An extensive trade had been carried on for two years between the Confederate States, and the Mexican border. The occupation of Brownsville had checked in a measure this intercourse, and it was determined by the Federal authorities to attempt the capture of Shreveport, an important trading town in the extreme northwestern border of Louisiana, near the boundaries of Arkansas and Texas. This place is at the head of steamboat navigation on the Red river, in the midst of the largest and richest cotton district in the trans-Mississippi department. It was the rebel capital of Louisiana, the headquarters of Gen. Kirby Smith, and the general depot for rebel supplies in that section. The Government desired Shreveport, and the undisturbed possession of the Mississippi, and General Banks was charged with the duty of taking it. His army consisted of a part of the Nineteenth army corps, which he formerly commanded in person; a portion of the Thirteenth army corps, under General Ransom; and a portion of the Sixteenth army corps, under the command of General Smith. A large naval force under Admiral Porter, constituted an important part of the expedition. The Red river cannot be navigated with safety for any distance above Alexandria by large vessels, except during the months of March and April; and arrangements were accordingly made for the grand naval and army expedition to start as early in the month of March as practicable. On the second of the month, Admiral Porter concentrated his fleet off the mouth of Red river, awaiting army movements, while some of his gunboats were engaged in destroying bridges on the Atchafalaya and Black rivers, and rebel property collected at Sicily Island. Admiral Porter’s fleet comprised the following vessels: The Essex, Commander Robert Townsend; Benton, Lieutenant-Commander James A. Greer; La Fayette, Lieutenant-Commander J. P. Foster; Choctaw, Lieutenant-Commander F. M. Ramsey; Chilicothe, Acting Volunteer Lieutenant S. P. Couthouy; Ozark, Acting Volunteer Lieutenant George W. Browne; Louisville, Lieutenant-Commander E. K. Owen; Carondolet, Lieutenant-Commander J. G. Mitchell; Eastport, Lieutenant-Commander S. L. Phelps; Pittsburgh, Acting Volunteer Lieutenant W. R. Hoel; Mound City, Acting Volunteer Lieutenant A. R. Langthorne; Osage, Lieutenant-Commander T. O. Selfridge; Neosho, Acting Volunteer Lieutenant Samuel Howard; Ouachita, Lieutenant-Commander Byron Wilson; Fort Hindman, Acting Volunteer Lieutenant John Pearce. And the lighter boats: Lexington, Lieutenant George M. Bache; Cricket, Acting Master H. H. Gorringe; Gazelle, Acting Master Charles Thatcher; Black Hawk, Lieutenant-Commander K. R. Breese.