The New York herald., 1862-12-29
BATON ROUGE RrrAxrM.
Our Baton Rouge correspondence,
nsv, Ia nos.

Our Baton Rouge C0rrcsponicncc.
BATON RorCG, La, Dec H. 1869.
Tho Banks expedition spout Idle days M New Or
cans On Tuesday December 10, the next day bu, ono
after General Banks arrived at New Orleans, he des
patched Brigader General G. Grover, with portion Of
the forces possession of Batoa Rouge which city
has bccn held by rebel sincc evacuation BY
order OF General Butler Tho strength dispositions
the enemy in this city not understood, tho fnte
gence n regard gathered from con,rabands being
indefinite and conflicting General Grover ard STAFF took
passage the North STAR and the Forty fret Massachu
eets regiment which had not cisen,barked at New Or
Icons, also on that vessel.
STARTING ExrEpITos
We left New Orleans about half past o'clock in the
forenoon accompanied BY number Of Transports, loaded
with troops The expedition moved very eo~ly during
the day. sharp watch being directed on the hanks Of
tho river for guerilla parties, which, we heard had "
late become very bold and approached Within afsw
miles of New Orleans. ga ".
- We were accompanied by lhs sioOp Of war nichmonA
which steamed ahead Of ETiy In the evening Ne
arrived al D,ualdsonvis, yail town about seventy
I've miles above New Orleans. u in our pOssssslon,
and Is occupied by the First regiment of Lusana voIan
tesrs The soldiers honored our arrival by brng three
brilliant bonnres snore, and by bringing out their
brass band which played several airs 10 celebrate our
coming.
During the night a different points joined BY
the guuboats detailed for the sxpsdicu and feet
comprised the following vesscls-
Sloopor-war Richmond, Captain Alden commanding.
Captain Alden the ranking naval ccr and tho Rich
mond was the flagship.
Gunboat Essex Captain Caldwell.
Gunboat winons, Lisnterant Commanding Weaver.
Gunboat Cathard!n, Captain Rose.
Gunboat Cayuga, Captain Fairfax.
Guuboat Albatross, Captain Hart
On board tho North Star divine service held Ia Tho
evening" by the chaplain OF the bofty.frst Massachu
selts in view Of probable battle Of tho morning,
in which the regiment expected 70 take part. ne
exercises opened by the singing of tho hymn,
Am soldier Of the cross,
follower Of the lanb2
And shall fear 10 own his ca;sc,
Or blush ~ speak bis name
The chaplain addressed himself 70 the soiicIs IA
impressive manner exhortng them TO stand up TO their
work like men, and promising TO do hs duty whereyerh
might call him.
ARRIVAL AT Roren.
General Grover and stat bre.kas,ed haifpass four
this morning. and after proceeded board the flag
ship Richmond. As daylight dawnsd, tho Asylum, .
arse white building, looming up before NJ, announced
that we had arrived al the capital Of Louisiana. o.
shore we could see life and activity, and few
bel pcets first visible; but they 6ed In precp
tate haste, and then only a few ncgroes, with
spades on i.cir shsulders
We advanced cautiously tho gunboa.s carefully cover
ing the transports and hugging the eastern bank
OF the river, a,i. Of course, manned for In.
mediate rclion Tho troops on the transports
wero all drawn up in line the decks
with loaded muskets. we soon passed The Asylum apo
came abreast Of the State House, nro structure,
which we looked In vain for rebel ensign. Indced,
flag W be IN the city except the i-coorcd nsg
Of France which the French Consul had raised In o
his residence mounted oaiscr, with chapcau and
cloak rode along the bank, took look at us and
after disappeared.
We steamed up opposite the United states Arsenal ana
tho Essex st closely huggns the shore and covering The
transport steamer United slaes, which alongside
laden with troops, opened arc number or shells wevs
thrown the direction OF the OH pcnhentisry buidinss
where rebel soldiers had boen qusrersd and into the
woods beyond the city II subsequently taineA
that one or two Of these hss e thcrt and exploded IN
the city. frightening the people but doing damage.
LANDING oy TIM raoon.
Failing TO awaken any response BY ths shells Of the
Essex aud Albaross (which nred but oncsy and the
city bearing every sppearascs Of having been scsctef
by tho enemy determined 70 land shc troops from
the United States which transport Was alongside he
Essex.
The First Metropolitan regiment zone Hundred and
Thirty nrst New York) under Colonel rnbulI, had The
honor Of ns landing. They passed through The Esss1
and formed line OF battle Shore close the edge o.
the river. N sA ~ tA
ono company nrst moved up the hill 70 the deserted
rebel carhworks and speedily followed BY othcr
panes until ths whole regiment gained tho summ Of ths
slope. The One Hundred and rhirty.nrst was immedf
ascly followed BY Others until all tho troops had dssm
barked Pickets Immediately established through
the city, ana strong guards thrown every road
leading 70 tho town.
xsBsL rrAs 10 ArrAcx rss nssr.
The Essex, that ugly looking iron clad, with sepine
Sides object Of especial hatred rebels aud rsbs
sympathzers in this quarter. For some tme she has
been cruising up and down the river and only sunday
shc up Port Hudson, strongly fortified position
about twenty niles above here and while cruising about
there battery opened upon her. sending shs ttropsh