Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1861-12-06

madam steamer has been seized off the coas
Of Maine by United States revenue cutter
The steamer had on about 10 900 Springfield
muskets, clothing, boots, bank paper, caps
and munitions Of war. She was cleared from
Canada and the cargo was consigned TO par
ties in the Southern States.
Dispatches received at Washington from
Gen. Rosencranz. in western Virginia. state
that he is still occupying his old position
Gen. Benham was under arrest for permitting
the escape Of Floyd aud his gong.
The JribUne's Washington special dispatch
says the Clerk Of the House has received a
letter from Mr.. Ely Of N. Y, now prisoner
at Richmond, desiring his name to be put on
the list as he should be here to occupy his
seat this session.
Monday morning the pickets Of Blencker's
brigade at Annandale were attacked by party
Of rebel cavalry, unexpectedly. and heavy
firing took place. The result was one rebel
killed aud two wounded and taken prisoners.
One Of our men was wounded
The Tribune's Washington dispatch SAYS
that most important order will soon be is
sued from headquarters informing the gov
ernors Of several free States that no more
regiments, batteries OF independent compan-
les must be raised or received by them ex-
cept upon requisition Of the war department
The regiments now forming will be completed
unless it shall be deemed more advantageous
TO the service to assign men already raised
/ 10 incomplete organizations actually in the
field. General superintendents Of the vol
unteer recruiting service will be appointed in
all the States, and recruiting in each State
will be directed upon the system pursued in
the regular army.
The World s dispatch says that Secs Cam
eron and Seward were serenaded last night
The latter only appeared aud simply compli-
monted the music, and stated that in ten days
the country would rejoice at great news.
/ The Hsralds dispatch says Gen. Mcclellan
is understood 20 have made the most urgent
representations to the President in favor OF a
regular and systematic exchange prisoners,
demonstrating that the interests of the coun-
try, no less than those Of humanity, require
this. He will probably succeed in having his
views approved and acted upon.
WAsHINGroN. Dec. 4
Senator Trumbull's proposed confscation
provides for the absolute forfeiture Of all rcb-
ell property which is beyond the reach Of iu-
dicial process, the proceeds, after paying the
expenses and just claims Of loyal creditors, to
be applied to reimbursing loyal citizens dcs-
poiled by rebels. the balance to pay the ex-
penses Of the war the rebels to forfeit their
slaves who become free, the President pro-
viding for their colonization.
The Treasury department is engaged in
perfecting arrangements for opening a trade
with the repossessed Southern ports, which
will be completed in a few days.
A dispatch from the rebel lines report
Johnston in command Of the Southern army.
with Bcauregard as second.
FROM FORTRESS MONROE.
FoRrREss MoNRoE. Dec
A sharp engagement between the United
States gunboats He'zei, seymour, Whitehall
and ShmOnee, and a rebel steamer supposed
to be the Yortop, took place yesterday about
five miles above Newport News. The bonn
bardment lasted about two hours, commence
ing at five o'clock in the morning. The
rebel steamer kept close to the shore, where
a powerful battery assisted it materially, but
never venturcd within range of our guns
The engagement was kept up with great vigor,
and the roar of artillery was plainly heard at
Old Point. By that means we learned that
the rebel vessel engaged in the action ,ester-
day was the steamer Patrick Henry. The reb-
els claim that no damage was done to them
FROM THE SOUTH.
A spy has Just returned from Richmond
and says that intense excitement exists
throughout the entire South by reason Of our
naval expeditions. The rebel troops from
the threatened states declare they will 60
homo. and large numbers have already start
ed Among the Georgia. South Carolina and
Louisiana troops, very great restlessness, a
mounting almost to violent mutiny, showed
itself, and was only partially quieted by the
promise made by jeff Davis that men enough
should be sent South not only to defend their
homes, but to drive the rascally Yankees into
the sea.
The Richmond Dispatch of the 2Sth ult.
says the rebel Congress, on Wednesday,
passed a law admitting Missouri to the Con-
icdeIacy. The Congress refused to make any
advances on the purchase Of the produce of
planters.
The Legislature OF Mississippi has passed
a bill authorizing the Governor to call out an
optional number of volunteers for service at
Columbus, and appropriated 100000 there
for
The Charleston Courier deprecates the rails
ing OF the black flag, and saws that it is urged
principally by those who keep a safe distance
from the war.
The Richmond Examiner publishes a cor
respondenoe between Lieut. Morey and the
Grand Duke Constanstine. the Grand Admiral
OF the Russian navy. The Grand Duke invi-
ted Lieut. Morey to enter the Russian service,
to which Lieut. Morey replies that he cannot
until southern independence is established.
A New Orleans dispatch says that Govern
or Moore and Gems. Lowell and Rutgers. on
the 2ith, reviewed $4,000 troops, including
400 free colored men.
The Richmond Examiner Of the 29th ult.,
has dispatch dated Charleston, 2Sth, to 'he
effect that the Union troops landed on the
9th at BENEFITS Point. at the mouth of the
Ashepo river, which is in the Island district
about Port Royal II also says that on Mon
day the 2jth, four Union steamers shelled
Otto Island, near st. Helena, and then land
ed Then it goes on to say that we (the fed
erals) now have the entire possession of the
St. Helena Sound. A number Of lighters
passed Charleston bar Monday night per-
haps those old whalers referred TO in the
Union papers. In the same paper is a dis
patch dated Savannah the 2Sth, which says
that Fort Pulaski. on the 27th, threw shot
and shell at the Union troops on Tybet
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