Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1864-03-25

from Commanding Thomas o. selfridge Of III
fConestoga, in which he states that lesrninl
lthore was large amount Of cotton belong
ing 10 the rebel government under smal
guard of soldiers not far from where Old Riv.
or intersects the main levee, he landed on the
morning Of the 3th Of February with As
seamen and some contrabands,
After marching six miles be found the cot
ton and would have escaped the guard, bua
for the accidental discharge Of a musket.-
IOn bis way oSek he was considerably dam
aged by Texan cavalry. He captured 80
bales Of cotton, 20 mules and several horses ;
also captured Col. G. II. Tyler and Major J.
| f. Brien Of the rebel army
/ The day before he destroyed tsenty-four
lhogsheads Of sugar near Gross river, which
was too bulky TO take on board.
4 The Navy Department has received com
munication from Admiral Porter, in which hG
encloses one from Lieut.. Commander Greer
in the United States steamer Rather, of
Hurricane Island, Feb. Is. He says al
have informed you in previous letter that d,
detachment Of about 200 negro troops have
been stationed at Water Proof, making it r
depot for negroes. cattle, &c" This has
aroused the Indignation Of the rebels, aud on
The 4th force of about eight hundred reb
ell cavalry Of Barrison's command, made an at
tack upon the post, driving in the pickett.
and pressing the troops very bard. Forum ,
ately for them the Forest Rose was present
Captain johnson Immediately opened d
heavy upon the rebels, VIII ch caused them to
fall back. He then got his vessel unde. wa,
and shelled them wherever his guns could b ,
brought to bear. The rebels hastily retreat
ed to the woods. This lasted from to SO
p. NJ. At 8 p. NJ. the enemy attempted tu
make dash into the town, but Captain John ,
son drove them back. Eight dead rebels an,
five prisoners were left in our hands. Out
loss WAS five killed and two wounded.
Capt. johnson says some Of the negroe
fought we'll, but the majority did not, 70
want Of discipline Lieut. Commander Gree
arrived with the Halter after the fight wa,
over. lie then proceeded to Natchez, repui
ted the fact to the commander Of the post
and asked him to SEMI up reinforcements
The next morning he dispatched 200 men
some howitzers and ammunition to Wate
Proof Ulon arriving at Water Proof, o
the 18th, he found that in the morning IN
enemy, who had been reinforced in the nigh
and whose forces now consisted OF two reg
ments Of infantry, one Of cavalry and fou
pieces Of artillery, hsd again attacked th
post.
The Forest Rose was ready for them
few well directed shells stopped them frol
planting their battery on the plank road, an
drove them off in confusion.
Capt. johnson says that Capt. Anderso
asked repeatedly for me to take his troops o
board and throw them across the river, whic
request johnson declined and could only tel
him to fight After got the enemy to r.
treat, re felt more easy. do not think Cap
Anderson was intimidated, but the bad dl,
pline Of his officers and the incapacity Of b
men caused MIN to urge the request.
The Ram Switzerland arrived at the clio,
Of the fight and joined them.
The rebel loss as far as Saown was seve
killed, number wounded and several pris,
ners, among them lieutenant. Our loss va
eight killed and twelve wounded.
The Philadelphia Bulletin has dispatc
from Cincinnati, which says Iniormati
from Nicksburg reports that portion of tn
Marine Brigade, under Capt Crandall, I,
Gently surprised rebel camp, east Of Fo
Gibson, capturing AZ prisoners and releasir
Union soldiers taken at the Big Black.
Special dispatches to the Journal say IL
guerrillas attacked freight train from Nasl
vile, near Estelle Springs. on the night
the 10th. After displacng rail, by whic
the train was thrown off the track, the trai
was burned.
Capt Beardsley Of the 1881 New York an
seven men arrived at Decherd, Tenn, on
hand car, having been paroled after beil
stripped OF their clothing money, watch,
and jewelry The rebels killed three Of Il
negroes on the train. Two of the guerrih
were killed There were no other losses.
The rebels are moving their artillery frol
Dalton toward Ringgold
TAylol's Ridge Gap was picketed by reb,
cavalry on the 18th inst. We drive the rel
els off one day. but they return the next
The rebels haze large force Of infantry, ca,
alry and artillery.