The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1864-06-05
Late from Texas.

1
Grande, day before Yesterday, it has
been ascertained that, with the excep-
tiOn of some coo men under Col. Ford,
there is no effective rebel force left in
that State west of the Colorado This
party, some % in number, came off well
mounted and armed, and met with no
opposition in Texas, though they en-
cOuntered some of the rebel cavalry
who were on a visit there. and had got
drunk in the Mexican town of Comar-
60, who at first declared that they would
give them a fight; but, on finding that
the Texans were putting fresh caps on
their guns and pistols, and were entire
ly willing to accommodate them in that
particular, remembered that they were
on neutral territory, and, after stating
that fact by way of excuse, and express
ing the wish, which was promptly and
cordially reciprOcated, that they might
meet each other on some battlefield,
rode off and returned to Ringgold Bar
racks
The loyal people of the North have
never fully understood the Importance
of what is styled ''the Trans-Mississipp
Department - Ii. e. Texas) to the States
leagued together in the rebellion. The
impression prevails that it is valued
chiefly because of its contraband trade
carried on through Mexico, and on ac-
count of its supply of horses, mules,
and beef 1t is true that on these ac-
counts Texas is of immense value to
the rebels, but in their estimation, for
still another reason. TeyQs IS iadispai-
sibls to the C6ntcKTacH If slavery were
confined and restricted to the rebel
States east Of the Mississippi, and had
no outlet, how long could it be expect
ed 10 last? How long would it be be-
fore the negro population would have
so increased in numbers as to deterio-
rate in value, and eat out the whites
Slavery must have an outlet None
other exists save that through Texas.
1t was through that State that the rebel
leaders hoped to extend slavery along
the Mexican Gulf to Yucatan; and when
that should be accomplished with all
the territory on the Gulf slave terri
tory, the Island of Cuba being such al
ready, 3" the golden circle of slavery,
which for years past has haunted their
dreams, would be complete
Such being their view, were the
trans-Mississippi Department, as they
style it, which consists of nothing at
present but Texas, wrested from their
grasp, they would be reduced TO des-
pair The loss Of Texas would be es-
teemed 10y them a far greater disaster
than the fall of Richmond They
could extend and maintain slavery
without Richmond, but not without
Texas.
Since the Rebellion began there has
been no State in the South that might
so easily .have been restored to the
Union. Ali that was necessary was to
land a well appointed ferce at Indian
ola, st. Marys, Aransas, or Corpus Chris
ii, and to march at once upon Gonzales,
Austin or San Antonio. Wood and
water, and in the proper season, grass,
could be found in abundance at the
end Of each days march. No river
would obstruct the way. The State
would be divided, and the Rio Grande
trade cut off by a campaign Of weeks
duration, and loyal population, so far
as not conscripted, would be afforded
an opportunity to take up arms in be-
half Of the Government of their choice /
1t is to be borne in mind that the dis /
tance from any of the points on the |
Gulf indicated, to San Antonio does |
not exceed 40 miles, and that Indian
ola is in time Of peace the post through |
which commerce TO each CT the places |
designated in the interior is carried on. |
The contraband trade with Mexico
can only be stopped by such move a.
is indicated. 1t has not been cut off |
but has only been diverted by the oc-
cupatiOn of Brownsville. Cotton is
brought out by way Of Piedras Negras |
at a cost Of only two cents per pound |
more freight than would have been re- /
quired if Brownsville were still in rebel |
hands. By q glance at the map it can
be seen that one can reach Piedras Ne /
gras, via San Antonio, from Indianola, |
by hundred miles less travel than by 1
ascending the desert valley Of the Rio /
Grande from Brownsville. From pro-
tracted drouths the valley Of the Rio |
Grande though in many places the soil /
Is magnificent, has become an arid /
waste. The grass Is not merely dried. /
but has been killed, and to q consider /
able extent the timber and chaparral 1
also One must see it 10 realize the
desolation that exists
In the meantime the stocks Of cat
tie that have managed to live on the
leaves Of the nopal, and iocks of sheep
and goats that at all times subsist by
browsing on the chaparral have been,
to a great extent, driven of into Mexi-
co by the cavalry of Ford and Benavi-
des. and there sold These Worthies
are still occupied in picking up stock,
and in seizing and selling all the cot
ton they can catch. Ford and Benayi-
des are authorized TO do 20 BY Kirby
smith. In order 20 raise the money with
which to subsist and pay their men,
who could not be kept together were
Il not for the privilege Of plunder ac-
corded 10 them, and for the additional
fact that they receive their pay in coin
Mexico for the cotton they
seize en- route for the Rio Grande with
put such permits rs have been required
Is permits have been granted 70 only
favored few, and As By the terms I'M
posed by the military in addition to
hose prescribed by the law, it costs a
person not in the ring, about bale
md a quarter Of cotton 10 get leave TO
export a bale, as might be expected, /
many small planters have tried and are
rvine 10 run out their cotton at unin-
labited points on the river. These sf-
ord rich picking to Coils. Ford and Be
,avides. When the rebellion is crush {
d out they will be found in Mexico, {
nd afiluent
As Benavides, some months back, in
-iolation of the laws Of neutrality,
rossed over into Mexico with his men, |
nd there murdered the brave Zapata .
nd bis comrades, he will probably
AVE 70 make his exit from Texas, /
7hen the time comes, in disguise, and
I some point remote from the scene Of
ia outrage The Mexicans have an
ccount Of their own to settle with him ]
Thich he would prefer 70 postpone in '
{
A few days agO "A couple Of French