Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1863-12-25

o"l i'aill mOnuhy morning, leutenaH
ard five men Of the 6.h corps were captured
near Jefersonville.
With this report came a rumor that an i'm
portant force Of rebel cavalry was prowlinR
about that place. The lat New York divis-
ions. the och and part Of the 4th New York
cavalry went in pursuit, but after thoroughly
securing that country for twenty-four hours
returned without finding the rumored force.
HEADQUARTERS IN THE FigLD,
Western Virginia. Dec Is.
A portion Of the troops under command OF
Col Wells, and from Gen. Sulivan's column,
had seve skirmish at, near and beyond
Srasbutg Col Wells took some 80 pris-
oners, some Of whom belonged to Ewell'a
corps.
There are indications that the enemy is
trying to reinforce lmbod N in the Shenan-
dosh Valley. The reason for this will soon
be apparent.
ST LOUIS, Dec. l6.
The Democrat has dispatch from For
Scott, which says
A gentleman, named w. TAYLOR, arrived
here to-day, having left Denton, Texas. one
hundred miles south Of Red River, on the let
inst 1t was understood when he left, that
the Federals had possession OF the entire
coast, including Sabine Gulf, Galveston and
Brownsville, and that a Federal force was as .
cending Red River, and marching on Alex
andria, where the rebel Gen. Taylor awaited
their attack. Magtuder had ordered the cir
culation throughout the state of pledge
devoting the life, liberty and property Of the
citizens to the support of the Confederaoy -
Those refusing to sign we're considered enc
mics and traitors. and treated az such All
the negroes had been conscripted, and pro-
missed their freedom. The state was filed
with slaves, who had been taken there by
their owners from states further east and
west"
FoRrRtss Monroe, Dec l6.
The flag Of truce bo,t New York arrived
here tonight. bringing southern news up to
to-day. The following dispatches appear in
tie Richmond papers:
Charleston, Dec T. The city has been
shelled at intervals during the day. About
o'clock this morning Sumter took FIRE from
some unknown cause. The Gre communica-
ted to the outer timber work of the south
west angle. The wood work was burned and
some ammunition destroyed,
The casualties at Sumter are 10 killed and
80 wounded.
NEW York, Dec. IL.
Advices per the Champion from Aspinwall
give the PARTICULARS Of the expulsion of Bar
rios, Elk President of San Salvador, from the
country after the occupation of the city Of
San Salvador by the Gautemalian forces.
Preparations for the expected war between
New Grenada and Ecuador are continued.
AT Panama the small pox was causing
.rightful mortality among>the natives, of whom
| 900 had died out OF population Of 5000.
HALIFAX, N. s., Dec. II.
The movements of the Chesapeake since
ler first appearance in Shelburne had been
narrowly watched by u. S. officers and Amer
can citizens Of the Province. Her wherea-
BOUTS were daily known. but the absence Of
suuboats have caused delay in her capture
On Tuesday the Ella and Anna, Lieut. com
nander Nichols, arrived for coal, and was
supplied at Cunard wharf Re-
ceiving information that the Chesapeake was
at Lehore, she Immediately steamed for her.
arriving at her rendezvous at three that after
noon but she had left in the forenoon.-
The Ella and Anna Immediately turned
back and 'teamed to Lunenburg for orders.
arriving there in the evening In the mean
lime the officials receiving information that
The pirates were at Sambro, notified Lieut..
Nichols, who Immediately steamed for her,
determining to take her at daylight
On Thursday he accomplished his object,
he crew Offering no resistance. but at the
light OF her pursuer, fed to the woods The
Jhesapeake was taken in tow and Lieutenant
Nichols started for an American port.
The Dacotah then came up, and ordered
Lieut.. Nichols TO take the prize into Halifax,
or the sanction of the act by the government
he three vessels arrived here at o'clock
his afternoon. Three of the crew were cap-
ured, only one of whom was engaged in
eizlng the Chesapeake, the others having
inoe shipped in Nova Scotia. The Niagara
eft Pubnico this forenoon, bound east. Ii is
eported that the official dispatches by the
uthorlles to arrest the pirate Braine, we're
este ted.
WASHINGTON, Dec. II.
Up to yesterday afternoon. it had been de-
ided to place the whole matter of the ex-
hange of prisoners in the hands of General
'utler, but this forenoon, Gen. Hitchcock
eit for Fortress Monroe with final PROPOSE
ION to the rebel authorities, relative to an ex-
hange' lfthey are refused, retaliatory meas
res w!ll at once be adopted by our govt
bill will soon be introduced to Congress
Increasing the pay of commiss stoned officers in
he army 20 per cent.
(Sgned) PERLEY.
NEwBERN. N. c., Dec. l2.
Refugees who reached here this morning /
rom Wilmington, state that Gen. Whitney, I
ommandins the rebel forces at that point. 1
II with brigade recently for Tennessee
nd was relieved by Gen. Martin, whose com
and in Wilmington consists of only one
rleade. The running OF the blockade of
Wilmington continues to increase. 1t is es-
mated that half million OF dollars worth of
pods arrive daily.
Gen. Butler is raising an army OF coored
oops in this department The two black
giments of cavslry recently started, are rap
ly filling up.
New YORK, Dec. 49,
The steamship City of Washington. from
liverpool the 81, and Queenstown the Sd,
rived this morning.
The Bank OF England advanced its rate OF
terest on Wednesday to and on Thursday
per cent, causing much depression in
nds. II was reported that an undoubted
m has lately been launched at Hull, with
cam up, and Immediately put to sea with
ndry SouIern looking gentlemen.
IL WAS Tanortpd that tho tun ranns On tka