Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1863-07-28
7th of July Before Port Hudson.

surrender. It has been done, and while the con.
ference is going on the men are on top Of the
breastworks, looking over the Notifications and
holding "private consultations" with the men
whom they have been shooting at for about forty
days.
sth Of July IN Port Hudson.
To-day the surrender Of Port Hudson is an.
nounced, and tomorrow morning at clock the
ceremonies oil formal surrender take place inside
the fort. Our guards are placed upon their para
pet and at all entrances to their works, and, as
you may well imagine, this is another day of re-
Joicing and celebration. The terms of surrender
are
LIST, Everything to be surrendered.
I'd, Officers not to be paroled.
Sd, Private property to be respected.
Gen. Banks designated Gen. Weilzel to receive
the surrender and take Gen. Gardners sword, as
being the officer most closely identified with the
whole campaign and SIEGE Gen. Wetzel de-
clined the honor, deeming it more fitting that
Gen. Banks Chief Of Staff should receive it.
9th Of July ia Port Hudson.
AT o'clock this morning the Federal forces
marched into Port Hudson and formed in line.
Gen. Gardner, with his staff, we're formed in
front of their line Of troops. 1t was long line,
aud is said to number over GO0O men. Opposite
Zen. Gardner Gen. Andrews Chief of Staff, and
large number OF the different Generals STAFF
officers took position, when Gen. Gardner said
"SIR Il formally surrender to you the garri.
son and forces Of Port Hudson"
Turning to his troops he gave the command
"GrOund Arms| He then presented his sword.
The Stars and Stripes were hoisted on the flag.
staff the batteries fired salutes the bands played
the National Airs, and Gen. Weitzel, in command
OF the lst Division, marched to the Landing and
embarked for Donaldsonville.
July l2, Mt DonaIdsonyiIIe.
Arriving at this post it was ascertained tina, the
enemy in considerable force, occupied the La.
fourche, and at point seven miles below, on the
river, had batteries and sharpshooters stationed
so that for ten days we had no communication
with New Orleans. except by iron.clads." Blu,
when it was known that Wei,zsl was on the la.
fourche they at once withdrew and concentrated
oil their forces about ten miles down the BAYOU,
80 soon as our transportation arrives We shall
move to Thibedeaux.
I'M
There has been great excitement and among
the tlmid ones great fear, that New Orleans would
DO captured, unless the siege of Port Hudson wa,
raised and the troops sent TO protect the city. AT
present, however, they are treasured in regard to
their safety, and their pulse beats regular again.
The nine months men in the Department, un.
der command Of Gen. Andrews, are left to varri.
sonPori Hudson. 1t is reliably stated tina, we took
in Port Hudson 6lOO prisoners, so pieces Of artil.
lery and several hundred horses. This is so Der
cent greater number of prisoners in proportion to
our force, than Gen. Grant has taken at Vicks-
burg. We had at the fall of Port Hudson but
ii 900 effective men.
July I3th.
Gen. Grover, with his Division, landed on the
left bank OF the Lafourche yesterday evening, and
will march down the bayou whenever Gen. Welt.
eel moves down the right. We now only hope
Gen. Grant will move force to Alexandria and
down the Atchahaya, and thus cut of the retrea,
Of the enemy, whom We shall for the third time
drive from this district.
The Mississippi Open.
New ORLEANS, July l6.
To-day great excitement and ollifca,ion was
manifested at the sight Of the first class river
steamer Imperial, from St. Louis, being the
hrst transport that had passed down the river
without convoy, since the blockade. She bore
a hsavy cargo Of grain and western beef A, she
neared the wharf, the excitement was intense,
and the crowd almost equaled that when the
Federal fleet appeared before the city after run.
ming the gauntlet of forts at St. Phillip and Jack.
son. As she passed vicksburg, Baton Rouge, and
other fortified places, she received salutes as al.
SO from the principal gunbosts in the river
Among the latter was the Monongaheln, com.
manded by Lieut. George Dewey, of Montpelier.
-Four other transports followed her, heavily load.
ed The J, II. Russell, is advertised to leave
this week for St. Louis. So the Mississippi is
now open, and we have only to look GU, for reck.
less bands Of guerrillas on the banks, and the
river is open and safe for the renewal Of trade be.
tween the Gulf cities and the west. Gen. Banks
is in New Orleans, Gen. Andrews in command oil
Fort Hudson, Gen. Dwight at Baton Rouge,
Gems Grover and Weitze, with their two di.
visions. OF DonaldsonyiIle.