May 20, 1863, The New York Herald
Our New Orleans Correspondence.
NEW ORLEANS, April 30, 1863.
The great importance of General Banks’ recent victories can scarcely be appreciated by the people of the North. Let me assure you that their results will be of incalculable benefit to our country.
The rebel prisoners in communicating with their friends today, represent that the campaign of the Teche country is of far greater importance that any other that has occurred during the war. They avow that every effort will be made to concentrate all the available force west of the Mississippi, for the defeat of our columns. The concentration is easy, because the great portion of their troops are mounted. But it is not believed by them that they can gather more than twelve or fifteen thousand men. They say that unless they can successfully oppose the progress of General Banks’ column the confederacy is cut in two. This comes from one of the most intelligent men in their army.
A significant fact in the present condition of affairs is found in the movements of the planters. These men are not politicians, and although assenting to the rebellion, and, since the secession of the State, sympathizing if not participating with the rebels, they are governed now with reference to their own interest; they act together. Recently they had two meetings, of which no notice has been taken by the public, and to which no reference has been made by the newspapers. The condition of the South, of the rebel government, and of the federal army have been fully considered and discussed. Their judgment is worth attention, and the conclusion of all their deliberations has been that they will at once take efficient measures to aid in the restoration of the government of the Union in this State; and, not content with acting for this city of which they are citizens, they will advise the planting interest of all the southern States to pursue the same course. They repeat with great earnestness the declaration of the Governor of Georgia, that the federal government has been more consistent in its recognition of State rights than that of the confederacy. Preparations have been made for the publication of a new newspaper, which will appear at no distant day, advocating their views. The restoration of the State to the Union will necessarily be based upon the ideas as to slavery which the President has proclaimed in his messages to Congress, though this subject has not been specially considered.
Throughout the section of the country through which the army has passed in this short but decisive campaign, to a point twenty miles north of Opelousus, all classes of people have signified not only their readiness, but their desire to renew the oath of allegiance. The force in the field has not been such as to enable General Banks to leave a garrison at the different towns through which the army has passed. The column will move intact, with all its power, and no encouragement has been given at present to those applicants for the privilege of renewing their allegiance to the United States. They have been told, however, that all well disposed persons will receive from the government reparation for their losses, and that in due time protection will be given to them against all enemies whatever.
On the march of the army the white flag was seen at every house. This has never been exhibited before, and shows that this people are no longer contestants against the government. In the town of Vermillionville, which is the residence of Governor Montoro, every house displayed its white flag. It is believed that the Governor himself is a prisoner of State. This indicates the popular judgment as to the events of the war.
Changes have been made in the government of this city, and will be made, which will put a different face upon public affairs here. Hitherto there have been three governments – that of the military power, under General Banks; that of the State government, represented exclusively by the adherents of the late administration; and devoted to its interests and its measures; and lending no aid whatever to the government at the present time, but never failing to produce embarrassment whenever it could, or to let the current of affairs run without any correction of abuse. The police have been in the hands of this party, and to this is attributable in a great degree the distress that has occurred. All this will disappear in the change of affairs.
The registered enemies of the government have been notified to leave in two weeks, and everywhere Union spirit is gaining in power, and the Union party in numbers and strength. It is not too much to say that within the next six months the State of Louisiana will be added to the Union, represented by a government of loyal men covering the whole territory of the State, and that five members of congress will be elected by the people.
The army is well appointed. The different arms of the service with the exception of the cavalry, which is daily improving, are as perfect as that of any portion of the army of the United States. In some branches of the service it is believed to be superior, but it is far less strong in numbers than the people of the North suppose. It covers an immense territory, and has administrative and civil duties to protect and perform sufficient to exhaust its whole force without attending to military duties at all. But, notwithstanding its deficiency in this respect, I venture to predict it will electrify the country with its decisive successes and movements. It is apparent in the atmosphere that a new leaf has been turned, that new ideas are promulgated, and new changes at work. Everybody feels this, and is waiting anxiously for the result which must soon occur. The campaign of the next week will be decisive west of the Mississippi.
General Banks, who arrived here from the field night before last, returned last night to his column. His presence was hailed with delight. He protested against any public demonstration. In his absence that accomplished soldier and gentleman, Gen. W. I. Sherman has command. His kind manner to all who have business with him and his attention to the protections of the city, are worthy of all praise.
Today Captain Fusilier, of General Taylor’s staff, was brought to the city a prisoners. He is connected with some of the most influential families in the State.