Washington telegraph., 1863-11-18

rU We have just returned from rapid visit
to Shreveport, which place we LEFT at noon last
Sunday. We have no time, Of course, for more
than mere word Of gossip with our readers.
Nor, indeed, is there much TO say, rs no news
had come In later than that contained in the
telegraphic dispatches taken from the "Caddo
Gazette"
The city, excepting the large crowds Of Texas
wagons, has something like its old business as
pect Most of the stores upon the principal
streets are open and there-appears to he toier-
able supply Of gosds for the times, which are
held, of course, at exhorhitant trates-necessarily
20, perhaps, considering the expense and danger
Of their importation.
The news Of the capture Of Brownsville Is
2 fully confirmed The enemy landed in consider
able force 1t Point Isabel, and marched upon
the town. taking il Of course, without resistance.
The matter il looked upon as one of very tri6ing
Importance, asit by no means stops or materi-
ally intsrferes with the trade through Mexico.
The best evidence Of which is that being always
exposed to capture it has remained SO long un-
aed and disappoHssdf 1s hsf N grQs m tAs EH sa
do something for prestige, whereupon it be-
comes like Autolycus in the play, +" likewise a
,snapper up Of unconsidercd trihes." Browns
willie in place Of Mobile, or even Sabine Pass,
will not do well to talk about.
Much qualification is felt about headquar-
ters st the result Of the late battle near Ope-
lousas, under Gems. Taylor and Green. II ID
looked upon As . very decided advantage.--
Gen. Tsylor's late career has been quite bril-
liant. and Gen. Green gains very rapidly in
public estimation, Is brave, dsshing, and efi-
eient oficer. VIZ. 81 II,
There seems to he nothing like despondency
visible amongst those who have the cares and
responsibilities of the defense Of the West --
The position Of the commanding general Is
certainly . very trying one. II is incumbent
upon him to take in 1t one view the whole po-
sstion Of the vast Trans Mississippi Depart
naent, and make such disposition Of inadequate
forces, as will best sustain the general good of
che cause, and prolong the contest until the
I enemy may be defeated, or cease from cxhaus-
tion Il is impossible but that dissatisfaction
will arise II Is impossible to afford protection
70 every section. 1t devolves upon the patri-
otism and self-sacri6cc Of the people to endure
such misfcrtunes as the chances Of war may
render necessary, and sustain the hands Of the
military commanders in all manoeuvres which
they may sdopt. This they may the more safely
do in the case of Gen. Smith, whose whole
past history testifes Of his patriotic devotion
to the people Of the South, as we'll as Of his
superior ability and energy. He has no selfish
purposes to serve, and although be may now
and then mistake. las what human does not)
vet his position enables him to takc wider
views perhaps than is possible to another in
dividual, and We have everything to lose and
nothing to gain, by qucrulous opposition.
TIE Boots GovERxNESr In MIssoURI.--The
Abolitionists in Missouri are split into two fac
tions, the Conservatives under Gamble, and the
Radicals In an appeal to Lincoln by James
s. Rollins and Charles Gibson, Missouriaus al
. Washington, d. c., dated Oct. IL, 1868, wo find
J the following lively picture Of the troubles by
which Gamble is beset: s5ta
t. "GoveEnor Gamble-in view Of tho fact that
these bad and reckless men threaten 10 over
throw the State Government-have formed &C.
cret organizations, and join with the secession.
lists in loudly proclaiming the provisional gov.
ernment usurpation and tyranny, have mob
bed Union meetings, intended solely to strength
en- the Stale and National Govcrnments, ant
have broken open jails, maltreatsd civil olacer'
and good citisens, and have generally establish
cd reign Of terror wherever they coald-ha
exercised bis right under the constitution, L
call upon You TO protect the State Governmen