Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1864-03-25
Our armu Correspondence.
For the Journal
FROM THE GULF DEPARTMENT.
HEADoUAHrEHs, 2SD INY'r CoRps n ApRtouE. ,
SNIP IsLAND Mas Feh % 1865

FhOh NJ ENI,
HEADouARrBHs, 2sD fNp'r CoRps n AvRtauE
sH1P ISLAND, Miss Feb 26, 1861
Dear JourndL-For the first time in many
weeks you showed your intelligent face to me
to-day, and right gladly were you welcomed,
for we are almost entirely issolated from So
ciety and the world, on this sterile sand bank.
Since last wrote you many important changes
have taken place in this Department Of which
your readers have undoubtedly been in
formed. The position that we occupy at this
post enables us to obtain very correct knowl-
edge Of the movements Of the rebel army, and
Of the state Of feeling existing in the army and
especially among the citizens. The disaffec-
tion among the soidiery, which has been
growing for some time, seems to be almost
universal The first prominent manifestation
Of which | have been able to obtain reliable
/ information, was the rising of the garrison at
/ Fort Morgan. which commands the main en-
trance to Mobile Bay. This bid fair to have
been Of serious consequence to the rebels, as
they had complete possession of the Fort and
went so far a. to send all their officers to the
mainland Ii was quelled however, without
bloodshed, by prompt action on the part Of
the rebel rams in the bay Another affair Of
much greater magnitude occurred recently
near Tallahassee Fla. About six thousand
troops formerly of " Bragg's Invincibles" in
trenched themselves, and at last accounts werv
holding their position against vastly superior
numbers An expedition left Port Royal on
the l5,h inst. to relieve them. Refugees and
deserters from the mainland arrive here dali
ly, and all represent perfect reign of terror
through the Cotton States" Secret meet
ings are daily held in the camps to devise
some prompt aud successful action to relieve
themselves from their obnoxious rulers.
Admiral Farragut arrived at this post on
board the +" Hartford" on the 2lst inst, aud
on the 23rd the first gun was fred for the re-
duction of Mobile. The attack was made on the
batteries at Grants Pass, and the cannona-
ding has been incessant until o'clock p. NJ.
yesterday. The plan of operation which
obtained from the 1t. commanding the gun
boat Calhoun, and which is peculiar charac-
teristic Of the " Old Hero" is this. First to
reduce the batteries which command Grants
Pass, and then in true Port Royal style
run his " War Dogs" past Forts Morgan and
Gaines, which command the main channel.
II successful, and there is scarcely doubt
but ho will be, he can annoy them at leisure,
and be ready to cooperate with the land
forces already on their way through Miss.
His feet in the meantime can be supplied by
Ii may be OF interest TO some OF your readers
to know that six Of the officers Of this regi-
ment are Green Mountain Boys, five of whom
we're commissioned from the 9th VI. Capt.
James Noyes. now Provost Marshal of this
post, enlisted as a private in Co. c, of the Sth
on its first organization. he was appointed
Sergt. Major of this regiment in November
1862, by General Butler, In Jan. 1868 he
to Ia 4 .,I
Captalncy during the month of September fol-
lowing. He was a residen, of Newbury VI.
His accomplished wife, Drawing the perils of
camp life, came out in the month of July last,
and helps to tighten the cares Of many weary
hour. She is a daughter of the celebrated
Anti-slavery leader, Rev. Orange Scott. Lit.
P. j. Noyes also member of Co. C, 9Th VT.
was promoted to his present rank by order Of
Gen. Banks during the month OF Sept. 1868.
He followed the fortunes of the 9Th during
the Port Hudson campaign, aud participated
in all the battles Of the Teche, and during the
seige. OF right he claims a share of the
honors won by the noble Sth while under the
indomitable Weitzel" Capt. A. p. Hawley
formerly lst Sergt. OF Co. C, Sth Vt. partici-
pated in all the engagements in which the
regiment took part until the fall of Port Hud-
son, when he was promoted 10 his present
position. Capt l.. l. Winsow and also 1t.
Rufus Kintley were members of the same
regiment, and we're promoted to their present
positions few months siLce by order of the
General commanding. VT. has been well rep
resented in the organization of colored troops
in this Department, yet we would be glad TO
more Of them. And here allow me to
make a suggestion. Our friends in Vermont
and have no doubt all the friends Of the
cause" are willing, and even anxious to do
all in their power to assist those who are la
boring in the field. This is in the power Of
any one to do, and in way which many have
not thought Of There is in this Department
alone, upwards of 30, 900 colored troops. All
are very anxious 10 learn TO read, write, and
cipher. No means have been establsed as
yet by the authorities to furnish them with
books. This can't be done except by contri-
buttons from the North. Let this be attended
too. There are none so poor but what they
can assist in this benevolent work.
As close this a gunboat has arrived bring
ing intelligence that the batteries at Grants
Pass have been demolished, and the passage
of the Forts will be attempted tomorrow.
Your numerous readers may look for stir
ring news from Mobile soon.
Hoping that we shall often be remembered
by our friends in the Green Mountain State,
remain as ever. G.. w. +. in.
lat IL. End Infy Corps ID Antique.