Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1863-07-13
NEw ORLEANS, june 30, 1863.


1t would be folly to deny what is SO evident
to all familiar with the department of the
Gulf" that we are passing through a season
of no inGonsiderable danger at the present
time Upon the west side of the river the
enemy are in strong force as regards numbers,
arms and efficiency. They are of that bold
and daring class who are as familiar with the
rifle, and with exposure, as any class in the
countryside famous Texan Rangers" Some
Of the same men captured the 42d Mass. at
Galveston, and they repeated the operation at
Brashear, last week, by capturing about 80
others Of the same regiment, who are still in
their hands. Their dress does not denote any
great attempt at uniformity, but it may be a
question if they are not as efficient in their
loose fitting shirts and wide brmmed, sun
shedding hats, mounted upon horses and
Observation-Disclosures our boys with their
heavy wooden uniforms, obliged to make all
movements upon foot in the broiing sun. |
don't mean to say they are as 6yGUe as our
boys, for that is not true. The late move
ments across the river show that our little
bands-as large as can be sent out from the
insignificant forces bere-are almost iuvinci-
bic. At Laf0urche they drove eight or ten
times their own number, with a terrible loss
later, at DonaldsOnville, on the night of the
27th, force of less than 200 of our men, in
Wy, 1000
H''le pI'' lePuiSeu nearly oOoo Vi Vne enc
my and loss OF IOO killed, large number
wounded, and l20 prisoners. 1t takes brave
men to stand up boldly in this wav. and ioht
such terrible odds when thev know no rein
torccments can be sent them. The rebels in
this department have shown no such bravery
But ali this bravery cannot forever hold ont
nooinst snrb nnnhers &C the enon, on, b.,n,r
dn,rr ,,,,o,, nc a., ,I. 40 - H. go; NJ
W." "P0" 10 Nii ',i"u 9iu9 VI Vile IiNel' Nof
are theSe actions what they desire. The enc
my have come up here from Texas with a
SPECIFIC object in vlew-no less than the raj
sing of the siege of Port Hudson. They will
move Heaven and earth-if possible-to ac-
comphsh their ends. and 1t is for this reason
they are securing the country on the west
side of the river. They have captured Bra
shear, with its immense supplies, and now
hold an open line of retreat if their plans
should fail, as they surely will.
This rebel force, estimated at some 10000
men, mostly mounted when on the move, are
under the command of the noted Dick Taylor,
and there are plenty among them, including
Taylor himself, who are perfectly familiar
with the country, and know just where to
strike with the greatest effect and with the
least loss to themselves. They are assisted
ali that is possible by guerrilla bands upon
this side and now we are without telegraphic
communication with Port Hudson. and there.
fore unable to communicate with hcadouar-
tiers except bv boat. The rebels are ,loubtless
aiming at the capture of New Orleans ifthat
event is within the possibility of human nnw-
er, or at anv rate make the attemnt or feint
that troops may he drawn from Port Uudsnn
and thus raise the sirpe. That is fine nresnnt
aspect of affairs here. Our troons are disnosaJ
of 70 the hest advnntaon. and div now Inove-
ments occur unnn the rhrs. .bn,rd GenoraI
Ranks NAV block their uam, Inv J,;ng ,hat
the rnIs tbinIr ,s .ihIo-H taL;ro d.
Hudson II Can ponlls ,I,.,. ,,,t ',,t ,,,,,.I
in season the rnhs NAV, 4nd ,,l,o99 tha1,
temnt IN cono across tIo riror tLat NJH,;"a1
Farrant has nnt boon asloo,, ,h;I t,,a,
hoor t.nnnortir,T to;n Y. IN, 10y ..".o
hnlJ .nI o,,ar7't;n ~ ti - w " wy
NTssis.i,,,,; 80 villa tt 3s,;"e,1 '"o
small az + now i I;as IN ,,i,rn,'i;., :
tion Rnt with tna,riaJ,n n@ .i'i PSI PSI
force so and nf tho 5ar,ra. ,,,o ieDJi
inrns we slann ne noaoaf,lIv 81 -, ~
ni@ht. and nerfdrm dnr I,tiaS ~, ,la,, ns " az
th0dicallv and coonv as in roore nn;ot daI's
There is = strong feeling that all tbeso otfryts