The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1864-01-19
AFFAIRS ACROSS THE MISSISSIPPI ,

Hon. A NJ. Branch, member of Congress from
Texas, has arrived at Mobile, en- route for Rich
mond He left Alexandria on the 10th, at which
time they had advices at that point from Houston,
Texas, 80 hours old The Mobile Advertiser pub
fishes the following intelligence furnished by him
The enemy were at Matagorda, moving along the
coast in a column about 6 900 strong, accompanied
by their naval force. Their immediate destination
was Velasco, which they were expected to reach
about the 9Th, but it was doubtful whether they
would succeed, as Magruder's force was ample to
meet them. The General himself was in the,sad-
die, and the Texans, mindful of the days and deeds
OF 1885 and SO, were turning out to man.
Velasco is at the mouth of the Brazos, in close
proximity to the southern extremity of Galveston
Island, and the object of the Yankee movement is
to flank Galveston.
About the time that Mr. Branch left Alexandria
the Federals fell back from New Iberia. Mouton 8
division was at Alexandria; destination uncertain,
but supposed to be Monroe. Walker was at At
ehafalava
Kirby Smith left Shreveport with Price, who
was moving on Little Rock with about 10, ,000
men The enemy at Little Rock are said to be
o,ooo strong, the rest of their force some 1000,
being at Pine Bluff. They have increased their
force at the latter place since Marmaduke's raid.
in which he captured $50 negroes and 800 horses
and mules, burned their commissary stores, with a
loss OF only IL men. The Yankees, 1t Will be re-
membered, reported this as repulse of Marina
duke.
On Saturday, 18th, Captain Adams, of Capers'
command, with so men, surprised party of Yam
KEGS and negroes Beuf river, killing 40 or so
and capturing IL prisoners and 20 odd horses,
arms, &c, with the loss of one man..
Judge Field, from the Indian Nation, who ac-
companies MIR Branch, informs US that Cooper was
returning towards the Arkansas river with two
Texas regiments and force of about 5, 1000 In
dians, composed of two Choctaw, two Creek, and
two Cherokee regiments, and battalion of Semi
noes The Cherokees and Greeks are mostly ex-
patriated and have taken refuge in the Choctaw
nation, but maintain their position.
These gentlemen experienced much difficulty
in crossing the river and in getting through the
bottom this side, where they were obliged to lie
out two nights. The Yankees destroy every boat
on the river down to dug out, and threaten to
burn the house Of every man that puts anybody
across. They crossed in a boat that was hauled
seven miles in wagon, their horses swimming !;
and while it on its return gunboat and trans
port passed down, running slowly, close to the
shore, and keeping sharp lookout.
They confirm the report we recently published
of the depredatons of the river pirates styled the
"marine brigade" They lately made descent
on Bruinsburg, where they seized quantity of
salt and 200 packages of tobacco, Which they dis
tributed among the negroes, and ended by plum
deriDg everybody, the negroes included, whom
they robbed of their blankets
Adams command recently captured Lieuten-
ant of this gang of thieves who had his handker-
chief full of rings and breastpins. The impress
sion of our informants is that he-escdped