Washington telegraph., 1863-08-05
"a We find the following in the Shreveport
Snuth- w esterp of tho oQth.

South Western of the 18th:
'Our own State elections come off in No
vember. and notwithstanding the hue and cry
that there is no parties now, the democracy
we're never moro firmly united, especially in
sndeavoring to retain all the civil and most of
the military Offices. 1t appears to Us now is
the time for the wings to rally-they can carry
, almost every parish in the State"
We are grieved to see this, and having
deep interest in every thing which risks the
fate Of the Southern Confederscy, most earn
-sstly protest against it. We hope our neigh
-bors of Louisiana will not allow themselves to
,bs led into political contests at present, by any
such efforts to rake up the old dead embers of
political hate. Whis and DemoeraG For
shame! that we should go to quarreling over
those old contemplate Watehvords, whilst the
enemy are pressing in countless numbers upon
our homes and fresides, and when al our
united energies are needed to be able hereafter
to hold any elections at oil. Shall We have
country or not! Shall We be fresmen, or sub
jsets Of hated domination? Shall We have
any rights at all! These are the questions for
patriots! The only questions for patriots
Those who would divide US by reviving old
party asperities-those who in the petty
scramble for mere parry ascendaney, would
divert the minds Of the people, distract their
attention, excite their passions, and render
them an easy prey to the enemy, may not be
traitors. They are madmen. They are gamb-
lers in burning house, intent upon their
game. They are faithless mariners in the
storm, who leave their duty, neglect the safety
of the vessel, and fall to revelry before destruc-
ton. 1t is sickening to the heart of the pa
triot He fears it worse than ssarmies with
banners" 1t is more terrible than 'shorses
ard chariots Of war" 1t is death to all, that
makes existence tolerable to any but cravens
and slaves. Oh! it is pitiful. For God'r sake
and our countrys, (citizens of our sister State!)
let US hear nothing now Of Whig and Demo-
crat!
FROM MISSISSIPPI AND TEsssssEE-During
the past week we have met with several gen.
tsmen from beyond the river, from whom we
gather the following. After two days fighting
in the vicinity of Jackson, but without any
general engagement, Johnston found himself
unable to maintain the contest against over
powering numbers, and fell back first to Bran
don and then to Chunkey Station. The enc
my have full possession of Jackson. Reports
say that Hardee's corps is coming up to the
aid Of Johnston, and also Longstreets from
Virginia. 1t is further said that Banks has
retired again beyond the Big Black, and ha.
thrown large bodies Of troops across upon thi,
side Of the river.
Bragg, with his forces diminished bv the
troops sent to Johnston, has continued to f.l
back before Rosecrantz. The accounts ",
have of his movements and whereabouts ar,
very uncertain, but we may believe that h,
has fallen back as far as Chattanooga. Som
reports say he has there divided his forces
and sent portion Of them to Knoxville an,
the balance to Atlanta. 1t is not improbabl
but very uncertain. The whole system of ou
strategy has been changed by the fall of Vicks
burg, and we must wait for our armies to ar
range themselves in new positions before W
can understand their movements or designs
To the casual observer it might appear tha
our affairs over the river are going to wreck
50 far from that being the case, it is said tina
in the midst Of these changes and retrograd
movements, our armies and people were neve
more cheerful than they are now on the othe
side.