, 1864-05-07

Arrival Of Generals NlcClernaud and
nun1er-TNelve Gnnb0ats Detafnsd
nonHs, n9 's Amy y1 70 1eave * 10y ,er New ssr of-
leans
AIrz4spn1A, La, April q, 1864.
The army of Gen. Banks, including the
forces Of General 4. J. Smith, is non al
back at this place, having arrived yesterday
aud to-day. Gen D.nk9 turned over the
command Of the army, at Grand Ecorc, to
Gen. Franklin, who coudncted the retreat 10
this place.
crossing Cane River at that place, md coming
down between the two rivers. On arriving
at point near the mouth OF Cane Riyef,
where general franklin expected to cross,
hc 1orud the enemy, under Dick Taylor,
posted on high emineuce, On the opposite
side, in his front, to dispute Ills passage. An
artillery engagement ensned, lasting Ill day
on Saturday last and Saturday nj Ebt, Until
Sunday morning at nine o'clock. Meantime,
General franklin had sent two brigades Of
infantry up Cane River few miles, where q
crossing was effected at ford The infantry
then came down on the opposite aide, and
opened muaketTy fire on the rebels On the
I'LL. 4 spirited fight ensued, lasting TWO or
three hours. Our forces carried the hill by
assault, driving the enemy Of, thus securing
the crossing for the main army. We lost
three or four hundred killed and wounded.
The rebel loss was about the ssme.
It was ramored here that We had captured
1000 prisoners and seycn pieces Of cannon.
Such Is not the case. The only advantage
Was in driving the rebels from our front, they
having taken q position between our army
and Alcx ,ndria, and in securing the crossing
Of Cane River.
After our army crossed, the rebels closed
in on our rear, and sharp sktrmishing has
been Kept up all tue way down.
The steamer Red Chief brought down on
Morday $50 wounded from the Cane River
fight They had not had their wounds
dressed when they arrived here.
MeJor General McClerpand arrived here last
nigLt, with two brigades Of the 18th army
corps, who ca1ne from New Orleans on tsan~
Muior General Hunter has arrived here +;
tut, 60 far ss the public is concerned, moth
ing is yet known Of his presence or business.
miles, with two transports and gunboat,
tr3 ling to raise the aunkcn gunbont Eastport
II be should fail, he will blow her up. Moth
ing has been heard from h1m, except heavy
cannonadipg au dat Monday. There are
twelve gupboate above the falls, uinc Of
now arc Ill below the falls except the Cham
pion No. 3nnd Champion No. 5. The Hast-
irgs is sunk. No more boats can come over
the falls until the river rises. There are now
about 1orty transports below the falls-
Gen. L. ]. Smith stated yesterday that
Gcueral Banks and Ills army were going to
leave for New O1leans; but he and the 10th
army corps intended to remain until the gun
boats could get over the falls.
The Red River expedition, taken nltogeth~
er, 1as been one Of the most disastrous cam"
paiEns Of the war. No good has resulted, or
can now result from it. There has been an
ithtnense sacrifice Of men and means, and a
lois Of preeiaus time. The worst may not
nave come get. How the army is to get
a"aJ from here, and how the guuboats are
10 oe eaFeG, arc question: which perp1ex ths
Minds Of all. General Banks il held
responsible for the whole th1np. Nd
one here thinks OF censnrinr 7;eneral
| Lac, or Gtnl fal Stone, or Genera;
tf-nkan-Hanks has had coutroi of nverv
| thtng. lie e1cnc Is responsible, The f;.efino
nEa1nst him nmone officers and 1riya,es l.
[ bfeontug moro intense every dav. Until }e
~, removed no good results can be expected,
anS nl1so1ntmEnf o. Geueral franklin to the
eominano ,Is Of the Department Of the Gut
"99io Eave general satisfaction.
me army Is considerably ~demora13zed
soidlefs are every where making Insuiifng aud
doe General. -1S e'AAn4aao
Scouts reported to General Grove, +,.ao,
| TINT company OF rebels passed hack of hera
| 1aEt pleht, Eoing below With parroft t.nr
1 1t will rot furl;rise nnr one here ehnnld the,
b'ockade Fed River between hese and Fort
| De Ruess.