From Trans-Mississippi.
--A correspondent of the Mobile Advertiser, writing from Houston, Texas, gives the annexed news:‘ Investigations are being made into the alleged cotton brands in Texas. No discoveries have yet been made, though it is believed there will be such, implicating several agents of the Government, it not officials.
’ Public meetings are being held all over Texas, and serious revival of patriotism is in progress. Gov. Lubbock, Col. J. A. Wilcox, Judge Gray, Col. W. Carter, Judge Oldham, and Gen. Gano, are the principal speakers.
The Yankee General Franklin, with a force said to number 22,000, has been for several weeks slowly advancing from Vermillion, La., in the direction of Alexandria, on Red river. At this date his force is divided, one section being at Opelousas and the other at Washington. Alexandria is threatened; but, unless heavily reinforced, the Federal will hardly be able to reach that point, for Gen. Dick Taylor, with his force, is in a position to oppose their advance much further in that direction. A battle at or near Moundville is imminent, and we have not much doubt that the result will be favorable to our army.
Confederate money in Houston, which has been as low as twelve for one, is now five for one, and steadily advancing.
Our troops throughout the Mississippi Department are now well clothed, well fed and in the best of spirits.
In regard to the rumors about disaster among our troops west of the Mississippi river, the Advertiser's correspondent says: ‘"Do not believe any report that may reach you that our troops in Texas, Louisiana and Arkansas are deserting or becoming demoralized for any cause. Such is not the case anywhere. On the contrary there was never more loyalty than at present among them, as the enemy will yet learn, if he ventures too far within our borders. Do not give yourselves any uneasiness about us on this side; we are all right, and will keep up our end of the pole."’
The Federal hold Little Rock, but no other point in this vicinity, and at present seem disposed to remain very quiet.
There is an abundance of everything to eat all through this country — plenty of salt at $3 per bushel — molasses and sugar cheap, the latter selling by speculators at thirty cents per pound retail.
The report of the duel between Marmaduke and Walker is correct. It grew out of a charge of a charge of cowardice by the former against the latter. Marmaduke was released from arrest on the petition of his officers, and subsequently fully released.
