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


The Democrat has a special dispatch from
Fort Smith, dated to-day, which saysi Tn,
rebel force which crossed the Arkansas rivei
going northward was under Standwait, Adsii
and Quantrell. Capt. Spillmau with somt
Indiana troops, encountered them at Barrer
Fork. Cherokee county, and fought them foi
four hours and routed them with a rebel loS,
Of about seventy. They fed in all direc
tions, but they will doubtless reorganize. Il
is suspected that their design is TO concen'
trate on the Kansas border. All is quiet il
front.
WAsHIEGToN, Dec. 23
The official reports OF the battles Of Cor.
inth and Hatchie, fought early in October
were to-day published. Gen. Thomas says
the pursuit of Wheeler. who made a raid in.
to Tennessee, was unsurpassed for its ener.
gy and endurance Of the officers and men en-.
gagged 10 it, and prevented the execution of a
concerted plan Of destruction to our commu
nicatons, and Of plumber and murder ia
Western Tennessee and Northern Alabama,
in which Rhody and Lee were 60 cooperate
with Wheeler. IL cost the enemy six piece,
Of artillery and about 1000 men, including
killed, captured and deserters
Gen. MoClellsn's report was transmitted IA
the House to day. Ii consists Of 765 fools.
cap pages, and is divided into four parts.
Senator Wilson expresses the confident
belief that the present Congress will not re.
peal the $500 clause Of the enrolment act.
The daft it is said to-day will take place
on the 18th Of January.
FORTRESS MONROE, Dec. 23
The flag of truce boat arrived this eve
-. - 4
Charleston, Dec. l6.--All is quiet. Beau.
regard inspected Fort Sumter last night.
Dec. l7h.-Four shells were thrown in.
to the city last night our batteries opened
heavily and silenced the enemy
Dec. Ish.-Ten shells we're fred at the
city this afternoon. Our batteries have kept
up steady fire on the enemy. There was
some firing at Stono to-day. twenty nine
vessels are inside the bar and the usual mum
Der in Stono.
Dec 2Oh. The enemy opened fire on The
city between II and o'clock and threw IT,
teen shells. This afternoon twenty more
we're fred No damage was done to build.
ings and no one was injured
Dec. 2ld There is little change in aft
but few shots having been exchanged.
The enemy continue 10 work on Gregg aGd
Wagner, extending th&Hank Of the former,
and soding the latter. No movement has
been msde A calcium light has been dis
played two nights and turned on the city.
FoRTREss MONROE, Dec. %.
The flag OF truce boat is Just in with Rich
mond dates to the 22d. There is no truth
to the Monitor story.
(Signed) b +. BUTLER. Maj Gen,
EUDRoY, Pocahontss County.
Western Va, Dec. %.
TO Minor General Halleck
have the honor to report that cut the
Virginia and Tennessee railroad at Salem on
the 10th, and have arrived safely at this point
with my command, consisting Of the ID Sd
and sih Virginia mounted infantry. Dobson's
cavalry and Erwin's battery. At Salem
three depots were burned containing 20 .OOC
barrels -four, 10000 bushels wheat, 100, ,O0C
bushels shelled corn, $4,000 bushels oats
2000 barrels meat, several CORDS leather
1000 sacks salt, 81 boxes clothing, 20 bales
cotton and various other stores. The tele-
graph wire was cut, and the railroad track
torn up and destroyed as much as possible in
six hours
Five bridges and seven cuverts were de.
stroyed. My march was retarded occasion.
ally by the tempest in the mountains and
icy roads. was Obliged to swim NV com.
mand and drag nv artillery across C,ov',
Creek seven times in 33 hours. On nv 70.
turn found six separate commands, unde,
rebel Gems. Imboden, Early. Jones Jsckson
Echols and McCostin, arranged in line of hat.
lie from Staunton TO Nevnort IN p,evsr,
my return. | captured a disnatob from
Jones' to Early, giving me their position
| marched from the front of Jones 10 tbs
of Jackson at night. His outposts were n,ess.
ed in by the Virginia troops, and the two
bridges across Jackson were saved. NV col.
umn, four miles long, FASTENED across, re.
gardless Of the enemy, until nearly all had
passed, when a strong effort was made to re.
take the FIRST bridge, in which they did moi
succeed. The ambulance and our sick mer
we're lost, and the last regiment was retained
on the opposite side till morning, when il
was seen that the enemy were determined to
maintain his position on the cliff, which over.
looked the bridges. | caused the brdges.
which were high and long, to be destroyed
and the enemy Immediately changed his posi.
ton to flank the detachment which was cut off
sent orders to destroy our wagons and
come to me across the river or over the
mountains. They swan the river with the
loss Of only four men, and Joined me. la
the mean time the forces of the enemy were
concentrating on me on all points of available
- ..oant ono 81; - ,,,,, l..-l