Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1864-08-04


Gen. Mitchell, who died here two years
since, small piece of land was granted
to each family. Cheap houses were
built by the government, and village
regularly laid out in streets and occu-
pied wholly by negroes has sprung up.
In honor of its founder it is called
Mitchellville. These freedmen are om-
ployed by the government and work in
warehouses, on the docks, and in the
stables, at the lumber and boat yards
and as cooks for officers and civilians.
As soldiers their worth is thoroughly
established, although inferior to whites,
as ignorance must ever be inferior to
knowledge. Still they do excellent
guard duty, (fully equal to the whites,
being vigilant and performing their du-
ties to the letter. and upon the field OF
battle they have done nobly wherever
tried. Several regiments of negroes are
now here among which are the lst s G. |
regiment,-now 33d U. 8. colored troops |
under Col. L. w. Higginson of Mass,
the first regiment of colored troops ever
raised in the United States. The 34th
U. S. colored troops is also here under
command of Col. James Montgomery OF
Kansas notoriety. While the govern
ment has been advancing the pay OF
white soldiers, and justly too, black SOL
diers have thus far been offered but ten
dollars per month, three OF which is in
clothing this to all colored soldiers
whether private, non-commissioned Of
ficer or chaplain. But all honor to their
patriotism and manliness, they have
thus far refused to take a cent going
many months and even whole year
without pay rather than receive less pay
than the white soldier. 1t is hoped
that an order has already passed equal
izing the pay of all soldiers who are
fighting for our common flag.
AS military post Hilton Head is Of
great importance, being the headquarters
of the department of the South, and con-
tanning immense quantities of commits
) sary quartermaster, and ordnance
stores supplying the whole department,
and also commanding the entrance to
d Port Royal harbor, one Of the finest on
= the Atlantic coast. We are thoroughly
defended not only by the numerous
strong forts and batteries on shore, but
also by the vigilant gunboats continual
l. ly lying in the harbor. AT present our
u harbor is honored by distinguished
| hu ba a 9
: and Vermont is anchored the Dragon,
I containing fifty rebel officers, among
y whom are two Maj -Genls, Ed. Johnston,
y F. Gardner, three Brigadiers, fifteen Col
/ onels, the remainder Lieut., Colonels
and Majors, stopping here a few weeks
y on their way to James Island to be
> placed under the guns of Charleston by
i order of Mai.-Gen. j. G.. Foster in re-
: taliaton for the same number ordered
by Gen. Sam. Jones to lie placed in
Charleston under fire from our forts.
d Late reports from James Island state
. that while our troops were erecting the
> quarters to where these distinguished
rebels were to be confined, the guns
i from Charleston opened a rapid fire com
pelling our men to cease their labor and
fall back hastily, killing and wounding
several.
The few military expeditions lately
, undertaken in this department have not
proved remarkably successful unless, in
developing the strength and courage of
. the assailants. Persons who are allowed
y to talk and who of course do not under
stand military science and strategy are
inclined to talk harshly, no reflection
. however being cast upon the gallant
boys who compose the rank and file:
At Charleston the contending forces are
y at dead lock- We hold our position,
: the nearest point to Charleston being
: Fort Putnam formerly Wagner, beyond
: the possibility of capture, commanding
the harbor and throwing shells into
Charleston every half hour, day and
night, occasionally firing more rapidly
:, as the movements Of the opposing force
I may require. The rebels too seem to be
:, equally safe in their batteries, though
the city must be suffering severely. Oc-
!, casionally this artillery practice is va
: ried by sending shot and shell at Forts
!; Moultrie, Simpkins and old Sumpter
i against whose battered walls they have
r as little effect as drop of rain has upon
lie the ocean. All the troops here are in
20 good health and spirits, aoy at all
at times for fight but trusting that the
;, rebellion will soon be crushed
Ia L. II. p.
US
to The TwENTY-INCH GUY.-The Pitts