Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1863-11-17
IMPORTANT FROM TEXAS.

General Banks Expedition Safely Ar.
rived at the Rio Grande-The Govern
ment Works at Fort Brown Destroyed
by the RebelS.
BY late arrivals from New Orleans we are
advised of the successful landing OF United
States forces under Major General Banks upon
Texas coil. This is most cheering intelligence
ne expedition was fitted out at New Orleans
under Tue command of General Dana although
General Banks and staff accompanied 1t. From
the Tune the expedition left Southwest Pass
the weather was warm and Agreeable. On that
day storm commenced, and for nearly twelve
hours ragged furiously.
Two deserters were picked up by one of our
steamers In small boat, where they had been
drifting around at sea for forty hours
when these men were able TO converse, il
was discovered that they knew much that was
OF great Importance to the general command
ing. they said that revolver and powder in
large quantities was manufactured at New
Brownsville, and that the former sold at two
Three regiments, which they said were on
the Rlo irande few weeks ago, had been
sent to Galveston and Sabine Pass, and that
ooI. Aueketts regiment OF cavalry WAS ordered
70 proceed to Houston nearly two weeks ago.
Sabine Pass, they said, was expected to be
daily attacked, and only q week ago it was re-
ported that i've or six Yankee steamers were
on the mouth of the river Two or three DAYS
before they deserted q report was circulated
That ten Thousand Union troops had landed
rected. wa
On Matagorda Island, near Saluria. there is
large fort called Fort EsperanZ mounting
nine guns-one l0-inch columbiad, six ri.
poua az and two i2.pounders. Capt. Yer
non Is IN command. Two companies OF infap.
Try and one Of cavalry, as we'll as a Company
OF conscripts (also cavalry, are reported en-.
camped In the neighborhood.
Ten. Magruder, they say, is now at Houston
he mas only 1900 troops (cavalry) there the
remainder OF his army being scattered about at
various places, the most being at Galveston
a Z o,
argument of heavy artillery.
Ine1e Is formidable fort near Browns WILLIE
On the Rio Grande, called Fort Brown. Brig
zen. pee Is In command. Since receiving this
news learn from another party that Gen, Bee
mas been superseded, and Brig Gen SLAUGHTER
appointed to the command.
AS no attack was expected in this neighbor.
aood ior some time, ali the rebel troops have
been sent away TO other points, lea wing onIy n
small force TO garrison the fort.
TIE re bel gunbOat John l.. Carr living in
sauna Bayou, Is small river boat. Two
EHnS, one an ie-pounder and the other !. H.
Founder howitzer, are on board
These men gave their names rs George Sim
2,s and Henarick Bush. They have lived in
1eAas seyeral years, but are Germans by birth
They both offered their services to the Union
Government, and WI re this morning sworn in
OCCUPATION OLE TEXAS
Inc HerGd correspondent gives the folio wing
description OF the occupation Of Texas:
AT an early hour this morning the bar WAS
examine and casks laid down as buoys Nine
ieet OF water was found upon the bar and ono.
over navigation was easy.
We accordingly commenced preparing tn
enter the narbor and the light draught steamer
Seh Banks, with the 18th Iowa on board got
uhoer way, and was soon rising and falling
amid the foam OF the huge breakers but as she
steamed calamity and crossed the har in
safety, the soldiers on board gave three hearty
cheers, which were heard on the flag. ship and
ANS wersd by the waving of hats and h. nddLar
chiefs.
She crossed the bar at precisely l2 O'Clock
noon, and from that moment Texas was onrs
The Gen. rails dispatch boat, the little steamar
Drew, ioiIoWed, and she went caperiup alone
like q II isky young coquette Of sixteen. bomnd
ing over the bar like q corS
The Clinton, with the 18th and 18th Maine
resiH ents on board, was the third to cross, and
III was her good fortune to be the first to disam
bark her troops, the soldiers OF the 18th Maine
nrst touching Texas soil. The next moment
10Th Iowa, was raised
Thus me men from the extreme northern
point OF the Union were first to raise the fas Of
America over the soil of the extreme southern
point, and finish the work so glorioasly hevnn
of pisnting the banner of freedom, in the last
STATE In rebellion over which the stars and
stripes have not waved for some time.
THE REBELS CALCULATING 2oRr BROWN
FIVE O'CLOCK, p. M.-We have lust receivod
off cial news of the greatest Importance.
The Government buildings st Fort Brown
were burned to the greand yesterday by tho
rebel garrison, preparatory to their evacuating
the fort.
FIGHTING IN THE sTRERTa or ERowNvILLE BE-
TWEEN THE UEIoN MEN AND sECRssIONIsrs
-THE TOWN ON FIRE.
Frsm the same source we learned that about
this time g O'Clock on Tuesday afternoon) q
squad OF sixty rebel cavalry. which had wit
messed the landing Of the soldiers under the
guns OF Tie Monongahela. at the mouth Of the
Rio Grande, dashed into Brownsville aud com.
IN. need setting Are to the buildings, with the
intention OF destroy INK the town. The property
hoioers and Union men resisted them. when
che seceasionists Joined the cavalry, and q
bloody street fight took place, which lasted all
the afternoon, the buildings burning 10 every
aoiag on when the messenger Left tor the pur.
pose Of communicating the news to the general
Commanding.
tn 18th Maine, which was In the advance At
the time, at once received orders to march
without delay, and by daylight Tomorrow
morning this regiment, with others In support.
xyil ha IN RrowAsvilla