Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1862-03-21
WAR ITEMS

Cincinnati Times reports that soldiers are con-
stantly moving up the Tennessee from Fort
Donelson, Cairo and St. Louis, and there is
now large force there under command OF
Gen. G. +. Smith, who, IL appears, has SUI
perceded Gen. Grant, ordered to remian at
Donelson. He adds
.Tbe rebels arc gathering az Cornth in Tishomingo
county Mississippi, some 81 miles from the Tennessee
river designing to make stand there and choosing that
position in order 10 avoid The gunboais u which they
In great dread About 1000 or 2OO0 Of the enc
my there and many more at points not far dis
tant
day and may therefore expect 10 hear o battle he
fore long IN Mississippi The army correspondents at
Cairo will 70 with the expedition to New Madrid, and
then proceed up tho Tennessee, arriving doubt at
Cntinth in season 10 witness the battle there.
The Federal force in the south west j. formidable in
deed Gen Thomas army near Knoxville. Tenn Gen
Buell. in the vicinity Of Nashville; Gen Smith up the
Tennessee; Gen Pope at New Madrid, and Gems. Cur
It's and Sige in Arkansas. with an aggregate strength Of
so large and well equipped army from marching direct
to New Orleans before the spring has ended, cannot
see aud 4 81 not shall be di,appointed ~
Gen. A S. Johnson has some % 600 or $1,000 men at
Chattanooga, Tenn and Decatcr. Ala and Gen Buell.,
who has than 7OOO, will NEE; and engage him as
possible IL does that the gathering ed
eral avalanche will carry and crush everything before
as II the epitaph " Secession would be early written.
The Richmond Franucr Of the 18th cx-
plains the retreat from the Potomac as fol-
lows: 1.-THE grand movement Of the army Of
the Potomac, in Withdrawing from its often
sive line on the river OF that name, and as
Stunning defensive one on the line of the
Rappahannock and Rapidan, places new
complexion on the entire war in Virginia.
The policy Of this change Of position with
reference to the intended attack Of the enemy
is obvious. The Potomac was the proper
base for offensive operation against Maryland
and Washington City but as a line Of de-
Tense for Richmond, or for general resistance,
II is the most dangerous that could be held.
The line upon which the army under General
Joseph Johnston is now falling back is in the
nature of the arc Of circle, Of which Rich
mond is the center. It will be seen, too,
that this is purely a line Of defense, assumed
now as necessity, in view Of the great force
which we have, by our supine policy for six
months, permitted the enemy to marshal and
put in position without disturbance, and at
his leisure and pleasure Thus Johnston
gets pitched into for retreating, just Nc
Clellan does for letting him slip out of his
hands.
Letters were found in Manassas dated on
Friday, March l. one of which contains the
following We took our guns and carried
all our ammunition to-day to Bull Run, and
pitched the balls and powder into the water
and tell Andrew Lambert that Coleman's com.
pany--one of the ten batteries there's or
dered away and they carried their ammuni-
ton to Bull Run, and threw it into the water,
too We don't know where we shall 60
but you must keep writing to this place until
l send word where we have gone to-" In one
Of the deserted barracks was found this pla-
card "To the Northern Gentlemen %,
Friends Of Freedom-W go for little
while, but in leaving our present quarters, il
is for the purpose Of enabling you to fulfill
the words Of Scripture-O Occupy till ! come
Yours retreating but not cowed.
CRESCENT BLUES.
Col, Taylor of the New Jersey Third, has
sent to Gov. Olden, seven flags taken by bis
regiment. at and around Manassas, on Tuesday,
--one Of white silk, with the motto, "Caro-
linans in the Field-1raitors Beware = an
other, Campbell Guards "---on reverse, "com-
pany G, our Rights Ct Death very hand
some one Of blue Fix, with silver fringe, and
in gold letters, presented by the ladies to
the Bedford Southside Dragons, and por-
trait Of Washington-o the reverse, State
Rights SIC Semoer Tqraanis." Some Of
them were very fine ones, and some quite com
mon.
Gen. Halleok has issued an order warning
Prices gueIrillas that II captured they will moi
be treated a. prisoners OF war, but hung as
robbers and murderers. 1t appears that Puce
has issued special commissions to these ban
dts; Gen Halleck says Sen Price onghI
to snow that such a course is contrary to the
rules OF civilized warfare. and that every man
who enlists in such an organization forfeit;
his life and becomes an outlaw"
Gen. Halleck was lately guilty Of giving
expression to the following bon mot Col
Wyman, the commandant at Rolla, on being
ordered by Gen Curtis TO join him with his
regiment, telegraphed TO st. Louis for nstruc.
tions as to what he should do with his post
as there was no one to relieve him Of his com
mand 10 reply to his message, Gen Hal
leok sent him the following Stick tn,
post in the ground and go on
Several mines have been discovered a
Columbus, KY, within the Notifications late
ly occupied by the rebels, filled with powder
and bombs, connected by wires with a tele
graghic battery, by which they were to b
exploded after our troops had entered the fort
They could have caused immense destruction
but there was nobody to touch them off a
the right time.
he Legislature oil Maryland has passed
most stringent treason bill against all disaf
fected men in that State. similar law viii
be enacted in Kentucky. Such remedies will
go far to smooth the way for thorough actor
on tho part Of Congress.
An old saying, current, in European mill
tary circles, runs in this wise The Spanish
to build forts, the French to take them, thu
English 10 hold them. To render this com
plete, the following should be added: Thu
confederates to evacuate them.
The schooner d. II. Manchester, which ar
rived at New York on Thursday from Por
Royal, brought 5000 bales of government cot
ton.
The ladies Of st. Louis have presented
$500 sword TO Gen. Haleck
Correspondence Of the Waterman
nnnM ppIJI nTGIItrII ID EnIAnNysr