From New Orleans.
The New Orleans correspondent of the Chicago
Times, of the 24th ult., gives long dispatches, from which we copy the following:
‘
Reliable information here reports the
French 7,000 strong in
Matamoras.
The Texan expedition, I have good authority for stating, is now recalled or abandoned.
On one hand it is asserted that the cause for the withdrawal of the expedition was a desire to avoid a conflict with the
French; on the other that the troops are now destined for
Mobile.
Others, again, will have it that a large force is to be forwarded immediately to
Charleston for a grand land attack.
I think you will find
Mobile the destination or next point of attack.
I am certain the Texas expedition is abandoned for the present.
Great preparations had been made for it. The most of the vessels chartered are now released.
The
French have evidently stolen a march on our folks, and it is not time yet for a collision.
I regret the state of affairs, but cannot help it.
Great excitement in the
Picayune that
Napoleon had signed a treaty of alliance with the
South.
The authority for the statement was forwarded from New York.
This, and the reported repulse at
Charleston, sent gold up from 27 and 28 to 33 and 34--selling rates 35.
There appears to be a settled disposition on all sides to believe that the hour of conflict with
France is near at hand.
Great disagreement exists between the
Northern and Western troops.
I do not feel at liberty to say more at present.
Ten thousand reports are spread broadcast over this place regarding affairs on the
Mississippi.
The guerillas are burning cotton near
Baton Rouge and
Port Hudson, and a force of Confederates, under
General Logan, is said to have made a raid on
Port Hudson, killing and capturing several hundred negroes there, and driving all within the entrenchments.
It has settled into general belief that the rebels have got
Fort Adams and
Grand Gulf, and are busy fortifying; and that
Price's force, or a portion of it, has turned up at or near
Helena, Ark, on the river.
It is evident that the
Confederates are making another attempt to shut up the river, and I should not be surprised if the recalled Texas expedition will be thrown back to points on the
Mississippi to checkmate the
Confederates.
Everything is conducted with great secrecy — all is bustle and excitement, but no one but the
Commanding General himself understands the movements.
Do not be surprised, therefore, at the ignorance of your correspondent.
A thousand conflicting stories are told.
In the opinion of your humble servant the situation of affairs may be summed up thus: Texas expedition abandoned because of the certainly of a conflict with the
French; the troops to be thrown to points on the
Mississippi, to prevent their occupation by the rebels, and the expedition when next formed to operate against
Mobile.
From the confident tone of many officers here I had been led to believe that
Brownsville and even
Matamoras would have been occupied ere this.
There has been something wonderful for the change which has occurred.
May be I will be enabled to enlighten you in full in my next.
A large force of Confederates is reported opposite
Brashear City.
The national troops are strengthening
Brashear, and three gunboats patrol the bay.
I am greatly afraid that trouble will ensue on the
Mississippi.
Everything looks that way. Perhaps rapid movements will frustrate reported operations of the
Confederates.
Provisions here are up to almost starvation figures.
Flour has risen to $10.50 to $11 per barrel for extra; potatoes, $11 per barrel; onions, $10; hams, 25 cents per pound; green shoulders, 12 cents; fresh beef, 50 cents; pork, 40 cents per pound.
You can rely on what I write, as I know beyond a doubt.
The great order giving unrestricted trade is a humbug of the first water, I assure you. There is a market here, and a good one, for unlimited supplies, but the restrictions will not permit their transit to points in need, and consequently there has been no arrival of cargoes.
Hence we are ourselves now suffering from exorbitant prices.
Gen. Grant is fast recovering, and I learn upon most excellent authority that he will supercede
Gen. Banks in command here.
The Eastern and Western troops are at continued loggerheads — can't agree.
Nigger, nigger, too much.
The rebel raid into
Baton Rouge was on an immense scale — killing, capturing, and destroying greatly.
They carried off immense amounts of stores.
Loss said to be as much as $3,000,000.
’
