Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1864-03-04
MISCELLANEOUS DISPATCHES.

Nlous reports tnht zen. oborinan nad occupied
Selma, Ala.
The reports from Gen. Smiths cavalry ex-
petition are not so good. Suaggers who
have arrived at Memphis state that the rebel
Gems. Forrest, Adams, Lee and Rhody con-
centrsto5 theit forces against those Of Gen
Smith ard forced him back With considerable
loss. lie had severe fight at West Point,
Miss. The SLOW movements Of Col Warnings
division. consisting mainly Of Penn. vnd n. j..
regiments, delayed the expedition some eight
days, giving the enemy time to concentrate
their forces. 1t is reported that Smith is slow
ly falling back towards Memphis, but the re-
port is not generally believed as little credit
can beplsced in the statements of strsgglers.
NKw YORK, Feb 20.
The Tribune's Washington dispatch says (:
The Army Of the Potomac was in motion
on Saturday aud Sunday. There is prospect
Of work ahead.
The Times dispatch confirms the move
ment Of the Army Of the Potomac, which was
indicated Saturday-night The demonstrs-
ton lie a bold one in brave hands, and will be
supported by powerful force.
The Herald publishes an interesting letter
dated Richmond, Feb. 10, stating that the
rebel capitol is guarded by only two COM
panies Of heavy artillery, five light batteries.
AWO ol ChNdlfy anu hOuuL 1.uUU
citizen soldiers, and that part of North
Carolina regiment charged with the protec-
ton Of the line Of the Chickamahomny and
the garrison of Fort Darling is reduced to
$50 men. Longstreets force is set down at
10000, Johnston's at 10000, and Lees at
5000.
MEMPHIS Feb 90.
The report Of stragglers that Gen. Smiths
expedition bad been cut up proved to be false.
Gen. Smith arrived here at 10 o'clock last
night.
The following is an estimate Of the results
The expedition destroyed over one million
bushels of corn, tore up and destroyed miles
of the NJ emphis and Ohio railroad track. burn
cd many bridges aud tressels. and brought
in over three hundred rebel prisoners, fifteen
hundred mules and horses, and any amount
Of" contrabands." The expedition was sue
cessful at every point and in every palicular
except the important one of making junc-
ton with Gen. Sherman, which is attributed
mainly to the movements of New Jersey and
Pennsyl vania cavalry regiments, which caused
one weeks delay ia the starting OF the expe-
dition. The retreat was not at any time
rout, although there was some struggling.
The Presidents amnesty proclamation and
Gen. Grants orders we're evt, nsvely circula-
LOUISVILLE, KY, Feb %.
Intelligence from the front Of Chattanooga
received by military men states that our army
having accomplished the object Of its recon
nossance toward Dalton has returned to
Chattanooga. On the contrary reliable in (
formant says the army was two miles from
Dalton and would attack Dalton when deem
advisable.
WASHINGTON. Feb. 30.
A letter from the Army of the Potomac in
forms us that Lieut.. Scudamore, one of the
officers who escaped from Libby Prison with /
Col. Streight and party, came into our lines
last night, having been on the way 8 days.
He had intended to proceed by way of Cor
louisville towards the Ohio river, thinking
his chances Of getting away in that direction
better than by the Peninsula, as he felt GER
tain of being captured had he gone the latter
way. After travelling rs miles his knees
failed him and he was forced to be in mud
hole, as be terms it, for nine days. A negro
took care of him and became his companion
and The resumed his journey. AT another
time he was obliged to lie concealed two
days. He finally reached the Rapidan on
Saturday night and crossed, passing within
few PAGES of the rebel pickets. Lieutenant
Scudamore Gays he saw no troops near Rich
inhabitants on his route through the country
lie met only women, children and negroes.
He represents Lees army pretty strong,
but no signs of activity we're visible. lie WINS
captured near Rome, Ca, and had been ten
months in the Libby Prison.
NEW York, March /.
The Tribune's Washington dispatch of the
oath says the latest information from the Ar
my Of the Potomac is up to 10 o'clock Mon
day morning. No battle had occurred between
the opposing infantry forces There was some
skirmishing on our right Sunday last, moth
ing Of any account. Ii is evident that Lee
don't intend to leave his intrenchments to
fight unless compelled by Gen. Mead. Stir
ng news may be. expscied-perhaps to-mor
row.
Details of the late battle in Florida are
published
Our forces engaged at Olustee, Fla. was
$500 infantry, 400 cavalry and 20 pieces of
artillery. The enemy's strength is reported
at 3 900 and protected by enrthworks and
rife pits. The report that no skirmishers
were thrown out is not true. Our troops
fought nobly and retreated in good order
The rebels were commanded by Gen. Gard
ner. Our forces. are in position to check
the enemy Gen. Wedges had arrived at
Jacksonville and would take command of tho
defences there.
There is no confirmation Of the reported
arrest of Gen. Seymour and it is probably
untrue.
The Iribune's Washington letter OF the
9th ult says Gen. Logan's cavalry from
Huntsville, Ala, has joined Gen. Sherman at
Selma, Ala.
The Richmond Examiner of the 9th ult
says Gen. Talifaro' left Havana on the 22nd
to assume command of all the forces in Flor
ida. Gen. Bragg is assigned to duty at Rich
mond and under the direction of jeff. Davis,
and charged with the conduct of military OPP
erations in the armies of the confederacy,
The same paper says Now that sherman's
force is dispersed or withdrawn, there appears
but little anxiety as to anything that Farra-
gut may accomplish off Mobile.
FROM NORTH CAROLINA.
The Newbern IN. CD Times says the late
rebel raid has strengthened the Union feel
ing. We cannot for moment doubt that
should strong Federal force move on Ra-