Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1863-08-07
FROM THE SOUTH WEST.

MEMPHrs. July 20.
Joe Johnston's army is said to be on Pearl
river, few miles west Of Meridian, where
Qualifications are being erected. Joe John
ston will make the Mobile and Ohio railroad
from Okalona on the north, to Mobile on the
south, his line Of defense.
He is said to have received large reinforce
ments from Bragg's army. Mississippi is vir-
tually abandoned by the rebels. There is a
strong peace party in that state in favor Of
returning to the Union, upon a guarantee be-
ing given that tho rights Of the people under
the constitution, Of person and property and
Of conscience, shall be maintained.
Some say they would donate half their in
comes to liquidste the public debt, if the ex-
isting difficulties could be adjusted on fair,
just and honorable basis.
Gen. George, commander Of the Mississip-
pi state militia, Gen. Chalmers and other reb-
ell officers are moving their commands from
the northern and central portions Of the state
toward the south
The removals Of the slaves from Mississip-
pi, Alabama and Georgia has been carried TO
such an extent that the Governors Of those
states have issued prOclamations forbidding
their further introduction, and Johnston's
pickets are said TO have turned a large number
back.
The steamer Empire Parish from Port
Hudson "a, and Vieksburg 49, arrived to-day
with about seven hundred of the 22d Maine
regiment on board, who are homeward bound
twenty-five sick men belonging to this regi-
ment have been transferred to the hospital
here. Following this regiment are the 2lst,
oath, 25th and 26th regiments from the same
State-all nine months men whose time has
expired. Still other nine months men from
Gen. Banks department will return North via
the Mississippi river
All was quiet at Port Hudson ana Vicks-
b1rg. The Notifications on the former place
are being strengthened, and the enlistment Of
negro troops is progressing rapidly. Rumors
prevailed that Gen. Weitsel had captured
three thousand rebels at Donadsonvile that
Bralshier city had been retaken by US, and
that Gen. Franklin had arrived at New Or
leans to take command Of Gen. Banks army.
Gen. Grant has perfected a complete sys-
TEN of mounted patrols between Vickburg
and New Orleans, who, with the gunboats,
afford ample protection TO the vessels. Every
thing is quiet There are no signs of rebels
on either shore.
Gen. Grant has ordered all sick soldiers
here who are able, to 60 home, and all those
permanently disable to be discharged or plac-
ed in the invalid corps.
! Vicksburg advices of the 26th inst. say
that Gen. Herron's division has gone to Mo-
bile.
Our army has fallen back to the Big Black
River. Jackson, Miss. is entirely destroyed.
Gen, Joe Johnston is believed to be retreating
towards Mobile, which place the enemy are
making desperate efforts to defend.
MEMPHIS, July 30
The steamer Warner from Vicksburg ar
rived with Maj. Gen. Blair, and starts en-
route for St. Louis. All was quiet at Vicks-
burg and vicinity. Col. Richardson, the rebel
geurilla has issued an order requiring all men
of West Tennessee between Is and As to re-
port to his camp under the rebel conscrip-
ton law.
The following barbarous instructions are
to be given his men in carrying out this order:
i" II man should absent himself from home
to avoid this order. burn his house and all his
property, except such as may be useful to this
command, II man resists by refusing, shoot
: him down, and leave him dying. II man
takes refuge in his house and offers resistance,
set his house on fire and guard it, 80 he may
not get out"
The officers of the steamer Collier report
the arrival Of Gen. Davidson with cavalry
force, at Pilot Knob, Mo-
He captured about 500 rebels, 10 miles
from Helena and brought them in.