The New York Herald Newspaper, December 7, 1863, Page 5

: NEWS FROM NEW ORLEARS. POUR BAYS LATER BY THE EVENING STAR. Serious Interruption of the Mississippi Navigation. Mfleavy Field Batteries Alo the River Banks. A LARGE REBEL FORCE ON RED RIVER, Atiack on the Steamer Black Hawk and Rescue of the Vessel. Adjutant General Thomas’ Visit to the Plantations. Additional from the Banks Ex- Pedition, AFFAIRS AT NATCHEZ. JUIEH AT PENSACOLA, ae, Ben Kee ‘Tuo steamship Evening Star, Captain W, R. Pell, from t New Orleans November 23, and {lavana December 1, ar rived at this port on Saturday evening. The Eveniug * Star experienced very heavy weathor on bor voyage. General Lee made another successful dash upon the onemy on the 26th of November, with eight hundred cavalry aud a section of artilicny. Ho attacked the Fourth Toxas and Second Louisiana (rebel) cavairy, and drove thom from Camp Pratt to within four miles of Ver malilion Bayou. At this point the Second and Tuird iili ‘mois cavalry made a gallant sabro charge, and broke the Yaoks of the enemy in a moment, aad captured one com Missloned officer and gixty-vine privates, mostly from ‘the Fourth Texas. As many arms and horses were cap turod. Eight of the rebels wero killed and a largo num- ‘ber wounded. Our thanks aro tendered to Mr. W. H. Field, purser of the Evoning star, for prompt delivery of papers and let tors Me. Chartes H. Farreli'a Naspatches Naw Oncxans, Nov. 25, 1863 Bola Attempt of the Rebels to Close the Navigatwn of the Mississippi—Large Force of the En-my Near the Ket River—Steamers Fired Into—Narrow Excape of One of Them from Destruction—Loss of Life—The United States GQunboat Choctaw on Hand—A Case for Immediate At tention—A Suggestion for Increased Facilities for I’ro tection from the Assaults of the Enemy, de. ‘Tho increasing audacity of the rebels in interrupting “tho free navigation of the Mississippt river, by firing * 0p unarmod steamboats traversing Its waters, has created Much sorious alarm and uneasiness in the minds of the merchants and citizens of this city, and, indeed, of all ‘the towns below Vicksburg, iu which district, of Lite, the enemy have been committing outrages with a high and boki band. So extensively bave the rebels carried on Aboir guerilla warfare on the river that commorce and trade on ita waters will soon be cut off, and Now Orleans, whioh is now dopending on the West for supplies, will be ~Gommercially isolated from the upper*country. A nu merous feet of gunboats patrol the great river, each one baving « district to watch and protect commerce ‘The evemy's recent movements show that he hay * @comprebensive idea of our situation, by attacking us ‘where he kaows we are numerically weak. In that por tion of the Mississippi below and south of the Red river, the enemy does not appoar now as thoy formerly did, 4m small detached marauding bands; but within a week or two have displayed themselves ia force, with whole Datteries of artillery, with infantry and cavalry. This force is a mobile one, moving from point to point, attack- fing unarmed river craft; never staying long at one “place, ta order to elude attack from any considérabie “Gores of eur troops. ‘The latest intelligence from this rebel army placed them at Hog Point/one anda half mile south of Red river. The force consista of about four thousand men, ‘under General Dick Taylor. They receatly arrived at that point from Alexandria, La , whore they bad assom Died to meet our troops marching up Teche country, to- swards that town. Learning that our army was pot coming to moot them, they marched down the route along the Red river, to the point already named, where they are now Proving upon our commerce. One of the latest ontrages committed by them was the firing upon one of onr un. armed steamboats while on a peaceful voyage from St Louis to this city, It ia the case of the steamer Black Hawk, a briof mention of which aifiir I seat to the Henao ip & previous letter, and which arrived hero a fow days . The following brief history of the affair I got from the thrilling account related t» ine by Captain Futon, ber commander —The trip from St. Louis was uninterrupted e@xoopt now and then stopping at important places on the route to land passengers and (roight, and to takg on sup plies of fuel, until the 21st inst., wnen she reached the mouth of the Red river, where the boat stop to pus lot of goverument cotton oceupled short timo, when the continued her voyage tw this city, reaching @ point (Hog Point) one and a haif miles from Red river, when suddenly and unexpectedly the report of a cannon and the whirl of hostile shot were beard, The shot struck the bout and pos ed through its sie, It was soon di covered that the boat was in range and the object of | attack of m rebel battery on shore. The captain of the boat immediately gave Orders to bis engineer to put on ail steam in order to run out of range. The throttle valve Was Operdd pine wood was put in the furnaces of the boilers, and the vessel was seon steaming at the rate of | Oftoen mites an bour. The consternation of the rosse gers on the boat, arsong which were ladies and ch ; this sudden attack can be better imagined than described. The women Isid down on the floor, and the men hastened off to every conceivable part of the boat here they imagined they conid ‘ind she'ter and protec tion from the missiles of the exemy, Foor was pictured on every countenance, death secmed to stare them tu the face. ho first shot from the enemy was followed Dy another and auother, and ax the beat proceeded oth guns opened on it, and it was coon discovered that th enemy had guns at intervals over a line of two miler, | daring which the boat was attacked in front, flank and rear. In eddition to this, there was a perfect storm of Minie balls from squads of sharpsbooters, who acted ax | Supports to the guns Under these tryivg cireumstarces | the officers of the boat felt the dee: est responsibility rest, {ng on them, and they proved @joai wo the emergency, | to their noble conduct Is ascribed the ea ety of the boat nd alion board. Ihe fourth shot fred by the enemy Passed through a room on the ujyer deck, in ite parsare fapsctting a stove, the fire from which ignited the joiner ‘work and combustible materials near it. The deck and | ‘Staterooms on the larboard side o the boat, forward of the whee!, also the pict bourse, were soon envelopet in Tames, which sj ‘With such rapidity as to threaten a ick destruction of the boat. In the midst of thts thr of a but en. {ng aspect of affairs, which coud not but have been seen Dy the euemy, they kept up a terrific cannomyle ard jurji ade, the twelve pounder balls and shells perfors'ing the Doak, rending into fragments the saloons of the boat One cannon shot perforated the one inch irom shield for of the pilot. The bout, when the fre as headed for the cart bank of the river, when the crew of the boat aud sume of the passengers, foapired by the coolness of Captain | uiton and bis officers’ wero soon at work extinguishing the flames. this aslair ecourred in the patrol district of the river guarded by the United States tron-clad gunboat Chectaw, whieh ves ge| war at anchor @ fow mi'es below the point of the ‘enemy's position. When the Rick Hawk had escaped the last baitery of the enemy the rebel battery limberet ap and were Ly speed to get their guns i ‘& position opposite the potot where the Black Haw was stopping At the first report of the enemy ns the Choctaw slipped her cable, got up all steain, and astoned to the scene of action. AR soon ms the locals of the rebela was discovered, the Choctaw opened ber eplen did battery of ope-hundred-jounder Parrott guns and veral shel! gubs, throwing ebot and shell wilh suck ae aracy of nim that must have made havoc abd couster ation in the ranks Of the cowardly enemy. The other part of the affair ts thus graphically detailed ia the Bra of this city — | Aiter disposing of the enemy, the Choctaw proceeded | to the Bick Tinwk, took Rer in tow and conveyed | her to the ¢ tion, where #he had received the cotton. Ons temporary steering aypy wan rigged up, and abe 0 started for New Orieane, | this time accompanied by the Monitor, the No. 26 and the | Welcome, coming through without further injury. ai- | though net without further aiventure | "At Naicber the Black Hawk hal taken on boar! twen. | ty seven deserters from the Unb my. When she caught fire and ran ashore seven these men jumped | oo land and ptarted down tb er. ‘They proceeded | about one hundred yards when thoy became rightewed | ‘nd turned back. They aver that they came upon an- | other rebel battery, marked, and waiting for the Flack | Hawk to come in range. but this statement is doubted. — | At hatf-past tweive o'clock oo Monday night, just as the boat reached Carrollton, ove of the deserters was Giscovered by the watchman bid among a pile of mat- tresses that had been takes from (he burned stateroume and piled on the guards bevide the indies’ cabin. He was Griven down below; but shortly after a pegro reported othe watchman that be was pulling cotton from the Dales boat wore plied in the cogioe room, He bag | parish of St | 2, 1868, changed hate and tried to disguise bimelf, but was recognized as the same man, and for the balance o the trip was tied Lo the capstan. A quantity of matches ware found upon him. As tho Black Hawk now lies at our wharf, {t soems in- credible that but two persons could have been killed and two wounded in passing the rebel buttories. Inere is hardly an tmagivabla diroction in which a solid shot, A piece of shell, a grapeshot or @ Minie ball has not possed through the steamer,and she is splintered and scarred in all parts, One of the cauvon balls went through the pantry, killed a pet cat, and then through a stateroom, killlug @ mulatto cabin boy. The negro was hid under a verth, and the shot took hig head completely off ‘The other man killed was ouc of the deserters. He bad his ar blown off, and died at Baton Kouge, Mr, Saauel Fulton, the brother of the captain, and one of the boat's officers, his leg shot off just ‘above the ankle, but is now ving well. The barkeoper, Jas. Ferguson, was wounded in the face with a splinter. “The officers and cabin boys lost all their clothing and personal property by the burn- ing of the saloon, with the exception of the clerk, not one <a having a change of clotues when they reached city. While writing on this gubject of interruption of naviga- tion on the Mississippi, there are meang to prevent it which seem not to bave attracted the attention of the proper authorities, and which I will now take the liborty to suggest, which, if adopted, T am sure will rid the river of the rebel cowards who line its banks, firing upon our unarmed boats. It is, in addition to the naval fleet, to arm all transports and ‘private bouts with bow, stern and broadside shell guns, to be worked by small detach- ments of artillerists, always baviag @ good supply of grape, canister and’ shrapnel, ready (or any emaggency. The superior speed of these miscellaneous craft will al ways enable them to soon get out of range of hostile guu: at the same time paying the enemy off in kind. The military foroe required for this duty would be insignifi- cant in comparison to the advantages to be gained, and I feol sure that in @ sbort time after the adoption of the movsures suggested, commerce on tho Mississippt would be aa free from interruption as it is possibie to make it under the mt state of the country. Will @ose in authority adopt my suggestion ? Naw Orteana, Nov. 27, 1863. Adjatant General Thomas on a Visit to the Government Plantations—Experiments in the Free Negro Labor Sys- tein—The Cotton and Sugar Crops—Another Account of the Capture of Corpus Caristi, Texas—The Part the Sloop- of- War Monongahela Took inthe Affair—Rigid Military Discipline in the District of New Orleans—New Orders Relative to Officers and Soldiers Visiting this City—Cap- ture of an English Contraband Trading Vessel—Her Car- 90 of Cotton Worth One Hundred Trousand Dollars— Paumaster W. W. Sherman—Thanksgwing Day—The Arkancas River Drying Up—Interesting from Natcher, Miss. —Military Orders Forbidding Cotton Specutation— Capture of Rebel Scouts Near Vidatia, Miss., oc. Tast week Adjutant Geueral Thomas, Mr. Field, Com miasioner of Plastationa of the Departinent of Tennesaeo, ilitary Governor y, with Capt. Cozzens, the yerimtendent of Plantations of this Department (the lat tor acting as cicorone on thia occasion) went in special river conveyance on an inspection of the plantations under tho control of the government betwhen this city and Paton Rouge. The trip occupied sevoral days. The visit was very minute, and it was made to test the efficiency of the poiicy of the Treasury Department in rot erence to the progresa of compensated nogro labor. The system adopted met the full and entire approbation of eueral Thoznas aud the other ventlamen of the party. He caid. fram whee & saw demonstrated to him, that tho question of compensated negro labor had passed from an enigma to afact. The experiments in cotton growing in thia State, a measure under the old system that was thought not practicable, has been successfully tried undor the free labor rystem, and henceforth Louisiana will be celebrated for her cotton crop as weil as for ber sugar crop. The experiments in this branch of agriculture bas also been adopted by the old planters along the coast, and with similar results; the masters paying the negro laborer a stipulated price for his labor and giving him the usual plantation rations, clothing, &c. ‘The crop of sugar cane on the government plantations this year will be light, owmg to the fact that no seed cane was planted last year. Large quantities of cane have been planted this fall, from which will come the crop of next year, and the prospect is fair for an increased and larger crop than that tobe harvested this year. I have been invited by the agents of the Treasury Department, who have been sent here from Washington for the pur- pose of making examinations into the free labor system, to accompany them on their official tour next week ona visit to extend over several days, and shall avail myself of the opportunity ana report the regult of the trip to the reaters of the Heratp, The progress ef making sugar is now progroasing finely. The plantation hands now engaged in crushing the cane work day and night. The crop of cotton in Louisiana bas been larger than was anticipated, and it is believed that pext year’s efforts in its growth will estab. lish the fact beyond doubt that Louisiana will take he: Ss a8 4 cotton growing as well asa sugar growi trict. I have received a private letter from a person on board the United States aloop-of.war Monongabela, giving some additional facts of General Banks’ expedition to and eap ture of Corpus Christi, The troop transports consisted of the steamships 8t.Mary, McClellan, Ragley, Warrior and several smaller vessels, convoyed by the sloop of- far Monongahela, Thoy left a point off Brazos Is!and on Sunday, the isth instant. The expedition arrived off Corpas Christi about five o'clock on the afternoon of the 16th instant. By eleven o'clock at night nine hundred of the troops trom the transports were landed by the boats of the Monohgaheia and other vessols, under the cover of the guns of the former. This force soon after took up the line of march for Corpus Christi, a few iles distant, while the transports, with the bal ce of the ‘troops, moved to another point haif a mile distant, where they were landed. While the de- barkation was going on the M nougahela opened her battery upon ® potnt of land where the rebels bad a «mail earthwork. When tbe Monongahela fired ber frst spell the rebels were reen retreating with good apeod. The Monongabela lug no reply from the enemy, our troops landed, and forming in line of battle, towards the rebel fort, the Monongahela mov ing to anew position to support the movement, The Movong hela again o;eved fire on the rebel work, throwing shell #ith such accuracy info it that the rebels mady no reply. A fow ch she gidsequently administered, and ininutes a whit® ting was diapiayed by the enemy on the parapot of the fort, Our ariny at tisis time was preparig (0 storm the fortification, when the flag was displayed, and thus an eTusion of blood was stayed. ‘The rebels made an unconditional surrender, aa none otber could be accepted by our troops The troops thereapoa marched into the fort, run up the Stars a Stripes on the fing staff of the work, captured ihe g ton, which consisted of @ major, tw ants and one hundred non commiesic The armament of the work cons yfour pounder, one thirty-t udor howitrer, siege pre ‘ound the fort twenty arty wagons, es wud mules, beet cattle tn aban’ | dace, camp equi fuel acms, de. ibe army marched twenty one miles from eight o'clock in the irping till eleven o'clock the tollowing day, wud this through a beavy sandy road | Sus a large number of b Ab Important case was tried in the Provost Court, be: fore Judge Atoch on the 24ch ipetent, in Bauer, of Compeny F,!econd Khode cavalry, and Sergernt Carl Fischer, of the same regiment, who were jotntly charced with having robbed in May last ® planter. who rosides near Franklin, in the lary. When our army, u Pil Ranke, was moving up the Attaka th named, Liectouant Bower, with a email t of troops, went out on & scouting! expedition, | (me morning they wpot to the plantation of Mr, Frere, | the compia'nat im this cose, demanded the hoevitality | of that yeutieman in ruch & threatening manner ax ty admit of no refusal. After partaking of a hearty meal the avaricious propensities of the defendants were soon | apparent. They terrorized tho planter aud bis fomily by threatening to buro his house unless money or valuables wore given them, Mr, Free had no money, excepting (oufederate ney, und before the Uniov Dg propensities of there military robbers cuutd be Tt was the tr eatisfled, they procured, under thrette of vicleace, diamond breastpins, gold watchow, Jewelry and clothmg to the amount of several hundred dotiars, ali of which plunder was divwied will be restricted to two to @ company, at any one time, No aan w ill be granted to either men or'ouicers for more thas twenty./our hours (and the time of commencement must be distinctly tated in the pass). bat in cases of extreme eces- sity, they may be extended by brignde commanders to forty- rs ours, V.—The orders heretofore issued. regarding leaves of ab- sores to ollicers and men at the various forts, will be com- tinued ia force. vis wit nd Y.—-All officers and men encamped or static: ty will be regarded as absent wiihovt leave if f he immediate vielnity of their camp, quarters OF f duty without authoriiy cl camp, barra wituin the city ramandér of the Provost Guard (Major nited Suaew infantry, at Odd Fellows? M. Molony, Fi Hall), with @ co: his command, will, under U) 4 station; and Major ure, furnish these reape ders with cards for each of these oficers, with (he ham , rank and stati of said ollcer, which, when shown, shall be eve him from detention to which he would oth wine be tubject bythe Provost Guard, Similar cards wilt also be furnished (0 all ofticers of hospitals, depots, depart- ment and other head juarters, if de VIT. Any violation of this order will subject the offender to arrest and punishiient for disobedience of ordera or absence without leave, oF both, wy the cane may be. These orders aro issued by Colonel Beckwith, the commander of all the troops in this city. The interest he has taken in raising our troops to a high stand of dis cipline Is deserving of all praise. The order he has juat issued he ig determined to enforce, regardless of friends or foes, and all may depend upon Baving full justice done ern. Major Malony, the commander of the Provost Guard, since he eutored upon the duties of bis position bas dis- charged them with fidelity, and bas been instrumental in Stopping @ great deal of official straggling in this city. Ho is still persevering to remove abuses of oficial privl+ i is “Stejor Porter, the new Provost Marshal, has sasimed an ‘equal share of the responsibility in carrying out the orders of his superior officer, Colonel Beckwith. He has thus far proved himaolf a worthy successor of the gallany Colonel Killborn, late Provost Marshal, With the above orders impartially carried out, as I feol confident they will be, the country may expect to learn of the increased eflicioucy of our troops when the officers aro obliged 10 Pe. with their commands. I do not wish to be understood, in my complaints of official straggling, to say that the thing is general; on the contrary it t6 not. I know of many regimental and jine officers who seldom leave the camps of their commands except ou urgent off- cial business. Tbe stragglers are the exceptic While the authorities aro disposed to correct abases, lot me suggest that they suppres the s7lons of the Dames aux Camelias, which ure on the increase in this city, and the recreant oilicers will be deprived of their principal attraction to this city. ‘The captured Hritish bark Cience, Acting Master Cook, United States Navy, commanding, arrived off this city on the 26th inat. The’ Cience ix a prize to the United States gunboat Virginia, and was captured off tho Rio Grande on. the 6th inst. She has a cargo of three hundred and forty bis bales of cotton, at the present iaarket price worth i 2 Major W. W. Sher United States Army, Chief Pay- mastor of General Grant's department, who cime here @ few weeks ago on official business, but was taken illand ws confined to his bed until 4 few days ago, has ao far recovered as to be able to travel, and he let here Inst ning for St Louis on tho steamer Welcome. A large blage of hin friends escorted hitn to (he lovee and bade him adieu Yesterday, Thanksgiving day, was pretty well observed in this city. ' Tho public oilices, courts, banks and places of business were closed, and interestipg and appropriate discourses were delivered In all the principal Provestaut churches, ‘Tbavksgiving dinners on tbe New England style, excepting the turkeys, were given by persons from thatsection of the country.’ Turkeys aro scarce in this ction of the world; a good one is worth seven dollars, and few to bo obtained at that price, ‘The Arkansas river Jw said to be entirely dry for two or thrag. WAP(S ‘south are also dry. ‘Tho steamer Brazil arrived here yesterday from St. Touis. On the 25th inat., when within four milos of Hayou Sara, the boat waa fired into by a party of rebel guerillas on shore, Forty bullets track the boat, The cook of the steamer—a negro man, was wounded—in the left ehoulder. No other person was hurt The steamship Columbia, Barton, from New York, via Havava, Nov. 19, arrived here bofore daylight this morn- ng. The remains of the late Lieutenant Solon A. Perkins, of Company B, Second Massachusetts cavatry, will bs sent to New York by the steamship Evening Star, which } was lane | highthe among the prisoners of their party. The evidence in the cane was clear and the prisoners found guilty. In dise pes ng of the case, the Judge said that the reg ment to whieh the accused belonged was a diagrace to the army while in the Teebe country, and a terror ty that entire regicn. Bo low did it descend in ite plurderings om to rob women of their clothes, and its conduct brovrbt » Diush of shame to the cheek of every «Meer of repute lo the entire army, He concluded by sentencing Maver to bard labor on Ship Island, with bali and ebain, for one year, and Fischer for six mouth ine trial of this cage belore a civil tribunal shows the spirit of the © mmanding genera! to restore the pun inbineet of offenders to the peopie of the Siate partiality Of the Judge in the sumtence of these prisoners is @ warning to vihers that no mercy will be sccorded them if they comm edations 00 persons of proper ty. Un eneral Bu erm oflenders were oither hanged for trivial offences or otherwise allowed to go un punisbed—generally the latter. Under present authority | il offeuders are puuiahed ace-rding 40 the degree of (heir rime. 1 am pleased to et. letter as to the rn freely cireulathng that tho expose T made in a former in whieh the offeers were vo HY, Inetegg of attending to the duties with the huF hot been paneed over unnoticed, «of my remarks have beew acknowledged by the powers that be, and they have acted according'y. By a recent general order from (be headquarters of the ‘Defences of New Orleans," dated the 24th jurt., Major M. Maluney. commanding First United States in’antry and Provost Guart, i oriered t establish guards, under charge of comm at euch Of the steamboat and forry la Ptructions 10 prohibit all officers, except gene en and their stai's, who may at the time accompany tucm, and all enlisted men, from wiriting thie city, unless tea ed | velling under written orders from competent authority or passes, in confermity [= pecial orders No. 61 of March ich roads tl Pirit=No officer or enlisted man wii! be allowed to inure hiscamp and visit Now Orleans without a joes signed by nd brigade eonmaniere rowed ne oa? Fe ume for which {the troops serving within the da bo een be granted for @ ‘ery cose end for wader (be inatruc tone d ferries of every deseription (ax. 4 oficially at Comp Ferapes and Port Probibited trom, raery ing eli ber oMeere or men gerose ibe river, under 7 of forfeiture Of boat and fay and imprisonment of the ofendere Lh W ice tate pesos G90 We caused wee cept thom emp Banks) are sire The tm | | Island has been alive with red fish and rhory head leaves here this morning. Licutenant Perkins was a native of Lowell, Mass., whero his relatives reside, Ho ‘was inatrumental in recruting his company, and took into the field a superior body of men. Ho is said to have been @ young man of fine talents, with @ keen perception of buman character, a good soldier, disciptinarian and friend, He poseossed great coolness aud bravery when under the fire of the enemy—so much of these qualities % him foolhardy, Lieutenant Perkins, before bis death, raid to Postmaster Iarker, of this city, with whom be was intimately acquainted, “I have bad a good many hairbreadth escapes from death, but cannot always ercape, Ihave attended to my secular affaira in case abything Lappens.”’ Shortly after this be went with the army to Port Hudson, was there during a port.on of the siege ofthat place, and was killed while out on a acout with bis company. Lieuteuant Per- king won friends wherever he went by bis suavity of manner, superior intelligence and his patriotic enti ments He had a host of true friends in Now Orleans, who deeply regret bis death. Alns, he gave his lite in the holiest of causes—that of bis beloved country! Sit tibi terra bens, From Natchez. Late intolligence from the city of Natchez represent things quiet io that vicinity. Brigadier General Gresham, commanding that post, bas recently issued the following order in regard to speculation in cotton: — 1. Bartering in cotgon at this post by non-residents or citizens is strictly prohibited, and all cotton sold or offered for sale, iu violation of this order, will be seized and confiscated to the United States ,overnment. 2. Pianterr can procure permits in their own name to ship their cotton to New Orleans or Memphis, by «pply- ing to Brigadier General Crocker, commanding the district. The Natchez Courier of 20th instant says —We Jearn that tho federal cavalry brought into Vidalia this ‘weok some fifteen Confederate scouts, twelve of whom they found asieep on ® peighborig plantation, while the other three wore acting as @ guard and sunning them- seives on tho nearest levee. The whole party ws re- Neved of further scouting for the present. ‘ Wo learn that during week fourteen and deserters from Louisiana have come within the federal lines at thia post. Some were with arms and some without. They were disgusted with things in the con. federacy, and propose, when the balance of thpir asso ciates come forward, to jou a federal cavalr, pany now forming here. ‘The steamboat Gladiator, from St. Iouis 12th instant, slso arrived hore yesterday. (no the passage two barges loaded with cattle for the government, which the Gia- diator bad ia Low, were lost by sinking. NEWS FROM FLORIDA. Our Fort Pickens Correspondence. Fonr Pexen#, Florida, Nov, 12, 1863 Scant aa in tho material here for an interesting letter, I yet deem it my duty to give you a few dote from this land of “Gophers,” which ix as near belag the “jumping off place’’ of this end of Cucle dam's dominion as you can posnibly imag Have you ever beon here ° Well never come, or wih to. mne fellow of bumor and | truth, describing North Carolina, say Par to North, South, Kast or Weet, Pine trees ever rine’ ~(you remember the couplet), If he wore bere he might make another, aod say ‘sand’ for +0 We eat, drivk, sleep on and sweeten our catlee with sand. To describe Pe exc la harbor, a place where #0 many of your readers have Lwal there any int been, would be A time aud proceed to tell you what "0 ir here. Our ‘big event rival of ater General, who arrived t anebip Stor of the South, on Saturday, 7t @ Orleans, with his stall, and accompanied y of cavary He dab thenavy yard, a charged everything be: put out the remainder of b y etores. The Ger mite VOrt licken proceeder between the navy yard and where he by tablisied his he Brigadier General Asboth—for ach i# his pay been 1m this department long, Ile is one of ther ones who adh w th, aud waa a cownel und that itivatrious man, jvently became a retugee, made Chicago. Il, hi ne has been reading for some yeurs. ‘le is a remarkably king oficer, and beart a high character from bie home, which was Chicago ma’ saving fort og hin a present eat of war, It ton the testified by the citizens o of 4 very fine horee on bia is rumored bere (and he hag talked publicly of powsage) that he only waite bere for moro troops, which Bre expected daily, to occupy Pensacola proper. Wen la in anxiety to see the trons coming, as it may be tt foreruuner of stirring events and bard koceks The troops here are in fine spirity and excellent health. None Of your readers may be alarmed at any rejort of mek bees bere, Among the troops there bax beon none. ‘Thore was some yellow fover at the navy yard, butow ing to the precation being used of allow lug bo one pamn- ing and fro. there was not single case courred in the One man died of yellow with which caused « big ecar y burt As to amusement bere, we pave on sbun 0 of ing. All the past week the Fouth beach of Sar which an abund raging twenty pounds hours, #0 you t etarve thom. besides that there are aiwaye & great many Osh caught every day from the wharves oo either sede T have just hoard that (everal Asboth ts going to raise two more regiments bere, ove whlie and one colored AB ther are a great many three yes whose time will expire in two oF there months, | suppose many of thew will re-enlist with straps on their boulders. Thirty wet ken im ines than two On Board hip Evening Star. anny Hoos, Dee 6, 194% The undersigned, passengers ou Loar eamabip been. on her sit eonet ie New York a afaction ot ¢ exparienced on (be voyage wenwer we bare found § model Of comfort, epeed aud em 4 in coming ° Mavana, tn the face of a strong Norther, #bick eon t ae for (wo deye with @ very beary proved bere se! to be In every way & Ruperior tea hows Tre stewards department, under ine care of Mr J. W bae turely tetiefactory, aod the well epresd oe lp the epecions ssioons we wi) remember wh n To Captain Wiliam Kh. Bel we # ore than ordinary abiiitire ad & rety of bie ship and f fort of those under bie ware, Mr fare, ew taeak a cece, bar ery ar James Kh Binet THE TEXAS EXPEDITION. ARRIVAL AT BRAZOS BAR. GENERAL BANKS DETAINS A FLAG OF TRUCE. AN IMPORTANT MOVEMENT ON FOOT, ke, he. Our Texas Correspondence. On Poanp Sreamauir Chaxtom, Anansas Pass, Texas, Nov. 20, 1863 The steamship Clinton left Algiera, La.,on Sunday, the 15th instant, with two regiments of the First division, Thirteenth Army corps, with thelr commander, Major Goneral C. C. Washburne, aboard. It was a lovely after oon, and the Sno plantations of oranges and lemons glit tering in the sunshine, with the beautiful felds of rice and sugar, looked #0 sublime as to make wi forget that civil war was devastating our land, and that wi going upon an expedition that might terminate fatally to most of us, Gur attention was called to @ handsome plantation situated on the right bank of tho rivor, about forty miles from New Orleans, formerly belonging to Judah P. Benjamin, the rebel Secretary of Stato; but “Uncle Sam" is now the acle proprietor, as the little Jew fails to mako good his claim. It ts in good condition, and has not that visible appearance of neglect that many of the plantations bave which line the banks of tho Mis. sisaippi At two A.M. we reached the head of the passes, but owing to a dense fog did not cross the bar until atx o'clock. Nothing of importance or no\eworthy trans pired, more than that the boys became terribly seasick until we reached the Brazosjbar on Wednesday evening, and awaited the arrival of a pilot. But through some misunderstanding he failed to appear, so Captain Baxter, as noble an old enilor as ever walked the deck of any ship, detormined to try it without one, All moved along emox ntil we were within one hundred yards of tho wrock of tho Nassau, when we suddenly grounded, and for two hours the captain and his ofiicers mide herentean eflort od by a skilful manvuvee of rushing th side to the other of the ship, It was now past seven O'clock tly too dark to make another effort to cross, hor and auxiously awaited the dawning of day. During the night the wind increased, and by morviog blew @ gale from the north, On the 10th we mate t consultation with Gene var {ruitlesa attempts to cross the bar, and after 1 Washburue aud his able Chief Hogineer, Mr. 8. R. Brandon, the captain concluded not to attempt it again without’ disembarking some of the troops aud cargo, Had it not been for the great strepahy of the ond. iuif” a wreck on the breakers at Island as the Nassau, But, thanks to the energetic officers aud crew of the Clintoo, we were Kept ailont, and on Friday, the 20th, General Banks’ de Bpatch boat hove in sight, with orders to reportto the fiagship MeClellan, off Aranaas bar, We soon got uoder weigh, aud by eight o'clock Saturday morning anchored beanie the MoCielian, Hero we learned that on the 16th the gunboat Mononga- hela shelled Mustang Island, while 6 Ransom, with his brigade of Maine troops, sailed down the coast to Corpus Christt Inlet, landed’ bis mon at ten o'clock at night, and made arapid march of twenty threo miles across (he taland, drawing by hand bistwo twenty-pounder Parrott guns, capturing a rebel lieutenant colonel and two companies of Texans, with three cannon. On Savarday the Clinton crossed the Aransas bar, and dmchurged ber troops and cargo, and is now awaiting orders to proceed to New Orieaus. pros Sexpay, Nov Tho steamship Crescent has just arrived, and roporta having lost overboard three soldiers of the Niuety nivth Hlinois and one negro during a severe storm. The rebels bavo sent in @ fag of truce, asking what bas been done } th with the prisoners taken on’ Mustang Isiand. General Banks deeming it a ruse to ascertain the num- ber and porition of our troops, detained the fag, and will not allow them to — until @n important movement is wcoomplished, now in 08H. if neh Wrowespat, Nov 26, 1463. We have juet been ordered to Now Orleans, with des al Washbures, witn bis command, ja moving In the direction of Matagorda with every pros pect of capturing that place, Our forces will then have ‘& footing on the mainiand, bolewse fine lesa anchor our veszels Ip ang a good base of operations. We will it Bie Snes about a oe on Aired evening, abd J will endeavor to ha pilot plage th! aboard the New York steamer, #0 that it will reach you by Monday. ‘Thania are due Captain Baxter, Purser A. J.¥ullmer and Mr. Conover stewart, of the Clinton, for favors extended to your correspondeat. inreresrine Paow Td Facfric coast. TT Sunken Monttor—Arriv: 'e—News from Hono’ memts of General Burgev: Fellow Officers in the Chines 1 Service—Later from Japan, &. Baw Francisco, Dec. 6, 1863. The pian of pumping out the sunken Acquilia, contain ing the tron Monitor, bas been abandoned. Proponals are advertised for to raine the whip aod offers made to give bonds for ha'f a million dollars, A company of wealthy mon are forming to contract for the job. A fleot of ocean verseis has just arrived, including the ‘Thatcher Mageun, Daubar, from New York, (elestiat Empire, Pierce, from New York; Logan, Marsh, (rom Now York, British ship Rescue, The! pool, and Freoch bark Harmon, Del Garde, from Bor deaux. Honolula dates are to November 12. Arrived thore October 18, Raduga, from Boston October 1, Herald of Morning, from San Francise ud, from Liver ihe stoamer Pacitic has arrived from Victoria and Portland with $100,000 {n treasure (rom the former place, and $215,000 from the iatter. Shanghae dates are to October 19. Cold weather had set in A portion of Burgevine’s gn officers deverted the rebels and reached Shanghae, under the prove t eign consul It is reported that Burgevine hime 1 to return but was bindered b; 8, and there way 4 doubt report that they Kanagawa (1 have been received at Ba an) date Fraucitoo to Novernver 1 Great excitement prevailet there Another murder had been committed by the Japanese, The body of Second Lieutenant Camur, of the Chaneurs 4’Afrijue was (ound horribly mutilated. ‘The Consula bad warned fo jorve the city in armed boties. A 4 foree from the feet rded the city might aud Twenty-two war pels of diverent pati na * jo the harbor The Japanese eutboritice deuled ali knowledge of the marder, The Daimios were verifying tie native mer chants and compelling them to peralyzed.trade. At Nagueas! aso trade wan ba Sailed, Industry, Lin tor I and Crockett, Burgess, for Liverpool Ft eo town, which iverpooi, Hebets Mivelestppl Mtv on Steam Camo, Dee, 6, 1863 ¢ arrived from by muskety near and & watebmaa on the 7 and We . Both were Waterproot on their way up former was slightly wounded Thy Sultana and Bray)! yore al nto at the same Polnt, and the cook of thetatier w erely w Memphis dates of the 4h re otton deper There wore wales of 16u brles at 62 6 Owing 1 the numerous guertiin atieck* on steamers, Adjatont Conmral The: orders to furwiab Donte in government employ p on the M ad Fiver wiih arte and ammuniiion (1 Melt prorec ‘The Sales of N onal Kive-Twem t ‘The selee of government b $1,025,450, and the totel vn ice Large deliveries of bon ti als and Dey annrvs Hendry Karder i Me George He Farwone, Ad Voirns. «hu peen 1 Oe A Byarweeht parma ip Preming S r 1 Tryier and 4 a etter 0 WG Rodgera, Major Arros sodevier, Col Bark Wilton ang obi) Mr Lemke DR Bawnees J A Coné F BE Barta, Mr ib Charing Wevbane Mr Insevet. Mr Levy, wife, Child aed eorvant Ne Slee rage. ant—Blenmer lors Ow L Werner ant on INTERESTING SOUTHERN NEWs, Operations in West Te River, &e, Wasunmaron, Doo. 6, 1883 Richmond papers of tho 64 inatant have beea received boro. The Eraminer alates with certainty that no successor to Bragg has yot boca appointed by Jolt Davia. Hardos now commands the a Gud wil! continue to do #o until & chlor shall bo appointed The samo paper saya —Amid revorsea that have recently befallen th ato arma in East Tennessee, it ia gratifying to loarn that in Wost Ten nosseo an army iA springing up ike magio to resist the invading fo, 40d to dofond Woat Tauneasoo, West Kon- tucky and North Misstasipp! to the Tallanatchie, all of Which district bas boon ‘ormed into a department, to be known a4 the Dopartinont of Weat Twunesses, undor tho command of Colonel KR. V. Richardson. Tho Richmond Wai sayn:— Tt t@ understood that tho French war steamer Gronade has visited the James river for the purpose of arranging for the removal of the Freach tobacco in store in this city. Our govornmont long ago gave ita consent, but the blockading power baa objected until now. We learn that within the noxt two weeks @ floet of aix or eight voasela will arrive in tho Jamos river for the purpose of loading with this tobacco the Con! Muntew. THE OKRMAN OPKRA, On Saturday evening Mr. Anchutz's artists sang at oar Academy of Music Beothoven’s groat oompowition, FI. dolio."" This chef d'auvre, tho only opera ever written by the renowned Gorman master, is replete with glorious musio—the instrumental is particularly magnificont—and we expected that au tinmense audience would be assom bied to boar the performance on that evening. Thin was hot the caso, however. The appearance of the house was distressing. ho urtiats evidently were chilled by tho scarcity of their Hence.” The perform anes was certainly the best ay yet given by the Anchutz troupe, Mmo. Johannsen, as Fidelio, both actod and sang satisfactorily, which is more than wo can say of some of tho other artists. Horr Habelmann made much of the secondary role of Jaquino, This artist 4 pire, sympathetic volce—not of great powor, but very ploasing. We regret to @® that the public evince 60 Little desire to evevurage Mr. Anshutz's enter. prise, Wo must pay here a wetl deserved compliment to the admirable playing of his orchestra, Last Saturday evening their eficioncy wae particularly noticeable, wight Martha’? will be givea by the German Opera troupe. OPERA IN PHILADELPHIA. Tho Maretok troupe bave made AY JQMERAddnce that LBS AUNMSiny of Music has been crowded to excess each night of the performance of Mr. Maretzok'a artiste and “Norma’’ bave boon given with great suc All the artists bave been highly praised by the critics, Wo envy tho Philadelphians thet good luck, and would gladly welcome back tho Italian opera. THE POPULAK MATINER. M. Theodore Thomas gave bis seventh popular matinoe on Saturday leat, and this (imo it did not rain, Thore wana large audience assombled at Irving Hall, and the concert passed off most Aucoosafully. Mr. J..N. Pattinon, the favorito pianist, assisted at this performance. He played his own composition, a “Grand Concert Fantasia,” from “Martha,” aud the “Campanolla,”’ by Listz, Mr. Pattison 6 evidence not only of talent aa a composer, but also of unusual artistic morit, The brilliant difficult paasagos of tho fantasia wore admirably executed by bim. This artist certainly plays with great oxprossion and feeling, and is destined to rank high in his profession, We record the success of this gontioman with pleasure, as he Is an Amoricam, and wo take great interest iu Che advancement of American art, On Saturday next, at the Thotnas matt noo, a grand overture, the composition of Mr. Mattison, will bo played by tho orchestra. This music was ubver before performod ta this country cos THB UNION PRISONERS IN RICHMOND. Large Supp! of Food, Clot Reading Matter Reacht Buce of the Christian » dee, Meee Puntanmruia, Deo. 1863. ‘Tho Vatted Statos Christian Commission have forwarded to the Union prisoners in Richmond during the past week three hundred and thirty-five packagos, conaiating mainly Of golid food, dolicacion for the sick, clothing, roasting matter and stationery, They were consigned to Libby Prisoh, Balle Island, Castle Thiuder and the tobacco warobouses. The Commission laa recotved letters from our prisoners arknowledglog tho receipt of goods sous bylore. Tue Commission haa also received large coatribut! various portions of the loyal Btatee, which wii be for- warded to our men as long aa they can reach them. News from Fortress Monroe, Fournans Momnon, Dor. 4, 1463. A military commission was organized in Norfolk yea torday for the trial of the guerilla Major Burroughs, re. cently captured in Princess Anno county, Tho officers of (he commission are Major Votor Haggerty, Judge Adv 19 . Sawdara, Nineteenth Wisconsin, Col Steadman, evonth Conmectiout Urey, denon North Caro red, Liout, Col, Chambers, Tweaty tau Major Grantman, Teath New Hampabire on, 00! bupetts wil be triod before thir comemtn Goveral Butior and etait left thie morning for n ihe ate ¢ Greyhrond Th. United States canboot Crusader wailed from Hamp too Voads tus morning, On Ru important blockade ms son Forther Donat the Park. The follow yoations have been made to the Park ton wince our lant tint —~ | © doren pairs of fancy pigeons, embracing many | rare varie by Mra. K. B. Roowevel | 009 pa punish bantams, by Mra RB. Roosevelt One Arctic of muowy owl, vory large, by I “ apoy ne ewan goose, by J Kenory, Bay 4 bitters, by FA. Koopping bittern, pair of p woathor was tuo cold youterday for or tu 4 on ymous, apony mae yw igh for winter ape Park, and not © won was therefore elim MAILS FOR EUROPE. © Army of the Potomac—Ope ons of Gen. Grant— The Mege Knotville—The Latest from Mexico, dir., dee. The Conard mai! steemehip Arebe, Captain Plone, wil leave Boston on Wetpeedta A sis for Farope will elowe jo thie ety at a quarter 4 at ball past Ove Cork Ww morrow afer ab, to go by ralirond The New Yous Tlens.p—PAltioa for Rurope—wiil be published ot clock lo tnorrow morning, and wilt contain the latent detail of the movementa f the Army om the Potomac, Addit af the Operations General Grant's Forces at Chattanongs, AB Acevant of wget Kooar tlerem ™ m New esoaT 4 from (harieetoe Ne os o, ¢ eet conn A ew paet woot for Liver The m eleven o Partie The Lat a ke and al ting chars pies, te wr pter nie pore, rondg tor mailing, Ove conte sand Bevery i le + 4ing lane bed hove HAMS PORDS great Barsar, Coro an A Had Breath = ttow hes wparsiedahow . filet eure sso the Daim OP A THO For wala by a Org mn plenion Fries Bfiy ermte Drititant Powerful Dey se4 mt, +4 Ginesen, for the Cet p rave ond Hs Bromtwey Pr eam Mee coder te Latarge ites adoros Dye, Preseren wosmaieen’ rwiad, Me Samer Hones. app et by ate ere 2 Ballowne eis Binmushee © Lamonts Over Thetr Recent te- versos—Organtaation for @ Remewal of enneo—Kreneh Vessels to Load with Tobacco im James | 00s from | gui diel, correcting Diarrty | andkerchtet ory A with the extract of the Might B Cereus impariato (ho atmosphere of & foom @ fr Maiched in why Cor aorvalory of anit ia pure wud fo the land 1) in as en turing & FKUALON & BON, O17 Broadway, Bold by pa OMclal Drawings of Merray, Kady @ Mi ont Blate Lotteries. | Runtvony, Obes 7 s 1 t ), 2%, 13, 1k, 10, @ Clrouiars veatiroa of ohargs. by adiremton aither te MURKAY, BOOY & 00, Covtagiun. Ky. or de Louie, ee f the Sholwy College OMotai Drawings Lottery of Kent or Brea Ovae él 48, 6, 22, 69, & ¢ 72, 4, 39, 63, 3 Olroulara cent by addrestug, AN. 10, 75, Mb. 10, 74, 18, 90 K BIMMONS & 00, Buccossore 0 Sts A Morrie Ow OmMctal Drawings of the ation Company's Lottery of Keniuck ‘rary Aver BATRA Chaps b—Doc. 5, 180) Tl, Wd, , 12, 74, 37, 66, 46, 30, 67, 72, ad, € 452—Deo. 6, 1863. 14, 67, 55, 52, 2s, 45 , 24, 66, 66, 13, a9, Clrowlare sent by adareaain FRANOB, BLLIS & Manazera, Ooviagioa, Ky. Prizes Cashed and Informatt Far plished in all legalized Lotteriaa. ALKOK & OO, Brokers, 38 Pine atreot, M, ©, s Cashed tm All Legalized Lot n given by JOSEPH BATBS, Broker, No. 1, Now York Royal invanea Lottery.—Thirty nk premium pail for Prizes, Information furn! Wisheat price pald for Douliioone and all kinds of Gold Bliver. TAYLOR & CO., Bankers, 16 Wail sireet. Coughs, Colds, all Pulmo tions, AYNE'S COMPOUND SYRUP WILD ON BR BRONOHITIS, ASTHMA DIFF: T WREAT! SWAYNE's' COMPOUND BYRUP WILD CHERI: ALL AFFYKOTIONS THROAT, LUNGS AND CHEAP, BWAYNICS COMPOUND SYRUP WILD CHERRY. DR. SWAYNE &50N S90 North biath street, Philadelphia F.C. WELLS & 00., 115 Pranaiin street, New ¥ Direction Labels and Tags, All Kinda, urera, VICTOR BR MAUGER, U1 nt Throat tres Marks place. Recaptiu hours from 9 A.M. wid FP Hive Preservers and | Spectactes, atren m and improve the aight of old and young. by or nigh!, without panor fitgue, Highly recommended the mindiont facully ReMMONS sis’ Optician, #34 Broadway, oppoatte Boud atreet, rty five, Fifty, strt For sale by GKO. ¢ KN, 410 Broadway, low Cunal street, formerly al Wali etrect For the Hair—arry's 7 th Aud cheaper artis, Bort by all Kerets way, next below F Git, Bromzed and Plain Iron Bedsteadg and Furniture, suitable for the Spanish and home market HUTCHINSON & WICKERSHAM, 250 Canal aireet, oat of Broadway. 1 Goa from upper Lipa. low foreheads, 01 Warranted Broadway Gifts for the Meerechaurn Manu fact large ansortment of goods on land pairing needy done olldays.—Pollock & era, No 36T Broome street, ky Pipes cut to order Hoyt's Hiawatha Ha Buperior to every other preparation for tha hy 1 gray bair lo ike ortginal colar a Appearance, to prevent It from fallimg out, to o¥ercom SUE prerioga. uae of preparations containing aulph ugar of lead, Ae, and to remove the Impurities and ty JOABPH HOYT & U University piace, MV, of the soap “In Hoe Vinces » concen ‘ “aN HOC Inca’ “IN HOO VINCRA* “IN HOO VIN ‘ “IN woo tin “IN HOD VINOR Naw Yow 14, 10m Yrom a knowledge of the Ingredient nnd thelr propertiend eatering into the composition knvwn ea pth. 4 ROMAINE'S CRIMEAN BITTERA, we are enabled to speak ot i? in terms of igh com meaap tion, Calleaya or Peruvian Bark being one of ite prinetgad Herbs, Roots and Batresty | propertion, we have so bedi conatiiuenta, together wi having decided medicin tion in recommending Itt) puyntctaua and the publie rally ax an fnvigorating Toole. tntented to etiomulate oa geste organs From 114 aiteray propert by (ie daily use ty moder And Ague, mild forma of te calculated 0 prevew® Lives, Constiration, Fores u 110 fomaies of inileate cousututions amd presely (nirmities of age The preparation i compoanl ercioatvely of vegetable agp 1 mineral eubstancse weliy ever [is taste la aromatic, warming and aconptable to gi terials, containt Inte and @lomacl JAMES ® OMILTO J0it0e@ PORLE & a. 6 securey packed la tase of oy sorvmpany each bolle, ut up ing doren em ry ders» ORNL ORF ig FOR BAL *y ALL DRVOGIATS Doe W_ONILTOM & oO. Marbie Btore, No. Dwell treet Mew Tom, ime Magic. 4 Mire, Wi ° fens the @nene, of the Booteve Hye Kendait's Ambotine, KRESDALL® & ™ ro at RLM At bie COR a rare Painphieie of Byeclinen copies of te paper ree Milier'e F peous, watersl, durable Tre tt Gol by érvggioe ed Ae No More Gray ror fre years eonetant etody Crnewitabos free by Dy, Gi! JEAN, Anor tn AeAOY MADR CLUTH INDOOR AND JUTDOO eeoremens of Reyetminn, i co Be se et Frege Bearen ovemooaT™. | Rn wee coker apne t 0d it the vary nue Excised WUFINRA® CORTE. Togetner wilh Gentionen'e wikTeR TURNIAHING GOODS, deneige. « neste @ jn earthy Ot tee townst Cant PRICRA tg vee wiachet to he genta, Bo tev intion frm w POLT ON TRAE ST Ri Soe 1), ta ont 1m Beoabway Honk EME T ftere ox a nd JUTLPe ‘ sean Rovere ty Oe mehr TART ORD HP a om Hem Co, ral 1 Fosey erent Awe ae See eer Breese ef Nacheior's Hate DgeeThe a ag nore 7/0 Barter orem, t Premtam ee —Mayen & Biagtc vont be Mantes Neen’ s,