Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1864-01-08
War N Q w s.

tive. The health of the Union troops i
remarkably good. Experienced sur
geons who have recently made tour o
inspection to look into the sanitary con
dition of the army, say there never WA
a body of men in their experience will
as little sickness among them. In d.
vision of IL large regiments there were
but 20 sick in hospital and 2Sin quarters
STEADY PROGRESS IN TEXAS
Our forces in Texas are making stead,
progress occupying one place after an
other and meeting with no opposition
Gen. Firz Henry Warren, with a con.
siderable force, had embarked on the
steamer Warrior, and crossing Mataeor
da bay, had occupied Indianola without
o,position. Some important rebel docu
ments were captured, and among them
was Magruder'5 address to The people o,
western Texas, dated at Houston, in
which be says that the defense of western
Texas will not be given up as reported
He urges minute men, exempts and all
others capable of bearing arms, to or
Ganize at once and proceed to the camp
of Gen. Bee at Victoria. He says that
the confederate troops are marching to
repel the invaders, and that San Antonio
and Austin are being rapidly fortified.
lie speaks confidently of being able
eventually to drive the 'yandals' back to
their ships. Gen. Heron is assigned to
the command of the district of The front
Ter bordering on the Rio Grande. Gen.
Dana's headquarters are removed to
Matagorda, and he commands all the
forces in Texas.
TAE HouDAYs AT NEW ORLEANS.
Tie holidays promise TO rival in gay
ETY. those of few years ago. Notwith-
standing that Christmas was damp fog
gy day, the streets were filled with mer-
~ parties. A grand dinner was given
on board the man of war Pensacola.
Commodore Bells flagship. The com
modores, ship officers, sailors and ma
rines all partook of it, the tables being
arranged on the spar and berth decks.
A large number of distinguished guests
also attended. Another dinner, in which
Major General Banks and staff, and nu-
merous civilians participated, was given
at the United States barracks general
hospital. A good lime was enjoyed by
all. Gen. Banks made very eloquent
and felcitous speech, which was enthu.
received.
COLoRED UNION MEN RECoGNIzED
At NEW ORLEANs.-A convention Of
the friends of freedom was held ut New
Orleans on the 2l>t ult., to elect dele
gates to national convention to be held
at Louisville, Ky. The convention al.
mited the negro delegations from the
rolored Union clubs to membership in a
body. The following are the names Of
he delegates elected to the national con,
venion: Hon. Thomas j. Durant A..
G. Hills, editor of the New Orleans Era.
J. NJ. White, Judge Josiah Fisk, DR..
James Readey, p. J. Earhart, A. Fer
nandely and Ansel Edwards.
MIsCELLANEoUs.-T h guprrillas
have ceased firing on river steamers in
the Gulf department.
Hog Point has been occupied by COL
ored troops.
An expedition of three negro reei.
ments, one white regiment and a battery
Of artillery, under Gen. Ullmann, la,
gone to the mouth of Red river TO look
lut for the rebels.
President Lincoln's message and the
accompanying proclamation were receiv-
I'd at New Orleans by the Union men
with unbounded satisfaction. Resou-
lions of approval have been passed al
the meetings of the several Union asso.
Citations, and free state stock has been
rising ever since.
On Tuesday evening, 22d nit, Mrs.
Banks had reception Of her own and
The generals friends at their residence.
1t was a magnificent affair. Officers
from the foreign ships of war were
present and also the foreign consulS, etc,
in full court dress.
EXCHANGE OF PRIsONERs.-Gen.
Buffers object in visiting Washington
is to bring personally before the Presi-
dent his plan for compelling the rebels TO
resume the exchange of prisoners. II
they fail to resume, under his policy, it
is said, they will be placed in very I'M
enviable position. But they will care
little for that; they have got beyond a
decent respect for the opinions Of the
world. The five hundred m { n last