Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1861-12-20
FROM MISSOURI

Gen, Price is on his last legs. His men
are leaving him in large Rambers, and IL the
present vigorous policy against those arms, or
who furnish aid and comfort to the enemy is
pursued, better state of things is sure TO
follow.
Scouts bring in the news of rebel recruit
ing officers, anu information of a rebel camp
in the timbers near Syracuse, (MoD The
Fedcre troops in these districts are kent &C
lively employed Scarcely day passes
without bringing news Of skirmish, and the
capture of squads of Gen. Prices recruits.
The capture Of leading secession recruiting
officers and the breaking up OF their embryo
camps is doing much TO restore peace and
quiet. Those who are disposed to lay down
their arms and return to their allegiance are
suffered to do so.
Several citizens OF Arkansas have reached
Rolla during the past week, and enlisted in
the Arkansas company, under Capt Ware,
late member Of the Legislature from that State.
These men say that there was Union sooio-
~ in lizard, Fulton, Independence and Scar
cey counties, which could have made an or
ganized stand in two weeks more, but it was
betrayed by reoreant member, and broken
up and scattered. Many Of these Union men
have been arrested and taken to Little Rock.
Some have been hanged, and a large number
are now in the woods trying to make their
escape from the State.
John Hogan, ex-postmastor at St. Louis,
who was arrested on Saturday for embe1zlo-
ment, in card published Monday evening
says his arrest was caused by disagreement
between him and an auditing officer Of the
general post office, which might have been
prevented by prompter examination OF his
accounts.
THE REBELS IN POSSESSION OF LEXINGTON.
ST. LOUIS, Dec. ! ;.
The Democrat learns from gentleman
just from Lexington that Generals Raines
and stein with 60O0 rebels were in possess
sion of that town on Friday last, and that
another large body Of troops were expected
to reach there yesterday
Gen. Prentss, it is said, was on the north
side Of the river with 5000 Federal troops,
and had thrown few shells into the rebel
camp, and destroyed one of the ferry boats
in their hands.
This informant says he beard heavy firing
after leaving Lexington on Friday, indicating
that an engagement was progressing between
our forces and the rebels, Also that Gen
Davis brigade Of Federal troops left Otter
vile on Friday for Lexington. These state
ments need confirmation.
SYRACUSE, Mo, Dec. 49,
Scouts bring in the news Of proposed
meeting Of the rebel recruiting officers, and
information OF a rebel camp in the Timbers
The federal troops in this district are kept
actively employed. Squadrons or companies
OF batal.ons of cavalry and sections of light
artillery, If required, are ordered out by Cen
Pope with silence and mystery which is al
ways productive of good results. The com
handing officer alone knows where the blow
is to be struck, and the rebel spies in the
camp are thus thrown off the track and the
expeditions so sent out are almost invariably
successful.
The expedition sent North few DAYS
since under Major Marshall, routed a band of
rebels under Joe Shelby, and captured four
captains, two adjutants, one lieutenant and
forty men, with arms, horses, wagons, NOR
tar and other articles.
correspondent of the st. Louis, MOI
Democrat, of Monday, says orders have been
eceived for all our forces at Tapton to hold
themselves in readiness to march, at the same
ime Gen Pope, at the head of nearly all the
roops in winter quarters at Potterville, F..
marched westward towards burgh for
he purpose, as is generally believed, OF cut .
ting off Price, whom our scouts reported was I
making forced marches TO reach Gen Rains 7
and Slien, now entrenched at Lexington -
Everybody is now waiting startling and good
news, universal confidence is felt 10 the
ability andbravery Of Gen. Pope and his army
Adyices from Mound City 10 the ifih state
that foray of 200 rebels, near Potosi, killed
one man and pillagcd twenty houses. Col.
Montgomery had gone in pursuit.