True Democrat., 1863-04-15

GENERAL ORDERS No. l.
 l. In conformity with instructions from the War Department, at Richmond, Va, dated February 9th, 1863, the undersigned hereby assumes com man1 of the Confederate forces West Of the Mis sissippi.
 H. Until further orders the department head quarters are established at Alexandria, La.
 E. KIRBY SMITH,
 Lieut. Gcn'l Commanding
 j. F. BELToN, A. A. General.
 lOficial copyl
 SAN FRAxcIsco, March l6.--The bark Chapman was seized by the officials yesterday. It arrived lately from York and was purchased here by secessiouists. Prisoners confess that full com pement of men to be taken aboard at a ren- deZsous down the coast They hoped to capture the steamer Oregon, while en route for MaZatan, transfer portion of the ChapmaIf's crew on board and then use the Oregon to help capture two Cali fornia treasure steamers before the alarm reached San Francisco
 PoRr HUDSON, March 20.-Since the first fight here, the Yankees are occasionally smelling the place, but without any effect. Off the soOp oi war Mississippi, we took g fine guns They have been safely landed by our forces. Provisions are arriving daily.
 ALEXANDRIA, March 20.--While Banks was en- campcd below Port Hudson, several regiments mu- tined-four New York regiments and two lndiana threw down their arms and refused to fight any longer This might have been one cause of his retreat.
 The report of Confederate success near Wood stock, Va, is confirmed The Federal loss in killed aud wounded considerable. We cap turcd about 250 prisoners.
 There are al present between twenty and twenty five thousand sick in the Federal army on the Ms sissipp
 MOBILE, March 2i.-The Tribune has reliable information from Pensacola, stating that the city had been evacuated by order of Banks for the purpose of reinforcing the Mississippi river expe- dition. The abolitionists burned from thirty to forty houses in the city before leaving. They took all the negroes to New Orleans.
 CAIRO, March 24, 1850 F. ND Hon. Gideon WeileS, Secretdry of the Nary: I have just re ceyed communication from Lieutenant Com handing R. R. Breese dated Black Hawk, March 18th. The Admiral has gone through Steele's and the Black Bayou, with five iron clads and the Price, and into Deans Creek and is making all haste for the Yazoo river. Doubtless he is there now. Gen. Sherman and his troops are following
 rSignedl A. M PrxNocK,
 Fleet Captain. CHATTANOOGA, March 2l.-There has been no movement of the army in Tennessee. On Friday the enemy advanced on the roads from Franklin towards Columbia, but Saturday they returned to Franklin. Van Dorn is still on the north side of Duck river.
 Our forces occupy lorenCc anu IuSCuHiDld, EHu there is no movement from Corinth in this diyec- tion.
 Morgan had fight in Cannon county, Tennes- see, with an overwhelming force of the enemy. He fought gallantly, and killed and wounded a number of the foe, but at last was forced to re- tire before superior numbers
 MoBLE, March 25-Offcial intelligence has been received of the evacuation of Pensacola by the enemy. They now occupy the Navy Yard and Forts Barrancas and Pickens. The garrison of the the town, and all others that could be spared have been sent to Gen. Banks.
 CAIRO, March 25.-Later news from Vicksburg confirms the arrival of the gunboats Hartford and Albatross from Farragut's fleet at the mouth ofthe canal, onthe Doth. An officer from on board had arrived at Grants headquarters, bringing dispatch es from Banks. Seven of Faragut's boats run the blockade at Port Hudson, but after coming up some distance all but two returned.
 The rebels fired on the boats from their batteries at Warrenton; and at point 20 miles further down the river, but we do not hear that any damage was done It seems Banks had not vet come up to make land attack when Farragut's fleet ran by. Boats will pass into Lake Providence just as soon as the current Tn that direction will allow of 1t in safety.
 We have reports from Greenwood to Wednes- day afternoon. The fight had not been renewed, but both parties making active preparations. The rebels were mounting new guns, and strengthening their position.
 The rise in the Tallahatchie had prevented the completion of the Federal battery.
 Three boats or rams and raft are seen in the river, below the rebel battery.
 A party of guerrillas Sunday afternoon, took up rails on the road between Jackson and Grand Junc- tion three miles from the latter place, and there by captured and burned a wood train of twelve or fifteen cars.
 VIcKsBuRG, March 25th.-About o'clock this morning. the alarm was sounded that some of the enemy's boats were approaching from above. Our guns were immediately placed in readiness and soon four boats were seen advancing towards the upper batteries. A vigorous fire was opened upon them, and we succeeded in driving back two of tn em, who could not stem the torrent of shot and shell. The other two passed by under raking fire and almost every shot seen to take effect One of them received shot in the steam chest, which compelled the crew to desert her, and she became unmanageable and stationary under our guns. In about fifteen minutes she filled, careened over to the starboard side and sunk. Part of her crew escaped to the opposite shore the yaw, and some were seen swimming ashore.
 lust as she was about to capsize a white flag was run up on the halvards but it too late, and she disappeared from sight in few minutes. All the Yankees aboard of her will make food for catfish, as none of them could have escaped after the ia z was raised.
 The name of the sunken boat has not been ascer- tained, but the that escaped below is said to be the Benton. She was also badly disabled, and it is believ ed that shot penetrated her boilers steam drum, as dense cloud of steam was seen to ell. velop the whole boat, and her machinery so disabled that the Albatross had to come up to her assistance from below to tow her down out of danger from our guns.
 The amount of damage done to the Benton is not known, nor the loss of life on the sunkeu boat.-- The two that were forced back must also have been badly injured by upper batteries
 Our guns worked spendidly, and now ready for another fight, if the Yankees wish to send down any more beats. No attempt made by the enemy above to come to the rescue of their disabled companions.
 Since six o'clock this morning everything has remained quiet.
 PASoLA, March 24-After thrty-sx hours of heavy rain we are again favored with clear weath- er
 Five small boats have arrived in the Codwater with rciDforcements. The position of the enemy is unknown here.
 The Mississippi is reported falling at Memphis. Halleck' letter to Rosecranz, relative to the population in sections occupied by the federal armies, makes three classes. Those who give no aid Co the Contederates and aid the Yankees will be protected, and paid for their property when ta- ken. The property of non combatants, who are supposed to be sympathizers with the rebellion will be seized and when necessary forced loans shall be mace, and they shall be put to death when they rise in arms or give information to the enemy- Such as are avowedly hostile, non-combatants, vet