New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1863-04-09


bonds calling themselves loyal, TO rob Union
men in the following manner. One OF the party
ia kes the oath of allegiance and gets pass 10 come
to New Orleans; where by representing ne KNOWS
where TO find lot Of cotton which can DO nao
cheap he succeeds IN cOaxiDg some one with money
into The country to buy he being paid for his services
in pointing out the cotton. Once outside the Union
lines ne makes a fresh demand, accompanied by
threats of calling the guerrillas II not compiied
with. My friend thinks the Intention 10 10 plnnder
these persons of the money they bring with them.
lie had a narrow escape himself. UADkA'
A Disaster near Rrnsl,ear City-Loss Of
the Gunboat Dinna-The Potency Of
the Oath OF AlIegiance-Rebei Kipnnp-
ping Expedition ON Mexican soii-The
Mexican Government C0mpels "a Release
OF the Prisoners.
From An Occasional Correspondent.
NEw-ORLEASs, April 1863.
Itbecomes my duty to chronicle the loss Of the
gunboat Diana, at Brashear City, on Saturday last
1t appears that Capt Peterson was ordered to take
on board Company +, of the l6Sth New-fork, and
a company of the 18th Connecticut, under command
of Lieut.. Buckley, and proceed 10 the point where
the bayou from Grand Lake makes junction with
the AtchafaIaya River upon reconnaissance. lie,
however, passed beyond the specified distance, and
was attacked by Rsbel infantry, cavalry, and a
battery of four brass fed-pieces. AT the hrsi vol
lev Can't. Peterson was killed, Masters Mate DOLE
ver aud Boatswans Mate Mumford soon fell VIC
TINS, and Executive Officer Hall was shortly after
ward wounded in the head. The firing became ter
rife, and the ship was soon left drifting ultimately
grounding near their guns Lieut.. Allen Of Gen. Welt
zels staff was wounded in the arm and shoulders,
and Capt. Jewett OF the l6Sth New York, received
slight injuries. Lieut. Francis of the l2th Connec
ticut was wounded badly in the chest. The gun
boat Calhoun went to Pa.tersonville under flag OF
truce and brought back the bodies OF Can't PETERSON
Masters Mate Deliver, and the privates killed In
the action. Twelve soldiers were lost and nine
wounded Lieut.. Allen is at the house OF DR.. Grant
in Pauersonvle. The number OF paroled prison
ers on the Diana was 80. The lost gunbost was
sent TO Franklin.
have to-day TO record another example OF the
fidelity of our native population, and In connection
Herewith to illustrate the potency and redeeming
power Of tue oath Of allegiance when lndis-
criminately administered TO applicants. l do not
deem the pledge in itself an inefficient monitor, bat
boId that The motives which animate the supposed
convert TO the principles and duties of loyal citizen
should receive more careful scrutiny. In my brief
residence here have acquired volumes OF testimony
bearing upon this subject Attentive observation
for one week will give an entire stranger the key to
the true feelings, prtJuqlc6s anu Paoeione =" VIC III
habtants ofth Cresten, City.
The Captain Of the Parish Prison, Mr.. Vim. B.
Smith, and bis clerk, Mr.. Bofeld, were arraigned
before Gov Shipley on Monday last, upon the afi-
davit of Mr.. j. ID. OConnell special officer of the
Department, stating that they had been bitter perez
cutters of Union men, previous to the capture OF the
CITY, and had used insulting language toward Union
soldiers Immediately afterward, but had now taken
the oath OF allegiance Ii is alleged that Satur-
day evening last the accused were present at o
masked ball in an intoxicated CONDITION, when Smith
danced upon the supper table, tore tho masks and
dresses from several ladies present. and grossly IN.
suited two lieutenants of the Doth Massachusetts,
who were compelled 10 eject them both from the
room The cnlprits then boosted OF their Southern
nativity, and declared their readiness to whip any
number OF Yankees. The examination established
quite eectualy the truth OF tho charges as also the
TACT that Smith recently declared he would never
have taken the oath OF allegiance save in order 10
support biz family. The cass is not ye. closed.
can point out 10 you cotton brokers, planters and
merchants who were nearly deranged with Joy al
! the advent Of the Southern Confederacy-who as
sisted at the seml-UaOlaI christening vi the infant
monster with pelican flags and enthusiastic speeches;
but reason and patriotism again asserted their egt
mate sway, and new love for the national emblem
displaced an admiration for the stars and Bars Sucn
men are true as steel 10 the oath to which they
voluntarily affixed their signatures, and are an ee-
ment of strength 70 the Union cause. Others, how
ever Of the same social standing, can exhibit 10
you 10 their easy chairs in the Totunda OF the st.
Chares calmly pulling fragrant Havanas, and
eagerly listening TO the conversation OF the brass
bultoHed representatives OF the army aud navy.
NTH marvellous vaculty OF cOuntenanee and unsur-
passed modesy oil demeanor, they attract but little
attention; but the hopes and fears which well up
from hearts trimming with devotion TO their native
land are Indelibly photographed upon the hidden
nIatea of the brain, and transmitted with almost
tybtnipg velocity TO the Rebel camps in the murky
bayous of louisiana where are scions O these parent
trees Of indifference plotting the humiliation OF the
flag which bias ever scrupulousy guarded their hDer'
ties Such men are nightly TO be observed play iog
the part of loyal citizens, while they are fulfilling
TIE duties of Rebel spies. Many of the latter class
have taken The oath Of allegiance, thereby retaining
their extensive plantations serving the Confederacy
in high degree, and enjoying the quiet pleasure 0i
their cherished hOmesteads, where they dllate upon
the tyranny of the Yankee invaders, by whom, at
not tue slightest cost OF purse or Plncpie, they are
afforded protection teniold more elective than clvll
rule ever vouchsafed To them In this paradise Oh
Thugs. -,
- We have highly exciting news from the Rio
Grande by the arrival of the u. 5. transport Hon
duTas. Inc Rebels Of Texas made IA kidnapping
ra upon unarmed Union refugees in Mexico, and
! captured TWO oucerB and three soldiers, but were
oohSen ny the Mexican Government 10 return them.
Inc circumstances are lOlloYB: At tho request Oi
| the American Consul the Hondnras was dsuatched
| 10 the mouth OF the Rio Grande where large num-
Der OF IeAan refugees were reported 10 be- awaiting
transportation to The United Siates Among these
were several officers and soldiers recruited Tor The
! lst Texas Cavalry OF Gen Hamiltou's BRIGADE Oh
| Davis was the guest OF the COmmaudaht OF Bapdlad
a Village about thirty miles below Matanoras Jbe
Rebels kidnapped Col Davis, Capt. Montgomery
and three private soldiers from Bagdad about day.
freak on the mornn1 81 - 18Th utimo. None Of
them h~-- a,m,. Lleut.-COj 5ic-Sil, Capt. Hustin