Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1861-12-20
FRoM GEN BANKS coMMAND.

A complete government telegraph line now
extends from Alexandria to Hagarstown, Md,
including all the camps on the Virginia shore
the War department and camps Of Gems
Banks and Stone.
Intelligence from Harper's Ferry is that the
rebels had constructed a bridge from the
mainland to Kerrs Island, in the Shenandoah,
and brought off locomotive and conveyed il
to Winchester.
The rebel force at Martinsburgh is con-
siderably augmented, and has grown quite
important along the river line.
The rebel battery which opened on General
Leonard's pickets, at Dam No. 5, last week,
was section of Alburts Wse's artillery.
aud a section Of the Rock Bridge artillery,
from Martinsburgh. Their infantry amounted
to zoo, and two cavalry corps. The infantry
was concealed so as to cut off the retreat OF
Leonard's force should they attemp TO to cross
the river to take the battery tho. temporary
abandonment Of which was feint. On Mon
day Col. Leonard took two guns up TO Fort
Frederick, above Dam No, s., TO give the rebel
force returning by railroad, raking About
clock train came up, when about two
miles distant he opened fire on it, The
first shot checked the train. The two sue
ceeding shots struck the right cylinder Of the
engine, causing steam to escape in great vol
ume. The train had no troops aboard, but
those in charge made excellent time in escap-
ing. At last accounts the train was still
standing on the track
Jackson's force at Martnsburgh comprises
5000 troops, well armed and provided for
FROM WASHING ron AND VICINITY
New YORK. Dec. l6.
The Vermont cavalry left for the seat OF
war, passing down Broadway between and
y O'Clock
The Heraids Washington dispatch says
Senator Wilson will tomorrow bring in the
bill for the abolition Of slavery in the District
of Columbia. The bill has been drawn with
great care, and provides for the appointment
OF commissioners to ascertain the value OF
slaves and the payment of the amount thus
fixed to loyal owners.
A reconnaissance was made on Tuesday bv
squadron of he LIST New Jersey cavalry,
belonging to Gen. Heintzlemans division,
under command Of Capt. Sheldon. A por-
ton of the squadron, commanded by Lieut.,
BONNEVILLE, of Co. l., Jersey City, was order
ed to proceed to Como Mills, to the left of the
Springfield Station. on the Orange & Alexan-
dria Railroad, and about seven miles from the
headquarters Of General Heini2eman The
company then halted, when an orderly pro-
ceeding two miles beyond while attempting
to return, found themselves surrounded by
rebel infantry. The Lieutenant was shot in
six places, and the horse Of the orderly killed.
The orderly made his escape. The company
in reserve hearing the firing, proceeded TO
render assistance, and on its approach the en-
envy fed, leaving the Lieutenant behind, after
robbing him Of his small arms and nearly all
his clothing. He was brought into camp and
was still alive at night.
The Reliance came out 20 Washington from
the Potomac hotlla on Monday, and states
that there we're two rebel batteries above
those before reported. One of them is near
ly opposite the station of our fotlla at In
dian Head and the other near the mouth of
Mattawamon. All both heavy guns are
mounted, evidently, as they threw shot over
on the Maryland shore.
Much activity prevails at the Washington
Navy Yard. During the last week four steam
ers, the Yankee, Cour he Lion, StepDHgstone
and another were sent out, thoroughly re6t-
ted.
The monster gun Just finished, weighing
over Is 900 lbs. has been mounted in prac-
tice battery, and was fired for the first time
Tuesday morning. fhe projectile used was
the Dahlgreen concal percussion she'll, weigh
ing 1870 lbs. The first shot, with moderate
charge of powder was in excellent range, and
the shot little out Of the line Of the target.
NEW YoRK, Dec. II.
The Heralfs Washington dispatch says the
Cabinet has been in session several hours to-
day, during which our difficulty with England
was discussed with great calmness and firm
ness Whatever the demands from England
may be. our government is resolved that Ma
son and Sldell shall never be given up.
The Times dispatch says that the rumor
of a messenger arriving post haste with dis
patches for Lord Lyons are false. No ultima
tum from the English government in regar
to Slidell and Mason is expected at the be
ginning of diplomatic correspondence on tn
subject.
The Heralas Washington dispatch sa,
the Brazilian minister gave dinner las
evening, at which quite number of IT,
diplomatic corps were present
of course the seizure Of Mason and Slide
was discussed in a non-committal way. Tn
impression was that England would make
, demand for the release of Mason and Sldel
but that lengthy correspondence woul
settle the matter without war.
A gentleman Just arrived from Missouri
states that Senator Polk has gone over to tn
; rebels, and is ,aking counsel with them 1
Memphis
A prominent and influential citizen has n
Gently been in Richmond, and says the Unio
= sentiment in Eastern Virginia is rapidly ii
= creasing. He says if Congress shall not leg
islate unfavorably on the slavery question,
4 portion of Virginia is safe for the Union.
, Nearly all the saltpetre in England has bee
quietly bought by our government agents, b'
it cannot now be forwarded under the actio
of the British government
= FROM THE SOUTHERN COAST.
a private letter from Beaufort says; "O'
stone feet had sailed from Savannah f
Charleston, in company with man-ot-wa
The ships were sunk in Charleston harbor.
The steamer Baltic, with 1000 troops h'
: left Port Royal for Fernandina, accompani'
by the BienviHe and another gunboat. II
Fertilization there consisted of battery
d five guns, manned by 200 or 800 men.
If was thought it would fall into our han
n after a brief struggle
e Our naval authorities at Ship Island refus
n to carry Gen. Phelps slavery procamati
L over to the main land, and Lieut.. Buchan