Daily national Republican. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1862-1866, 1864-04-29
THE RED RIVER EXPEDITION.
General Banks Again Advancing.

New YORK, April 2S.-The steamer America,
from New Orleans on the 10th, has arrived.
The Era of the 10Th contains late news from
Gen. Banks army. An expedition under Gen.
X. Smith, which, with portion Of Admiral
Porter's heet, went up the river previous TO
the three days battle, safely returned on the
18th. The greater portion Of the rebel army
is at Mansfield and on the river opposite that
place.
At Conspatta Shute a rebel force was sta
toned, which had about fourteen guns In bat
tery along the river bank. Gunboats In re-
turning were obliged to run the gauntlet of
these guns. In the fighting which followed
their attempt to pass, the rebels were compelled
to fall back from the river, thus giving the
transports clear passage. The boats suffered
very little, some splintered woodwork being all
| the injury sustained.
As soon as this expedition arrived at Grand
Ecore, preparations were at once made for an
advance Of the army, and we have good reason
| for believing that General Banks Is again en-
route for Shreveport. A portion OF our army
is known to have left Grand Ecore, moving out
toward the rebel position. The return Of the
feet from above furnished the army with full
supply Of ammunition, the lack OF which was
the principal cause Of Its return to Grand Ecore
and the delay at that point.
Our men had entirely recovered from the
fatigues Incident to their late marches and
severe fighting, and were in condition to strike
| a telling blow upon the enemies OF the Union.
| A battery had been planted at Camptl, a few
miles above Grand Ecore, In consequence oi
which Gen. Smith burned the town.
The Captain Of the dispatch boat Diligent
was killed in running the batteries of the Shute.
The steamer Polar Star, with nearly four hun.
dred rebel prisoners on board, passed this place
under flag of truce. The boat was stopped
by Captains FountleTy aud Ayres, belonging to
the rebel General Turchin's staff, but after
wards permitted TO proceed, the Instructions
under which the officers were acting having
been approved by the rebel General Taylor
previously, 1t not being possible to carry out
prisoners were brought 10 the city.
General Mowers Division Is still at Alexan
driA, and will probably remain to protect tht
people from the incursions OF guerrillas anc
raiding parties.
We shall remain in daily expectation o
hearing that General Banks and his gallan
army have again met the enemy, and that tn,
overthrow Of the rebel domination In Louis
lana is entirely accomplished.
The Era says that the transport steamer
Black Hawk arrived from Grand Ecore on tn
18th. On returning TO Grand Ecore, afte
bringing number Of wounded TO the city, tn
boat was ordered to proceed further up REQ
river, and endeayor to pull out OF rather al
unpleasant situation the gunboAt EAstport
which had been hard aground for several day
on sand-bar. She failed to get the EastpoT
| of the bar, and started to return, but ha
scarcely got away from the protection Of he
guns when the rebel riaemen opened upoh he
from the bank. The rebels numbered severS
hundred, and their firing was very rapid, bu
by putting on all the steam that could be raise
the Back Hawk succeeded in escaping fron
the enemy.
ON BOARD STEAMER SULTANA, OPPosIr
FoRT PILLOW, April 21.-From a naval office
bearing dispatches, have Just learned that tn
EAstport, one Of our finest and most formida
bic iron-clad rams, struck q snAg about twent
miles above Grand Ecoro last Saturday morn
ing, which caused her 10 sink Immediately
She still remains In her critical position, he
upper decks being three feet above water
Efforts will at once be made 10 raise her, bu
this will be attended with the greatest difficulty
on account of the very low stage OF the river
and the immense weight Of the Eastport.
The Eastport, 1t will be remembered, go
aground on the falls at Alexandria, and had
narrow escaIe from destruction. The arma
ment oil the EAstport Is one Of the most power
: iul In Admiral Poner's feet, and her loss a
the present time will be serious one 10 ou
river fleet. 1t was contemplated TO use tn
, Eastport against the rebel ram Missouri, whicl
the enemy boasts Is able TO sink all the Yankee
+ crafts on the Red River