Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1864-12-02

ana part OF the otb corps, the men anticipate
ing a general pulling up Of stakes for some
time.
Just as i'll luck would have IL, however, il
began to rain about o'clock last night, and
has continued to rain ever since, converting
the country alonz our line Of march into
continent Of mud. The highways are simply
dirt roads, not macadamized as in the valley,
so that il would seem impossible for artillery
TO move, except toward the centre of our
planet. The line Of march yesterday was to-
ward the Appomattox. which they would pro-
badly strike two or three miles below Peters,
burgh, II the design we're to cross over to
Gen. Buffers department.
Few persons probably have an accurate
idea Of the nature and strength Of our works
hcreabouts. Without going into particulars,
il will not be reasonable to state that these
consist of three lines of defenses. The first
extends around the garrison here, and con-
sists Of breatswork and deep ravine. The
I'd, in the course of construction, extends
from the Appomattox, at a point two and
half miles higher up, to the James, below
Fort Powhattan, being probably fifteen miles
long, and supported by forts on the principal
nights, on which artillery is mounted. The
Sd, (along our front, begins on the Appoms,-
tox, about one mile below Pelersburgh, (in
the valley,) and passed along. at one place
barely two-thirds of mile from that place,
and six hundred yards from the rebel lines.
1t then extends irregularly, so as to take
ad Vantage Of the grounds, toward the south
southwest; next, north-by-west, and finally
curves round the to northeast, the ex-
treme end beyond the Weldon Railroad, de-
scribing horseshoe figure. Along this line
OF well nigh twenty miles, about as many
forts or batteries have been erected. These
are more or less largedAnd heavy, having EN-
brasures for from four to sixteen guns. Some
of them cover two acres, and have parapets
ten feet high, aud bitches as many feet broad
and deep, with screws and draw bridges.
The forts are connected, except in swaulp.,
by breastworks Of various Nights and degrees
of strength. In front Of these is a line cf
sharpened stakes driven into the ground,
with points projecting toward Peters burg
n places the trees have been cut down to
form an abattis. Beyond these obstructions
our picket lines extend usually from quar-
ter to half a mile distant.
BY leaving the forts we'll garrsoned it will
be seen that this line is now so strong that
Grant can hurl the main body of his force
against any part of the rebel lines he may Sc
lect; while it is impossible to flank him or
cut his communications with any force short
Of the whole rebel army, which would natu-
rally bring it just where we want it.
One who has not been here can form no
idea Of the desolation, the dresriness OF the
scene, after the country thus wasted has been
abandoned by our troops. On that series of
lateral or cross roads, you see man on foot
here, or on horseback there, wandering, ap-
psrently, in the held,' like Joseph, that has
extension in every direction without limit,
excepting the da-k lines OF woods in the dis
tance. The house which presents itself now
and then is certain to be occupied by group
of Union officers, or as a Generals headquar-
ters, perhaps by band of music engaged in
piping where others do not dance. Gray lines
Of earthworks, gray lines Of road. trains Of
army wagons, everything torn up, smashed,
destroyed or going to destruction. no women,
no childrea, no cattle lowing or friendly dogs
barking, no chsnticleer sounds in the morn.
Two lines of telegraph connect Gen. Grants
headquarters with the front. Lines also con-
meet with Gen. Buffers Department. These
have fast steamers for their own
always ready to leave at any
moment.
In the camps, the stables, constructed Of
pine boughs, form an agreeable spectacle.
These are large, high, covered over (some-
times) and so thick that one can hardly see
through them, affording the animals tolerably
good shelter during the blasts of winter.
The Sanitary Commission have depot we'll
stocked near the extreme left The men all
'peak in high terms of the good done by
such noble institutions as the Christian and
Sanitary Commissions"
WAsHINeToN, Nov. 23.
About fifty deserters from our army have
arrived at City Point from the valley. They
were captured by Gen. Sheridan in the late
The larger number were substi-
lutes, who, having deserted and Joined the
-ebels, were sent to the Shenandoah. as there
was less danger of being identified il cap
ured. A court, with Gen. Coils at the head
ias been ordered to City Point to try them.
The heavy rain storm 10 that quarter is over.
Information from City Point yesterday
morning says but short time will elapse be-
ore the Dutch Gap canal will be opened.
New YoRK, Nov. rs.
Gold 1921.
l.30 p. M.-Gold, s2.Is.
The Herald special from the Shenandoah
,ives the following
Philadelphia, 24.--It is rumored here that
Information had been received at Washing
on that Gen. Sherman had been NOTE ed by
iov. Brown that Georgia, Alabama and an
'ther state had determined tc return to the
Union, and that Sherman had halted in his
Mach also, that Stephens desired to meet
ommlssioners from the United States in Ca
Iada.
The Evening Bulletin, in an extra, snnoun.
es that Sherman has captured Macon, with
many prisoners.
Sheridun.a cavalry had another successful
Engagement with Earley's army.
The heFsld's dispatches say that on Mon
lay last three divisions Of cavalry, under
,ustar, Powell and Devin, set out to ascer-
ain the rebel position aud strength. No re-
istauce Of importance was made until Tues
lay, when the main army ofths rebels, about
700 in number, and division Of cavalry,
vas found at kood's Hill. position almost
IS strong Ss Fishers Hill, Fighting mme-
lately ensued, lasting six hours. during the
feater part ol the time very severe. Early
made repeated attempts to flank Cuslar and
'owell, but was foiled every time. Some
magnificent charges we're made by the Union
avalry. The rebels showed but little spirit
a the engagement. After gaining sufficient
of hhrley's strength our furcen