Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1863-04-10
An Extraordinary Statement-Nc CIV
Orleans Threatened.

Correspondence Of the Boston Courier.
New ORLEANS, March l9.--In my last conf
municaiion | intimated the possibility, nay
probability, of failure to open the Mississip-
pi by force. Ere this, however reluctantly,
think GU will have come to the same conclu-
sion. On Saturday night last most of the
crippled feet of Admiral Farragut fell back
from before Port Hudson, after q loss Of more
thar one frigatc and hundred men, and Gene
raj Banks, after an advance to the neighbor-
hood Of Port Hudson has fallen back to Baton
Rouge. These simple facts are all the public
are permitted to know. 1t is now Wednesday
noon, and four days have elapsed, but the re-
ticence Of the military powers which hold the
telegraphic wires have, through their organ,
as yet published nc successes for strip the
prepared accounts Of all verbiage, there is
nothing US yet but defeat in the attempt to
open the Mississippi. Although the widest
rulnors are known to be in circulation, rela-
tive to the losses Of Banks, yet the Govern
meut organ is so silent as to make the matter
Of painful uncertainty. The mail closes in
one hour and the general belief is that Gene
raj Banks has lost about 5000 men, or one
division, and that it is folly to hope for the
reduction Of Port Hudson this season. As
the matter now stands, | presume the policy
Of Banks will be 10 defend himself from the
Rebel forces which will attempt TO drive him
from Baton Rouge, and probably gOJble up
the command left at Donaldsonyille. doubt
IL General Banks OF any officer or man in his
army has now the slightest hope Of success :;
but orders must be obeyed.
If the Mississippi must be opened, we shall
have to wait till next season, and 300, 600
men will be required 20 do it and to hold it,
by garrisoning all eligible points for say
twelve hundred miles. The magnitude OF the
task Of opening The Mississippi is not at all
conprehended, hence the puerlity OF employ
ing a fore for this work less than enough to
overturn a modern enpre for here the three
great Confederate allies can hardly be over
come-hiQh water, climate and low water
rs well as men, on a fertile soil, must be whip
ped, before we can control the Mississippi
So we must pause and negotiate, If we would
save the country. EXPLOSION.
New ORLEANS, March 20.--l wrote to you
on the 18th by the steamer which sailed yes
torday, in which incidentally mentioned the
defeat Of the Banks and Fafraguts expedi-
ton 10 Port Hudson. No report Of the do
ings Of either commander has been published,
although the telegraph is In ORDER and might
If il were the policy OF the general command
ing, make known The real result Of his adj
vance upon the Confederate stronghold. IL
the absence Of news from the scene Of the re-
cent conflict by auiboTtyI' we must utAe
the current rumors v hich ARE known TO have
been in town some days all which indicate
our loss TO the Rebels, yariously estimated, at
from two thousand 10 eight thousand men. ]
have conyerscd with parties from Baton Rouge,
who declare that there IS general feeling Of
gloom among the troops and no disposition
TO fight with or for the negroes.
BY the time You receive this, the lists Of
the killed and wounded in the attempt to open
this river will begin 10 swell; and by the last
Of August, unless an aruiisticc between the
two sections takes place in the meantime, the
parents and relatives Of "only white men"
from New England viii mourn the loss Of
more white sons and brothers, than the plant
ers will lose Of their negroes, redeemed from
slavery but if the people Of the North are
willing to sacrifice the lives Of Two white cons
merely 10 change tho name, rather than the
real status Of one slave, then again let slip the
dogs Of war; but don't find fault If them
selves are bitten. EXPLOSION
p. SIP NJ, March Pol have just re-
ceived news that the Confedcrates, in large
force are approaching Berwick's Bay, and
that General Weitzel has blown up all the
forts and retreated to Bayou Bsuf. This news
Is from reliable source, and the chances are
that We shall have some trouble 70 defend this
city in few weeks. in haste, Ex-B.