Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1862-08-22

luminous dispatches from Admiral FarTagut,
and among them is the following:
FLAG SnIP HARrPnRD.
Baton Rouge, Aug Z.
sir-lt II one Of tn happiest Of my life thar
AIN enabled u inform the department Of the desruc
ton OF the Ram Arkansas, not because held this iron
clad IN such terror, but because The community did On
the 4h inst sent the Tennessee up to Baton Rouge
WIN provisions for Commander Porter and the gunboats
On the night Of the 9th inst she returned with in
formation that the enemy had made a combined attack
upon Baton Rouge by the ram and the two gunboats,
Webb aud Music, and calling Tor assistance.
/ A. daylight the Hartford was under weigh for this
place with orders for the other vessels to follow me as
last as they goready arrived here to-day II o.
clock M in company with the Brooklyn Yves field Gin.
ton Jackson and scotia had sent the CAyuga up be
tore agreeable 90 request Of Gen. butler Ia conse-
quence of guerrillas firing into some Transports.
On my arrival was informed by Commander w ID.
forteT That yesterday morning at2 o'clock the enemy
oeesi uneef General Breckenridge, attacked General
Williams, and drove IN his pickels, &c. General VIII
hams having had ample warning, all prepared for
hin.
The fight continued with great enorpy On hath
sides until ten A. NJ by which time the enemy had been
driven back two OF three miles, but unfortunately the
gallant Gen Williams, while cheering on his men re.
ctiyed minnie ball through the heart
Cen Williams had informed Lieut.. Commanding Ran.
some The evening before Of his plans and requested him
not 10 hre gun until he notified him, and when he did
so our gunboats, the hinco and katahbn openrd with
hne Effect throwing their she'll directly the midst Of
them. -
Loat Ransom, had an ONCE on the state house which
oulhNtht cnhttl, ava could dpCt
o. every shell A. SOON as the enemy were Tepulsod,
Com Porter with the hunboats up stream aer the
Ham Arkansas, which was lying about five miles above
apparently AFRAID TO take her share in the conflict
According 10 pIeooncerted plan, he came within
gunsho he opened on her and probably soon disabled
some Of her machinery and steering apparatus for she
became unmsnageabe, continuing, however to tire her
guns at the Essex.
Commodore Porter says he took advantage Of her pre
sentng weak point towards him and loaded her guns
with incendary shells After his first discharge OF this
pr"ecue gush of he came out " her side aud from
that moment II discovered that she was ON ire and
he continued his eNertons to prevent its being cxtn
They backed her ashore and made line fast, which
soon burnt aud she swung on into the river where She
continued 10 burn until she blew up with tremendous
sAPoson thua ending the career Of the last iron clad
ram Of the Mississippi
There were many persuns on The banks Of the ri,er
witnessing the fight, Ia which they Anticpatcd ,r,,,rb
for Seeensia but the return of the Essex not soul
was "a be seen. ~
will leave sufficient force Of gunboats Il, .,,ppe,, ,h
army, aud will return to New Orleans and do p.u inn
mediAely for Ship Island With light heart thai have
lett no bugbear to torment the communities Of the Nil
@ssippi Ia my absence. u. q. FAHnAotr
Col. Chas p. Stone, U. S. A. and Brig.
Gen Of volunteers who has been confined In
Fort Lafayette is at liberty, stopping with
his family in this city, Why Gen. Stone was
sent to Fort Lafayette is as much mystery
to the public as is his release without trial
and without we believe the prelering of
charges.
Col. Corooran says that Gen. Prince. who
was taken in the recent battle beyond Cul-
pepper, is kept in prison over dead house.
and that all the other officers captured from
Gen. Pope's army are shAmefully treated.
Washington has resumed her former mill.
tary hveliness by the arrival and departure of
troops