Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1864-05-06
Jaatrtman q STATE 5uurnal.
BYR.P. WALTON.
MONTPELIER. MAY 6. 1864.
FROM WASHINGTOM-


placing or fighting the extensive and ex-
pensive fortifcations which the army had
erected for the defense OF Plymouth, Little
Washington and Newbern, n G. There are
three earthwoIks on the river side at Ply
mouth--one in the lower part and the other
two above this small town--aad Il never was
supposed that they would need wooden gun
boats to defend them.
Amiral Lee, as the records show, has re-
peatedly advised against the occupation Of
detached posts, as being expensive, insecure,
ana subjecting our force to attacks in detail.
Gen. Foster, as early as August last, inform
ed the naval officer that half the gunboats in
the Sound might be withdrawn, they being
no longer necessary for military purpose. as
Newbern, Little Washington aud Plymouth,
the places considered necessary to hold, had
been fortified.
Still later, the opinion was expressed by
the army that they had no fears Of the ram,
yet she passed the Notifications at Plymouth,
which ought to have blown her out of water.
Representative GOoch has written the War
Department that the accounts Of the butchery
Of colurod troops at Fort Pillow are fully
substanIiated by unquestionable evidence,
and that the facts are worse than was report
ed through the newspapers.
The Sena Military Committee reported
iavorably on the bill reducing army rations to
what they were before they we're increased in
1861, with the exception Of the pepper ration.
The soldiers in hospital are not 20 receive
rations, and the money Communication for their
rations is TO be paid into hospital funds sole
ly for the maintainauce of sick aud wounded
soldiers. The value of the reduction of the
ralions is estimated to be two dollars month
for each soldier, which sum is to be added to
the pay Of the commissioned officers,
musicians and privates Of regulars, volunteers
and militia during the continuance of the
present war.
The indication now are that Gen. Lee is
making preparations te fall back from the
Rapidan to Richmond. Some of his heavy
artillery has disappeared from our right, and
troops have left the vicinity of Madison Court
House, moving eastward, also baggage trains.
Officers in high position do not think Lee
will make a stand this side of Richmond.
His present line is eighty miles long and he
cannot hold H. He will concentrate his forces
at the base Of supplies, thus compelling Grant
to attack him at a disadvantage.
Solicitor Whiting has written a letter to
Provost Marshal General Fry in regard to
complaints shat the enrollmenls for draft have
been excessive, stating thatS ssuted lists Of
enrolled men having been made public so that
in every community the citizens might have
opportunity to correct them, and these lists
having been amended according TO nforma-
tion thus publicly asked for and furnished,
any existing mistakes must be owing to the
neglect or willfu fault OF those who now
make complaint and the law requires that
drafting in future shall be accoring to the
rollment as it stands at the date of the draft.
If any excess Of men beyond the just quotas
il drafted, that excess will be credited TO the
succeeding drafted.
The passage of General Burnside's Army
through Washington seems to have created
great sensation. 1t is said to number 35-
900 men, and to have marched all the way
from Annapolis forty miles, in two days.
A Washington letter says the men marched
with the firm step and bearing of veterans,
and that the negro troops presented a more
soldierly appearance than did many Of the
whites. Two companies Of Indian sharp
shooters, attached to a Michigan regiment,
g.ve the war-whoop' as they went march
ing on.
April 90, in Senate Vice President Ham
lin retired for the session, and Senator ClA-k
of n. H., was appointed President pro tenn
pore on motion of Senator Foot. Senator
Colamer called up the postal order bill and
it was passed also the bill making letters to
the Executive departments free without re-
quiring endorsement of name and Office Of the
sender. The House put the tax on income
from u. S. bonds the same as on income from
other sources Stamps may be cancelled Oy
writing on them the date simply. Instru-
ments will not be invalidated for want Of
stamp, but the omission will be punished.
The House voted an immense quantity Of
land to Michigan, Wisconsin, Iowa, and Min
nesota for roads.
April 27, the House continued its amend
ments to the tax bill-all increasing the
taxes. The section revivng the land tax
was stricken out, so there will be no land
tax until April /, 1865.
April 2s, the Senate passed the House bill
ayes 4O noes S, adding so per cent. 70 duties
on imports for 60 days from May LIST. The
Senate has voted to add 50 per month to
the pay Of soldiers. The House provided
that deeds and other Instruments cannot be
recorded if the stamp is not affixed. This
provision takes the place Of a penalty.
The House passed the tax bill on the 2sth
by very large vote-ayes lO2. noes Sd
There were few amendments. Where sew
eral persons in one family are receiving in
comes, an exemption of only 5000 is allow
ed for the whole family, and that is for the
head of the family. Bank circulation (both
state and national) is taxed one quarter Of
one per cent. per month, as we read the state
ment. Another statement is that bank capi-
tai invested in U. S. bonds is exempted
There is probably blunder in these state
ments somewhere. Liquor on hand May l.,
on which no tax has been paid, is taxed SO
cents gallon and where tax Of 20 cents
has been paid already, 80 cents is added.
On the 29th, the Senate considered the ma
tional currency bill, and the House committee
reported bill paying soldiers sl6 per month
and putting colored men on the same footing
as to pay as white.
Hon. +. Il. Woodbridge has been called