Washington telegraph., 1863-12-23

Texas coast The whole coast of Texas from
Galveston to the Rio Grande is lined by sue
cession of long narrow islands with mere ana
there an inlet into Interior bays upon which
the Texas ports are situated. The most westerly
of these passes is Brazos Santiago, leading to
Point Isabel. Next to the east is Corpus Christi
inlet, then Aransas Pass; then the pass leading
into Matagorda Bay. which lies between Mata-
gorda Island to the west, and long lew tongue
of land to the eastward called Matagorda re
ninsula- Just at this pass on Matgorda Island
at Saluria. Fort Esperanza is situated command
ing the Pass.
Saluria, Nov. 25.-The enemy are about 5ooo
strong on st. Joseph's Island. Their plckets
are extended over to Matagorda Island, twelve
miles from this point. Their pickets are 10
strong. All the enemy's cavalry have been
mounted on the horses captured from our cav
airy at the Pass on Mustang Island. Yester-
day and today two large transports pass,
down towards Corpus Christi. They probably
will stop at Cedar Bayou. between Matagorda
and ST. Joseph's Island The five light draught
steamers taken by the enemy from Kennedy and
King are said to be at Aransas now.
Matagoria Nov. 27.--About noon to-day the
Federals were within two miles ofSaluria. From
DeCrow's Point shortly after, IL or 10 dlscharg-
eS Of artillery were heard.
Saluria (Fort ESperanza.) Nov. 27.-The en-
envy have appeared in considerable force TWO
mile below the Fort. From all we can learn
they number about 3009 including 200 cavalry
We had slight skirmsh with them this evening,
aad it is supposed killed few of them. There
were no casualties on our side. The sklrrnish
occurred a mile below the fort. Our forces
were Withdrawn and the enemy retired some
distance down the Island and to the west side.
The following paragraph shows the ieciinS OF
the people which ought to be exhibited every
where. They are determined te resist the en-
croachments of the enemy. and to do this they
are pursuing the proper stcDs:
Lavaca Nov. 27--All the slaves were brought
up from Fort EsperanZa to-day. The whole
country is said to be rising. Provisions are
voluntarily sent forward in quantities.
The plan Of the enemy is, doubtless, to obtain
possession of the Gulf coast before making ad
vances in the interior. Gen. Magruder, how
ever will have something to say in the matter
The respect shown our flags of true" IL asccr-
tlined by a perusaI of the following which ap
pears in the Houston News of the 9th inst.
We learn from our friend. Mr. Dan Marstol.
who is recently from Corpus Christi. that Gen
Bee has fallen back from Kings Ranch, to a
mere suitable point to concentrate ms troops
The citizens a. King Ranch and vicinity have
formed themselves into companies Tor their own
protection. Mr.. VI. learns that all the cotton
that has been burned at Brownsville, Corpus
Christi. and other places, amOunts to about
1000 bales.
We stated sometime since that 1as ef trace
had beeu sent out from Corpus Christi to iearn
the fate of our prisoners, and had not been
heard from. After waiting sometime Tor Tue
return of Mr.. Neal. [son of Judge T. f. Neal,)
who bore the first flag of truce, second nag
was sent in charge of LIEUT.. Mann, and Oh ms
arrival at Gen. Banks headquarters, With his
aar. he was arrested as prisoner. and Mr.
Neal who was not in the military service. was
sent back with a letter from Gen. Banks to Col
Hobby. stating in substance that no flags OF
truce would be respected. 1t. Mann. we under,
stand has been sent as prisoner To New UT
leans.
The enemy marched mp from Aransas by
Joseph anI Matagorda Islands, arriving near
the frt en- the 9TH On that evening their
advance guard was met by party of sklrnish-
crs two miles below the fort and some shots
exchanged, both parties falling back. On tht
2Sth the Federals again advanced and planted
several batteries of field pieces, and bomoardeo
the fort On the 29th they continued the bonn
hardment and fred one hundred and seventy
shells, most of which struck within the fort
The fort replied both days. The only casualty
was one man had his leg shot off.
Meanwhile, as we infer, some guhboats ap-
peared from the sea, and were awaiting smooth
water to come in and join in the attack upor
the fort.-~Rhe fort was not prepared eithc'
with provisions water to stand siege OF anJ
length, and though it might have resisted for
a while had it been thus invested, yet in the
end the garrison must of necessity have sur
rendered as prisoners of war.
Under the, circumstances the best thing that
could be done was to evacuate and save the
garrison. This was done on Sun lay night.
Owing to the rough weather, the gunboats oil
the enemy had not come inside, and 50 offered
no impedf aent to the evi. cuation. The troops
were all safely crossed over to the main land.
One brass field piece was brought off. The
balance of the guns were spiked. The magazine
was blown up at midnight, and at daylight next
morning the bomb-proof was also blown up.
DISPATCHES were received last night at he ad-
quarters dated the Sd inst at Victoria and
Lazaca river to the effect that the enemy in
pretty large force (auaber not stately are
marching by way Of the beach on the Mata-
corda Peninsula, towards Velasco, and Will
reach Vela.co by Sunday (to-day) or Monday.
The enemy's feet was moving on pari Pdssu
with the land forces. Whether the enemy
have received any reiuforeements since the at
tack on Sauria is not stated, but 1t Is pr obable
thew have. 1t is not for US to state what steps
are being taken to meet the enemy.
That their purpose is to take voaseo and
plunder the adjacent country there is no doubt,
but their advance up the Brazos viii pro bably
he governed by the extent to which they can
take their gunboats up that river, a. well as
bv the number of their land forces.
As every soldier within reach may be re-
o,ired. we would suggest that this is proper
time for the organized exemp's ell TINS city To
relieve the soldiers here Oil guard duty.
'S-A- Eeusfon Neps 7th.