Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1862-01-24

for their misunderstanding % guns Of the
heaviest Caibro as che complement Of th
fort and tho batteries.
The permanent forts and batteries Of Bos-
ton hatbor are now in readiness for not less
than $50 guns Early in the spring the num-
Der will be increased to 43O, by the close OF
summer TO 461 These are part of the gem
eral system Of coast delenccs, and have no
reference to the temporary works which the
exIgicncies Of war might suddenly call into
existence
NORFOLK.
We should not be surprised to hear short
ly that the possession Of this rebel stronghold
is to be vigorously contested. Our dispatch
cs from Fortress Monroe report the current
impression there that Gen. Wool has warned
the rebel Gen. Huger to remove the women
and children from Norfolk. But whether this
be true or not, the progress Of events points
to an early and combined attack on that city.
1t remains TO be seen whether all the Burn
side expedition has gone down the North Ca
rolina coast, or is going But we hear from
those who have gone that Roanoke Island,
the only strong place in the two souuds has
been abandoned by the rebels. ID this be so.
Gen. Burnside will be able TO push ON more
rapidly than was supposed. The railroad
communications will be seized at one or more
points, probably as the first work of the cx-
petition.
II an attempt upon Norfolk does not con-
stitute the second chapter in the history Of
the expedition it will at least come ia due
season. HoU it will be done is as uncertain
as the time Gen. Burnside may undertake
TO advance upon the rear either by the Dis
NAL Swamp Canal or by the Seaboard Rail-
road from Weldon, or by both routes But,
as we have said, it is most probable that
simultaneous attack will be made in front,
under Gen Wool or some other COM
mander. The usual route up the Eliza
beth river is said to be beset with numer-
Gus heavy rebel batteries. But the Port
Royal experience may have rendered
our naval commanders less concerned
about these than was formerly the case. It
movement in front may be made by The Nam
semond river. We are convinced, however,
that the VIII, lie subject has boon most carefully
examined, and that complete success will
crown the enterprise whenever II is under
taken. The number Of rebel troops ayuia-
bic for the defence Of Norfolk is reported at
nineteen decentralization Jo'eu,aL
N a
South Carolina negroes, from whom their
masters have run away, seem disposed to
work and TO conduct themselves properly A
letter from the IrbuHc's CORES pendent at
Port Royal says;-
p" Mr. Lane is actively employed n the collection and
ginning Of cotton this and the adjacent islands, and
be employ, Tor % running oi cue.nc and gin. only the
assistants uakc thc bags aud pack the cotton What
ever Is necessary 90 prepare the cotton flr shipment or
markct-cNcCpt receiving the pay Tor it-has always
h'en their regular duty and very few except the slaves
have the necessary knowledge and experience n is the
Testimony ~ Mr. Lane who !, AS far Il. possible from
being an abnoust hat the ucgr1os under him do thcf
work faithfully and we'll, with very little supervision, and
no means Of compulsiou whatever by their help the
cotton 3. ginued and packed for aAoot - 50 bale
price tr which IT. could not uossiby be- done ia New
York There is still greater sayin ia Of transpor-
iatipn aud risk OF damage"
OF the employment Of negroes as soldiers
the same CORES pondent writes
II is plain that the arming II he slaves will now be-
come general on one side or the other I'm addition N
The accounts heretofore received fom different parts Of
into camp on New Years day lie knows that o.
point not r distant from Port Royal not less than hree
hundred slaves are under arms, organized aud mainly
differed boy white. aud forming pat Of the regular force
oudor command n the general NJ thai department They
are Treated much like whites-that IS like the common
white sod'crs-or "h1m south Carolina adstocracy has
little more respect than for the blacks Other companies
were forming in which the proportion n black officers
was considerably larger. This negro was asked 90
take command Of a company already raised-the re-
crutng being probably about as near the volunteer
system as elsewhere in the South. When he declined,
he ordered TO take H. and threatened with punish
ment II he refused ndisposed fight fr the perpetu-
alton Of the tyranny that sought 10 compel him he fed
% our camp, where there seems small chance Of his be-
ing either compelled or permitted 70 fight for the Gag
that protects him His statements confirmed by
other slave from the district who neither knew the
other before nor has seen him since"
The New York Herlid correspondent from
Port Royal, Jan. / /, gives the following item
THAT false report which appeared in the
Charleston Courier and the Mercury, in re-
gard to the occupation Of Station No 4, on
the Charleston and Savannah Railroad, by a
thousand Of our troops, goes to show that
the rebels are either terribly alarmed or that
they have sustained a severe loss and dis
astrous defeat at Port Royal Ferry. The re-
port was evidently published for the purpose
Of calling rebel troops from the vicinity OF
Richmond, and the imperative character of the
necessity for more troops in this quarter to
resist our advance, was doubtless considered
sufficient excuse for the hlsehood which
the papers were guilty Of With all her bra
vado and yaporngs, the poor state of South
Carolina is evidently reduced to the greatest
straits and is now trembling to the very
core lest the Yankees should cut off railroad
communication with rebellion, and finally
spend winter IN Charleston itself Nomi-
nally, she is the game cock State, but really
she is the verest craven at heart, and ready
to give mp the contest after she receives anoth-
er sound blow Her day will come in a short
time. If | don't spend the first of May in
the city of Charleston, or upon its ruins,
shall be greatly mistaken"
The bill to regulate the carriage of printed
matter outside Of the mails, introduced into
the House by Mr. Colfax from the post office
committee, prohibits any railroad or express
company or common carrier on any postal
route iiom carrying, from and after 1862, for
hire, sale or distribution, any newspaper or
periodical not contained in the mail, under
penalty of forleiting 500 for each oHense,
half TO informer and half to the United States
England sent s,4as troops to Canada, dur
ing the late furry.