Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1863-10-02
40 Postscript +!

Gold 1,1l Ia, heavy and dull.
The Herald's New Orleans letter Of the
20h says From a high official in General
Grants command lealn that rebel deserters
who have entered our lines at Nicksburg re-
port that Gen. kirby Smith has proclaimed
himself military dictator of the states of
Louisiana, Arkansas and Texas, and has is
sued proclamation calling out 10000 ne
groes and is conscripting all the white men
IN these states between the ages Of sixteen
and sixty.
From the same officer we learn that union
meetings have been held in the States of Mis-
sssippi and Tennessee, aud that the
stars and stripes haze been raised nearly one
hundred miles to the rear of cksburg.
On Monday morning last, the troops sta
toned in Matches were startled by hearing
severe voleys of musketry and looking in the
direction Of the firing they were surprised at
seeing upon the opposite bank Of the Misss-
sippi, and not more than fourth Ct a mile to
the left, a running infantry fight.
In this neighborhood was large camp of
contrabands, and as they were seen to fee
from he 4ring, it was supposed that a raid
had been made by guerrillas. The 95h Ill.,
and Co. C, It'll Ill.,, lst Kansas and 18th
der arms, Col. Humphrey commanding, and
proceeded at once to cross the river. Before
they embarked a courier arrived with the ne VS.
that force of guerrillas, 200 strong, had at
tackled company of the 3Oth Missouri, who
were guarding junction train:
When the guerrillas saw the force crossing
the river, they left, leaving two of our men
killed and four wounded upon the field. Col.
Humphrey chased them fourteen miles and
coming up with portion of them a skirmish
ensued in which four Of the rebels we're kill
ed, and Captata and several privates cap
tured. Arriving at a bridge the rebels cross
ed aud burned the bridge before our troops
arrived, thus cutting off further pursuit
Here the rebels were reinforced by from
10000 TO $4,000 men, who fred a volley as
we advanced. Shirmishers were thrown out,
and for nearly an hour firing continued, when
Col. lmphrey finding that the enemy occu-
pied very strong position and fearing that
he would be out hanked fell back and return
ed to Natchez. In this skirmish we lost one
killed and six wounded
The day previous to the attack 200 head of
cattle had been sent to that side OF the river
as well as a large number OF mules and it is
supposed that the attack was made for the
purpose OF capturing the pontoons and com
pellng the negroes to 90 ahead to drive the
cattle aud mules before them, but the bold
stand made by the company of Missourians
materially inleriered with their plans, as it
gave US time to send renlorcements over the
river before the rebels could accomplish their
purpose
The War Department has ordered a court
of inquiry to investigate the conduct Of Gems.
MoCook and Cri'tenden in the late battles
near Chattanooga.
The enforcement Of the death penalty in
the army OF the Potomac is rapidly decreas-
ing the number Of desertons.
Conscripts aud substitutes are arriving In
considerable numbers, and also deserters who
are forwarded to their regiment.
CrNctNNATI. Sept so.
General Hooker arrived here last ni1ht.