Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1864-06-02
FROM NEW ORLEANS.
End Of the Red River Expedition
what is the Matter with the
Gulf Department. "A

his attention to this matter OF elecClons, puJ
am not satisfied that this was productive
of any neglect of his military duties. Elec-
tions were ordered, and proved to be mere
farce. but IL is also true that at thatmoment
all the resident people were ready to come
over to our side. Now, however, all Is sad
| ly changed, even to the heart OF New Or
| leans the cause of rebellion raises its head
and loyalists are terrified at the stand they
| have taken.
| THE sEIL-oUT AND THE BACK-oUT.
Another reason is alleged for the advance
up the Red river. 1t has been rumored
that Kirby Smith, feeling that the rebel
cause was sinking, agreed to sell out and
| leave the country, stipulating only that
himself and army should be we'll paid. l
have several times heard the story repeated
with more or less of particulars. Recently
met with gentleman who gave me the
| following circumstantial account, alleging
that he was privy to the arrangement
while in progress. 1t runs thus:
Mr.. S. l.. Casey, of Caseyville, Ky, WIN.
j. Butler, of Illinois, and Others in the city
of New Orleans, were the parties through
whom the bargain was struck. The two
| former started late in January from Vicks-
burg, with sealed letters from the Presi-
dent and credentials from Gen. Mcpherson.
At Monroe they were met by Col. Floyd,
civilian colonel, since dead; they were ar
rested by Gen. Harrison aud taken under
guard to Shreveport, where the contract
was duly made and signed. 1t agreed that
100000 bales of cotton should be delivered,
in installments oftwenty thousand each, 10
be paid for at the rate OF 20 cents in gold or
its equivalent in sterling exchange. With
and for this sum Kirby was to pay off his
army and retire to Mexico after making a
show of resistance. The cotton to be aban-
doned as we advanced. Agents were em-
ployed in buying up all the cotton ostensi-
bly, for the Confederate Government.
THE BITERs BIT.
Time lapsed and the cotton did not come.
| It is not known what secret and recondite
interference prevented the sale and con-
summation. Neither is it known whether
| Admiral Porter and Gen. Banks were aware
how far this treaty had been made, but it is
to be presumed they could hardly be igno-
rant of what was current talk. Gen. Sher-
man seems to have been aware OF it. Smith,
YOU recollect, advanced and found matters
Welding as he went. In the first two weeks
he captured twenty guns, without loss.
Strong positions and vast quantities of am
munition were given up almost without re-
sstance. Up to the time of the occupation
of Alexandria, all worked well. On tho
very first day the gunboats commenced
loading up cotton in business fashion, max
| ing a regular business of it. Very soon,
however, we hear of Dick Taylor inquiring
what vouchers and receipts were given to
tke holders; finding that The cotton was be-
ing taken, stolen, he commenced burning,
nor did he cease till two-thirds of all the
cotton in the country was burned.
The question is now, did Kirby sell out
! in good faith, or was this merely strategem
to decoy us on to destruction? Or was 1t the
cupidity and rapacity of Porter and Banks
which led them to seize the cotton and thus
break faith? Either way the enemy has
gained greater advantage than they had
right to expect, and the few bales gotten
out, have proved to be the dearest cotton
ever bought.
THE EXTENT OF THE REVERSE.
Whether through trickery or honestfght
ing, there is no use in disputing that Kirby
| has given us drubbing in Louisiana. 1t
matters not that he lost heavily in men, he
won the field and much more. He has in
timidated and keptin fear ever since Mans
field, Gen. Banks and his army. The worst
discipline and spiritprevailed, and, although
Price turned back to engage Steele, the
enemy, with about $4,000 men, has been
able successfully to drive and frighten twice
that number. They attacked the fleet and
gunboats, and, although losing heavily, eff
fected great damage to our boats.
In guns. they have taken twenty-one, dis
abled 5000 of our men, and destroyed the
military reputation of Major General who
has hitherto stood well in some sections of
the country. There is no doubt that the
greater portion of the disaster and its con-
sequences are due to Gen. Banks directly.
| This army has lost confidence in him. The
arrival of Gen. Candy is timely; but unfor-
tunately, what is imperatively needed here
is a movement east of the river, which
would relieve Grant and Sherman, who are
| fighting the whole Confederacy. The gun
boats, too, are useless here, and should long
ago have been sent to more active field
and more active commander.
THE CURSE OF THE GULF ARMY.
propose to add few words on one of
| the causes which has done much to unfit
and dispirit this army. refer to the whole
sale venality and corruption which prevails.
1t is an astounding fact that nearly every
prominent commander of the army, post or
controller of stores and transportation, is
openly accused with receiving bribes for
favors. Cotton is the curse of the army of
the lower Mississippi. Such vast sums are
ready to be layished on this staple, that it
requires an inbred integrity to resist the
temptation. Quartermasters, Provost Mar
shals, Post Commanders, are all implicated.
These, however, are not so bad as the Treas
ury agents and the detective force. fever
system was abused, the present policy of
selling supplies to the rebels is, and, aston
ishing as it may seem, the very machinery
which was framed to prevent 1t, proves its
own defect. .i
All sorts of goods in large quantities, in
cluding contraband, are going to the enemy,
too often fear with the knowledge of our
officers. One favorite channel of the rebe's
is through the means Of the revenue aid,
who travels on all the boats; who is simply
sponge through which you can filter any
thing BY paying for it. To add to this piece
| of villainy, Gen. Bowen has large force of
detectives whoare mainly engaged in black
mailing innocent persons and getting large
| fees for permitting contraband to pass by
them. Cotton dealers and travellers can tes-
| tify to the annoyance of these low charac-.
tiers. They are nuisance which should be
abated.
Lincoln Illustrates.
A gentleman just returned from Wash
- a Il. A.