Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1864-04-01

OF Fort sumter bearing on the channels to
prevent the advance Of the Union gunboats.
The Worlds dispatch says operations in
Virginia will commence much sooner than
many suppose. Information from the front
states that deserters continue to come in dat
ly from Louisiana regiments. One Lieuten-
ant and four men came INTO our lines yesterday.
They say Lee has ordered all wagons to be
ready for use by April let
The Times Washington dispatch says Gen
Smith will be Chief OF Staff to Gen. Grant
aud as such will direct the movements Of the
Army Of the Potomac.
The President has asked for return of the
nominations Of Generals Newton and Brooks
for Major Generals, sent 20 the Senate two
months ago.
A dispatch from Cairo says we have good
news from the Red ryemexpedition. Gen.
A. j. Smith landed his forces a few miles be-
low Fort DE Russey. The rebel Gen. Dick
Taylor marching against him with his whole
force and attacked him in the rear. General
Smith. instead Of attempting to keep up com
munication with the river, proceeded by
forced marches toward the fort
When Taylor saw the trick he started for
the same destination. For a time the race
seemed doubtful, but finally the Yankees
came in ahead about three hours, capturing
the fort and l guns, and 800 prisoners
This gives Gen. Smith strong foothod in the
country. and will enable Admiral Porter to
proceed to Alexandria with his gunboats with
out opposition.
Shreveport, the aledged destination OF the
expedition up Red River, which has just left
Nicksburg, is the capital Of Caddo parish
La, situated near the foot Of Caddo Lake. in
the northwestern part Of the State. 1t is
finely located for business, on the Red River,
being surrounded by an exceedingly fertile
planting region. Some fifty thousand bales
Of cotton we're annually shipped from this
place before the war, and a very large num-
Der Of cattle from Texas The town contains
population of about three thousand. Since
the rebellion, Shreveport has been an extern
sive depot for commissary and other stores
for the Trans Mississippi Confederate troops,
and up to the time Of the siege Of Vicksburg,
formed an important link in the chain Of
supplies for the whole rebel army. Il is
two hundred'and thirty miles from the mouth
Of the river.
In regard to matters at Charleston we have
the following Do Thursday, the 10Th inst,
a new rebel iron-clad war steamer was launch
ed successfully at Charleston. She is called
the Ashley. This increases the irou-olad
feet in Charleston Harbor to seven vessels.
She is descr bed as formidable vessel with
many improvements on former efforts Of the
rebels in naval architecture. The 1.-TWO hun
dred and forty-sixth day of the siege is
chroncled by the Charleston Mercury as the
"qqetest that the city has known for long
time. Not a shell was thrown at the time
a,A g. 1f sba tio
batteries which bristle around the entrance
of the harborn Recent Reconnaissance have
proved the possession by the rebels in Fort
Sumter Of three columbisd guns, mounted SO
as to command the channel. Reliable intel
lge ce from Charleston has lately been re-
ceived confirming this fact. 1t is also known
that the rebel garrison is $50 men.
The Charleston Mercury of the 18th inst,
says: The enemy ceased firing upon the
city Tuesday evening. On Wednesday morn
ing Battery Gregg opened FIRE on Battery
Simpkins. The latter replied, and being
Joined by the Sullivan's Island batteries
brisk artillery duel was kept up for several
hours. with what result we have not learned.
Some ten shells were fired at Fort Sumter
Tuesday night, eight Of which struck the
Fort"
The Commercials Washington dispatch
says Gen. Grant spent the whole of last
evening with the President.
He will return from the army in few
days, when the contemplated changes in the
army will be announced.
The Washington Star says Admiral Dahl
gren, who went to Fortress Monroe for the
body Of his son, arrived here Wednesday in
the Baltimore, having been again uhsuccess-
ful in his mission.
The flag Of truce boat which was due at
Old Point Tuesday afternoon did not arrive
until yesterday afternoon, on account of the
storm.
She brought down a number OF wounded
soldiers, but did not bring Dahlgren's re-
mains as expected. Ould, the rebel agent.
sent a verbal message that the man who buri-
ed him (Dahlgren) could not be found in time
to get it ready for transportation, but that it
would be sent down as soon as possible.
The Louisville journal Of the 18th, in re-
gard to the expected rebel raid in Kentucky,
says
" We can state as another important fact
that not a few Kentucky rebels in the South
have written, within short time, to their
rebel relations, friends, and sympathzers at
home to sell or in some way make secure
their horses, mules, cattle. sheep, hogs, gain
and other kinds OF movable property, because
there would in a short time be more iorm
dabe and destructive rebel invasion of this
State than there has ever yet been. They
say that Morgan and others will come n,
probably from different directions, with an
aggregate force Of sixteen or seventeen thou
sand men, prepared, il not to occupy Ken
lucky permanently, at least to ransack her
throughout her whole extent, ave sping away
everything Of value and leaving her stripped
and desolate."
NRw YORK, March 25.
Gold Sl69 Ia to 1863 Sd.
The Hersld's Army of the Potomac dis
patch says Gen. Grant was met at Brandy
Station by Gen Meade who accompanied him
TO Culpepper. On arriving there he was met
by brilliant array of military men. The
troops displayed unusual anxiety to catch
glimpse of the distinguished Hero. He was
received by Maj. Gen. Newton, attended by
Generals Butler and Henley, division COM
manders, and Gen. Merritt. The party rode
to Gen. Newton's headquarters, whence Gen.
Grant with Gen. Meade, immediately prooee-
ded to the hesdq quarters prepared for the Gen
eral-in-chief. He dined with Gen. Newton,
this afternoon.
In few days he will visit the different