The daily Green Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1861-1865, 1863-03-31

TS Y
TO THE FREEMAN.
7 O'CLOCK A. M.

never yet been fully drained OF It's supplies, ike
other portions of the State, may account Tor the
reported presence in that section OF Gen. Fltz
Hugh Lee, who was SAID to be lurking about
Front Royal with his scouts and pickets, rang
ing down among the Bull Run mountains.
There is no doubt that rebel agents are collect
ing grain and other supplies In Loudon and
Fauquier counties
Deserters from rebel lines speak of the gener-
al good health of the rebel army Of the Kappa
hammock. Tho information OF these deserter9
is limited their impression is, however, that
the army has not been largely diminished, and
the places of Old troops withdrawn have been
partially supplied with new levies.
NAL Gen. Hooker was here on business TO-
day, and returned tonight.
New YORK, March 3d. New Orleans advices
state that on the advance of Gen. Banks forces
the rebels retired to Port Hudson. Col. CLARK,
of n. AT ks Staff, was seriously wounded In
the leg while accommodating The man who
shot him was subsequently killed. Gen. Banks
was at New Orleans on the 23d. On the re-
turn of the army to Baton Rouge he issued a
general order announcing that the entire object
of the expedition was accomplished, and that 1t
was complete success The movement is un-
derstovd 70 have been a mere diversion to en-
able Farraguts fleet to pass the batteries, and
not the reduction Of Port Hudson.
Another account says it is reported that news
was received by Gen. Grover that the rebels
were about to attack Baton Rouge, which rem
dered a retrogade movement advisable. Our
feet IS now a few miles above Baton Rouge, the
Essex being near Port Hudson. The rebel
force there is said to number 10000
A report says the Mississippi, before her des-
trucuon sienced two of the rebel batteries, ex-
cept one gun. and that the Richmond, which
had passed Port Hudson, returned and mis-
taking her for rebel gunboat, which nigh have
come out of one of the bayous, fired on her 80
rapidly that she nearly swept her decks The
mistake was not discovered until the Mississippi
was aground and her destruction inevitable.
A seml-ofacial account says, after the arrival
of the army from Baton Rouge and the Skin
mshes Of Saturday, Admiral Farragut's fleet
prepared to pass the batteries. The signal for
the advance was made at one-half past nine it
was a beautiful starlight night The Hartford
with the Albatros alongside, took the lead, and
successfully passed the batteries, but without
damage We are not informed, as there has, of
course, been no communication with them since
their passage. The Richmond and Genessee
followed.
The Richmond was exposed to the fire of all
the batteries and received shot thrugh her
steam drum, and was obliged to fall back -
She dropped down the river and anchored
Her loss was three killed and seven wounded.
Lieut.. Commander Cummings was mortally
wounded u shet from the batteries took off his
leg, and the same shot passed through the smoke
stack of the gunboat. lie died on the 18th.
The Monongahela and the Kino went up next
in order. Capt McKinstry, of the Monongahela
was standing on the bridge when it was shot
away from under him and be was very seriously
injured. The ampu tation of one leg will be
necc.S sary The entire loss ON the Mononga-
hsa was killed and q wounded The Kino
was under severe fire, was badly managed, be-
came unmanaecable, and dropped back out Of
the fire. The Monongahela also fell back. The
side-wheel gunboat Genessee was somewhat
damaged and also fell back
The Mississippi went up last night, and
grounded on the bank in position which placed
her nearly in the centre of the range of shore
batteries She grounded at II clock at night,
and stood tn fire thirty minutes before she was
abandoucd. Acting Master Robert L. Kelley
was killed and As men are killed or missing.
When che ship was abaudor ed 1t was set on fire
and Destroyed. Some of the men took to the
boats and pulled for the shore One boat went
to one of the other vessels.
The naval Engage inent lasted from 10 until
about l O'Clock IN the morning. The rebel bat
teries at first fired badly, but after the Missis
sippi grounded, and the range was attained, the
fripg was effective. j While the gunboats were
under the batteries tho six mortar schooner,
and iron clad Essex lay below the point, an
fred across, keeping up q continuous Smelling o.
che rebels during the entire engagement.