Stirring news may be expected from the lower Mississippi, by the way of New Orleans, shortly. Correspondents at that city state that preparations have been made for an immediate attack on Port Hudson, troops and munitions having already been moved in that direction. The attack is to be made by land and by water. General Banks commanding in person. He left New Orleans for Baton Rouge on the 7th instant, in company with General Grover.
A skirmish occurred near Bolivar, Tennessee, on Monday, the 9th instant, in which the Confederates were defeated, and eighteen taken prisoners. The official report of General Rosecrans of the recent scouting expedition states that one hundred and fourteen prisoners were taken.
A Richmond paper of the 9th reports a Federal expedition up the Tennessee river, which had penetrated as far up as Florence, Ala. Five hundred men were landed from the transports, who were at last accounts moving towards Aberdeen, Miss. Much property was destroyed by them on their route.
The privateer Florida coaled at Barbadoes on the 24th ult., leaving the next day. It is stated that Admiral Wilkes knew ot her whereabouts before he left St. Thomas.
Alexandria Gazette, Alexandria, VA