Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1863-12-18
FROM THE DEPARTMENT orrnE GULF

NEW OiJHANs, la NV. u.
Dear Jotn nal. -fol he 6ist time sine,
have been in " Stce,h' you showed you
tellisent face to me, direct from the Pie
and AZ a consideration in part for the hon,
done me- aud the pleasure | received in YOU.
perusal ] will do my best TO interest you
many readers with faint dehneatlon of no,
matters are progressing in this distant quar-
ter ] cannot say has been customAr'
with many Army Correspondent" for tn
last two years, " Ill quiet along the Poto
mac )" for the brave soldiers of the Depart
ment Of the Gulf have been, and are sul 8
work, nobly fighting the battle Of thea
country. After the occupation Of Brownsville
by Gems Banks and Dana, and everything
was put in running order, the former embark
ed with a force Of 1900 men, and accompa-
MED by the gunboat " Monopgahela" started
on an expedition to Aranzss Pass and Corpus
Christi. They arrived before the latter place
on the morning of the 9Th inst. and after
sending their compliments into the rebel camp
in the shape of few 200 ID. shell, the in
fantry landed and without opposition took
possessiohoi the place. capturing one Major.
several line Ulcers and eighty privAtes. :htee
field pieces and cavalry camp. Aianzas Pass
was taken possession Of the same day
The reception the Union troops met with
at Brownsville was far more enthusiastic than
what the most sanguine could or did expect
Hundreds came forward daily to enroll them
selves for the defen of the Stars and Stripes,
and up to the 18th inst. upwards Of 5000
had enlisted, and were armed and equipped,
ready and eager for service. During these
operations in the extreme Southwest, our
brave sons have not been idle on the Tesche.
Every effort has been made by Gen. Taylor
to oulhank Geus. Franklin and Washburn,
but thus far without success. A trusty u
MON scout brought in most valuable informa-
ton on the oath, the substance Of which
would give but any counter operations that are
being made must be kept from the public for
the present. As counter movement againSt
Gen. Banks, it seems that Magruder" has
taken up the plan adopted by Gen. Bragg and
has crossed the Sabine river with all his avaia-
BILE force, consisting of 10000 men, to join
Taylor Kirby Smith commanding at Shreve-
port has sent forward ali his troops but one
regiment to cooperate, and every exerlion
seems to be making TO effeetualy close navi-
cation on the river. And although the Com
manding General is absent, the utmost con
fdence is felt in military circles, for the hand
of live Stone" grasps the helm
The organization Of the Corps d'Afrique"
still progresses finely, and lie daily gaining 10
popularity. Some of the wealthlest planters
from different sections OF the State are com
ing forward and voluntarily Offering the
services Of their slaves 10 the Government
Already louisiana has over 10000 colored
troops in the field, and thus far they have
proved themselves as serviceable soldiers a.
we have in this Department. The peopl,
here are waking up and up to the preseni
date over 5000 voters have pledged them,
selves to make Louisiana Free State or los,
their lives in the struggle. And to add I,
its significance, this includes large numbe
of the weal.hiest planters. The immense
influx OF Northern capital and brain is work
ing a mighty revolution here. Northern lee
sees Of plantations carrying them on by hireC
help. are clearing double the profits of loya
planters doing their work by slave labor
These facts are having immense weight, an,
commend them to the consideration of thu
eipperheads Of Vermont, especially OF Wash
.-lnsian- coaniy. The huge Juggernaut 0