff. Davis and the Southern Confederacy. GENERAL BANKS’ &e., - &o., ‘The United States mail steamship Columbia, Command- or D. B. Barton, from New Orleans on the 10th inst., ar rtved at this port yesterday. Mr. Kaward Fondorson, parser, will please accopt our thanks for the prompt delivery of letters and papers. Mr. Charles H. Farreil’s Despatches. New Ontmans, Oct. 8, 1863, Inieres!ing News from the Rio Grande and Vicini'y— Matamoras Stilt Unoccupied by the French—Sentiment of the Citizens—Ma ters in the Interior of Texas—The Uiti- tens and the Rebel Officials Opposed to Each Other— Strength and Locality of the Hebel Army in Texai—All the Cotton Seized—Oortinas Redivus—Galvestom and Its Defences—The Blockade Runner Sir Robert Peel— A Formidable Vessel—Setzures by our Quif Fleet, dtc. Your correspondent had a lengthy interviow to-day with Mr, T, C. Haggart, brother-in-law of ex-Judge David- son, of New York city. He had just arrived from the Rio Grande district, having left Matamoros, via Galveston, and Sabino Pass on the 17th ult, At tho time of his de- parture from Matamoros intelligence from San Louis Potosi, the present capital of the Jaurez government, of the $d ult. had been received, Matamoros is not yet oc cupied by she French, nor was there any indication that fuch an event was likely to transpire. The Freach troops were at Victoria, moving towards Monterey, appa- rently with the intention of cutting off that city, at the same time accomplishing the submission of Tamaulipas— Monterey being the principal town in that State. When ty informant left Matamoros there were no French yes sels in port, Restrietions on commorce had bee removed. ‘The sentiment of the people of Matamoros regarding the probable occupation of that city by the French was decidedly of a pacific character. The citizens have no ide of opposing the French. The archives of the State, however, have been removed toa place of safety, and all valuoble property got roady for instant removal at the first intimation of the approach of the French. A large portion of the community are co-operationists; but they are too feoble in moral or physical strength to form a State government on the basis of acquiescence to French-Mexican Tule. Tho Mexican people on the line are looking with great anxiety for the occupation of Texas by United States troops. Disturbances are continually occurring botween Toxin rebels and Moxicans of the line of the RioGrande, ‘The principal point of these hostile demon- Strations {s noar Matamoros. Major Beniderus, of the Texan rebel army, with a bat talion of troops, recently crossed the Rio Grande into the Mexican territory, at @ poiat pour Gearrara, for the pur §| ‘pose of capturing one Zapati, who was in command of a body of Mexican troops, alleged to have been in the em Ploy of tho United States government. The rebel major, in his officia! report of the pursuit, writes that he suc ceeded in overiaking Zapati and captured him and all his followers. Zapati was a refugee from Texas, Before this event the movements of Zapati were well known by the Texas rebels, who acquainted the Mexican authorities ‘with the facts. Zapati was arrested, put in cloee con finement, but adroitly managed to enlist the sympathies of his entire guard, und with them escaped. ‘The Mexican General Cortiuas, who somo yoars ago Was quite troublesome to us on tho Rio Grande, arrived at Matamoros on the 10th ult. His arrival, on belag Known on the Texas side of the river, produced great ex- Clement, as {t was alleged that he designed a raid ou Brownsville,, haviug beseiged it before. He was accompanied by a detachment of cavalry Attired in Freuch uniforms, which they no doubt procured by bushwacking the French. His troops consist of some of the most blood thirsty vagabonds in Mexico. Cortinas? movements are closely watched by the Texans, they evi dently not fancying his appearauce at this time. On the 14th of September§ a company of Mexican sot. Alers went down tothe river near Matdémoros to batho, to get a good wash preparatory to celebrating the anni versary of Mexican tudepentauce, on the 16th ult. They proceeded to the river unarmed. They undressed and wero enjoying themselves in the river} when a report was circulated on the Jexas side that Cortinas and his troops wore crossing in force, A company of Texan sharp- shooters was sent to the river bank, and sans coremonie commenced firing at the Mexigans, killing fivey wounding twelve or fifteen, and driving the others back to town. ‘Tho rebel force in Brownevillo is numerically small, In Central Texas the rebel conscription bad been en forced to the fullest extent. Men of all grades, rick and poor, were forced iuto the ranks. Among them were mauy of the original leading secessionists, who anticipated, that their civil services in behalf of the rebellion would cause them to be exempted from service in the army ‘The rebel couscripting officers did not view it in that light, aud so all their protests aud excuses went for nothing All tho cotton in the State had been seized on re. rebel account, the act being excused as a “military necessity.” It was being transported to the banke of the Rio Grande ana thence to Matamoros, there to be sold to English bivckade runners, or exchangod for arma and munitions of war, brought into that port by steamers and sailing veasela, The commercial relations between ‘Texas and Mexico, notwithstauding tue fact of the mutual batred between the citizens of both sides, are the eae now as before the rebeliion. ~~ ‘Tho rebel military forca in Toxna woat of the river iS ae rate oe eine ‘mays ouoes was estimated at twenty-two buadred effective | He Ome O a ie as Fels men, and the foree iv the entire State at ten thousand men, two-thirds of whom are conscripts, who woald abandon the rebel cause on the approach of United States troops. By this it will be evident that the rebel Oxbting material in Texas t* not of the best kind. The atronghold of Texas is Galveston; it Is now garri- foned by iour roginouts of robols, recently under the Oommand of General Magruder, but now under Colonel Luckett, Tho city is woll defended by namerous and formidable sand work casemated fortifications, The principal work is tho Tremont atroot battery, to the west ward of the city, There is aisoa heavy battery on the point of Galveston Island, at the entrance of the harbor At a point commanding the river channel leading to tho city there are two batteries, respectively named Bankhead and Magrader. Uo the opposite sido there is also very formidable fortification. The armament of the forts defending tho city consists of forty guns, eo of thom of modern English fabric. The guns are mount od on cars leading to the fortivications, and 80 arran cod as » be moved (rom one point to another as contingencies AY require, and also to be taken from the island if ne as is permitted ie under an arbitrary miliary and na- val system, or rather want of system, enforced by pro. vost marshals, cotton commissioners, navai officers and quartermasters, who in some cages demand a perceniage for their iniefference—inilicting oF imposing an tnow bus on trade which keeps the country from getting the benefit of the use of the staples of this section of the couniey, fidw ready for shipmont. ‘There arg thougandy of bales of cotton Now on or near the banks of the Missis- sippt ready to go into the ebannels of trade, but, to use ‘a phrase here which has passed into an aphorism, “there ure seven officials to each bale of cotton, with an eighth one holding thé ropes, waiting to got m porquisite for Allowing its (ransportation.”” The position of the owners of such goods may be readily interred by the reader, Rather than be fleeced, the planter or merchunt prefers, ond jastly #0, te see whether or not the authorities at Washington will aystematige the facility of commerce and cut off the corruption now extant. The Treasury Department, acting under the direction of the President ia March ast, jostituted what seemed @ esnary, The novelty of this manner of eoveentration of | F°°4 S¥etom for facilitating trade on the Missiestppt ©, by the adoption of the our process, is clever indeed, | TV: Dut the orders roiating thereto directed to the say the least or t,he ret y boitove that these | oMcers of the army dod navy bave been almost entirely a have sey aca ul cunbre to repel any movement by our | disregarded, General Ordere No. 88 of ghe Wat Le. f the gat m0 OF Galveston great disenti¢ action ex. | PArtmont, dated at Washington March Si, 1863, forbid od, which ‘ed to open mutiny. Colonel Lackett’s regi. | any ofeer ot the army to ivterfere with legitimate oom. ony, gy con thor acme, refusite | meree ia there words:—'-Nor shall aay such officer oF to keep body and gon Fie! led | person authorize, probiint oF io avy manner interfere ubmequently selred the heavy Outery atthe pine | With any such purchase (of goods), sale or teanepor prone! hin peomiod te A th kone on Une city it | tion, which shall be contucted under the reguia them. Tho meusce was # wl nad sup ied | tions of the Seoretary of the Trersury, unio under rome | were kent to the garrison, On the 17th of September the t tured war stokmors Clifton and 8 on the fortifications « The rebes hove The greater foree of Imperative military necessity.’ Ly an order of the Sec mn OrOws Of the cap. elem Were put to work some text, the officers of the navy received eim lar in. it Houston, | structions. hed To itostrate how far these orders are obeyed I will cite 8 fase of recent occurrences, which is one of many. A few ais guard vps have b cunise Is either dead or ne He days ago the steamer Kenpire, with @ cargo of four thou- dy log, with no hope of rosuse\tation, i; T oople of Texas are daly expecting the coorya | “84 bales of cotton on bonrd, left Vicksburg for Now tion of the State by (inon troops, but rather then , Orletes by and with the consent of General Grant, under have such ap eveut coour they would williogly his order of September 29. When the steamer reached retary of the Nuvy of the samo date, and adopting the | Officer of the gunboat replied he could take no official ‘notice of such order, as ho was acting solely -under the orders of Admiral D. D, Porter, who instructed him to allow no cotton to go down thé river, alternative, and the steamer went back “to burg. Thus it will be inferred, if tho naval officer stated his orders correctly, that Admiral Porter bas constituted himself the arbiter of commerce on the Mississippl, «tis- criminating in favor of the West, in direct violation-of the orders of tho Navy Department, dated March 31, 1863, Viewing this question of trade in another light, I as- sume it basa political bearing not absolutely eonnected with measures to suppresa the rebellion, It is a fact well known to those who have travelled in those portions of the rebellious States, and from beyond our lines, that many of the agriculturists, planters and traders, who at the first outbrexk of the rebellion espoused the rebel Cause, did it purely on selfish grounds—namely , to secure the safety of their property. Subsequent events prov- tiny the victories of our arms, and the consequent recove- ry of most of the original rebel territory, brings within ‘gud near our Hues large quantities of the etaple products of the country. To induce the owners of these products to put them tn market should now be the primary business of the government. The planters thus situated have scarcely bread to eat, and wish to sell their goods ‘and purchase food, yet ore to make the at- ery ese a Neer of ‘wellknown exactions of ace : z ‘The matter of commerce atrictly belongs to the Treasu- ry Department. That department has special agents in all the groat militay districts, thoseagents are furnished @vith instructiors (o facilitate commerce, but thus far they have been able to do little or nothing, on account of the impediment, thi im the way by the military au ‘thorities. How long this undesirable state of things will not divine: but this fact is apparent, until and stealings (there is no use in calling hard things by pretty names) be taken entirely out o” military bands, the States or portions of States recovered from the reboll{on will struggle in vain to resume a healthy. commerolal status. Soldiers are for Oghting the enemy, and not to.direct commerce. It bas been and now is tho mis: fortune of the country since the war commenced that a large portion of our effective army have been taken from their legitimate daties and given the direction of matters that proporly belong to the civil service. We coul take 8 useful Jes8on from Great Britain in this respect. In times of war a civil corps follows the army to take charge 0; conquered pices and administer laws for their govern- ment. We should havo a similar system, = —_ In ae this subject of commerce I will state that, at the invitation of the special agent of the Treasury Dopart- ment in this district, 1 inspected the system adopted for the directicn of trade and commerce, After devoting a few hours oxamining books, orders, &c., 1 was improased with the simplicliy and yot the eflleciony of it. It 1s provided with such checks and balauees as to pro- clude the possiblity of double dealing or unfairoess—the morchant, the pla tor, the trader, all enjoy equal d- vantages ‘in their vocations. Bat, as T said before, mili- tary intorference renders alm st void the operations of this department to direct trade, Such interference is contrary to tho orders of the Président, or rather bis heats cf departments; prejudicial to the interests of tie country, and indirectly against the speedy return of the rebatifous States to the Union. Hon. B, F. Flanders, the special agent of the Treasury Department, goes North ta day on the Columbia, en roule for Washington, to con- for with the President and Mr, Chase, to endeavor to re- move tho military impadiments of trade now put forth by the military and n°" al anthorities. In view of a promifi.. increase in trade in this city the coming winter, a largo force of laborers have beon em Hoyed for some time in tearing up the dilapidated wharves and substituting now batture, making a perma- nent improvement inextending the levee. The gunboat De Soto, of the Eastern Gulf squadron, will leave hore shortly for the North, t6 ‘effect necessary repairs, after long, arduous and successful service. This vessel lias accomplished officers and as noble a crew as there is in service, They deserve a hearty welcome at 0. ‘A gentleman, @ rebel merchant, recently permit- ted to come within our lines, bas potitioued the proper autnorities here to allow him to bring’4,000 bales of cot- ton witbin our lives, he having the consent of the rebel ee ance todo, The matier has beon referred to rashington. Brigadier General Philip 9. George Cooke arrived hore fA apie on the steamer Havel Dell from Vicksburg, and to report to Major General Banks. Colonel C. H. Killbon, the Provost Marshal of New Or- Jeans Parish, bas been authorized by the Commaniling Ge eral to recruit aud organize a regiment for the de ferce of this city, in no event for ts to be taken move than a few miles tuorefrom. Shon!d not a suflicient num- ber of voluntecrs be forthcoming within a reasonable time, the efficiency of conscription will be tried. Brigadier General Shepley, Mili Governor of Louisiana, has iseued an order, the paragraph of which ts the gist of the whole, viz:— ‘Un the first Monday of October, or ag soon thervafter as possible, the City Treasurer of the city of New Orleans shall cause to be published tn the of gazette of raid city, daily, for teu days, an alphabetical list of the names of all Coen | tax of the city of New Orleans, together with the amount respectively due by them of taxes assossed in 1862, notifying sald dolinquent tax- payers to come forward and pay their said taxes nt the office of said freasarer, within thirty days from the first publication as aforesaid, aod that incase they fail to do 0 the receipt therefor will at once be placed in the hands of tho City Attorney for collection. ‘The non-compliance with this order will be followed by the hypothecation of said property, and its sale by public auction, with the reservation tbat the original owne's thereof will be allowed a period ot two yeurs from the date of sale in, which they can have the op. portunity to re icem ft, by taking tho oath of allegiance to the United States, and paying ten per cent to the pur. chaser thereof. ‘1he amount of property that will come under this order amounts to several militons of dollars. The steamer Mont prize to the United States steamer DeSoto, W. M. Walker commanding, captured on her voyage from Havana to Mobile, with an assorted cargo, arrived here yosterday, and was placed in the hands of the United States Prize Commissioners. The following ister appoars in the Mobile Register of September 29: Ruoumonp, Va., Sept. 17, 1863. Sin—I havo received your letter of the 22d uit., en- closing 8 copy of an adaross to the people of the Confeae- rate States, calling upon them to unite in an effort to restore and maintain the par value of the currency with gold, by forming socteties of citizens, who will engage to sell and buy only at reduced prices, The object of the address ts most laudable, and I sincerely hope for it groat success in arousing the people to concerted action upon a abject of the deepost importance. The passion for apec Jation has become a gigantic evil. It has seemed to tal possession of the whole country, and has seduced citizeny Of all classes from a determined prosecution of the war to ‘a sordid effort to amass mosey. It destroys entbusiaam and weakens public confidence It injures the efficiency of moasure which demands the zealous vo-operation of people in repelling the public enemy, and threatens to upon us every calamity wh'ch can bet strugeling for tadependence, The united ex cicties like those you propesei should accomplian much tow e's abating Chis evil, and infusing a new spirit into the community. I trast, therefore, that you will con- tinue your labors until the good effect becomes apparent everywhere. Please accept my thanks for the comfort- fog tone o your letter. It is @ relic to receive such a communication at this time, when carnost effort is priavanind vais eter idle, apd now biame which have com:§ and dangers which threaten. Very JEFFERSON DAVIS. cyour teliow cit'zen, rete wes tua, Seoceialy of the Onctuaraete ctety Enterprise, Mississippi. Naw Ortaans, Oct. 10, 1863, ‘Ihe News of Miltary Operations in Georgia and Tennes- se—The Probable Return of Louisiana to the Unton— Measures to Accomplish Jhis End—General Banks and Hts Policy—The Sabine Past Disastr—The Capture of the Anglo Rebel Steamer Sir Robert Pecl—The British War Steamer Bussard —Forrign Vewels in Port—Incen- Giary Steamboat Fire—Big Gun for River Defenco— Naval Matters, dc. 4 ‘The arrival of the Columbia on the $4 inst, brought the first authentic account of the operations and defeat of Gea. Ropecrany’ army ig Georgia, Secession accounts of the samo ovent had preceded the Columbia's nows; but, like everything else from such @ notoriously unreliable source, no confidence was placed in it by the loyal population of this city, When the news from tho North, confirmatory Several herrea defeat, was known, and the full ac- hunts of thé Now York papors read, our Union people were depressed and the disioyal oxultant, The loyal ar- gued and found consolation that though Rosécrans was worsted ie had retired to a position whore, to use bis own words, he could not be driven from, Subsequent events, and the defeat of Bragg on the 27th ult., show that this hoje was Hot unfounded, and that the never to be aub- dued ‘Stars and Siripes’ Dow wave over the remains of the rebel army of (eorgin, & The news of the defeat of General firagy at Chatto hooga reached this city on the 6th instant by the steamer Schuyler, ove of the up river packets, The papers of thia city at once issued extras, and the news aprend with telegraphic epeed. It is said that rebel accounts of the afair reached bere before the Union one, and that the matter was being discussed hy knots of local Tobels.on the street corners when the “extras wore ixsved, Byen to the unioitiater there was no diss guising or mistaking Union men from rebel cfti* zens, The former wore amiling faces, and witered jcouragiog hopes for the ciuse of the Vofon, while the latter bad elongated countMances, and snubhed and awore at the newsboy saa they annonnesd the «oxtra’s defeat Of Bracg's army.” The privcipal street corners were ce cupied by gatherings of both #ido:—ioyal and disioyal— ‘all engeged in discussing the war in the light of transpir ing events The snocess of General Rogecrans, in Tennessee, hae Giready bed a tendency and bearing in vivifyiog the once talked of civil re-organization of the State of Louisiana, ‘The consummation of such a measure has long and do- } ‘Youtly teen the wish of the General commanding this | department, and his endeavors, though sometimes | Uwnauccesafel, baye bern directed t make the | iliary tion Af, the @e basis of of all -y of Loui and pation, be has had Among these ‘was so | fag of troops operating on interioe liges, and the ties of climate, topography of the country, with its a! ‘most endiegs” number of bayous, rivera, SWAMPS, BIO Tasses and prairies, and difficulties attending the supply- tence of cattle "used dn transporting cannon and food. ‘Thoso familiar with the topography of the State require Bo information on the gudject, But to those at, home, who discuss war matters in agenial climate, sitting in their easy. chairs at home, and who know nothing or care little of the geography of Louisiana, let me assure thom that this State is the most ditheult for military operations, on account of the reasons already siated, than any of the other States of the Upivn, Returning to the subject of a return of this State to the Union, 1 confidently believe that the measure has the prayers of the leading wealthy and influential men of the State. Many of these citizens have had frequent long and interesting conferences with General Banks on the subject, and a free interchange of views exchanged, Plans for the success of the measure baye beso discussed, avd the points for action noted. The result of these interviews bas impressed General Banks with the statusmanlike and generousddea that, to bring back the State to # permanent connection with the Union, the,measures to consummate it must pro coed from those most iaterested—the people of the State; and-that when this desire exhibits itself in form, the military powers willbe exerted, with but seocnd tothe procedure of loyal citizens; but wice verag, im all the movements of the disloyal. The only point that prevents the early consummation of the measure alluded to is the ques: ion of slave and free labor, The return ofthe State to the Unton as it was, on the first occupation of the city and portions of the State by our army, was alleged to be the only condition on which the people would resume their fealty to the legal government; but past and transpiring evonts have tended to educate thom in this belief, and very logically and philosophically, so that their first tove and desire can never be attained. The next question, and the one to be considered, is the question of compen- gated labor, On this the State will either stand or fall, ‘There is no problem to be solved on this subject. Slavery in this and all the States is dead beyond resurrection. It is dead, dead, dead. re General Barks for the past month has been gathering information and conferring with bis staff and generals on the subject of a vigorous winter campaign—one that will be short, sharp and decisive, and that will gi coup de main vo secession within bis military district. The task is herculean; but my firm belief is Gevoral Banks is equal to the task. Lot the press and the public uphold his bauds, and leave the case to Providence aud heavy artillery, The results will be favorable, In this way tho reorganization ef the Stata is to be hoped for. General Banks proposes not to remfain an idle spec- tator in New Orleans in coming military events, as his unworthy predecessor did, but he proposes to take the field {n person, to put himself where the fight rages thick Pot and to stimulate his men by his example, presence courage. * ‘The subject of the Sabine Pass disaster has almost passed trom public discussion, The New York Tribune Bras sarcastically alluded to it as_a ‘-cotton speculation,” which is a8 false asthe heart of the man that penned the lie, the plan for the capturo of the rebel forts was good as could be made, but it failed because the detai's for its accomplishment were uot properly carried out by subordinate ofcers. This opinion is the result of a care ful investigation. ‘The Tribune, in its late correspondence from this city, had a scurrilous and false peragraph reflecting on one of the surgeons of tho St. Louis bospita!, The publication of such articles is indirect enoourageinent to the enemy, and tends to put our officers and government in bay og IT would not allude to the ‘subject wore it not for the fact that I was callod upon by the aggrieved parties a full statem: yf the adiur alluded to, which I could accept for publi ‘ omo of the city journals alluded to the visit of tho Bri- tish war steamer to this port in connection with the recent seizure of the blockade raoner, Sir Robert Peel, by one of our cruisers, on the coast of . The Bazzard came ‘here for no purpose bearing on the matter, but merely to recruit the Beatth of her officers and crew. Toe port of New Orleans contains a large fleet, consist- ing of French, Spanish, Fnglish and American’ vessels. ‘The latter, a3 a matter of course, preponderate, The of- ficers of the foreign vessels visit the city daily, and nt- tract special attention on the priacipal promenades by the neatness, novelty and extent of their uniforms. The English aad French officers are feted in a small way by ealthy rebeis of the city, while the scions of Castile tout in the cold, The result of this is that the gets roundly abused and theoilicers get decidedly ‘The recentand numerous incendiary fires on the boats plying on the Mixsiestppi, it ts all » are attributabie to the agency of desperate rebel emissaries who take pos gage thereon, and for which they get roundly paid. Should any of these fellows get caught they would ro- ceive summary punishment, a la Judgo Lyoch—that is, they would stretch . the latest advices received here the banks of the Mississippi were tolerably clear of rebel guerillas. But the continuance of thig tranquillity ia expected Dot to Jong, as the rebels ent na make spss modle oiforts to latorropt the trnde of this groat channel of Western commerce. Our naval fleet on the river is numerous and very active, but the great extent of the duty to be performed by it forbids the entire exclusion of the enemy's depredations. From Pensacola | learn that the yeliow fever bas pre- vailed there for several weeks past. The mortality list is uumerous, I expect to receive the names of those who died there from this fell disease in a fow days. During the summer this city has been comparatively healthy. The sanitary measures adopted by the mili (ary government proved salutary, and to this is ascribed the gratifying fact above stated. Attempts havo been made from time to time by interested parties to impress the public and the country that the fever was prevailing, but this was dino for private purposes. ‘There bas been no wall d cage of this disease reported to those skilled in its treatmont. The United States transport McClellan, Captain Gray, arrived bere a few days ago, bringing, amongst other ma: chinery end munitions of war, a fifteen-tuch Rodman gun, weighing forty nine tl pounds. A brig which bad eceded her also brought another of these monster guns. he McClellan to Fort Jackson, wheresthe gun 1s to be mounted on account of those whom it 1ayecon- cern eThe otuer gun will be mounted on Fort St. Philip. Go the roaders of the Hanan will ploase note ‘the fact that, notwiihstanding the numerous short com- ings of Seoretary Stanton, he is not unmindful of the im. of patting the lower Misstesippl io state, of ce in the unwished forevent of for- prom! perity of the city. Many of the rebel wosithy citizens who Tied on the cf our army bave come to their senses, have returned, and are returning home, taki the oath of allegiance ing to their onl; i government, het houses tn order’ the pfiblic prome- 0 resuming their wonted lively appearance, and ly prevails. All that is waited to stimu- late the sosiality of the city is something in the theatri. cal or musical line. For months there been nothing ve the fy mg affairs, except now aol a opera company gave 's troupe Me. Wm. Gatchell’s Despatch, Haapgvat Frest Drvmor, Ni Anur In tum Fravo, Oct. 4, 1! } ‘a short advance, closing up gradually but surely upon the Louisiana. It is anticipated that a stand will be made at Vermililonville or Vermillion Bayou, and also on the line of the New Orleans, Opelousas and Great Wostern Railroad, which offers a strong point for defensive opera. tton, If, however, certain contingencies, not unlikely, should ocour, it will be evacuated and the rebets will fall back on Alexandria, Vermiilionville is about one hun. dred and seventy miles from New Orleans, some eighty ine miles from Brashear City and sixty miles from Frank. ld> ‘The éngmy are in small force in the immediate front, and yesterday mado a staud of about half an hour ogaiast ou? Cavalry advance, losing seve. ral men and one small piece of artillery, The cavalry in thie division, AS * at present organ- ized, is very effective, and the das @nd headiong valor of the enemy avaiis them bat little when of,/esed to the steady and cetormiued bravery of these well ciscipiined, ively mounted, ably bandied and effectivety armod forces, under command of Colonels Lavis and Robineon. Colone) Davis! fegimen!—the Firat Texas—ie a sapertor ody of men, being excelient riders, well acquainted with the tretios of the enemy, and full of fery determination to redeem their State frei its new and absurd to the old and bonefictal allegiance, which, in & moment of thought. Jeasners, it abdicated. It is doubtful if there ts at present oo Amorican soll an equal namber of men so weil calculated for the work to which they will be called, ‘and certainly they are not to be found in this or the im. modiate locality, Dash ts an excellent ingredient in the material from which to manufacture the cavairy arm of the service; but when you combine with this untiring energy, obdurate determination, real which knows oo | ae horse eas, a fine boay of a8 are, never » sen, Sad, under. the’ cot insiruotion-of thelr ve O01 mmander, drill and horsemanghj ‘make their if the wi ive M ‘an opportunity to test tt ized @ battalion of of which has been ired their range and bem afew splendid nired their and g ™ = aoe very midi They evidently bad not anticipated an attack from artiliery, and calculated that the small our cavalry advance, They were perfectly surprised at bin ew oe ae md treacment. Louisiana, Colonel Robinson, although ‘physique to the First Texas, and scarod- Sire rapidly ap ing perfection in e qu a In addition to the two cavalry regitnonts | mon- Captein Nims, of battery bas orca pieces which they bad w: hem would check or rout the rangeand eflisiency of the artitiery brought agaiust them, and as their guns were unable to reach our force they limbored up and skedaddied, leaving one piece as a rive, They will probably not ‘offer to make another tad without baving breastworks to fight behind, the open field not suiting their warlike tastes. Moxbar, Oct. 5, 1868. Another move was made to-day, and the army is now encamped within two miles of Newtown. Aslight sktr- mish, occured here iast night, the rebels occupying ‘@ strong position, and guoceeded In masking {t, until they had poured « sharp volley on our'advanco, They im- stantiy fell back to thoi*supports, and the battery accom- walry ins ‘opened tom, ; ree Was wa. oae ed , The enemy's: wounded having been ré- TRIP TO FORTRESS MONROE. America~A ‘Weather, Select Party and a Good Time Gene- raily—Grand Ball om Board—A Visit to om Sacred So! ‘View of Norfolk « Withouce Gaslight”=Imcidents of the Trip, &o., &e. OUTWARD BOUND. On Monday morning a select party of Iadies and gen- tlemen, to the number of about one hundred and fifty, found themselves on board the splendid steamship America, at the pier foot of Warren street, bound for @ trip to Fortress Monroe, in order to test the qualities of the veasel, which bas been thoroughly overhauled and refitted by Mr. M. O. Roberts, the pioneer of the Califor nia steamship line. Nover did an excurstun promige such happy results as the one about to be undertaken, The morning was delightful and balmy, and not a ripple dis- turbed the placid surface of New York Bay. The passon, gers on board;were of such a character, too, as to combine the qualities of rofnement, harmony and good-fellowship, Not the least attractive feature of the occasion was the galaxy of female beauty which adorned the vossel, making one totally forget the nauseating feeling of sea sickness and all other unpleasant affections. The America had her steam up at an carly hour in the morning, and at about ten o’clock carriages began to ar- rive ip quick succession, froighted with some of our most influentiat citizens. At twelve minutes past eleven o'clock, all being aboard, the steamer was cast loose from the dock and sailed majestically out, witn colors flying, ‘As she passed out a salute was fired from the docks, and under the pilotage of the venerable John McGinn, of New York, she hendod towards the Kussian fleot, now lying ta our harbor; and as we passed mutual courtesies wore ‘oxcbanged by the dipping of ensigns and masic from the vessels, our band (Dodworth’s) rattling up ‘Yankee Doo, die” in fine style, After clearing tho harbor the America put on steam ‘enough to settle down to hor work, and dashed along tn benntiful style at the rate of about eleven knots an hour. Everything began to go on smoothly—the machinery worked freely, tho vessel sailed steadily, the passengers appeared to be one and all quite sociable, and tho ladies in particular expressed their delight at A life on the ocean wave And a home on the rolling deep. At four o'clock the gong summoned to dinner; and here it may be remarked, on passant, that the cuisine, undor the management of Mr. Poran, the steward, wag all that ‘could be expected by even the most exacting gourmand, ‘The shades of evening soon came on, and knots were formed for the danee, the song, anecdote and fun in gene ral. Thus, occupted the time sped along until a late hour, when all hands retired to rest. Tuosday morning broke delightfully over the waters. Young Aurora threw off her mantle, shook the night dow from her treases and poured a golden flood of light all around. This day, like the preceding, passed merrily ‘fintil we made Cape Henry, when a Baltimore pilot was taken on board from the pilotboat Invincibie, No. 1, who took us safely to Fortress Monroe, opposite which we arrived at half-past two P. M. FORTRESS MONROB. As 800n as the steamer was sighted from tho fortress there was somewhat of exciiement amongst the soldiers, ‘as the impression was at once made on them that we were the harbicgers of good pews {rom Charleston. Captain Morton, in obedience to orders from the guardship, stationed a little way from the fortress, accompanied by the members of the press, went ashore to report to General Foster and obtain the necessary permit from) him to lard, and also to visit Norfolk. On reaching shore the party was met by Chief Quartermaster Lieutenant Colonel Herman Brigg, who introduced Captain Morton toCaptain John Cassels, Provost Marshal, who kindly furnished the required pass. es. The tugboat Coustitution was placed at our service by Colonel Briggs, and many of the ladies and gentiemen ou board the America availed themselves of the opportu. nity thus afforded to make a fying visit to the fort. The appearance of Fortress Monroe presented sowe novel fea tures to those who had never been inside ite walls. Heavy guns frowned down on the visitors wherever they turned. Sentries wore thickly posted all over the ground, and the whole aspect was one of the most rigid military discipline. On gaining the ramparts aad looking around, we enjoyed ‘a varied and delightful sight. Hampton Roads lay before us, basking in ¢he lustrous sunshine, as perfectly calm as ‘an inland lake, The blockading squadron (the Minnesota, Roanoke and othors) lay lazily ‘at the mouth of James river, waiting for a chance to piteh to, and on the whole the tout cnssmble was worth beholding. iS EASthan tia usually sought for in New York, one has to wend his wag through dark, gloomy, miserable, ratty, uncleaned streeta, which would Induce Mr. Boole to have a holy horror of the piace at the first glance. The city looked sadly dajected. Many of the pisces of busi- ness wore entirely tenantiess. Even the saloons looked ike ‘Some banquet halis deserted, ‘and the whole place showed anythiig bat signs of ahima- tion, Now and again one would stumble across a Unived States soldier on picket duty, pacing silently to and fro. Beyond this and an occasional straggter in the streets everything wore the most fvubrious aprearance, THM PALL ON BOARD, After spending about twenty minutes at the “Opera House,” and having become quite disgusted with tho “murdering” qualities of the actors, our party left and got aboard the America, whore quite a surprise awaited us in the shape of an improvised ballroom. Nearly half tbe promenade deck was allotted to this purpose, and pro. fonted a unique appearance, The sides were lined with Amer.can flags; graceful festoons of streamers were made pendant from the canvass covering, while & profusion of brilliant ianterns shed a mellow light around to striking | contrast with a gorgeoas moon and silvery stars, which — reflected their shadows on the slumbering waters, thas making the whole picture ove of the most pleasing that we have ever beheld. In due course of time Do'worth's string band com- menced the musir-— (@ wont the dares, Joy being ureonfined ‘he mes and the revel were kept up until « late bour, ana ee rer pi became apparent, and all were : pone, was heralded in with a stiff breese, ‘BO means unpleasant, and af six o'clock the America. got under weigh for New York, ’ ‘Diste. As the: dey sdvamocea ee bad been pre the resolution and indulged in @ few happy remarks im Fererence to the beat.Of the: eccasion, who was unabie, Owing to indisposition, to be'present at the dinaer table, Speeches were then made by Judges Monell, Moncrief, Birdseye, Mr. E. N, Dickerson, General Dwight, Uoiond Howe and others, all complimentary to Mr. Roborts for his princely magnanimity durtng the trip. Toasts and sentiments followed in rapid succession, amongst which was the following by Mr. Dickerson, which created a godt deal of hilarity: — Why tsa lady like a man-of-war? Because her rigging is worth more than her halt. But why ure the ladies wrorth moregina the sineing, ‘le would therefore give worth more, the rigging, ‘wot them the health of the ladies present, Drunk with loud cheers and laughter, At night we bad another bail in the saloon, and between dancing, singing, &c., we passed our time until we sighted Sandy Hook yesterday morning, with fond recolicctions of home crowding upon us. We arrived et the foot of Was- Ten strect precisely at ¢welve o'clock, ealuting the Res sians as we passed, and receiving cheers from them ine turn, and took leave ofeach other with many regrets Wad the trip had not been much further prolonged, Ae ‘SUMMARY OF THE TRIP. From the time the America left New York anti she reached Fortress Monroe she worked splerdidly, Her machinery was free and vasy and ber sailing steady, See made on an average eleven and a half knows per hour, ar@ did this cven at a disadvantage, having soven hundred ‘tons of coai on board, which is sufficient for a twenty-five days’ trip. On her homewhrd passage there was ap evl dent mprorement in ber satling, and competent. pronowi @ fist rate ste:mer. She For. tress Munroe from this city in twenty seven hours, and did the home trip in a i aves. twenty-four, , DESCRIPTION OF THE AMERICA, Tho steamship America is 4 veasel two bundred and eighty-five feet long by thirty-nine wide and twenty three deep, measuring about two thonsand tons register, and is Gtted up in it style for the California trade. Her" engine is of the ordi: ‘beam engine variety, seven! inch diameter of oylinder, tweive fect, auroke. ‘hav! a wheel of thirty-six feet diameter, with two plain flue boilers, having one hundred and sixty square feet of grate surface, and about four thonsand five hundred feet of heating surface, burning coal by natural draft, and com. sequently limited mm combustion to about sixteen pounds tot fremeptain ke eae or eats sexinees erg iu said ‘coal capal elng consumed withowt the aid of blowers. ied ye ‘Tho engine ditters from the ordinary boatn engine in the arrangement of valves for the purpose of procuring a bigh rate of expansion of steam, and in the use of Lightball’s refrigerator for cooling the water for condenaation, there. by keeping tho boilers at all times supplicd with fresh water, and thus saving the loss of heat incident to throw ing Off the deposits of sult resulting from the use of sea water, which is usually estimated at fifteen per cent of the fuel used, ‘The trip was employed to test the merits of the ma- chinery for producing steam expansion and of the dees- larater; and, as it extended to Norfolk ample opportunity was given to try all the necessary experiments. Tne ship had been coaied for her voyage to California, with about seven hundred tons of coal, and was deep in the - water, and her performance was therefore under circom- stances the most adverse possibie to the ship. Tho machinery was under the charge of Mr. Dickerson, who is kuown a8 an earnest advocato for working steam expausively, and who therefore carried out his thoory te the fullest extent, The steam was cut of in the cylinder at points varying from one-third to one-fifth of the stroke of the engine, at all times carrying a uniform pressure of thirty pounds, and the coal burned was woighed as used, By the indicator the power of the engine was measured from time to time, so that @ correct measure- 4 meat might be made of the cost of a horse power in qual. ‘The average power developed wus vino bundred and eigthy, at times going up to eleven hundred and down to eight hundred and fifty pounds, and the ave-nge eval burned was two thousand five hundred and thirty pounds an hour, or ton and six-tenths of a pound of an bour for each borse power. The speed of the ship was at the rate of a knot for sixty revolutious of the wheel, and the average rotation was about elevon and a haif. The experiments with the decalarater were made by ap- plying the thermometer to the water subjected to its ave ration, and the result was that the heat imparted to the injected water by the steam tn the act oi coudensativa was 80 july carried oif by che external salt water that there were oply five degrees of difference between the temperature of the sea and that of the fresh water within the instrument, the sea showing sixty-two ami , the Cresh water sixty-seven degroes of Fahrenliett. The vacuum maintained in the engine was at ail times and the wuter in the both hat every condition neces. sary for keeping boilers free from salt 8 practically 002 plied with; und as the tubes of the machine never are brought into the presence of steam they escape the de- struction which is fatal to surface condensers generally, and which rosults from the fact that the thormo-elect action is produced whevever brass tubes are subjcoted to the action of steam and cold water. The following isa list of the prin steamer, all whom aro well fitted (or their positions :— Captain, Thomas H. Morton, Firat Officer, Charles Morton. Second ty kineor, A. M. Co- ‘vart, inte of the Heras, Steward, ——— Doran. THR PRINCIPAL PAS“ RNGERB. Amongst the passengers aboard were Mrs. Generar , Ravks, Brigadier General Dwight, Marshall O. Roberts, Haq., and family; Judges ti ton, Moncsie, Wonell, Birds eye and Robertson; Commissioner Morton, Edwin Cros well and lady, Mr. Hodge, of the Treasury Department at Washington; Mr. Broadhead, W. E. 8. Gregory, of Jersey City; Colonel Frank E. Howe and lady; Dr. J. P. Ringe. Surgeon of the Panama Kail oad Company, &c., &e. NEWS FROM CANADA. Our Toronto Currespondence. ‘Tonoxto, Oct. 8, 1863. Review of British Troops—Twenty Thousand Mon Under Arms—Evolutions of the Regulars and Volunteers—« Fine Sight @ a Small Army--The Province in Good Tune Towards nited States, dc., Be, One of the most successful reviews that has ever takes place in Western Canada came off today, on the vacant land situated at the head of Bathurst street. During tho provious night, and from early morn to mia- day, the cars (rom east, west ond north came in crowded with their living freight, while the country immedtately adjoining the city poured in its quota of viitors, some m wagovs, some on horseback, while the less fortua.te wonded their way in crowds to the scene of the day’ operations. Never in the history of Taronto, not even excepting the display on the arrival of the Prince of ‘Three thousand two hundred volunteers from tho city and country places, sume irom ® distance of nearly one hundred and fifty miles, took part in the grand dispiay Added to these were:— . ‘The Sixteenth regular infantry; one battery of the w pas pf rap ana a Vecs¥.of Ching fame; one troop of the miniatare army through. Sutfice it to eay that tse regelar soldiery were unexteptionable, and went thruugn their allotted duty as ouly men trained to arme a a pro. fession can, while the volunteer force did ali (hat could Preppered away with right good will at an imaginary foo, which, in the ond, as is usual in such circumstances, yielded the fleld to the gallant Britons, The booming of the heavy guus, the continu us rattle of tho Enflelds, the charges of the cavairy, the rushing to and fro of tho artillery to take up near posi tions, the advance of skirmishers, the movement of the main body im support, the retreat, the forming tuto sqnares to moet hostile cavalry, the deadly volley from the smpenetrdbie squares, the forming into line and firing from right to loft by com panies, formed one of the grandest mil npectacion that has ever been witnessed in the upper province. Many of the spectators went away deeply impressed with, the ‘awful sublimity of war, The shadows of evening had fallen before the concta. sion of the performance, and it was really grand to ree the flashes of musketry ra-lhing from one ond of the line