The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1862-09-12
Army correspondence.
Nxr ORLrAxs, La, Aug. 25.

arrival Of every mail from the North, bring
inc pleasant intelligence Of current events II
Maino, think am under obligations to giv'
YOU a few items in regard to the condition O
affairs in this section Of the country, and II
the Crescent City. But owing to this almost
intolerable hot weather, must confess thai
my courage has failed heretofore. You Mt
tempt to eff some items of interest from the
rubbish news aaoat, and the greater the men
tai exertion. the warmer you become. You
are nervous in trying to "kcep COOL" ant
tho more excited you get. the faster the per
spiratlon in large drops starts out from every
pore in the system, and tricklcs down in ev'
cry direction over your face, until your hand
kerchief is fit subject for the washtub
taking another It IL soon in the same plight.
Any exertion OF the mind makes you uneasy
IA newspaper seems dry-your courage to
write an article for the papers instantly van
ishes in peppiration and taking of your
coat, rolling up your shirt.sleeves, bolstcring
your feet In chair, grasping fan, and re-
yelling in imagination, in the luxury Of 70
frcshing northern breeze, you are prepared
TO combat the heat. The hot season is near
ly past, and we rejoice that we shall soon
have cool and agreeable weather. The city
of New Orleans was never more healthy ut
this season of the year. Through the effec.
tive measures taken by the federal authorities
in command, the city presents an unusual DO
gree of cleanliness. Yankee energy and pre-
caution will never tolerate the filthness which
has been the great source Of epidemics that
have prevailed at different periods. Not.
withstanding the effects produced by change
of climate, and the information given us by
the crest fallen secessionists OF the city, that
If there was no other source Of destruction
in reserve for us, the "ycllow jack" would ei-
feet the object, thotroops are quite as healthy
as in any section of the army, and we have
failed to see their prophecy fulfilled.
The aspect of military affairs in this city
has not materially changed. As you are
aware, at Baton Rouge there was severe
engagement which resulted in victory and
honor to our arms. The enemy was repulscd
after severe fighting, and the renegade Breck.
iuridge and his minions were driven ten miles
from the city. We mourn the loss of Gen.
Williams, who was a noble soldier, and dis
played great skill in repulsing tho attack Of
the enemy. For the sake Of humanity-that
the women and children might not become
subjects of the deadly engagement, the enc
my were met without the limits Of the city.
While we are quite confident of our abili-
ty to hold our position, for further successful
operations, it is highly imperative that REIN
forcements be sent to this division of the ar
my, us our forces, Of necessity, are much
scattered. Bcauregards disorganized scat
tered army is extensively carrying on their
favoritc guerilla warfare. Doubtless there
is quite large force of the enemy not far
from this place; but they have no means Of
reaching this place, either by lake or river,
and the access by land is vigilantly guarded.
Baton Rouge will probably be evacuated
The passage of the river will still DO main
tanned by the naval force but the troops
...,,a.oJ ,Lo., =, - osaa,t;sl IN nur ,rotactinn
here. Many Of the citizens are apprehensive
of an attack upon the city, but the people
are not prepared for the sacrifice OF their pet
city, the destruction Of which would be sure
to follow an attack, and the devastation and
suffering which would follow that event would
be indcscribable. But what does Van Dorm
care for the sacrifice and suilerings Of the
people, provided there is military renown,
and glory to the confederate cause to be gain
cd. They consider that necessity of q de-
struction Of the city by our gunboats, would
have wcighty influence in favor Of the con-
federacy, both at home and abroad.
This war on the part Of the South has been
maintained by the suferings Of the common
class Of people who are tired Of the war and
would gladly sec it at an end. They fight
the battles while their families at home suffer
for food. A call for their presence in the
field, and any military necessity" which de-
mands the entire sacrifice Of oil their proper
ty must be acceeded. The power which
through art6cc, deception, and the powerful
sway possessed over the naturally impulsive
southern mind, brought about this unnatur-
oil war, is now maintaining that sway by
force OF arms. The CONSUMPTION act is en-.
forced with the utmost rigor gucrillas scour
the coast and the sparsely inhabited country.
Every man capable Of bearing arms is force
ably hurried of to the camps; nationality is
not respected as foreign aid is out of the
question. 1t will require tho full resources
of the loyal States to subjusate the South
and crush the rebellion. It is useless to at
tempt to disguise the fact that this must be
war for subjugation and determination of q
class of the southern people. Tho princi-
pies which they inculcate into the minds Of
their children, are antagonistic to republic
can form OF government. When children
able to lisp but few words are taught to
sing the "Bonnie Blue Flag" and "My
Maryland" we begin to think the principles
OF secession is quite deeply rooted.