The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1864-04-19
WAR ITEMS.

petition for the complete conquest Of Louisiana,
appears to have come to grief. 1t left Vicksburg
on the 10Th ultimo, and comprised according to
the Missouri "Republican," force of ten thou
tand infantry aud q naval squadron of "twenty
powerful war vessels of all classes from the light
draught to the heaviest monitor, the most formid-
able fset ever under single command"
Shreveport is the capital of Caddo Parish, Lou
isiana, situated near the foot of Caddo Lake, in
the northwestern part of the State. 1t is finely
located tor business on the Red River, being sur
rounded by an exceedingly fertile planting region,
about thirty miles below the "great raft" Since
the war Shreveport has been extensive depot
for commissary and other stores for the Trans
Mississippi Confederate troops and up to the time
Of the siege of Vicksburg, formed an important
link in the "chain of supplies" for our Western
army. There isa military prison there, which
has at times contained large number of Yankee
prisoners. 1t is two hundred and thirty miles
from the mouth of the river.
Alexandria, one hundred and fifty miles from
the mouth, is, we believe, the highest point on
Red River ever visited by the enemy before the
present expedition. Eighty miles above is Nachi-
roches, an old French town, settled in 17l3. 1t
is noted in history as the scene of hard battle
between the inhabitants and the Natchez Indians,
1882, resulting in the extinction of the Natchez
as q distinct nation.
From Shreveport there runs railroad westward
to Marshall, Texas, and sixteen miles beyond,
making line in all some sixty miles in length.
Many years ago route was projected to Vicks-
burg, which was completed from the latter place
west as far as the Washita River.
FROM TRANS MIssIssIpP1-Th Mobile Tri-
bune publishes the annexed news from the Trans
Mississippi Department.
Sherman's forces, numbering about %, 900 men,
as soon as they returned to Vicksburg were formed
into two columns. One column went up Red
RiTer, to attack Alexandria The other column
went mp the Ouachita River to attack Harrisoa-
burg. They were met by Gen Price, who whipped
them badly.
The reportis confirmed of battle having oc-
cured on Bayou Teche between Gen Banks and
zen Dick Taylor, and the defeat of the former as
was reported some days ago
Gen Harrison has swept the Mississippi line
from Waterproof, Louisiana, to the mouth OF Red
River capturing all the Federal leased plantations,
provisions, &C., for distance of about thirty miles
from the river line.
Franklin Louisiana has been abandoned by the
Federals.
The water in the Red River is rising rapidly.
This is favorable for the Federals to operate with
their gun boats in that section.
CONFEDERATE VICTORIES.
MOBILE, April Mississippi river sdvices
Kirby Smith and Banks, Shreveport, in
which Banks was defeated with loss of 1900
men. Baton Rouge and other hospitals are full of
Yankee wounded.
Western advices announce the capture of Fort
Pillow by the Confederates, with two regiments,
eight to twelve hundred negroes, eight guns, and
the destruction of Two Yankee transports
The Yankee steamer Lacross was burned to the
waters edge, 20 miles below Alexandra, on Red
River, by guerrllas The officers were held as
prisoners and the crew paroled
GEN PRIcE-The Memphis Bulletin publishes
an order of Maj Gen. Price, in which he assumes
command of the Department of Arkansas. We
learn that the news of Gen. Price being in COM
mand in Arkansas was received with enthusiastic
demonstrations by the Missourans at Demopolis.
The whole camp sent up tremendous and long
continued shout, and the boys then hauled out the
big guns and made the welkin ring with the thun-
ders of artillery. 1t is understood that they have
signed a unanimous petition to the War Depart
ment to be sent over the river.
RICHMOND, April 12.-An official dispatch from
Mobile says the Surgeon of Gen Banks army ad-
mits that the Uaon forces repused with
great loss at Shreveport, La The Yankee gun
boat Essex, iron clad, was destroyed by torpedo
in Red River, and several transports captured by
the Confederstes. Farragut is reported preparing
to attack Mobile
DALTON, April 12-Miss Mary Walker AS
sstaas Surgeon SD Ohio, was captured by our
pickets and brought here yesterday She is quite
sprightly, converses fuently, says she only wished
TO deliver letters to pickets, had idea of being
arrested.
It is reported on good authority that Griersou
attacked Forrest Summerville, on the 9th
inst, and was handsomely repulsed.
DALTON, April 13.-Gen. Wheeler attacked a
small force Of the enemys cavalry at day light this
morning, near Benton, killed several and captured
IS, one, lieutenant together with their horses pis-
tolls, >carbiaas, 80.
The Petersburg Express says the Yankee fiigate
Minnesota, lying in Hampton Roads, was damaged
by torpedo one night last week.
Pretty Good Work for One Brigade.-A wri-
ter in the Lynchburg Republican gives che follow
ing results of the operations of Brig Gen. VIM 4.
Jones brigade during its last campaign of seven
engagements in East Tennessee:
The fruits of these engagements have been l.
767 prisoners, between 500 and 400 OF the enemy
killed and wounded, l52 wagons, pieces Of ar
tillery, and about 1000 horses and mules. All
this has been done during an unusually severe
winter, without tents, without comfortable cloth
ing, almost shoeless, and with horses worn down
~ constant use and scarety of forage.
CAPTURE OF A BUFFALO CAMP IN NORTH
CARoLINA.-On Friday iast three pr;vates be-
longing to Captain Bowers company of the 62d
Georgia infantry, aided by few citizens of BERTHE
county, N c., attacked Union camp, near Wind
sor, in that county, consisting OF thirty forty
Ruffaloas f0ur EapEaes Supposed IN have escan-