Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1862-01-31
From WASHNGToNAND VIC1NITY

a few days. The almost impossible condi-
ton Of the roads for teams containing army
supplies owing 60 the continuous heavy rains,
constitutes this highly important improve
ment.
The following dispatch was received Mon
day at the War Department
ST. LoUts, Jan. 90.
Ohioial reports Just received from the OK
petition sent from Cape Girardeau TO Benton
and Bloomfield, state that they captured
Lieut.. Col Palmer and eleven other officers
and 63 privates, with quantity Of arms,
horses. saddles &c. Most Of the rebel Off
GERS were surprised and captured in a ball
room. (Signed,) II. w. HALLECK.
Secretary Fox, of the navy, feels con-
fdent that the Burnside expedition has, ere
this, struck blow at point which, with the
advance of Gen Buell. into Tennessee. will
will cut off all rebel communications with
Virginia and the States south of it.
Gen. Mcclellan interprets the absence Of
all news from the Burnside expedition by flag
of truce to Fortress Monroe, as favorable, as
Il the expedition had failed we should hear
OF such fact through rebel sources.
The TribWHe's Washington dispatch says
the proposition Of imposing a tax Of 10 per
cent. upon the pay ofthe army in preference to
reducing the rates, meets with favor from the
officers and men, and will soon be introduced
in Congress 1t is also proposed to tax at
the same rate the pay of all Union employees.
A rebel deserter says ten regiments have
gone south, but the position Of the main body
of the rebel army is unchanged. The rebel
line of defense extends about 6S miles They
expect most sanguinary battle at Centre
vile.
The Times dispatch says that Reynolds.
agent sent by the Secretary of the Treasury
to Port Royal had a long interview with Sec
Rotary Chase last night He says he has al
ready secured about 81 900 600 worth of cot
ton. lie has now in his employment about
5000 negroes, who are now at work on
different islands gathering cotton.
The Herdids dispatch says the bankrupt
law proposed by the merchants Of New
York meets with general favor. 1t will
doubtless meet with some notifications, but
will probably pass in the main as it now is.
The repairs to the Island Belle were COM
pleted at the navy yard on Saturday, and taxi
ing on board Gen. Sickles and some officers
of his brigade, she ran down past the rebel
battery on Saturday night without being fred
at, and after landing her passengers at Liv-
erpool Point, laid by until Sunday night
when she returned to Indian Head. On her
up trip six shots we're fred at her by the reb-
els but none took effect. The rebels appear
ed to be enlarging and strengthening their
works at Cockpit Point, as if to make the Oc-
coquan the main line of defence on the right
wing.
The resignation Of Gen Sigel not having
been accepted, his military abilities being
highly appreciated. he will not renew it. As
strong friend of the Union he will continue
in the service where he can be Of the most
use, either in Missouri or on the Potomac. A
series of events prompted him to retire from
the army, but the more recent cause of COM
plant, it is believed, will be remedied.
The Heraids dispatch say the committee
on the District Of Columbia decided to report
adversely in The matter of abolishing slavery
therein, on the ground of its inexpediency,
unconstitutionality.
Special dispatches from Washington state
at the Congressional investigating committee
made their report Monday through Mr..
Potter, their chairman. Charges have
been investigated against over 500 persons.
The most important are against Colonel
Magnadier, who, it is alleged. assisted
Floyd in his robbery of the government
Assistant Attorney Harrngton's sympathies
arc divided. Paymaster Dodge proves to be
secessionst. Floyd Harrison, LIST Lieut..
in Sherman's Battery is a secessonist. Wait,
late gardner at the White House is seces-
sonist.
Senator Halls report from the naval COM
mittee censures Secretary Weles and Mr..
Morgan, and concludes that the $4,000 of
the public money now in the hands of the
latter belongs to the government and should
at once be restored to the National treasury,
and reasonable compensation be paid him for
his services,
The committee of ways and means has de-
termined not to put stamp duty on news
papers, but tax them according to circulation,
to be determined by affidavit of the publish
ers Passengers on railroads will be taxed,
but not the freight.
The War Department have ordered that all
the Union soldiers released from the rebel
dungeons shall, upon their arrival here, re-
ceive full pay and Communication of rations for
the whole time of their imprisonment.
Other troops are gathering at Annapolis
doubtless for another naval expedition
The Vermont Cavalry, with other troops,
are already there.
special messenger with dispatches from
Gen. Burnside. reached here Tuesday morning
They are dated HEADQUARTERS Department o
North Carolina, Hatteras Inlet, Jan. 26. -
The messenger left Hatteras on Sunday. Gen
Burnside says:
1--WE left anchorage az Annapolis on Thursday
The 9th aud after prOacGd passage, owing 20 the dens
fogs. arrived Fortress Monroe Friday night at l.
O'Clock Leaving Fortress Monroe on Saturday at 10 o.
clock in tie morning, proceeded al once IN sea, bu
owing fogs Sunday night progress very slow
On Monday the 18Th the weather cleared with a heav
wind and rough sea- which caused vessels 10 labo
very heavily and some were obliged cut loose fror
the vessels they towing. Most Of them, however
passed the and anchored inside the habor abou
Ouf The IA IA in incl To SOL Gal
Of Monday night and Tuesday.
The propeller City Of New York the bar at m
Of the harbor and owing to the weathf
and want Of small boats could render assistance
She was laden with stores and was lost"
The Gen. also states that he had been led TO beey
that he would find experienced pilots at Hatteras, but
had great difficulty in plshng his wish for want
proper accommodations. He adds that he would CON
mence that day 10 build a wharf for landing supplies
The cheerful aud he would proceed with con
hdenoe An accident occurred in attempt TO reliev
the steamer City of New York by which the lives u Co
Allen Of the 9th New Jersey, his surgeon and mate
the boat were lost.
After the arrival at Hatteras the enemy made the
appearance In one two vessels reoonuoterng
pedidhon Our boats gave chase and drove them back
The transports aud vessels grounded will be got of b
aid Of the tug boats. Only Of the New York ye
sells loss, aud lives the three above referred
excepted.
The bill introduced in the Senate by MI
Wilson provided among other things, tina
Rrevat Commissions shall not carry wit