The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1863-04-27
BY TELEGRAPH.
TOTHE
Portland Daily Press.
FROM NEW ORLEANS.
Movements Of General Banks Army.
Capture Of Rebel Works nj Bethel
Place.
Movements Of General Banks Army.
Destruction of Steamers and Gunboats by
the Rebels.
Large Quantities Of Ammunition and
Stores also Destroyed.
Another Victory mt Irish Bend
Reduction Of Rebel Fortifc atoms.

NEW YORK, April 20.
The steamer Fulton from New Orleans via
hey West, arrived at noon to-day She got
aground on the passage down the Mississippi
remaining eight days, leaving the bar on the
10Th.
The Era of the 10Th, the only late paper re-
ceived, gives an account of late military move
ments. On the night of the 18th Gen. Banks
reached Vermilyonville. After a hard fight at
Vernulyon Bayou, where the rebels had post
ed batteries and infantry, they were driven af-
ter hard fighting with comfortable loss on
both sides.
A letter in the Era, dated on the field above
New Iberia 18th, says Col. Kimball with the
SD Massachusetts regiment, entered the rebel
works at Bethel Place on the morning of the
I4th, planting our flag ON the parapet Gen.
Weitzel followed, succeeded by the whole line,
The rebels left their numerous dead unburied,
and evidences were plenty of bloody work in
their ranks. Large stores of ammunition,
some Enfield rifles and other arms were cap
tured.
Our army then marched through Patterson
vile, skirmishing continually, and reached
Franklin on the 18th. Prior TO Thursday
night some thousand prisoners had been
brought into Franklin, captures of whole COM
panies of rebels being made at time. At
Franklin the steamer Cornie was captured
with three officers of the late gunboat Diana
on board, thus restoring them to our service.
The rebels destroyed ten steamboats, and two
large gunboats to prevent their falling into
Gen. Banks hands. The Diana was among
the boats destroyed. Immense stores of pro-
visions, 10000 lbs. Of bacon, and 1000 cases OF
ammunition we're also destroyed. 1t was ex-
pected that Gen. Banks would capture Ope-
louisa on the 18th and occupy it.
The expedition Of Gen. Grover had been
eminently successful. In battle with the
rebels at Irish Bend the 18th Connecticut reg
iment charged the rebel line and batteries
supported by the 10Th Maine, 18th Connect
cut, 18th Maine and 9lst New York, and de-
feated them, the rebels leavnga silk flag and
other trophies In our hands. The rebel force
consisted of two regiments Of Texans and
three batteries, Including the famous Pelican
and Sims batteries.
The whole rebel force at Bethel Place and
Irish Bend numbered some 10000 posted In a
highly advantageous position, under command
Of Gen. Dick Taylor, son OF the late Zazariah
Taylor.
Important captures of horses, mules, and
beef cattle TO the number Of over thousand
were made. The celebrated salt mine or salt
rock was captured, aud the rebel works des-
troyed.
The rebel soldiers were not 10th TO be cap
tured, and over 800 are in our hands, and
more are being taken.
An abandoned rebel iron foundry was found
near New Iberia, containing quantity Of shot
and she'll
Our feet has reduced the rebel fortincations
at Butella Prose, an important point
The prospects are that the rebels will be
driven out of Opelousa County or all be cap
tured. Our troops are in splendid condition
The wounded in the late engagements have
nearly all reached New Orleans, numbering
l79, where they are quartered at Mechanic
Institute hospital. Among them are Lieuts.
Oliver and Barwing, OF the 18th Connecticut,
all doing well. A large humber Of rebel
wounded are in the hospitals at Franklin and
Iberia.
Nothing new from Key West.