Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1861-10-31

VIII enueavor to sink some of the Federal veS-
sells now guarding the exit from James River.
The rebels are also active in other measures
for breaking the blockade. One hundred pick
cd men are chosen, who are detailed for "infer-
nal machine duty." They are to slip quietly
down to Old Point in surf boats, with muled
oars, and attach internal machines to the ves-
sells of the blockadng feet, for the purpose Of
blowing them up. On one occas on the crew
did come alongside the Minnesota off Old
Point, but they did not succeed in blowing her
up. They lost their machine, however, which
was subsequently picked up on the beach by
Federal soldiers. 1t was in damaged and
useless condition.
The manner in which the rebels become so
well posted on Federal operations is thus de-
'aiied by our informant: Two boys, or you &
men, residing in Washington. have fishing
boat, and pursue the ostensibe calling of fish
ermen: They leave Washington nightly in
their boat, with full supply of the latest
Philadelphia and New-York papers, together
with letters, and cross the Potomac. They
pretend to be busily engaged in fishing, but,
watching their opportunity, they land on the
virginia side, and deposit TIER mail bags at
prearranged spot. Here they receive mail
bags IN return, which they carry to Washing
ton.
Another plan OF mail carrying was, until re-
Gently, for twelve-oared boat to take the mail
from the eastern shore OF Maryland to the VIZ
gin,a shore a considerable distance below the
federn' lines hut this mail line is believed
to have been broken up. In the meantime the
rebels daily receive New-lo and other North
ern papers at Norfolk and lhchmond one day
alter reception at Washington This enables
them always to c"ntrunt an advancing column
OF federal troops with four times their num-
Der OF rebels, with disastrous results to the
Union cause.
Our informant speaks of quantities of medi-
cine shd other supplies having been transport
ed to reheldom by this tishing-boat mail line
to which W. respectfully direct the attention of
the authorities OF Washington.
The effect OF the blockade at Norfolk and
Portsmouth, is apparent in the doubling OF the
prices Tor all manufactured goods hitherto sup
dies. from coffee IN soan everytbn9 is doublrd
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The rebels are Disguised at Commodore Bar
ron for surrendering at Hatteras, and hope 10
Ste Sl .ne iunkees T nanG nm lnsy nave ;.S maze
states N,yv IN Ad,,,;roi Tho Worfnn Vnv,'
yard has been thoroughly fortified.
The rebel troops between Richmond and Old
FONT have suffered terribly from the measles
and other diseases, and the recent cold weather
has also thinned them out, owing to their want
OF warm clothing ard medicines. Paper tor
newspaper, Nc, is very scarce throughout Nir-
glnia ana North Carolina and there is but one
PAPER, the Ddy look, published in Norfolk
The rebels have good Notifications, intrenched
camps and the like between Norfolk and Old
Point, and they do not seem to fear attacks ex-
cept from the rear, like the one at Haiteras.-
This latter was sore blow Ut them, and they
express the determination to retake iialteras
at any cost.
FIVE Georgia regiments have been ordered
home for the protection OF that State, and ere
this they have probably reached their headquar-
tiers at home.
Our lniormani's accounts are extremely ex-
plict, and we place great reliance upon them
lie is now engaged in business in this city
! where he has relatives of responsibility.
J ,1o,,, ,.o po,,o,. .. 49,. 1uao.
49," '--e -''Oe-' soners. "ouNNeO a1N ii'
..r. ,,.
Dr' he' Dou'liler surgeon oi tne 'hlhheSo''
first, has published statement in the st. Pau
, Pioneer, regarding his experiences while pris
oror IN tho hands of ,bo robo,s Anor,bo ha,
l =,
TIC Nv says
81 walked towards house which though
looked Ike hospital. and upon reaching 1t
was not mistaken. l there met Drs. Powell
, and Ferguson, OF the Second New York, anc
entered into conversation with them. scarce
9 ly had been talking with them FIVE minutes
when squadron of cavalry. numbering abou
4 fifty men, charged upon us, surrounded thu
. yard and house, and although we exhibited ou
green sashes and informed them that we wer,
e surgeons and that the building was hospital
they fired upon us-emptied every gun the,
had in their Understanding all the while
shoot the ID sons OF b-s.'
They killed three of the wounded-two North
erners and a Georgian-who were lying on tn,
G ground in front of the house, IL der a locus
2 tree. They also shot the brave Ferguson in lh
y left leg, fracturing both bones. They immedi
ately began to load again, and we believing iha
e it was their intention to murder us, rushed in
= to the house and determined TO defend ourselv
: es There were about ten or twelve privates
/. who had assisted the wounded to this place whit
had retained their arms. They fired upon tn
Y enemy from the doors and windows, KILN,
: their Captain and four privates, and put tn
i whole to flight.
$ This captain, it seems was lawyer residin!
near Petersburgh, Va.
We stayed at Manassas for two dsys, whel
n we were informed that they desired us to go t.
a Richmond to prepare hospitals for our wound
t ed. On our arrival at Richmond we were Sc
i to work to cleanse two large five story bricl
tobacco factories for that purpose.
T. In few days our wounded began to arrive
s and we continued to receive them until boil
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