The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1863-05-01
Successful Battles in Gen. Banks
Department.
Destruction of Rebel Steamers, and Cap.
ture of Rebel Prisoners.

New YORK. April %. The steamer Full
ton, from New Orleans, via Kew West. arriv-
ed at noon to-day. She got aground on the
passage down the Mississippi, remaining
eight days, leaving the bal on the 18th inst.
The Era of the 10Th inst, the only paper
received. gives an account Of the late military
movements. On the night OF the 18th inst,
Gen Banks had reached Nermiyonsilie after
hard fight at Vermilyon Bayou, where tie
rebels had posted batteries and infantry
They were driven after hard fighting, with
considerable loss on both sides.
letter in the Era, dated on the field,
above New Iberia, 10th inst, states that Col
kimball with the 53l Massachusetts, regi-
ment entered the rebel works at Bethel
Place, on the morning of the 14th, planting
our flag on the parapet. Gen Weitzel's d.
vision followed, succeeded b. the whole line
The rebels left their numerous dead unburied
and evidences We're plenty of bloody works
in their ranks. Large stores of ammunition.
some Enfield rifles and other arms were cap
tured.
Our army then marched through Patter-
sonvlie, skirmishing continuously, and reach
ell Franklin on the 10Th
Prior to Thursday night s,me thousand
prisoners had been brought into Franklin,
captures of whole companies Of rebels being
, made at time.
At F:anAlio the steamboat C0rn;e was
captured, with three officers of the late gun
boat Diana on board. thus restoring them to
our service. The rebels destroyed ten steam
boats and two large yunboa,s to prevent
their falling into Gen Banks hands. The
Diana was among the boats DESTROYED. I'm
menSe storms OF provisions, 10000 pounds
of bacon and 1000 cases of ammunition
were also destroyed
1t was expected that G-n Banks would
capture Optlousas on the 18th aud occupy it.
The expedition of Gen Grover has been
eminenty successful. In a battle with the
rebels at Irish Bend the l3.h Connecticut
regiment charged the rebel iine and batteries
supported by the 26th Maine, 2j,h CanLect
cut. l2h Maine and 81 Nv York. and de
feated them, the r.'s's leaving a silk fla.
and Other troohies i, orr bands The rebel
force consisted of two regiments of Texans
and three batteries. Including ;Ei,. famous
/ Pelican and sins batteries.
The whole rebel force at Bethel Place and
Irish Bead numbered some 1000, posted in
highly advantageous position. under COM
mand OF Gen Dick Iayior, son of the late
President Zachary Tay ior
important captures o: horses mules and
beet cattle. 10 the number of over a thous-
ln;!, were ma l.. The celebrate! salt mine
or salt rock vas captured, and the rebe!
works DESTROYED.
: The rebel soldiers were not 10th to be cap
tn!ca. and over 100 are in our hlnIs, and
more are being takea.
I An abandoned rebe! iron foundry was
found near New iberia, containing a quaint
" of shot and she'll
Our fleet has reduced the rebel fortifca-
tons at Buteila Rose, an important point.
The prospects are that tie rebels will be
driven out Of the Opelousas country, or all
he captured. Our troops are in Splendid con-
dition.
The wounded iii the ate b.,IieS h axe near
~ all reached New O:leaES. numbering l19.
where they are qua!tered at the Mechanic
Institute Hospital.