Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1863-10-30
w ar News.
MATTERS IN TEXAS.

The rebel leaders in Texas are max
ing great efforts to call out the people to
resist Gen. Banks expedition, but the
popular response is said TO be very small
in the way of volunteers; nor does the
conscription bring many soldiers, the
supply of men being nearly exhausted.
The state authorities are having consid-
cradle trouble with Major Hart, an
agent sent by the rebel government to
Texas to seize upon and impress sup
plies to keep alive the rebellion further
North The armament of Galveston
consists Of 40 guns mounted on cars
leading to the Notifications, and so ar
ranged as to be moved from one point to
another, as contingencies may require,
and taken from the island if necessary.
The novelty of this manner Of concen-
tration of fire by the car arrangement is
clever indeed, to say the least of it. The
rebels firmly believe their guns have suf-
fcent caliber to repel any movement by
our army or navy. A Union prisoner,
escaped from Houston, states that all the
forces in Texas are conscripts. Inclu-
ding the divisions of Kirby Smith and
Magruder it is generally supposed that
there are not over $4,000 troops in the
State. Three companies of Germans
were stationed at San Antonio, but they
said they would never serve against TIE
stars and stripes. He passed through
Vermillion Bayou, where he found a
company as a garrison force, and 200 de-
serers from the Louisiana cavalry regi-
ments hiding in the woods. The con-
scription has been most thoroughly en-
forced upon all white males from Is to
40 years of age. The conscripting off
GERS received orders from Gen. Magru-
der TO shoot at once as abolitionists all IL
able to CONSUMPTION who hestated to don
the confederate uniform. At Houston
he found many Uoionists, as also large
numbers who had become sick of rebel
rule. At Beaumont, however, there
were many who yet upheld the cause of
the confederacy. Everywhere be re-
ceived substantial aid from those wlo
openly ayowed their devotion TO the I'M
ion. He contends that IN general the
Union army would be received by TIE
Texans with open arms. There is moth
ing to be obtained for food save corn
bread and beef, Of which staples there
are an abundance. Very little cotton
has been planted, but wheat and corn
eucumber the prairies. There are more
negroes than whites in Texas. Slaves
can sometimes be had for their keeping.
French Interference seems neither to be
expected nor desired, from public ex-
pressions Of opinion.
AN EXTENSIVE SCOUT.
A scouting party, consisting of Capt.
II. J. Hall and ten men, has recently re-
turned to Vcksburg from an extensive
tour through Mississippi, Louisiana and
Arkansas. Since June this small party
has captured in all seveniy-eight prison.
ers, besides destroying about half a mill
ion dollars worth of property of use to
the rebel army. While in Louisiana, it
was learned that the enemy is in posse--
sion Of about fifty steamboats,, which they
have run above the falls of Red river to
escape their capture by the many expo
ditions we are continually sending up
that stream. The condition of the peo-
pie along the line Of travel pursued by
the party, is represented as most lament
ably deplorable. Persons of afluence
before the war are now inmates Of the
cabins and sharers in the simple conven-
fences and frugal sustenance of those
who were once in servitude to them.
The system Of guerrilla warfare in Mis-
sissippi and Louisiana is rapidly arriving
at some degree Of perfection. For small
parties, under ordinary circumstances, it
is no safer to travel through these states
than it would have been during their oc-
cupation by the organized armies of the
rebellion. Every principal highway is
the object of rigid surveillance. Every
river crossing is controlled by the uner-
ring sharpshooter. The movements OF
our troops are watched on all sides, not
only by the scouting parties of the enc
my, but by all the inhabitants. Hence
forth the fighting in these states will be
confined to detached and light parties.
PERSONALITY. Edward james, son
of the late Dea. Daniel james, of Wey-