Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1864-04-15


from the interior report detached bodies OF
rebels occupying positions in Tennessee in
numbers which should awaken the attention
Of citizens to the Importance Of preparing for
self-deienye Grand Junction, Sometvlle.
and other points are held by them. Ten Off
GERS and one hundred men belonging to Col.
HAWKING Seventh Tennessee cavalry, aud
captured by Forrest lately at Union City,
have made their escape and part reported at
heaquArters. II is generally believed that
Forrest is on grand raid for the purpose OF
plunder, aud getting conscripts and horses
He is certainly obtaining these in large num-
bers. and sending them South. He acknowl-
edges that his force was badly crippled in the
late fight.
A Chattanooga dispatch Of the 2nd reports
great activity there. but nothing which looks
to immediate action, Extensively. The rail
road is taxed to its utmost. and four OF FIVE
steamers ply along the river. A dispatch
from Lookout Mountain the 3lst ult., says:
The movements Of the enemy in this
neghborhoCd during the last few days have
been such as to attract the careful attention
of the Generals commanding and their subor-
dinates. Gen. Vyndale's scouts have been
attacked near Csperton's Ferry, and were
hAlNNh W WV itDtlh W NlAnln AUEtt mlitN OF
oar camps at bridgeport. Another party Of
our scouts report that l50 rebels entered
some cave within four miles of CAssandra.-
Small squads Of rebels are prowlng about in
Lookout and Sand Mountains, and several
gaps are held by them. Citizens report that
a whole regiment OF rebels are on Lookout
Mountain. Yesterday, and at all hours last
night mounted patrols we're sent ont in vari-
Gus directions. aud this morning a consider
a0e force Of infantry, accompanied by troop
of mounted men, started up the valley to
make thorough reconnaissance.
The Democrats Alexandra (La.) dispatch
says large amount ot cotton is being cap
tu'ed along the Red river.
1t was reported that several naval officers
bad been captured while confscatng cotton.
Admiral Porter had issued a circular TO
Captains and owners of steamboats, in the en-
ploy Of the rebel government as transports,
stating that if they will deliver the boats to
him, be will afford them opportunity to re-
cover their property, while il they burn them
they will be a total loss.
The Richmond papers Of the 2sth ult., re-
port Governor Vance of North Carolina, ad-
dressing North Carolina Brigades in Lees ar
my.
The Examiner is indignant because two re-
giments recruited by John Morgan have been
taken from him and given to Gen. Grigsby,
pet Of jeff. Davis. leaving Morgan with on
ly 500 men.
letter from Mobile reports eight Federal
vessels still lying off Fort Powell, and ten
off Fort Morgin. There is no important
news in the papers.
Trenton, ". D., April 6.--The bill allowing
New Jersey soldiers to vote was discussed to-
day in the Assembly and defeated by strict
party vote--the Democrats opposing it. The
veteran soldiers now at home are much ex-
cited.
81. Louis, April 6.--Gsn. Murphy OF Ar
kansas has issued an address to the people Of
the counties in that State in which no elec-
tions have been held and sent it out for dis
trihution with Gen. Steele's command. The
address reviews the condition of the State
during the war recites the action Of the late
State Convention, and closes with stirring
appeal to the people in those counties in
which elections could not be held in conse-
quence Of their allegiance to the old Govern
ment recommending them, under the ordi
nances passed by the State Convention for
that purpose, to hold elections, as soon as
they can with safety, for members of the Lee
glslature, and take upon themselves the rights
and duties of freemen, and give their aid to
the Union
Brig. Gen. Nathan Kmball has been as
signed 20 the command OF all the troops along
the North Arkansas river, with headquarters
at Little Rock. In an address to the citizens
Of his district, he says the loyal shall be pro-
tected. and sympathizeIs with rebellion,
though they may have taken the oath of ale-
glance to the Government, will be treated as
rebels unless they conform in word and act to
the spirit Of that oath.
CAIRO. ILL.,. April s.
Steamer Continental from New Orleans.
the evening OF the 3D., has arrived, bringing
a large number of government mules and ne
groes from Vicksburgh.
Nine hundred contrabands, men, women
and children had arrived from Alexandria.
Officers of the steamer from Red River re-
port considerable fight on Cane river, 35
miles above Alexandria, on the 18th, between
Gen. Smiths forces, consisting of 5000 in-
fantry under Gen. Moore, and Dudley's brig
ade of Gen. Lees cavalry corps and Dick
Taylor's army, 10000 strong, posted in an
advantageous position. The fight lasted about
three hours. Our loss is reported at is kill
led aud about go wounded.
That Of the rebels was much greater, some
placing it at 200 killed and wounded. We
captured 500 prisoners and others are still
being brought in. Dudley's brigade which
was in the advance greatly distinguished them
selves. Our troops did not halt on the bat
tlefeld, but pushed on in the pursuit of the
retrealing rebels. No rest will be given the
rebels. 1t was Gen. Smiths design to force
the enemy to mako stand and defeat them
in a pitched battle. il possible.
NEw YORK, April o
The Worlds Army of the Potomac letter
reports reiniorcements arriving daily. The
4th New York heavy artillery. 209o strong,
and the 1t and lfth regular infantry are daily
expected, and every train brings up large
numbers Of re-enlisled veterans and new re-
crui's All indications poin, to an early ad-
vance.
The Herald's dispatch says There is
nothing of interest from the army. General
Sher dan has resumed command OF the cayal-
ry corps. The roads are improv ng under
bright sun. The bridges injured by the rt-
cent rains rains are being repaired. The reb-
els are evidently preparing for stubborn
resistance. They are still constructing de-
fensiye works on the south side OF the hapi-
dan aud are repairing the railroad bridge