Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1863-08-18
AFFAIRs TIN SOUTHWEST.

The special correspondents o. the Atlanta Appeal fur
Ii,hes the following Interesting items, under date OF
Morton, Augu'ts s:
Captan Clarke arrived here recently from Donaldson
vile Louisiana He confirms tie intelligence previ-
ousiy received that Ger. Dick Taylor had whipped
Bal ks last month that city, Taylor, it seems won
decided victory driving Banks, routed and demorazed
before him. capturing his entire commlssary tram and
six thousand prisoners. Banks loss in killed and
wounded was also heavy while the casualties on our
side we're light Several o. the enemy roncad fleet
participated in this fight and the New London, one oil
their first class gpnboats, mounting numerous heavy
guns and which mad been in tWenty-three engagements
previously withou. having received any damage, Yves
badly Iiddled and, according to the enemys own show
ing suffered severely in killed and wounded.
Caolain Clark saws Doualdsonville is still in pos
session and well fortified that have heavy batteries
below the town. by which nothing attempts TO pass bat
the enemys largest end strongest gunooats and they
only in tie darkness OF the night and not without Sc
rious piury and ha; forces in fine spirits and
anxious 10 retrieve recent reverses. This inte-
geuce proves the soundness OF the position taken by
your correspondent la former letter, that the menda-
cous reports published in Northern papers TO the effect
that trading steamboats, had steamed down from 81.
Louis to New 0rlean in honor Of which raional "a
utes we're fred by the national garrison etc. were in
tended for home an foreign efec we're nothing but the
trash which northern pepny-a-ners dole out to their
silly and gutle people 10 prove the Navigation OF the
MisssI pi more open to the commerce OF the
Northwest The Mississippi is ST sealed and will con-
tnue TO be until the Government OF the Confederate
States sees fit TO order otherwise.
Our intelligence from the trans Mississippi depart
meut entirely of reliable nature, is calculated to in
spre US with confidence and hope. Our friends over
there although separated temporarily from direct ana
unimpeded communication with the rest Of the Confed'
eracy are u ard DOING aud Taylo and hagruder are
quickly bringing order and strength out of the chaos
aud weakness that Abounded II ere some me ago. l.
General Holmes were only relieved from duty there,
and A man ike Hardee or ESell, or Price, placed in
command West would soon throw cheering light
over the whole country. But things are working well
there nevertheless aud it may be safely predicted that
the ensuing fall campaign will iness some glorious
Confederate victories on the west bank OF Father OF
Waters
learn from an authoritative south Of N4tchez
that gentleman had up to that point from Gal
weston bringing the informal Oh that the United States
steam gunbOat Sciota one of the enemy s finest YES
sells had coided the 18Th ult, with he steam gur-
boat AntOna of the Galveston coast, and that the
former was sunk aud a complete wreck, losing her
armament machinery and many lives. This same Scioa
had but few days before the disaster well nigh fallen
into the clutches Of little fleet in Galveston haroor
while shs attempting to destroy or capture some
schooners yirg at anchor within the bay few shots
struck her but che "made tracks" before musquito
feet could come to close quarters with Der.
Il is said this mo nirg bu. calnot vouch for the
statement that Gen. Hardee assumed permanently, the
command of this army yesterday under stale OF
things nearly akin to those mentioned in former let
ter Gen Johnston of course holding bis original po-
ston If this be So the country has reason TO con-
graduate Itself and may date new era in the depart
ment of the West from the establishment OF this event
An old officer soldier ripened by experience, man
of large brain and large heart benevolent and Chrie-
tan gentlemao, and wLhal q brave, wary and fghh
man, Gen Hardce comes TO his high duties here with
every quality calculated to inspire the army ard the
country with confidence and give an earnest OF success
Let the army and country rally to his support let the
administration strengthen his hands, let the soldiers al
home with or without leave return to tier commands,
and the forest leaves shall not have been FURNISHED b
the autumns sun until the army OF the West shall stsnd
on its old pedestal of strength discipline and conf
dence in itself and its leader and the country feel the
old familiar glow Of military and patriotic enthusiasm