The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1862-02-12
important from New Orleans.

Important from New Orleans.
A gentleman, long resident Of New Or
leans, and well known in Philadelphia, has
arrived in that city and gives the Philadel-
phia Inquirer an interesting account of af-
fairs in New Orleans up to the 18th of
January.
The military force in New Orleans con-
sists of about 5000 men. OF these four
thousand are business men who are armed
with sporting rifles and shot guns, and pur-
sue theie ordinary business avocations,
ready to be called out when necessary.
The remaining five thousand are Confeder-
ate troops well armed and equipped. A
strong effort has been made to organize the
militia owing TO the scarcity of arms, it is
impossible to do so. The supply of arms is
entirely exhausted. Cannon are being
made in New Orleans, but from the imper-
feet manner in which they are tested they
are greatly feared by the soldiers. The
scarcity of copper interferes materially
wife the manufacture of shell and the fuses
in many Of them are made of lead. This
has led to a number of frightful accidents,
the fuse melting before leaving the gun and
blowing up the gunners. Powder is worth
from $2@$3 pound and is of miserable
quality at that. t -17 /"
The only money in circulation is shin
plasters. Those issued by omnibusses,
whisky shops and BARRIERS are the most
popular, as they are redeemable.
Wooden goods and boots and shoes COM
mand enormous prices. Business is almost
stagnant, and the streets deserted. The
levee is entirely deserted of shipping, ex-
cept the vessels that were seized and mum
Der of steamers which are in litigation
Notwithstanding the orders given to stop
stocks of cotton and sugar 90 the planta-
tions, there are now in New Orleans II, goo
bales of cotton, s, 600 hhds of tobacco and
immense quantities of sugar and molasses
which are constantly being increased.
A number of slave conspiracies have
been discovered, and the ringleaders hung
Notwithstanding the most vigilsnt regula-
tions of the police, the greatest apprehen
sions prevail among the rejecting and in.
telligent, with regard to the terror of slave
rising.
The greatest suffering exists among the
families of the working classes, who, in ab
sence of work and exorbitant prices fol
food, are almost driven to despair. A largt
number of men have been driven into thu
army for subsistence, leaving their families
to be supported by the City of New Or
leans.
Letters from men of all ranks in th,
rebel army, express their dissemination no
to re-enlist under any circumstances Sick
ness prevails to an alarming extent, and i
. is generally conceded that the rebel arm,
on the Potomac will be demoralized, unles
speedily brought into action. 2zH
There are about 500 Union prisoner
there, who are confined in the parish prison
aud are suffering great privations; they ar
nearly naked, oyerrun with vermin, an
are insufIiciently fed. They are not above
to see any one, not permitted TO see new:
papers. 5
An attempt was made by some human
citizens, short time ago. to raise some SUI
plies for them by subscription, and severs
barrels Of molasses and some boxes of to
bacco were sent to them That evening
mob of The lowest scrapings of the IeYe
surrounded the Jail, and demanded the
these small articles of creature comfol
should be delivered up, and il was accord
ingy done.
The newspapers the next day denounce
= the government for allowing Injuries to /
furnished to {" Lincoln's hirelings," aud d,
manded that they should be treated wit
the greatest rigor. Ea oz sz1
The Inquirer says the whole rebel for
is less than 100000 men. They have
revenue EXCEPTION taxation, and the Pc
Office does not pay One-fourfhs its co.
The gentleman furnishing this informatiC
has important facts to communicate TO 4
Government Of the Union feeling in Ne
Orleans, and the secret movements OF uni,
men. They. are found in all classes
society, and win be heard from 10 due tim