Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1864-12-23

zen atthck OF the rebei plckete on the UniOt
lines in the vicinity Of Bermuda Hundred. -
The attack was properly responded to. Tn,
firing which continued for about an hour wa
participated in by the artillery. APPARENT,
nothing was effected by it. On the sam,
evening FIVE rebel gunboats and two ram,
we're observed lying under the guns Of For
Darling
Breckenridge has issued proclamation de-
signed to encourage assertions from the unor
armies. 1t promises protection to all who
will return to their homes within his lines
The rebel Governor Clark Of Mississippi
is alarmed at the operations Of Canby's vgor.
Gus raiders and has issued proclamation
calling the militia to assemble Immediately.
The Petersburg Express Of The 18th says
The enemy has now nearly four corps south
the Appamatox, independent of cavalry,
but the roads are in too bad a state to use
them.
The Richmond Enquirer of the 9Th haa a
semi-offcial editorial in favor Of arming the
slaves II says Gen. Lee is in favor OF the
proposition.
The Richmond Sentinel Of the 10th, says :
The Montgomery Advertiser is informed that
all the Federal garrisons southeast of Tulla-
homs had been called in, including Chatta.
nooga, Bridport and Stevenson.
From another source II is reported by q
man who was there, that there were no Yam
KEGS in Chattanooga.
New YORK, Deo.20.
The Commercial says Wilmington is sup
| posed to be the destination of the great ex-
! petition, which sailed from Hampton roads
/ 9th inst. 1t says the plan Of Admiral Por-
ter will probably be to effect first the reduce
ton of Fort Fisher which will be sheled at
long range, and soon as the fire of the
fort slackens the light draft gunboats and
monitors will pass the fort and encounter the
distractions in the river above To aid in the
reduction Of the Fort Admiral Porter will
have recourse to the exploding of powder
close under the walls, demoishng the garri-
son by the conclusion. The powder will be
carried there by an old transport. The OBJ
structions removed from Cape Fear river the
fleet will pass up to Wilmington and assist
Gen. Butler in the capture of that place. III
success is achieved Wilmington will undoubt-
eddy be made the base for future operations.
The Heiald's Fort McAllister correspon-
dent says: At haf-past four on the morning
OF the 18th, Gen. Hszen placed his division
IN position, with another division Of the 18th
corps as u support. The order was given,
when his gallant division marched at double
qulckstep forward, penetrated an abatts SUI
rounding the works, plunged through ditch,
and scaled the parapets of the Fort, ten feet
in height, and swArmed into the works under
hot fire, which, while it cut down many.
failed to check their advance. Most Of the
garrison, bewildered by the sudden sweep Of
our veterans, surrendered in haste, but Others
stood by their guns and were bayoneted or
cut down. Not over three minutes elapsed .
after our veterans leaped the parapets, ere
their cheers announced their work done. Our
captures are I'll heavy guns and large guam
tity of ordnance and supplies.
The Herald's Fort McAlister correspond
ent says When Gen. Sherman arrived in
front of Savannah, he had driven 1900 head
of cattle through though he started with only
20O and had fed his army on full rations on
march Of 800 miles. He had also gathered
on the way over 1000 able bodied negroes
and SO many horses, mules ana wagons as to
emoarrass him. His army during consider
able portion OF the march, extended over
breadth OF country sixty miles wide, and for !
" miles at times interviewed between the
right and left winds. The whole loss of men
from wounds, sickness, captures, struggling
and all other causes up to the time of arriv- !
ing in front of Savannah was only about H.
900. The average daily march was twelve I
miles. When Savannah was invested, the |
city was unprepared for siege and could not l
hold out more than a few days. Gen. Slo- {
GUMS corps holds all the approaches on the
north side of the city, including all the rail-
roads leading out of the town. Gen. How !
ards corps, connects with his right, and
swings around to the Oglechee river at For
McAllister. The army to-day is undoubted
ly attacking the rear of the rebels. I
The Tribune's army of the James CORES {
pendent says that rebel deserters report that |
Beauregard has escaped from Savannah to I
Charleston on the lth in special train. He 0
narrowly escaped capture, the train being the |
last which passed over the road.
A letter from Admiral DahlRren, dated
18th inst. to the Secretary of War, states I
that he was busy buoying the Savannah river {
for an attack on Savannah. in aid of Sher- {
man.
Dahlgren and Foster held an interview
with Sherman on the l4th,
The Richmond Sentinel has dispatch dat '
ed Kingston, N. G., 18th. stating that the
Union force repulsed that day on the
Neuse road. two miles from Kingston, and
driven across the Southwest bridge, which
they destroyed.
WAsHIN Dec. 90.
The Richmond papers of Saturday contain
no telegraphic news from Savannah. Ex
tracts from the Augusta papers received at
by mail show that on the 18th the
Union troops had possession of the Charles
ton and Savannah railroad bridge ON the Saw
,nnah river. The rebel forces had fallen back
10 the junction Of the Georgia Central and
Charleston and Savannah railroad about three
miles from the city. AT this important point,
which commands both roads. Gen. Hardee
took his stand. 1t was confidently reported
that Sherman's forces we're in Hardees front,
and that demand for the surrender of the
city having been made, heavy fighting ensued.
The community of Savannah seem quiet and
irm.
NASHVILLE, Dec. 10.
The total number Of prisoners captured in
its two days 6ght is estimated at $500.
Hoods loss in men cannot be less than
5000, since he advanced from Columbia :
'owards Nashville. Gen. Thomas determined
20 give battle again, and has ordered the pom t
-oons to be forwarded across the streams be- |
.ween this city and Columbia.
WAR DEPARTMENT, =