The Sun.
London, England, 1863-04-16 00:00:00

Mississippi Marine Brigade.

This new arm of the service is now ready for
active operations. It was organised in consequence
of the difficulty of protecting unarmed steamboats
from river guerillas, and when the first ram fleet
went down the river the necessity of troops to land
and scour the country adjoining the river was ap-
parent. Under these circumstances Gen. Halleck
advised the formation of a separate brigade for spe-
cial service on the river. In November he autho-
rised Gen. Ellet to proceed with the organisation.
The general immediately completed his arrange-
ments, and hastened to St. Louis, where the recruit-
ing commenced for one regiment of infantry, four
squadrons of cavalry, and one light field battery.
The general soon found it was impossible to obtain
any volunteers, but hit upon a lucky expedient,
which, by the consent of Gen. Halleek, was adopted.
He sought recruits from among the convalescents in
the hospitals of the departments of Generals Curtis
and Grant. To prevent the acceptance of any in-
firm or disabled recruit a rigid surgical examination
was made of every candidate. This mode of re-
cruiting proved very successful, and in 30 days the
brigade had reached the minimum number required
by law. While the recruiting was in progress the
agents were at work buying the necessary boats.
Seven of the best steamers on Western waters were
purchased—viz., the Autocrat, flagship ; the Diana,
Baltic, Woodford, Fairchild, Rains, and Adams.
These boats were formerly engaged in the Louis-
ville and New Orleans trade, and are noted for
their swiftness, size, and comfort. They have been
fitted up expressly for the service. Each boat
has stalls for 120 horses, and sleeping berths for 400
men. The boats are not iron clad. A double wall
of three-inch oak plank, with loopholes and port-
holes, has been built from stem to stern on both
sides of the steamers, which reaches a level of the
hurricane deck. The pilothouse and officers' rooms
(usually called the Texas) are covered with six
inches of oak plank likewise. The boilers have an
additional enclosure of nine inches of solid oak
plank, which will secure them against any field
pieces likely to be used where these boats are de-
signed to go. The main defence is against musketry,
and in emergency cotton bales, stacked up against
the wooden walls, would stay any damage from ar-
tillery. The grand object of all, however, designed
in this organisation is celerity of movement against
rebel guerillas on the rivers of the West. To in-
sure the success of this end as far as possible, ample
arrangements have been made to transfer cavalry
and flying artillery from boat to shore with unex-
ampled quickness. A swinging crane, supporting
a wide railed platform, has been constructed on both
sides. The moment a boat touches the bank this
crane carries out the platform, and in another
minute cavalry may be riding ashore, followed by
artillery. There will be no delay to saddle up
horses, as all this will be done while the boats are
hetiding for shore, and as haversacks will always
be ready the greatest promptitude may be insured.
Infantry may follow to cover a retreat in case of
surprise or to, carry a redoubt. With five of these
vessels running up and down the river guerillas
cannot operate very successfully on the Mississippi.
They may be pursued, if necessary, far into the in-
terior, and will be watched for so sharply that their
vocation will soon be gone. When necessary, the
whole brigade can be brought into action, or, as-
sisted by fresh troops, go upon important expedi-
tions. The horses have been selected with great
care, and everything has been done to make the
Mississippi River Marine Brigade an efficient arm
of the country's service.—New York Herald.

DUEL IN FRANCE.--The Paris Tribunal of Cor-
rectional Police last week tried by default a young
Hungarian, M. Bossanyi, formerly a lieutenant in the ser-
vice of Hungary, on a charge of wilfully wounding Capt.
Novelly, also a Hungarian, in a duel fought with sabres in
the forest of Bandy on the 16th February last. Their
seconds, Lieut. Baron de Bianchi, a German by birth; Dr.
Parmentier, of Paris ; M. Hoffmann, a German, and M. de
Mandarosz, a Hungarian, were also charged as accomplices
Only three of the accused, Parmentiar, Hoffmann, Man-
darosz, were present. It appeared from the evidence that
Bossanyi and Novelly had quarrelled about the comparative
merits of two Italian generals, and that a challenge was
given and accepted. It was proved that the duel was con-
ducted fairly, and that Novelly was slightly wounded in
the right hand and head. EN idence was also given to show
that Dr. Parmentier attended professionally, and not as a
second. The Tribunal accordingly acquitted Dr. Parmen-
tier, but declared the charge proved against the other four,
and condemned Bossanyi and Bianchi, by default; the former
to pay a fine of 200 f, the latter• one of 50t, ittni-Hoffmann
and Maudarosz to pay a fine of 50f each,