Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1862-06-20
roRr PILLOW AM MgMpHIs.

sippi river. including tho evacuation of Fort
poilow and tho captpro of Nfo,,rhis The
a., - oc ~, ,,isa,,s,;,,, - ", p;ia,,,
u.s. ''S" VI '"' V'"ous''on Vi rOl' ! 'nVW'
was 'uc connaRrN'lon "eunesuay h'gnt' ~
commenced about seven clock, and lasted
an hour and a half, several slight explosions
taking place during the fire. 10 was clear
enough TO all that the enemy were evacuating
the rort and aro, , r,con,oissapce il was dc,
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~ ''"' ''o "'N' ,''"'"N' "i''e" Wv
,e'"'""'"h was '"'eessiu"y tifficu ""''
The correspondents write as follows in ro-
gard To- the
srrrNeru or ruF r.ur. vouK-
Iti impossible for any one who Is at al ac-
quautcd with military engineering 10 pass over
thc work. without arriving at the impression that
both hv natural conGeuration and scientific aid
ibev are tic most formidable works of their kind
iu the country Never before. probably, was any
place containing so many natural advantages for
purposes OF defense The dificuhcs of stormiun
the place are absolutely Incredible Nothing but
tle most reckless and thouehfless bravery could
ever have made entry into the lines II defended bv
five thousand determined mem The capabilities
of tho work, facing the river are euornOns-n0t
only mounting the most formidable guns bat also
subiccting the enemy 90 the most couical fire i'm
approaching the place. Stronger than Columbus
by nature, 10 was equally wel fortified hv art
Twice stronger than Island 80. 40. forthe reason
iNNI INH approach was NNfItilaaWr tNnNl not ffNf
soc the enemy. while ho could look down upon our
decks from his high bfuH
The work. az Pillow NAV Dee described most
easily, %. drst an IRREGULAR line of carthworks rum
ming along tine base ot the bluffs for di. .tance of
half % mile continuous. with but one slight inter
mission 40 hinhi oi twpnt,-G feet from the riv-
cr at thi. stare The emhauluncnt. part of which
appears to be old is calculated for forty-one guns,
though it is doubtful If more than eighteen have
been mounted there at any time Above this
and ou platcaus not quite oven with the top of the
range OF bluffs, are two long batteries calculated
for about twenty guns of various caiibrrs these
work, are of more recent constructions Besides
this there are ON the nights and in isolated places
near the top excavations behind which single
gun was mounted or more correctly speaking
dismouutcd The plan of the rebels has evidentl,
been TO remove most of the best guns aud to shat
ter tine rest by oycr-chareos: % few of them have
stood th. test and may be- considered amply safe
hereafter
10 regard TO Che Garrison of Pillow we learn
that when Che Union Houla first came down the
rivpr thp defender, numbered some = 900. Dur
ing tine past few weeks the force has not exceeded
l5up and since Monday there have not been but
900 or 800 Gen. Nlipigut with his small COM
ulud leb the fort about O'Clock Wednesday af
ternoon, but JEFF. Thompson arried at Fulton
swearing he would give the Yankees a fight when
ever they apperred Before the Yankees. how
ever, could reach the town in which he was
he Ned with the gunboats to Memphis The
camps and barracks do NOT show M very rood
condition. They must have been in want of
many comforts and nct n few ncccssities Empty
bntties were the principal feature of tbe encann
mcnt. and that the, were empty must have been
to them a source OF most profound regret All
.inns indicated scarcity and penurv. and it is no
marvel the rebels comnlaiued and desired 10 free
themselves from the incubus of secession.
on no MEMPHIS.
Al noon ON Thursday. the fleet of ninboats and
rams steamed down the river 10 Memphis leayinr
A suitable Guard at Fort Pillow 30 incidents
were experienced down the river. and not a sbot
was fired from the banks Many OF the farm build
ines that we're passed were in ruins. and others
were burniue. while the water OF the river was
white with The cotton that was thrown into it, to
prevent its falling into our hands. The fleet
anchored about fve miles above Memphis, for the
night and carly FRIDAY morning moved TO attack
the rebel fleet before the city. The rebels. evi-
IDENTITY. had the advantage in locality and in the
number OF guuboats. He wasintimatlv acquainted
with the course OF Che shifting channel, aud had
eight gunboats Go our FIVE Only two OF our rams
went into action. Owing TO au accident. the
Lancaster unshippin,, her ridder. She was unable
TO take part in the FIGHT. and the Switzerland took
her m tow The current was strong and the river
narrow and the enemy 6ohtiuir nm straan, had
the ADVANTAGE of ,teeraoe ,yay 'I'be force, c.-
tinatio ouIy tbe io,teri9l constituents were naa,
D.. t.t.....l - t.... l. ..... .... a.