New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1864-04-04
Junction Of Gtu. Bnnks' and Gen. A. j.
smith'e Armies mt AieIandrin, L.
FIight Of the Notwithstanding II Two
eteamors-C"pturcs Of Cotton Destruc-
lion Of Magazine at Fort De Vus-ey-
Active Operations, &e.

OK BOARD sIEAlR2 CLARA BELL RID llIYER.
ALEXANDRA. La, March N issa
AHHIxAL on oEs- q. >. ssura's E1yrpITIoy.
The advance of Gen. A. j. Smiths forces, un-
der command Of Brg-Gen. John A. Mower. reached
here on the evening OF the 10Th, accompanied by Ad
niral Pter and his Beet OF powerful iron clad gun.
boax.
RETREAT OF JoHSSY REFS. 20 sHBty ErORT
The feet footed chvalry had usual riyon us the
slip and upou she arrival Of forces not Rebel was
to be seen in uniform the inhabitants here being nearly
all firm Rebels The enemy, upon learning of our sp'
proach, made hasty departure, fearing II they r.
manned to encounter brave Toys the pestilental
Yanks" would be likely 10 repeat Fort pe Bussey on
lprgcr scale.
DESTRUCTION or TWO RIVE sTK AYERS.
Owing to the remarkably low stage Of water, the
Rebels were unable 10 get small steamer used as a
ferry.boat AMI large and elegant one called the Falls
City, laden with 1900 bales Of fine cotton. over the
falls and at she sghtOi the black clouds Of smoke in
the distance preceding from gunboats they set
them on fire totally destroying both before our troops
arrived.
2 ARGE CAPTURE oY GoITOS BY THE GUsBoATs
Upward of fear thousand bales Of cotton have been
oonfscaed aud rescued by guntoats since their ar
rival and yoss quantities still being brought in
through the fundamentally Of tie faithful negroes who
guide our men 10 the places Of conccameat The pro
Gee IL Of the sae OF this cotton il distributed among the
Ollie rs and sailors prize money At $50 per bale,
Quit, a snug little income viii be realized from these
captures.
CUR FLEET UNABLE 20 CROSS tn FALLS.
Our feet are now awaiting patiently and with con
siderabe anxiety the anticipated rise in The river
which viii permit the safe passage Of all our transports
~ l.f
water ia now six feet and half and ii requires nine
feet for che heavier drsugh beats to pass up the river
Ii raincd ttle last evening and there indications
Of storm which will give Ms the necessary rice If
COZ tinue, a few hours.
REBEL RAMS on Rad RIVER
TIE Rebels have three very Formidable ironciad rams
near Shreveport with which they expect to annibilate
the Yankee gunboats. The Missouri is a very superior
boat. with fine powerful machinery and sharp iron
PROV running three feet beneath the surface OF the
water She is said TO he the fastest boat ON the West
ern or Southern waters. averaging eighteen mites AZ
hour. Her armament is reported to be exceedingly
lO0-pounderl. two 9,inch Dalgren, and
four 81 pound rGed pieces with two carronades
The ram Webb is also monster of considerable power,
but is not DO fast the Missouri She carries ten guns
the caliber Of which is not known TO forces The
mary L. III Dhc"ihs an ugly cusDihur W co"'nu "''"'
although not 80 large as the two former. With these
three the enemy expect to repse our nav d forces
and then assist Dick Taylor and Price on land. Their
expectations viii not be realized. depend upon IT, for
from tho Admiral down 10 the ordinary seamen. there Is
intense determination to clean up this department
before this expedition returns and with one good vie
Ory crowning the present operations OF our combined
orces the hydra.headed monster viii DC pretty thor
'ugbly squelched in Louisiana.
RussY, AND SAD LOSS OF LIFE.
On Thurday evening. Gen A. j. Smith gave orders to
lave the magazines Of Fort DE Russy blown up with
To lay train for extensive explosion
hazardous undertaking but the perilous task was
erformed by Lieut.. Panns, ordnance officer Oh Gen.
smiths staff assisted by Quhrfermaster Ladd. The
Iposion took place Ut lOi O'clock IN Thursday night