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April 22, 1863, The New York Herald

Our New Orleans Correspondence.

NEW ORLEANS, April 13, 1863.

Important military movements are now in progress against the enemy on the Bayou Teche. General Banks is in the field, at the head of General Grover’s and Emery’s divisions and Brigadier General Weitzel’s brigade.

On Saturday last Gen. Weitzel’s brigade crossed Berwick Bay on pontoon bridges, and advanced towards Pattersonville, situated about five miles up the Teche. The enemy retreated upon the approach of our forces, which steadily advanced. The latter were reinforced on Sunday by Emory’s division. The forces under Gen. Grover are understood to have embarked at Brasher City, and proceeded into Grand Lake to a point called Indian Bend, above Franklin. This movement, if successfully accomplished, will place the rebels between two fires, which can scarcely fail to be attended with good results. The forces of the rebels are estimated at about 8,000 of all arms, including Indians, &c.

On Sunday afternoon, at three o’clock, sharp skirmishing began between General Weitzel’s advance and the rebels, the latter retreating towards Franklin. It is reported to-day that General Weitzel is within six miles of Franklin.

It is rumored here that General Grant has appeared with a strong force upon Red river, thus threatening the rebels in that direction. This movement, if it has taken place, will bring about some decided results very shortly.

On the 9th instant Colonel Daniels, with a detachment of 180 men of the Second Louisiana Native Guards (colored), went from Ship Island to Pascagoula, a well known watering place on the Mississippi coast, landed and took possession of the place, hoisting the Stars and Stripes on the hotel. Subsequently he was attacked by a force of three hundred rebel cavalry and a company of infantry, and a severe fight followed, resulting in killing twenty rebels, wounding a large number and three prisoners. The rebels retreated, leaving a set of colors behind as trophies to the Second Louisiana native guards. Colonel Daniels lost two men, killed and five slightly wounded. The enemy having brought down large reinforcements from Mobile by troops which were about to be sent to the defence of Charleston, Colonel Daniels, re-embarked on board the steamer and returned to Ship Island.

A small stern-wheel gunboat, called the Barrataria, while making a reconnoissance on the 7th inst. In the Amite river, struck a snag, on which she stuck fast. A force of guerillas appeared immediately; when finding it impossible to get her off, the Barrataria was fired by her officers and abandoned. Her armament consisted of two small rifled howitzers, and her pilot and wheelhouses were clad with hay and boiler iron to protect her crew against rifle shot. The Barrataria is a small loss. None of her officers or crew were lost.

The Union Associates of New Orleans held a meeting on Saturday evening last, at which resolutions were passed to petition the government to permit the people to hold a convention to form a State government. The movement met with much opposition from some of the most thoughtful citizens of New Orleans.

General Banks’ plan of free negro labor for the plantations meets with daily success. Cheering reports from planters from all quarters continue to be received, and if no interference is attempted with the present system within ninety days General Banks will have demonstrated the practicability of obtaining, by voluntary negro labor, as satisfactory a result as was obtained under the old system.

A regiment of blacks for heavy artillery and an engineer corps have been recruited in this department within the past few weeks.

General Banks has authorized a new white regiment to be organized here, to be known as the Third Louisiana Volunteers. Two companies are already being formed.

A grand military and civic ball, in honor of the passing of the forts by our fleet, will be given at the St. Charles Hotel on the 24th inst. It promises to be the greatest affair of the kind ever held in this city.

The health of the city continues remarkably good.

Commander S. C. Santori has taken command of the sloop-of-war Portsmouth, anchored opposite Carrollton, above this city.

The large law library of Benjamin, Bonford & Finney was confiscated to-day. Benjamin is Jeff. Davis’ Secretary of State.

Reports from Baton Rouge to-day, say the enemy is making a demonstration upon our lines; that our pickets have been driven in, and that the rebels are in force a short distance from the city. Nothing from the HERALD’S correspondent at that point confirms these rumors, but I think them not improbable, for the rebel general in command at Port Hudson may imagine our force there much weakened – having heard, no doubt, of the movement on the Teche – and thought it a good idea to feel our strength and determine if we can, or cannot, be driven from our position. It would be advisable, I think, to try it on. General Augur would, no doubt, welcome his approach in a manner satisfactory to our side of the house, and compel him to seek once more the cliffs and intrenchments that surround Port Hudson.

Naval matters are exceedingly quiet. We have no news from any part of the coast. The blockade is well maintained, although a vessel occasionally slips in and out of a port notwithstanding the vigilance of our cruisers. The United States steamer Circassian sailed yesterday morning for the westward. She will return here before proceeding northward. All the officers of the Mississippi, with the exception of Lieutenant Commander Dewey and Chief Engineer Rutherford, have been ordered to different vessels of this squadron. The crew also have been distributed in a similar manner. Lieutenant Commander Dewey is now acting in connection with the commissioners in prize cases. This is fortunate for the government and captors, and it would be well if a regular naval officer were detailed to act in the same capacity in every district, for the expenses and costs would then be less, and consequently there would be a larger amount of prize money to divide than we have had heretofore.

The news received to-day of the wreck of the Marion was not unexpected, and all were rejoiced to hear that the passengers had escaped and were at Havana. They will probably reach here to-morrow in the steamer Creole, and it is hoped that the missing mail will arrive at the same time. Two of the regular New York and New Orleans steamers have been lost within the past month – the Marion and Bio Bio. Both have undoubtedly done well for their owners and their loss can be well afforded. What ships will take their places? Their absence will prove inconvenient to the travelling public.

The following general order has been issued by General Banks on taking command of the army at Brashear City. It is to be hoped that it will be strictly enforced, and those who break it promptly and severely punished. This is the only method whereby confidence in the government and army can be established: –

GENERAL ORDER No. 2
HEADQUARTERS, DEPARTMENT OF THE GULF.
NINETEENTH ARMY CORPS.
CAMP AT BRASHEAR CITY, April 9, 1863.

Pillage and depredations upon private property are forbidden and must be suppressed.

Whatever property is necessary to the support of the army will be taken by the government, and liberal compensation will be made therefor, according to its value in the country where it is taken, to all well deserved persons.

The loss of property applied to the use of the rebels or destroyed by fire will fall upon the owners and the people.

If they ask reparation for their losses, the preservation of their property on a return to peace, prosperity and power, let them restore the government of the United States.

By command of Major General BANKS.
RICHARD B. IRWIN, Assistant Adjutant General.

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