Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1863-04-10

/ miles from Belle Plains down the Potomac.
In forty minutes after the cavalry dashed off
into the country the first load Of corn was
dumped upon the beach, which the contra
bands continued industriously to bring in for
two days. In the meantime the cavalry
secured the counties Of Westmoreland and
Richmond, visiting Montross and Warsaw,
the county seats, and also Tappahannock Fer
ry, making circuit of sixty or seventy miles
No rebel force was encountered, though our
men occasionally drove up guerrilla or rebel
scout, who invariably made good time in the
! opposite direction upon charge of our caval-
! ry. On Friday the cavalry came in at night,
and Immediately started overland for camp,
accompanied by some twenty-five infantry
mounted upon captured horses. On Satur-
! day morning, the pickets were called in, the
troops embarked, and before noon the cxpe-
dition was on its way home.
The results of the expedition sum up as fol-
lows About 5000 bushels Of grain, corn
and wheat, so horses and mules, about l 900
lbs. bacon, and large quantity of other prop
erty amounting in value to about $4,000.
Several refugees and conscripts and a num-
Der Of contrabands were taken up. One lady
with little girl of six years, particularly ex-
cited the sympathy of ALL She and her hus-
band we're Ponnsylvanians, had lived in Vir-
ginia four years, and year ago he was com
PEELED TO flee OF join the rebel army. He
made his escape, and his wife had heard indi-
rectly that he reached Harrisburg safely. But
she had remained in their home almost entire
! ly secluded, and unable to escape, and south
| ern chivalry offered an inofensve woman no
assistance TO pass through the lines. Fortu-
nately our cavalry came into her vicinity
/ she made known her wishes and the Colonel
imme diately ordered escort to take her to
the boat. Taking what things she could pack
in two or three trunks she babe her pleasant
home adieu, happy in prospect Of soon meet
ing her husband, where they could exercise
and enjoy the liberty of thought and speech,
and breathe the pure air of freedom. Mr..
Newton, ex-member of Congress, now mem
Der OF the Virginia State Legislature, resides
in the locality visited, but fortunately for him
self was at Richmond. His family were very
bitter in their feelings and expressions against
the Union soldiers, as were all the FIRST
families Large quantities of grain were left
untouched, after securing all they could bring
away. The troops conducted themselves like
gentlemen, INDUCING in no riotous excesses,
though, think they would have been just
fed in occasionally requiring a cheer for the
Union and the old Flag, by way of chastise-
ment, il nothing more.
! 1t is unnecessary to puff Col. Fairchlds
Tor his skill and energy in conducting this ex-
petition, his reputation is already establish
ed, OF to compliment his officers for their
prompt and hearty cooperation with their
commander.
We arrived at Belle Plains at s o'clock in
the evening" just in time to enjoy rich mu-
steal treat, with which the first Brigade Band
of Gen. Wadsworth's Division was compli-
menting Capt Pitkin. After the serenade,
the Captain expressed his appreciation Of the
fiattering compliment in neat and appropri-
ate speech, and inviting the Company to par
take of refreshments.
We are not permitted to speak of the move
ments of the Army at present, but be assured
it is not idle, nor unmindful of its great and
| glorious mission. There is strong reason to
hope for carly and successful results.
CIVILIAN.
P.S. Tuesday morning, 3lst-This let-
ter has been unavoidably delayed till the
present time, which gives opportunity to say
that last night hard storm ofsnow, sleet and
rain began, and is falling fast at this time Is
o'clock,) This may delay the operations of
the Army, but it will be brief. C.
The correspondent of the New York Times
speaks Of the heroic commander of the Mis-
sissippi as follows:
"Of one man there is no harm in being
outspoken, and that is the gallant Capt. Mel
ancthon Smith. Officers and men all agree
in saying that sublimer courage was never OK
hibied than he showed. lie has never been
known to speak an angry word to anybody,
said one of his officers to me, and yet no one
is so readily and so cheerfully obeyed In
the heat of the engagement, with death and
destruction hailing around him. there he stood
coolly lighting his cigar with flint and steel
and calmly arranging with Lieut. Dewey how
to destroy the ship that he found he could
no longer save. Capt. Smith, without max
ing any outward parade of religion, is a truly
devout man. When the bloody engagement
was over, and his officers had collected around
( him, taking retrospect Of their losses, and
> commenting upon the almost miraculous ma
ture of their escape, he turned round and SAID
! in the hearing of the officer from whom ! re.
t ceved the anecdote, Gentlemen, is not thi
, enough to make any one Christian
t The officers of the Mississippi say that NJ
to the time she ran ashore she had been strucl
$ but three times, and had sustained no inur,
S whatever but as soon as she became mo
e tionless the enemy got her range, and nearl
. every shot told with more or less effect. Tn
f ship was literally torn TO pieces. She wa
p being raked from forward aft and from at
I forward. On her starboard bow, beam an,
/ quarter perfect hail of shot and shell wa
= poured into her. All the ports on the star
S board side were knocked into one and near
e all the starboArd battery was dsmounted
c Captain Smith and Lieutenant Dewey wer
e the last to leave the ship. She had been fire
s both forward and aft, and Lieutenant Dewe
y was in the boat at the port gangway waitin
!, for the Captain when the latter expressed tn
e wish that the wardroom should be examined
s once more to see if the fire kindled there wa
b burning properly. At this instant heav,
e shot, striking the starboard side OF the ships
II passed entirely through her, coming out with
in foot of the stern of the boat in whic
n Lieut.. Dewey was sitting. 1t was only neees
|. sary for i'm to look through the hole tina
n the shot had made TO ascertain that the ward
a room was in blaze, and on reporting sue
y to DO the case Captain Smith was satisfe
q and left the good old ship to her fate A
10 the upper works burned off, and the aftc
hold filled with water, she slid off the mu