The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1864-05-01
NEw ORLEANS, La, April "a, 1854.
GUNBoATs IN TROUBLE.

wOkLEAN5, LAs APIH ~, 1905
GUNBoAB TROUBLE
Reports have reached here from the front that two
gunboats have grounded on the falls Immediately
above Alexandria The gunboat Eastpor remains ashore,
with gunwae under water about ton miles this side
Of Grand Ecore. The situation Of the gunboats
the report that two Of them are aground on the falls
should not be confirmed, 10 not peculiarly pleasant 70
contemplate by the officers who unambous or the
distinction they will achieve BY pcketing the Red river
above Alexandria during the Summer. c,-s
GENERAL DWIGHT, cnIsv or STAFF.
II is officially announced that General Dwight ID ap.
pointed Chief Of General Banks sta succeed General
stcne who Is relieved The new Chef.of STAFF dis
tnguished himself in tho battle Of Pleasant Hin
as we'll as In the closing part Of the Sabine Cross
Roads fight, where his brigade fought most gal
anty. General Stone will. Il 10 presumed, take com.
mand Of regiment OF regulars his rank hav log been
reduced from brgader general Of volunteers 70 colonel
OF regulars. Il has been before stated that General
Stone the entire confidence OF General Banks
and all other officers in this department, and that the
reduction Of made at Washington and not here
L. LEE,
:. s5%.a IL ss % ssly
field resumes bis duties New Orleans which, now that
the cavalry performing nothing but picket and outpost
duty much important than at the 'front.' Their
high appreciation OF General Lee soldier and gen.
officers OF the cavalry division, together with
Generals Franklin, A. J. Smith, Emory and Cameron,
70 compliment him with q most crafty ing leave taking
the night previous 10 his departure from Grand Ecore
An impromptu festival prepared and speeches were
made expressive the regret which felt at the no
cessi,y that compelled the withdrawal Of General Lee
from the field the present Time General Arnold Chief
OF Artillery on General Banks staG, IL temporarily in
command OF the cavalry DIVISION Colonel Dudley, OF the
Fourth cavalry brigade reports TO General Lee IN This
| city.
SERVICES THE CAVALRY.
The services Of the cavalry In every regiment OF
which there confidence In and esteem for Gene
raj Banks cannot be estimated TOO highly. They have
| been the eyes and ears OF the army Their march
across the Teche from Franklin TO Alexandria, opened
| the way for the infantry 10 follow. Tho march OF
Lucas brigade Of Ecavary, 70 cooperate with tne
infantry Andersons Hli resulted n the capture Of
portion or the enemy's command and the dispersion OF
| the remainder.
| In the upward march from Alexandria (Robinsop
| cavalry brigade making . reconnaissance from Cane
river nearly thirty miles, the old Aexandra and Tcxai
stage road feeling pic kets Of the enemy and gaining
valuable information respecting his numbers) the cavai
~ was constantly in the advance and skrmished itsc
into Natchoches which place General Lee held and 90
cupied before the infantry came up.
In the reconnaissance from Natchtoches 70 Crump'
Hi twenty niles, the cavalry, unsupported By the
infantry skirmshed with the enemy nearly the whole
OF distance and forced him 10 retire from bis chosen
| positions
Fcore and beyond Campte Goodngs brigade Of cavalry
dstngushe itself win he warest appreciation OF
the infantry, which almost within supporting distance
OF It. and convinced the most ncreduous Infantry officers
that cavaymen excellent fighters and could always
whip the enemy unless they strongly outnumbered
! In the final advance OF tho army from Natcbtochcs
towards Mansfield the cavalry always the 'front.'
enefa Lee and he brgad, and regmental commanders,
as well the line officers and privates, exposing them
selves the fatgues and constant pcrs aud
! privatious.
cavalry in an enemys country, and particularly 10 .
region like that through which the marched above
Nstchtoches. required the most untring vigilance and
the most constant watchfulness New exgeucies were
continually arising both by day and py night, requiring
new orders be OUT Reports were hourly coming
in OF The position aud strength OF the enemy, sometimes
exaggerated and often based misrepresentation. II
needed cool head, discriminating Judgment, prompt
should be done Here was road 10 guard there nank
to protect and while hearing apd seeing for the nfantry
which was IN the rear .ns cavs VA had ~ own ao
| the men, 10 watch and shield.
A division cavalry commander during the progress Of
his advance seldom Is permitted opportunities for IN un
disturbed nights Sleep He peucraes an enemy's couu.
try whore the army has been BEFORE and the reports
Keep him constantly on the alert for upon the cavalry
oftenimes depends the safety Of the entire army. All
Genera Lee who s prompt COOL sssscioos md cautious
The infantry who never fully appreciate Tho hafdshps
and the eminent services OF the cavAry condemn W..
branch OF the service sometimes Tor advancing VOC rapid
~ At other times for progressing too slowly there
tendency underrate the efficiency q Vie covAky ano
DISPOSITION 10 6nd fault with ts opetasioua Bat les
be Withdrawn during campaign like thas We h.ve Just
entered upon the infantry would be compelled 70 de
pead on themselves for Tho security which they new e.
joy from che protection Afforded them by those wascn
men OF the army. the much abused cavalry.
sHs cArruREp cAvAiRY rnAr. IL .
Those who accompanied General Lee IN his late advance
. know how anxious he for the eafcty OF his tram
They know that the neccesity for Ne proecson s ~
penetrated . ncv country, over single narrow ROAD
through densely wooded country, where he WAS ao'
10 be nsnksd attacked BY The enemy who might sprn
upon him from Of the cross roads or dssf
at him from some chosen position 70 bis frost, w@ '
{ him . great embarrassment They know tnef no WA
DESTROYS not 10 be obstrucssd By his train, when ne mao
EFFORT 70 keep 70 the vhh tho advance o. tne n
antry But the apprshsnsions for the safety o ms usn
though shared BY hts brigade commanders, we're no
sufcientlv understood elsewhere. II thsy had scsn W.