The Opelousas courier. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1852-1910, 1865-05-27
DAVIS AND TEXAS.

While we do not credit the report that jeff.
Davis has crossed the Mississippi and gone to
Texas, it is certain that tho rebel chief can ~at
across with but little risk whenever he wants.
Ever since the river was opened by the fall OF
Vicksburg, and in spite of vigilant policing by
our gunboats the Mobile papers have advertised
expresses once a week, or oftener to carry valua-
bic packages and letters to Arkansas, Western
Louisiana and Texas Hundreds of negroes
have been ferried over in scows and dugouts,
and thousands of cattle have been swan across
to feed the armies Of the East. To get to the
river and watch favorable chance tor crossing
are only matter for time for patience.
1t is probable, therefore, that Davis can get
off to Texas in spite of the utmost vigilance of
our gunboats and guards, and it becomes an in
teresting question what he will be able to do
when he gets there. A report came frem New
Orleans a few days ago that Kirby Smith had
disbanded his army and given up the fight and
it is known that the rebel General has been for
some weeks in secret communications with
military agent sent from New Orleans to him.
On the other hand we have report frem seer
tain rebel officers" that Davis intends to make
new fight in Texas.
There is in that State a formidable and nu-
merous army. The rebel force in the Trans
Mississippi Department was officially stated to
fifty thousand men few months ago; and these
troops are commanded by Walker, Buckner and
Magruder-all desperate though not very able
men-and by Divisions Generals Churchill,
Forney, Harrison and Parsons--men but little
known here, but thorough adventures, like
their superiors, who have more to gain by war
than by peace.
The troops commanded by these officers are in
fine condition, not worn by harasing marches or
battles, well fed from fat surrounding country,
well armed and equipped from the proceeds of
cotton sales, and more than half of them are
"born on horseback" Texas, with good supply
of horses. If this army is not dispirited Or de-
moraized by the news of the surrender in the
East, it will not need much ''rallying" by Davis
to present formidable front.
Texas itself is country which might tempt
less ambitious man than Davis to make another
effort. That State, with its 237 ,32l square miles
has the area of ten South Caronas. 1t is an
empire in itself. Texas alone. of all the South
ern States, has not only suffered, but has i'm
mensely gained in wealth, in population and i'm
portance during and by the rebellion From
the spring of 1861 till now, there has been an
enormous deportation of negroes from the States
bordering on the Mississippi TO Texas, where
their labor could be made profitable and there
was no danger of molestation by invading al
mics, and no opportunity for the slaves to run
away. The masters have followed; hundreds of
new plahtations-cotton, corn and sugar-bave
been opened no State loyal or disloya has seen
so much gold and silver, and so little paper
money in circulation during the last four years;
and Texas is the only cotton State that planted
full crop for 1865, two months ago.
~~
Early foreshadowing OF Sherman's course
in the London Times - Remarkable
statements and speculations.
Washington, April 25.-The London Times
publishes a letter from their special correspon-
dent at Richmond, under date of March a, which
is attracting earnest attention here in Govern
ment circles as of great significance in foreshad-
owing at that early day the recent policy of Gen.
Sherman.
After commenting at length upon the charac.
ter and achievements of Gen. Sherman. which
are admitted to have brought the Confederacy
to the verge of ruin, he says: "The long ar
compensated by the capture Of that city. If Lee
should eventually be forced to evacuate it, for it
will be attributed more to the strategy of Sher-
man than the coercion Of Grant, Sherman, within
a few weeks of this time may possibly be auto
crat of this continent; but no combination of cir
cumstances can, in my judgment, place the
crown on the head Of Grant. 1t will therefore
be, as said profitable to study the character of
Sherman. as cur best guide to the possible shape
OF the fnture.
He then proceeds to recite the particulars of
Sherman s history down to near the outbreak of
the rebellion, at which time Sherman was Presi.
dent of the Louisiana State Military Academy.
In January, 1861, when the war between the
two sections was manifesty coming, Sherman
resigned his Office in Louisiana, and approached
General Bragg with view of taking leave of
him. He said TO Gen. Bragg: see plainly that
war is at hand. Educated as soldier, / cannot
remain in the South without taking up arms,
and do not see my way to fighting against my
own kinsmen from Ohio; but come what may,
no human consideradon--no human cansidera-
ton lGsn Bragg told me that Sherman repeated
those two words twice) viii ever induce me to
take up arms against the South. The South has,
/ know, many grievances to complain Of, and /
shall 60 to Ohio with view to instructing my
couDtrymen about them.
The correspondent then speaks of the aston
ishment with which Gen. Bragg heard of Sher-
man as Brigadier General at the first battle of
Bull Run, but says that he was NOT disposed to
question Sherman 8 sincerity at the time he made
the declaration. He then reviews Sherman's
course since that battle, regarding him as one of
the most earnest and successful generals of the
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