The Portland daily press., 1863-04-09
Capture Of the English Steamer Dolphin.

New YORK, Aprils
The steamship Columbia, from New Orleans
LIST inst, via Havana 4th, has arrived.
There Is no confirmation of the report that
the rebels were cvacuating Port Hudson.
The gunboat Diana had been captured by
the rebels at Pattersonville, La. Capt. Peter
son was killed, Lieut.. Allen, of Gen. Weitzel's
staff, wounded aud taken prisoner, Masters
Mate Deliver and boatswain's mate Mum
ford killed, Capt. Jewett, 16Sth n. Y, and
Lieut. Hale, of the Diana, wounded, and Lieut..
Francis, 18th Conn.,, mortaily wounded, and
several privates killed and wounded. The
soldiers on board the Diana were Capt. Jew
ett's company, l6Sth N. Y, and Co. K, 18th
Conn.,, 80 of whom were paroled.
Steamer Honduras arrived at New Orleans
from the Rio Grande with 260 Texas refugees
They report that on the 18th of March a rebel
force of $50 crossed into Mexico at the mouth
of the river, and captured Col G. j. Davis, and
Capt. Montgomery of the LIST Texas cavalry.
The Mexican authorities demanded their re-
lease, and Col. Davis was given up, us also
three soldiers taken at the same time. Capt.
Montgomery had not returned, and private
advices say he was hung by the rebels, which
is undoubtedly true. Davis and Montgomery
were taken from the house of the Mexican
Commandant Three other officers narrowly
escaped falling into the hands Of the rebels.
They, with half dozen Mexicans, drove so of
the rebels to the river, wounding three or four,
two of whom died. The U. S. bark Arthur
threw two shells into the rebel quarters on the
night of the 18th.
The rebel Capt. Benavids had also crossed
into Mexico and burned a town near Guerrero.
The rebel authorities were evidently in
state of great alarm, lest these violations of
neutrality should involve them In hostilities
with Mexico. Their troops are now concen-
trated near the mouth Of the Rio Grande.
A Yankee schooner and cargo, valued at
81, 600, had been captured by the rebels near
Rio Grande.
An immense trade is carried on over the
Rio Grande.
The Era's informant says that a train Of 600
carts was on the way to huntsville. These
carts average six bales of cotton each.
Gov. Lubbock of Texas, in a message to the
Legislature, declines reelection, and says he
will take a more active part in the war. Some
people affirm that he will leave the Confeder
acy as soon as his term expires. lie states
that Texas has furnished 1000 troops for the
rebel army, and that the conscription law
adopted by the Legislature will add $1,000
thereto. Under this law there are no exemp-
tons. Every man who can stand upon his
feet will be forced into the army.
Most of the refugees who came to New Or
leans In the Honduras have enlisted in Col.
Davis regiment, and 10 deserters are awaiting
transportation at Matamoras to do likewise.
There were 80 vessels at the mouth OF the
Rio Grande.
Havana advices of the 4th contain no Mex
lean news.
The English steamer Dolphin was captured
March 18th, off Porto Rico, by gunboat Wa
chusett, and arrived at Havana leaking, In
charge of a prize crew. She was repaired,
and sailed for Key West. The Dolphin left
| st. Thomas on the oath. She is the vessel
that was leaving Liverpool as the George
Griswold arrived.
Several small rebel vessels with cotton had
arrived at Havana