Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1864-01-01

/ government at certain price, and that Lord
Clarence paget on the part OF the English
Admiralty, had written to the builders sta
I ting that no decided answer could be given
! for the present, and that the project was be-
fore their Lordship for consideration.
! BALTIMORE. Dec. "a.
! The report about the Monitor Leheigh is
erroneous. She merely got aground and
sprung leak, rendering it necessary to go to
Port Royal for repairs. She was not injured
/ by the rebel batteries
| PHILADELPHIA, Dec. "a.
IL il ascertained that the National CoDser-
vatiye Union Committee, nov in session in
this city, have reafiirmed the nomination of
Major General George b. Mcclellan for
President and have nominated Judge Camp
bell OF Pennsylvania for Vice President.
New YoBK. Dec. "a.
| The Detroit Tribune Of Monday has an ac-
count from Capt. Stringleman Of the new
steaming Sentinel, which left there for new
York last month, Of an attempt at Montreal
Of dozen Soutnerners to obtain passage to
Pictou, with the supposed object of stealing
the vessel The passengers we're not taken.
The Posts Washington Dispatch says A
number Of agents are here from the North to
procure colored recruits. The government
will no longer permit such recruiting here,
as it is considered unjust to Washington.
Two Union prisoners who were aided in
escaping from Richmond by Union residents,
arrived here this morning. One was carried
out Of Jail in a coffin, having feigned death.
special dispatch received here says Long
stree, has Joined Lee and that the latter has
crossed the Rapidan. Meade has fallen
back Several skrmishes with Stuarts cav.
airy have taken place. This needs confrma-
ton.
1t was rumored to-day at the War Depart
ment that Gen. Thomas Francis Meagher had
been ordered to proce-d to the quarters of the
Corooran Legion and take command Of it on
the other band it is stated that most probably
what remains of the Coicoran Legion will be
added to the Irish Brigade
The Navy Department is going to build
four casemated steamships to carry four TWEEN
y inch guns. to be Of wrought iron, $50 feet
long, So feet beam, 1000 feet crate surface,
four cylinders of 80 inch stroke, four feet
two inch propeller. draft nineteen feet, ex-
pected speed sixteen knots. Mr. Lentball
has got up the plans, and is consulting with
the iron shipbuilding establishments in the
country to make these ships superior to any
The Washington CORES pondence of the
New York journal of Commerce notices the
following proposed amend ments of the en-
rollment law, both OF which strik e us as Just
and desirable.
The clergy everywhere will be pleased
to learn that Senator Dixon is about to pro-
pose an amendment to bill before that body
relieving all ministers OF the Gospel of all
liability to perform military duty.
When the time arrives and the pros bill
comes up, Senator Hendricks will propose an
amendmen. dividing those who may be draft
ed into two classes the first to include oil
persons subject to perform military duty be-
tween the ages Of eighteen and forty-fve,
who are unmarried and the second all other
persons subject TO do military duty, but who
are not TO be called out until the first class is
exhausted"
P. S.-Both amendments rejected.
Salem, the point selected by Gen. Averill
for the destruction of the Virginia and Ten
nessee Railroad, is sixty miles from Lynch
burg, and one hundred aud forty-ive from
Bristol. The damage done appears to have
been quite extensive and thorough for the
time allowed, both as regards the railway
tracks and the depots of stores in the vicni-
| ty. The movement was very opportune as
it will prevent Lee from strengthening Long
street in the stand he has chosen to make in
East Tennessee, and will greatly add to the
difficulties OF Longstreet's return to Virginia.
Gen. Averll encountered great obstacles and
no little peril in his raid but his skill and
/ intTepidty seem to have carried him through
in triumph, with loss which must be con-
sidered slig t. under the circumstances.
al. LIE Il.
features in the affair Of the Chesapeake have
been developed. No arrests of those who
rescued the pirates have been made.
| A dispatch from Chattanooga, 18th inst,
says that the Presidents MASSAGE aud procla-
nation were highly satisfactory to many rebel
prisoners. They say if the Confederate sol
diers see it they will flock into the Union, and
that they are being now kept out by fear of
punishment.
New YORK, Dec 26.
The steamers George Washington and
Mississippi from New Orleans, 7th and lsth,
arrived this morning. The Litter brings a
number OF rebel prisoners. The navigation
Of the Mississippi is less interrupted The
gunboats are keeping a sharp lookout Ad-
vices from Texas state that Gen. Washburne
with considerable body of troops had start
Gu iOI ihulanOlh anu IhOeCd. DOthafe DOUBT
less in our possession ere this. Our troops
are in the best OF health and spirits Great
numbers of Texans are rejoiced in the pros
pect of an early redemption Of the State
II was believed that San Antonio would be
soon under the old flag where our troops
would concentrate for the overthrow Of the
rebels under Magruder. The Sth N. H. reg
iment has been changed into cavalry, as the
LIST n. II. cavalry.
The United States steam transport Fulton,
arrived at this port last evening, from Port
Royal the 22d, and Stono Inlet the same day
at five p. NJ She brings no news, the news
being nearly the same as by last advces
Tne Herald has letter from the gunboat
Huron, in Duboy Sound, Georgia. dated the
lst. announcing the capture of the rebel
blockade runner, steamer Cheaten, loaded
with cotton, tobacco, &c. The prize is esti-
mated at $3.50 600
WAsHINGroN, Dec. 26.
A Naval Court Martial will assemble at
Philadelphia on Monday, to try H. ID. Storer
OF New York, a contractor, for having endea-
vored TO bribe Geo. II. Jacobs, a clerk at the
Charleston Navy Yard, to certify to deliy-
,r 81. l.. 81