The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1863-02-06
Army Correspondence.
DEPARTMENT. OF THE CUR.
New Orleans, La, Jan. IL, looa'S

New Orleans, La, Jan. H. iooos
Mn. EpIroR: have thought Tor lew
DAVIS mast that would devote IN evening to
writing few lines for the Journal, and, il
nos,ible. silt out few items OF interest from
the mass of rumors and news constantly
aaoat in this city Of New Orleans. But |
a,n not sure but my attempt at corrcspon-
dence will be fruitless, for now l think of it,
| have but little material with which to man.
ufacture an article for the newspapers, and
must confess that have failed to learn the
art Of making "highly important news" to
order. If could only chronicle the very i'm
portant intelligence that call was quiet on the
Mississippi" in imitation of those sage pro-
INDICATORS Of present and prospective militia.
~ movements on the Potomac, who have so
often startled the country by the sudden an-
nouncement that sail was quiet on the Poto-
mac or the Rappahannock," | might pre-
sumo to offer something that might compare
favorably with the lengthy articlcsof the reg
ular army correspondents, and thereby re-
licve the tediousness of these long winter
evenings with many quiet country house.
hold, who pore with deep interest over the
startling revelations of the newspapers. l
might DO able to inform them that Gen.
Banks with his expedition had not landed on
the coast of North Carolina, hit that the
General is actually here in New Orleans,
and the. greater part Of his troops are up
river. But cannot say that call is quiet
on the Mississippi" although 50 far as this
city is concerned all is quiet, no engagements
with the enemy in prospect, and the same
limited business is carried on as for months
past. The city does not appear TO be in the
hands Of the Coniederates as much as it did
last summer.
AS you are already aware, Gen. Banks is
now in command Of the Gulf Department,
from which Gen. Butler is removed much to
the regret Of all connected with this COM
mand, and the JOY of those whose secession
procliyities, and open acts Of rebellion against
the Federal authorities, had met his severe,
but merited rebuke. Whatever might have
been the adyersion to Gen. Butler at the
fitting out, and FIRST movements of the expe-
dition, caused by adversities which it re-
quircd his uucOnqucrable will to overcome,
the success which finally attended his move
mcnts, and the course which he has pursued
sine. arriving in this city, has dispellcd all
feelings of unkindness, and made him res
pected with the troops here, and very gener-
ally with the people at the North. 1t is
doubtful il any other man in the Union
army has that administrative ability so we'll
adapted to the peculiar situation which he
was called to GIL. He is man well fitted to
mete out justice to the rcbellious spirits with
which he had to deal, possessing peculiar
faculty of acting upon rebel suggestions, and
taking their acts while in power, as a prece-
dent, by which to be governed in his dealings
with them. Upon Gen. Banks assuming
command, secession was jubilapt, political
prisoners at Ship Island, and Fort Pickcns
were released, and churches "where the Cos
pei was dispensed WITH" closed because of
rcbcllious sentiments preached, have been
rc-opened. Whether this lenity will prove
most effectual in producing harmony 70.
mains to be seen.
The country is now watching with deep
interest the movements OF tho opposing ar
mics IN the West, and along the line OF the
Mississippi. While New Orleans is securely
held by a sufficient force, the principal part
of the expedition of Gen. Banks is farther
w river at Baton Rouge, or Vskburg. 1t
is certain that determined resistance will
DO made by the rebels in our attempt to open
the navigation Of the river, as they are sen.
siblc Of the Importance OF maintaining CON-
munication with Texas and the country west
of the river. 1t is quite certain too, that
the rebel policy which has been ono great
source of their successes, of bringing every
available man to meet the engagement, by
drawing troops from other points, is now
carried out in the West. Doubtless they
were quite sure that after the Federal repulse
at fredericksburg, no offensive movement
would Immediately be made by our troops,
and accordingly aid was sent to the West as
the case might require. This seems to be
true from the fact that Stonewall jackson is
evidently in the West, as one Of his staff
officers was here from yicksburg few days
since, under flag of truce. The failure of
the Federal power last Spring to free the
navigation of the river has only stimulated
the rebels to renewed activity in preparations
of defense by increasing the number Of bat
teries, and strengthening fertilization, but
we trust that tho gigantic preparations of
the Federal army is sufficiently effective to
accomplish the desired object. An attack was
made upon Vicksburga short time since, but
with no important results as the seige was soon
raised in order to cooperate with other move.
ments that were being made. Perhaps the
battle Of Murfrccsboro had something to do
with it. a renewed attack by Admiral Far
agut's feet, and an effective land force, II