Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1864-12-16
New YoRK, Dec. 8.

leo to the 18th, and Vera Cruz to the 23d ult
were received. Macmillan had met with
an ovation on his return to the city. He had
issued instructions to the Projects of the
Empire Tor civil administration, providing for
uhity Of Gubernatorial action, justice for all
and iuexorable yigor towards evil doers, nc
matter what flag their deeds are committed
under.
The press unanimously consider these in
structions step in advance toward re-organ-
ization. Cascatlsnd was captured on the goth
of October by eight hundred Juarezists after
an obstinate ofEense.
Macmillan in a letter to his minister OF
state, says he was convinced, in his voyage
through the Departments Of the Interior,
that the Empie is an act firmly based upon
the free will OF an immense majority Of the
nation.
By the steamer Trade Wind. we have Por,
Royal advices Of the 4th.
The Palmetto Herald says that on the 29,
an expedition left Port Royal and went up
Broad river, accompanied by several gun
boats. The troops landed a. Boyd's Point,
and proceeded inland several miles, meeting
with rebel pickets only.
The next morning the enemy appered in
force on the road leading TO Grshsmsville,
with cavalry, infantry and artillery. We ad-
vanced and drove them gradually back to a
battery and entertainments, where they made
a stand 4 hot engagement for hours ensued +,
during which there we're charges aud counter
charges, each side meeting with considerable
loss. Night put stop to the fighting on
both sides We took few prisoners and
| lost a few.
Our casualties are variously estimated from
600 to 1000
During the evening we fell back short
distance unpufsued and since then an ad-
vance was made ia another direction.
AdviceS from Hilton Head to the Sd states
that the residents were still under arms and
doing guard duty in consequence Of General
Foster having taken all available troops to
cooperate with Geo. Stevenson who is soon
expected on the coast.
A number OF Fosters wounded had been
brought to Hilton Head from which place
heavy firing could be heard.
NEW YORK, Dec. 9.
We have rebel newspapers of the 9th inst
i, is said that Sberman's columns we're united
on Monday last, and that his whole army was
southwest Of Millen, and marching steadily
towards the coast. which, il was thought, he
designed reaching at or in the vicinity of Sa-
vannah.
A battle northwest of Savannah was an
ticipsted by the rebels before the close OF
this week, and the fight between Fitzpatrick
and Wheeler is said to have occurred last
Sunday. 1t is reported that the Yankees
we're repulsed and lost heavily, and that Kill
patrick was surrounded.
The rebels estimate Shermans entire force
at 10000 infantry and 5000 cavalry, and say
that his soldiers expressed astonishment at
the richness of the country through which
they we're passing, and she abundance of pro-
visions it contained.
The Richmond Dispatch of the 9th says
Sherman seems to have become more tmid
or more exhausted. For five days, up to last
Tuesday. he made only five miles per day
He has lost so much time and gave the con-
federacy opportunity to gather, that he must
Of necessity strike for Savannah or Beaufort.
de was expected at Savannah on the Goth,
and all that night the shipping off that point
threw up signal rockets for his guidance.
Recent proceedings in the state Of North
Carolina look as if the state was about to Sc
cede from the empire Of jeff Davis. Reso-
lutions had been produced denouncing as un-
constitutional Davis proposition to emanci-
pate slaves and to abrdge the freedom of the
press declaring that the states are not amen
able to the Richmond government and advis-
log other states not to submit to its usurpa.
ton.
The Tribunes specicl dispatch from Wash
ington says: Gen. Logan states that the slow
progress Of Gen. Sherman is the best evidence
of his entire safety and success.
1t was his programme to make frequent
halts to rest his men while detachments
should scout the country to destroy roads,
bridges and rebel supplies. Had he encoun-
tered any serious opposition, he would have
reached the coast before this.
The steamer Hansa from Southampton
23rd, has arrived.
The London Times sees no alarm in Lin
coins reelection. England is probably safer
in his than in any other hands. We may rea-
sonably believe trat Lincoln has sown his wid
oats. He has gone through course of de-
fly ing, and insulting England. We hope he
will not repeat the experiment.
ST. LOUIS, Dec. s.
The Democrats dispatch from Psducah. OF
the 7th, says: All stories about disasters on
the Cumberland River are untrue. The river
is entirely clear and unobstructed to Csrks-
vile, to which point our transports run, with
out any convoy. From Clarksville to Nash
vile transports are conveyed by gunboats,
as there are several batteries between the two
points.
WAsHINeToS, Dec. 0.
Information from City Point to-day says
Southern papers, dates not given, reports
that Sherman has abandoned the shortest
route for Augusta, and appears TO be drifting
towards Savannah. he was delaying for the
purpose OF gathering supplies, while bis ter
ritorial range was not too contracted by the
operations OF Wheeler.
The Augusta Constitutionalist thinks Sher-
man will not for moment hesitate as I. the
point to be attacked on the road to it, saying
that the enemy broke camp a, Louisville ear
ly on the morning Of the I'd inst, abandoning
the shortest route To Augusta and moving By
a new route in the direction OF Savannah.
The same paper lays out the following
campaign for sherman, as being the most
natural and feasible:
"With his forage and provision trains full
be will pass his entire army to Millcn. then,
throwing his cavalry in the rear, he will put
the wagon trains between two wings Of his
army, and then march in compact column
steadily. bu, continuously, on Savannah
The Ogeechee and its few crossings and ter
u kia s,uarana On hi. xt.,ht and A.yaunak