Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1861-12-13
LATEST FROM THE SOUTH.

The planters on the seaboard are hourly
applying torches to their cotton and rice
Some Of them have authorized the authori-
ties to destroy their crops to prevent the raw
ages Of the enemy. Many Of the plantations
on North Edisto and the neighborhood else
where on the coast Of South Carolina are one
sheet Of fame and smoke.
NEW YoRK, Dec. 6.
letter from Port Royal says the 10th
regiment made reconnaissance toward
Charleston, capturing three batteries and
spiking three guns, and returned after having
approached within 20 miles Of Charleston.
A large amount Of cotton was found ready
for shipping, but the rebels were destroying
much Of it. About 1000 contrabands are
about the fort, and others are coming in.
dispatch from Savannah dated the 1th
inst, in yesterdays Richmond papers, says
Is federal ships were inside the bar and am
attack on Fort Pulaski is hourly expected
The RicbmoAi Dispatch says report was
current that lloyds command has been or
dered to another important post for duty
FoRrREas MONROE, Dec
The Norfolk Dag Dook of to-day contains
Gov. Letcher's message, the main point Of
which is regret that Fortress Monroe is not
in possession Of the Confcderates
The rebel Congress- on the 2i inst. passed
a resolution OF thanks to Gen. Price for his
active service during the campaign
Gov. Letcter urges a forward movement.
lie says the banks os the Potomac is not the
place to fight, but the banks Of the Susquc-
hanna.
FoRTREss MONROE, Dec. 7.
The steamer $. b. Spaiding arrived here
early this morning from Hat,eras Inlet. and
brings intelligence Of a naval engagement be-
tween the United States gunboats Stars and
Stripes, Underwrter, Putnam and Ceres and
two rebel gunboats. Between 20 and 80
shots and she'll were fired on each side. but
without doing any damage Several shots
came close to the s. r. Spauiding, from the
rebel guuboats, 70 which Capt. Howe replied
with his guns
BY this arrival we also learn that on the
2d inst. fur us gale prevailed at the Inlet.
but the lortidcatious remained uninjured by
the tide, which was not as h ia as that of the
previous months.
The New Orleans Baletipe says the fcder-
ais have captured two rebel steamboats,. sup
posed to be the Henry Lecis and lratson. and
the California escaped by throwing over
board 80 head of cattle.
The Charleston mercury says Gen. Ripley
has ordered every pound Of cotton likely to
fall into the hands Of the enemy to be burn
ed
The schooner Emeline, from Port Royal, /
Martinique the llth inst, reports that she .
left there the pirate Sumter which would com
mence coaling on the 18th. She had taken
two prize-the brig Daniel 7rouJridge, Of
New Haven, and the brig Joscpd Parker
Capt. Lyon, of the Daniel 7rowJr,dge, come
in the Emeiine. She left New York, Oct.
9Th, for Dcmarra. with cargo of pro-
visions, and war captured October, 9th.
The captain ard crew were taken on board the
Sumter, with al ~ provisions she wanted.
when the brig was get on fire and destroyed .
The captain and crew we're funded at Port
Royal Nov 9th. The brig Joseph Parker was
from Pernamhuco for New York, in ballast.
and was captured Sept. 2lth, and set on fire.
The Captain and crew we're landed at Port
Royal.
A telegram from Savannah, dated the 18th.
says Gen. Buffers expedition arrived that
day at Port Royal. Nothing is sand about
Parson Brownlow's victory, or of the Fort
Pckens affair.