The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1862-04-16

troops took very active part in the battles, and dis
played their usual undauntcd bravery.
10 the great credit Of both armies, there were no
"sampedes" or disorderly flights. Both armies retir-
ed in perfect good order.
REMEDY FOR Hen PRIcEs-Wc heartily concur in
opinion with the Bulletin that the natural remedy for
high prices is energetic and untirng competition. To
undermine extortion we must supply the market with
abundance There is no other normal permanent or
effective way Of accomplishing the object Thcrcmay
be other temporary expedents resored to which may
appear to give partial relief for the time being; butt
The end they will be found Of little avail and may make
matters worse instead Of better.
The regulation Of prices of some Of the leading ar
ticles Of prime necessity by military authority, may
be proper for the moment but pray our citizens
not to settle down for moment iuto the idea that such
remedy for evils felt can be ANYTHING than an
expedient Of an hour. # they should, ara should
thereby prctcrmany efforts to supply ormarkcts with
goods and provisions they will find the relief they ex-
pccted will be like the apples Of Sodom-beautful to
the eye but turning to bitter ashes upon the palate
We cannot be mistaken. The memorable laws of poIiti
cal economy-the very decree Of fate-cannot be re-
sisted with impunity-cannotb eyadcd triAed with.
They will assert their supremacy and rndicae their
power, though the mandates of all the potcutatcs of
the eartl., backed by the laundering columns Of a
thousand Napolcons, were lcvcled against them.
While accepting whatever relief the temporary ez-
pedient may give US, let US enter at upon The
work of supplying markets, and thus mitigate the
evils of extorton and high prices.
We scarcely know Of what We are capable until We
requsition tile tremendous power Of the principle Of
association. We have not Yet invoked that What
one cannot do, dozen, a hundred can. Divide the
risks of enterprise and if any undertaking fail the loss
to each individual concerned will be tfng while each
viii have the satisfaction Of feeling that he did what
he could, that he tried to succeed that he performed
at least his duty.
Have we not some practical business men who have
sufficient energy and the disposition to combine de
veop utilise and mobse the latent wishes and ideas
cxtau in the public mind in reference to the supply Of
the public wants through associated industry wisely
directed and with adequate to the end sought?
VIII not some bold man set the ball in motion? He
would be cheercd success The public pulse beats
heathfully upon the subject. The time has fully come
for action Difficulties Will only make the overcoming
energies the greater the brarer, the triumph more
certain the results uofe important and the profits Of
enterprise heavier Associate, combine, move!
Affairs on the Potomac
Our Fredericksburg papers bring us some news Of
the situation Of affairs on the Potomac. The Fred
ertcksburg Herald SAYS.
The latest advicos from the above represent the fell
erals divided into three camps all the north side of
RappaLanock, Viz: One portion within mile or two
of BeaGton, another at Elk rum and third at Weav-
ersvie They appear to be occupying the only three
roads between this and the Orange and Alexandria rail
road back to Cactts station and would seem fore
shadow the defence of these roads in order to allow
the main body to therYer at Rappahanncck sta
ton, orabove. We have credible testimony that.thcy
were encamped at Elk run, about 26 miles from this
place, ina large body on Sunday last.
There has been vast deal of cann0nading, as well
as light artillery reports heard, but this understand
proceeds from the enemy, who are feeling their way
with extraordinary caution. Before advancing they
fire to the left and to the right and in front to feel the
state of the country suspicious of masked bate
ries ana lurking foe The bushes and timber land in
the country above have had calling fire turned upon
them for days but up to the present writing the federal
army has not been able to discover the Whereabouts Of
Gen. Johnston
We have advices that the advance guardanoved along
the railroad Saturday to what IS known the Kappa
hammock station where the river wasspannedby rail
road bridge Finding the bridge destroyed, and their
means of speedy crossing Off the federal armyls
ported to have turned and marched up the river; the
impression being that they sought some ford above
where to cross.
The Recorder says:
1t seems to be pretty well authenticated that men
have burnt the railroad bridge over the Rappahannock
river Of the Orange and Alexandria roads There is a
good deal Of speculation the intention of the
ny in advancing Some believe that they will cross
the river at of the fords and march by land to at
tack our columns. But opinion is that they will
repair the railroad, preliminary to a move, and that
this large force which is spoken Of has been thrown
forward merely to protect those engaged in this work
1t is said by persons that large quantities Of troops pass
down daily.
the prisoners captured By our scouts on Friday
drummer in one Of the Yankee regiments, says that
general Mcclellan has told the men that they will have
Richmond without fail in less than sixty days.
u We understand that the Touring mill Of Mr. John z
Kelly, few miles below Rappanhannock station, and
Oh this side Of the river, burned BY Mr. Kelly q
some of our army Sunday to prevent its falling int
federal hands There were five or six thousand bushels
of wheat in the mill.
we also have reports that the fine residences Of r.
H. Cunningham and DR. w. 4. Wexford, both in CUl
pepper were destroyed but unable to say by whose
hands. These are reports but not well authenticated
Awful CALAMITY IN MExIco.-The Mexican village
Of San Andres Cachcomula not far from Orzaba, was
during the first week Of last month"; the scene of an
awful eatastrophe-either powder store explosion OF
an earthquake. According to official accounts, l,OSS
men, either soldiers or officers were killed, and 20
women children and men more or less dangerously
wounded 1t is said in letter from 0rizaba that the
number Of victims of this terrible accident amounts to
. 500 of whom 3 600 were killed and 500 wounded.
oThere is not saws the letter. single pane OF glass
nor one article Of glassware left unbroken in the dwell