Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1862-05-30

SH1P ISLAND, Miss, April 80.
Mr.. EDIToR--SIR The news in respect
to what is going on here is rather meagre,
with the exception Of the experiment Of the
expedition. Some officers connected with
the troops were here yesterday after some
surf boats to land troops 1t appears from
their statements that the gunboats attacked
the Fort in good earnest and were replied to
with equal vigor. After while the fire Of
the Fort slackened, and some Of the vessels
undertook to go past, when she opened upon
them again, disabling one and driving back
another. Some fifteen or more vessels sue
ceeded in going past, and are now above the
Fort Most Of the troops, i. e. the land
forces, were below and could not get past
Hence the necessity for the small boats, as
they cannot land the forces without them.
understand the shore is muddy where it is
thought best to land the men. In the attack
on the Fort we lost 60 killed and 200 wound
cd il appears that the Fort was flooded
with water while the shells were being thrown
with such vigor, therefore they did not ex-
plode. Sunday the 9th one man named
Walker, Of Co. @, was buried it being the
second death in the Regiment since we land
ed. On Monday Scion ID. Buzzel of Co. X q,
was buIltN hiNts Win tue uhuhl ceremonies
1t is quite sickly now, dysentary prevailing
more or less among the various regiments
The greatest deprivation at present is our lack
of mail mater--etters and papers from home
Many a soldier who belongs to this Regiment
has not heard word from their friends since
they left New York-amost two months ago.
l have just learned that paymaster Of the
army is on the Island, ready to pay off the
troops as soon as mustered for payment -
Much Of what / shall find to communicate
will most likely be transmitted to you by tel
egraph, through other sources, and | only
stop to give details as | know many readers
of your paper are anxious to learn the various
facts in relation to the progress of events in
this quarter from an eyewitness. We have
had grand review to-day and this afternoon
we are to be mustered for pay.
The weather is the warmest we have seen
yet. 1t seems very much like the weather in
Vermont in the month of August. Still it
makes one feel more languid than any we ex-
perience there, in any season. We have heard
reliable news to the effect that Gen Butler
has demanded the surrender Of New Orleans
in six hours, and is ready with his gunboats
aud mortar fleet to compel a surrender if his
demand meets a refusal. Some more troops
aud some transports have been sent along and
| understand Forts Jackson and Philip have
both fallen into our hands We shall have
warm work soon, or else the rebels will yield
to our arms as usual, upon the first advance.
We have learned with pain that all sorts Of
vague rumors are in circulation at home in
respect to our being taken prisoners, ship
wrecked, &c, &c. We have received since
we landed but very few letters from home but
are in hopes ours go along with greater
prompttude. The steamer Rhode Island has
just eume in and brought us perhaps 90 let
tiers, while we really expected at least 1000
for our Regiment T. p. X.