The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1865-03-14
YANKEE ACCOUNTS FROM TEXAS.

A gentleman "detained" in Texas for the last
ten months, has arrived in Detroit with some wild
stories about the immense blockade business done
there and OF Confederate affairs generally In that
section Of the country
He states that immense quantities oil cotton are
daily arriving at the Rio Grande from Texas. A
cotton operator estimates that there five thou
sand large wagons, drawn by six and eight mules
each, engaged in the hauling; the return freight
being goods of all descriptions for the Interior Of
Texas
Cannon, rifles, swords, and all other war iaple-
ments and ammunition, from England, are being
transported into Texas by way Of Matamoras.-
Ouininc and other medicines from the United
States are abundant, and constantly being for
warded to the rebel army.
Never before has there been so large and ppft
able business now, or money so plenty. Spec
uators from Europe and the United States are
rapidly arriving. Every place that can shelter
nan is overrun, and cheap shantes goipg up
all over the town, renting at enormous prces.-
Traders from Memphis, Natchez and New Orleans
have come in by the score One thousand two
hundred YhiIade pha- made wagons arrived by sea
in three weeks, mostly for the rebel Government.
General Kirby Smith issues permits to all who
want to expor: cotton from Texas for six cents
pound in specie. The permits can be had at
various points in the interior Of Texas, at Shreve
port, Louisiana This has given new impetus to
the trade, and it is wagoned in some instances,
about seven hundred miles It selling at
Matamoras, January 6, at tbirty-fve cents per
pound in specie.
General Walker was unable to induce his troops
to the Mississippi to 90 to Tennessee He
tried it in the middle of December and had to
abandon it. His army is made up Of Texans
Lousianans, Arkansians and Mlssourians, the
General himself being from Missouri. They re-
fused to cross the river, some six hundred desert
ing He retired to Houston with three thousand
men, and took up winter quarters In the IIous-
ton Telegraph Of December 18th he issued an
order forbdding any more furloushs, and in conse
qucnce Of his troops losing so many arms on their
long march he gives notice in the Houston papers
that the following charges will be made for the lost
articles, to be paid for before they will receive any
money from the paymaster, viz: Muskets,
$500; rifles, 5000; carbines, $500; navy rcvolvers
500; army rcvoyers, S400 Persons purchasing
arms from tic troops ill be shot. Dcserters can
rely upon the same fate.
General Ross publishes in the Houston Tele-
graph the of eighty of his pickets who have
recently deserted and proclaims them "cowards"
and "rascals,' and desires them aprrehended be-
fore reaching Arkansas, supposing them to have
gone into the Indian territory on their way home
The rebel army had left Arkansas. On the 22d
of December they at Bog Bayou and Alex
ardria, on Red river, and at Minturn and Shreye-
port, Louisiana. The number bearing arms was
about thirty thousand. Shelby on raid in
Arkansas. They are well clothed, receiving
everything they want from Mexico.