May 20, 1863, The New York Herald
Our New Orleans Correspondence.
NEW ORLEANS, April 30, 1863.
The great importance of General Banks’ recent victories can scarcely be appreciated by the people of the North. Let me assure you that their results will be of incalculable benefit to our country.
The rebel prisoners in communicating with their friends today, represent that the campaign of the Teche country is of far greater importance that any other that has occurred during the war. They avow that every effort will be made to concentrate all the available force west of the Mississippi, for the defeat of our columns. The concentration is easy, because the great portion of their troops are mounted. But it is not believed by them that they can gather more than twelve or fifteen thousand men. They say that unless they can successfully oppose the progress of General Banks’ column the confederacy is cut in two. This comes from one of the most intelligent men in their army.
A significant fact in the present condition of affairs is found in the movements of the planters. These men are not politicians, and although assenting to the rebellion, and, since the secession of the State, sympathizing if not participating with the rebels, they are governed now with reference to their own interest; they act together. Recently they had two meetings, of which no notice has been taken by the public, and to which no reference has been made by the newspapers. The condition of the South, of the rebel government, and of the federal army have been fully considered and discussed. Their judgment is worth attention, and the conclusion of all their deliberations has been that they will at once take efficient measures to aid in the restoration of the government of the Union in this State; and, not content with acting for this city of which they are citizens, they will advise the planting interest of all the southern States to pursue the same course. They [continue reading…]