Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1864-08-26
NEw OnLEAxs. Aua. u.


harbor yesterday morning, bas arrived. Last
night Admiral Farragut had prepared his feet
Tor action and ordered an attack on Fort Nor
gan, which commenced at 8 o'clock yesterday
morning. 1t was to receive an en6lading FIRE
froL the fleet and land forces in its rear. 1t
is said they will resist the attack wherever
there is foot Of ground to stand upon.
The rebels haddestroyed all the outIbuild-
ings Of the Fort and burned their only ves-
sci lying under its guns. Everything about
the Fort indicated determination to contest
the battle to the last.
The channel to Dog river is unobsructed.
The naval and land forces are confident Of
success.
At late hour last night we heard that
Admiral Faragut had demanded the uncondi-
tional surrender of the fort, which was re-
fused By the rebel commander, who replied
that be had six months provisions, plenty
Of fighting men, and would resist to the last.
Before this Gen. Changers forces in the
rear bad cut off communication with the fort
The ram Tennessee was TO be used in the
attack.
Admiral Farragut was confident OF redu-
cling the fort. The Hartford was badly in
iured. We hold all the channels to the bay.
New YORK, Aug. 20.
The Herald's Harper's Ferry dispatch Of
the l9sh states that our army is so disposed
as to c)ver all the fords on the Upper Poto-
mac, also Smokers, Ashby's and Manassas
Gaps. Reconnoissances are now being made
which will develope the strength Of the rebel
army, and guide our future movements.
The Worlds Charlestown, Va. dispatch of
the sth states that our army has fallen back,
and IS now in camp between Clifton and
Charlestown. The rebel force is estimated at
40, 600 infantry and $4,000 cavalry.
The Tribune's Baltimore dispatch Of the
18th states that it was reported at Harper's
Ferry that the 9th corps was attacked last
night.
The rebels are said to be destroying the
railroad near Winchester.
On the retreat OF our army orders were is
sued to destroy all hay and live stock, which
/ was done. This needs confirmation.
The Times Washington dispatch says -
The recent simultaneous encounters with the
rebels on both banks Of the James river and
also in the Valley, prove that Lee has in Vir-
ginia larger force than had been supposed,
and the reports of his having sent detach-
ments to Georgia are now credited. Lees
total force is estimated by secret service at a.
bout 70, 900 men.
The Tribunes correspondent with Gen.
Grant, under date of the 18th says there are
indications of immediate action on a grand
scale.
Rebel dispatches Of the 18th, 18th and
18th, report number of houses struck by
our shot and shell, that Sherman extended
his lines on the 18th, but withdrew to his or
riginal position; that the attack on their
centre pickets on the l4th was repulsed
that federal cavalry dashed into Deca-
Nur On tne usvniuB VI shu ioNh-
( ing in the direction Of Cog's Mill, indi-
eating another movement against the reb-
ell right, and that lively skirmishing was going
on on the rebel centre on the evening of the
! 18th. The rebel papers express qualification
at the prospect of the exchange of prisoners.
MEMPHIS, Aug. II.
Three brigades Of Forests rebels, at Hurri-
cane Creek, Miss, were attacked by Gen.
Smith, on the Both, and routed, leaving so
killed on the field. Our loss was 40 killed
and wounded.
WAR DEPARTMENT, WAsHISeToN,
Aug. 1880 p. M.
| To Maj. Gen. Dir
A dispatch from Gen. Grant dated Monday.
| Aug. l5, $50 p. M, detained by the break
/ ing of the telegraph line, has been received.
/ He reports that the fighting north ef the
James river to-day (l6th) has resulted favor
ably to us so far as it has gone, but there has
been no decisive result. The enemy has been
driven back somewhat from their position of
this morning, with a considerable loss in kill
ed and wounded and about 400 prisoners left
! in our hands. Two Brig. Generals, Cham
oliu and Sherrod, we're killed and their bodies
left in our hands. We also have quite
number OF wounded prisoners. Since moving
north of the river our losses will probably
reach near 1000 killed and wounded. Many,
however, are only slightly wounded, owing
to so much of the fighting taking place in
the woods. The enemy have lost about as
many who have fallen into our hands.
The department has intelligence from Gen.
Sherman to half past II last night, but no
operations were reported.
dispatch from Gen. Sheridan at Win
chester, dated Aug. IT, reports that General
Merritt's division Of cavalry was attacked
Yesterday afternoon on the north side Of the
Shenandoah. by Kershaw's division Of Long
streets corps, and Wickham's and Lemare's
brigtdes Of cavalry. After very handsome
cavalry fight, the enemy were beaten with q
loss of two stands of colors, "a officers, and
276 men, prisoners.
In later dispatch zen. oheriuan says =
The cavalry engagement in front of Front
Royal was splendid 1t was on open ground.
The sabre was freely used by our men. Great
credit is due to Gems. Merritt, Custar and
Col. Devens.
en-. STANTON. ssc'y of War.
New York, Aug. 10.
The Herald has the following dispatch
Nashvile, Tsna., Aug. Is. The rebel Gen.
Wheeler moved round on Cleveland after his
repulse at Dalton, and is trying to get on to
the railroad leading to Knoxville. 1t is re-
ported that Gen. Steadman engaged him at
Graysville on the 10th inst, and defeated
him. Gen. Steadman is reported wounded,
and Col. Straight, of the 5lst ILL.,, killed
Wheeler's attack on Dalton daring Sunday
and Monday was repulsed, with a aloss to hin
Of so men. Col. Leibold. commanding ths
post, was reinforced on Monday by Genera
Steadman. The IA b regiment U. S. coloted
troops charged upon Wheeler. who fell back
and finally retreated. The Union loss. wa
about so. The railroad track has not peer
injured Ia.
The Herald's Washington dispatch; state
that Gen. Sheridan is pushing up the shenAh
doah valley, and in every encounter, iron