New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1863-03-31
Fnrragufs Passage OF the Pert Hudson
Bntterics--Tbc Diversion EIndr by the
Army-Enfhusiasm Of the soidier.-
Good Service Performed by ono OF the
Negro Regiinenis-A Accommodating
Party Fired On by Rebels i'm Ambush
Continuous skirWishing.
,ln Oar Special Corre,poudeLt.

NEw-0RLEASs, March %, 1863.
Tie grand army Of the Southwest has at last
moved up the Great Father of Waters and-down
again. it's only object for the present having been to
make diversion by land which might, and did aid
Admiral Farragut in running the batteries at Port
Hudson. Admiral Farragut is above the batteries
with tie Hartford and Albatross the Mississippi is
burned, the troops have returned from before Port
Hudson and are ia camp before Baton Rouge, and
Gen. Banks il back in New-Orlesns.
And now ! have to tell the story Of this diversion,
after waiting 70 many months for tho grand adj
vance.
On "Wednesday the llth inst set ont on the
Salie Robinson river boat Of the usual two-stOry
character, Tor Baton Rouge. Gen. Banks had gone
up the day previous, and nobody doubted that the
grand advance was to be made. The enjoyment Of
the passage was marred by no unpleasant circum.
stance, and we arrived at Baton Rouge on Thursday
afternoon.
Here We found the leyee, and indeed tho whole
town, alive with preparations Admiral Fauagut
had bis flagship, the Hartford tic steam-sioop
Richmond, secondclsss stean-sloop MonopgabeIa.
stean-frigate Mississippi the gunboats Albatross,
Kneo, and Genesee, tho iron-clad Essex, End siX
mortar-bosts, all of Baton Rouge. The machinery
Of the Monongahela was protected in part BY heavy
chains hung along Ter sides-a new method OF iron
cadding TO me-ano Tic appearance Of tie feet gen.
orally indicated work.
Gen. Banks whob assumed command on shore,
had still his floating headquarters on the Empire
Parish on which DO came up, the vessel, by the
way, which WAS attacked by guerras about two
months ago At the same time he had headquar-
ter on ehore where the army lay in three divisions.
under Gems. Augur Grover, and Emory. Orderes
were galloping about tho town; there VIZ. forming
and marching OF troops, and oil hearts beat high at
the prospect of immediate action. Gen. Banks had
concealed his plans go well that nothing was def
niely known about the character Of the movement,
aud 50, OF course, imagination had free scope.
Such was tho state of afairs when, on Friday.
Growers division received orders TO move al 4
o'clock in tho afternoon Emorys to follow at Z, srd
Augur's TO march at 3 u. M Of the next day. As
thew marched out, the soldiers wcro very enthusl-
astc; they filled the sr with cheers aud patriotic
SONGS, and startled the groves along tho WY with
the new and magnificent strains OF " Old John
Brown" Col. Dufield of the 7th Massachusetts
roused tho ardor Of bis by spirited speech.
Bopfres wore lighted ut several points along tho
line of march. There was among both officers ard
men the finest feeling which ] have yet seeu any
where in the army. Most Of them believed that they
were about to strike the decisive below, and that
there would certainly be battle before morning
On Saturday the nth, ut ?. M, tho advance d.
vision .eached Springfield CEo,s Roads, five miles
this ride OF Port Hudson. Here Gen. Banks,
with his STALL passing the two other divisions, came to
the frop, and established bis headquarters. The
middle aud rear divisions which were respectively
about five or ten miles behind, came up during the
afternoon.
The march was over q very fine road, and waa
much enjoyed by the troops. The country ID e1'
ceedngy picturesque and ito Characteristic features
were entirely new " most Of them. Over the
Bayou Montecino. tho only Quo on the way, an
lndia-rubber pontoon bridge had been laid OH FIN
day, one Of tho colored regiments throwing up a
breastwork to protect the engineer troops who
erected It, 80 that all that the Rebels gained by
destroying the fine county bridge was to give me-
gro regiment All opportunity of distinguishing them
selves IN the advance OF the advance. Tho weather
was beautifully clear and not much too warm. The
principal incident Of the advance was the desperation
of about 500 Rebel cavalry without much struggle
Upon arriving at Springfield Cross roads, cavalry
was sent out in every direction, Major Harm Robin
GOD, Of Gen. BaDks's staff who has seen service in