Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1862-06-06
WAR ITEMS.


Robert Small, the negro pilot, who deliver
d ~ the steamer Planter into our hand has,
with his associates, we are glad to see, been
rewarded for his skill, bravery and loyalty by
Congress. Half the value of the property
they delivered has been allowed them In
deed all the NEGRO property they brought
out IS theirs now, we suppose. But what
painful instance we have here Of the negro's
inability to take care OF himself. Clearly
enough, If Small only had a suitable white
oyerseer, as he ought according to the south
side interpretations of scripture, he would
never have done this foolish and thoughtless
thing. Such fellows need supervision who
is familiar with the intentions of Divine Prov
idence, and who could tell them where they
were meant to stay. For the lack of such
oversight, see what has comet to pass. A
steamer, cannons, ammunition, &c, worth
100000. are furnished to Dupont; nine
ohattes, losing all regard for the curse pro-
nounced againt Ham, are set free, and we
know not what other divine arrangements are
interferred with. Things must be at a sorry
pass, when all this is allowed, and even
Northern pro-slayery papers don't Complain.
Prov. Journal.
letter from Beaufort, S. c., to tho De-
make soldiers of the negroes as not very sue
cessiul. The writer states that only twenty
or thirty negroes volunteered after two weeks
recruiting, and that Gen. Hunter then got
out Of patience and ordered every able bodied
negro in his lines to be collected and sent I'M
der guard TO Hilton Head. The negroes did
not like the operation, and had to be driven
forward at the point of the bayonet, terribly
frightened and believing Justify. The writer
says -"lfa negro in this country has a
greater horror for one thing than another, it
n gun. You ask them If they do not want
TO help put down their old masters, and they
tell you lore God, massa, we cannot shoot
gun make we faint; cant stand fore white
man, no how he shoot us fore We see him
we brake for the swamp, sure, massa."
recent letter from Gen. Haleck's army
says ;--'Reports continue to come in, every
day better authenticated, Of tho desperate
straits to which the rebels are reduced. They
are obliged to bring their water by railroad
twenty-five miles. The men are served every
three days with four rye crackers, weighing a
pound and half each. This constitutes
their entire rations. Forage is as scarce as
food. None but men of well known opinions
are put on picket or guard duty. There are
thousands who would gladly get away If they
could. Bus it is as useless specializing on
such matters as it is on the particular mode
IN which Halleck is going to demolish Beau
regard. That be will do it no one doubts,
and it has long time been clear that the rea-
son we do not attack is because we do not
want to."
Com Tatnalls report in justification Of the
destruction of the Merrimac is published. It
shows that the burning of the iron-gad yes
sci was not in pursuance of any general con-
ference of rebel officers, but that il was the
sudden resolution of Tatnall himself on hear.
ing that our troops had marched upon Nor
folk, that the rebel batteries on Craney Island
and SewalIs Point had been abandoned, that
his pilots deceived him as TO their ability TO
take the vessel up the James river, and that
the enemy we're present in overwhelming force
lie was quite confident the vessel could not
stand so unequal a contest, and as he wished
to preserve her sailors for the confederate SER
vice. he determined to blow her up. He asks
for court of inquiry.
The wife of Gen. W. II. l.. Wallace of OF.
tawa went up to Pittsburg on enc Of the first
boats after the battle, having heard that her
husband was wounded, When she arrived she
found HIM already dead For bresf season
she yielded to the great grief Of her bereaved
soul and wept over her dead, refusing to be
comiorted- But when she saw ali round
on the boat the men who had fought and
fallen with him there yet alive, in pain and
thirst, with none to help them, she turned
from her dead to the living, and all night
long went from man to man with water and
words of comfort, and the holy succor that
must come out Of such an inspiration in such
place.