The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1862-07-15
FROM THE WEST.

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affairs on his route. He had been three weeks on
the road travelling by land most Of the way. and
crossing the Red River twenty-five miles below
Vicksburg. The latter place then being bonn
barded and numbers of the houses riddled.
At Shreveport, two Yankee trading steamers,
with full cargoes, came up to the town to trade.
The parties on board exhibited counterfeit pass
ports, and endeavored to pass themselves off as
Confederacs. Both Of them brought between
thirty aud forty thousand pairs Of cotton cards. the
balance of their cargocs being composed of boots,
shoes and other much needed articles in the
South. The authorities, however: were too quick
for thenl and the military commander of the post
seized the vessels, put the parties on board in
prison, put up the goods at auction, and turned
over the proceeds to the Confederate Treasury
Two steamers of similar character being reported
below, at the mouth of the Ouachita River an
expedition, consisting of detachment of four
hundred men, was sent off to seize these also -
Our informant did not learn the result at the time
he left.
From the various plantations along the river,
below Vcksburg, the enemy have impressed more
than two thousand negroes into service, besides
taking off all the mules wheel barrows, spades, &c,
they could lay hold of. They stated their object
to be the digging of canal for the purpose Of
cutting off Vicksburs from the Mississippi,
and thus get command of the whole river, enabl
ing them to navigate without getting under the
guns of our batteries. Vicksburg, it is then sad
will be, as it were, four or FIVE miles cut in the
country The general impression was, that they
would succeed in this netarious scheme, by the
aid OF their fleets, our forces not being able to
reach them.
! The Yankees promised to return the negroes
soon as they had finished their canal. The peo-
ple however, have determined they shall never
take Vcksburg. The four thousand they at
LAM 0riv off wifi he of
thirteen killed and large number wounded.
Had our batteries restrained their fire little lon
ger it is believed the whole force could have been
captured.
The enemy fired fifteen inch shell at the town
of Fcksburg. These, where they struck the
ground in different places, had made holes fully
twelve feet deep. Our troops under Van Dorm
are worked up to the highest pitch of enthusiasm,
and are extremely eager for fight The army
was very healthy, the positions around Vicksburg
being succession of hills affording fine camping
ground with excellent water Provisions also
coming in plentitully.
The people are burning their cotton almost
everywhere along the river, and far back in the
country. This feeling is universal, and they do
not consider it any sacrifice. One widow lady
no had about eight hundred bales, had set fire to
it, and burnt every bale When told beforehand
that there was no danger for her. she replied that
she felt anxious and uneasy in having it around
her. Even in Texas, every man has his cotton SO
stored as to be able to apply the torch when nee
essary. Some had their bales piled on founda-
tions Of lightwood.
The grain crop in Texas, from the Rio Grande
to Red River, this year, is the largest ever known
i'll that State Occasionally small patches Of cot
ton arc seen, and this is planted for home
The conscript law being fully enforced in
Texas, and the Governor had summoned every
man between 35 and Is to organize for the defence
Of the State.
An order had been extended for every family
to leave Galveston, it having been determined, as
i'll the of Vicksburg, to defend it to the last.
This order had been complied with except by
some seven families. The parties being suspected,
their houses searched, when the stars and
stripes were discovered, intended to be hung out
should the Federals take the city. All those
guilty of this treason were taken out Immediately
and hung.
Our informant tells good joke played off by
the newsboys upon Picayune Butler, his land
ing in New Orleans. They collected together and
proceeded to the levce, where Butler was to land
As he stepped on shore, they shouted in chorus,
"Here's your Extra Picnyune." The boys had
no papers with them, and the effect produced was
irresistible Charleston Courier, 8M.
TREATMENT OF OUR WOUNDED.-It is establish