Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1864-08-19
Our regular correspondence.
THIRD VERMONT BATTERY

lt1lhB EhMONl BA En- Y
The Explosion al Cls Poiaf-Naroo escape Of or
correspondent and other geHtie8icn from Montpelier
and rairHy-i interesting particulars -Ordn1nce store
hy"c boga up' batH ot cits. army ranspo, thoa
teams md tragueats ~ human hangs scattered iH aH
directions AoHiptiior boys r0nHdea-Qaa' tcimo't0
Cto'k scdfow ut caring t0f the suBer@s.
BEFORE PErERsBuRG, Va, Aug 10, 1864.
Dear journal: Yesterday, accompanied
by Jas. Ii. Parker Of our Battery, ] visited
City Point, and while conversing in a tent
with Horace Ballou. OF Montpelier who is
employed in tho Quatsermaster Department
there, a most horrible explosion took place /,
spherical case, shell, solid shots, grape and
canister Of many ,izes was thrown scatter
ing around us, hiseng and exploding in all
directions. The Mess.s. Putnam OF Marsh
field, and Gustavus Hubbard, were also in
the same tent, and strangely we all escaped
without bruise timber chest was thrown
flied vi h ammunition within fifteen feet Of
the tent and its contents exploded, and the
debris Of a wheel TO CUR, the tire entire, was
dropped just over the tent carrying down a
branch from tree under which it stood.
Other tents near u.s. we're raised or riddled
with the storm Of missiles. while unexploded
percussion shell lay imbeddod in the earth
or all sides. BY a miracle my horse also es-
capped injury, being fastened a short distance
off, altough powder burnt the saddle and
blanket.
As soon as there was lull, we made our
way out Of the tent, which was not more
than $50 feet from where the main explosion
took place, and we soon saw that the "rebs'
had not undermined us nor had they brought
very heavy fleet Of gunboats down the
James, but BY sbme unknown cause our am
fnu g. DO nrI mi gf Np
large storehouse on the wharf had exploded.
Several boats alongside the buildings a
train Of cars, army transportation teams and
the building we're blown to pieces and frag
ments scattered 10 all directions for fifteen
hundred feet also, fragments Of human be-
ings, horses and mules which could hardly
be distinguished were found. No one lives
to tell the cause. Every one near the building
was instantly killed and torn to pieces. The
Surgeons state there must have been two or
three hundred killed outright. think it ex-
aggerated. The killed were almost wholly
negroes.
Among the wounded were Hosea Drew
slightly; and Ed Wright, senously-no
coutusion-mjured internally, | Think.
W. Clark was uninjurod and exerting himself
to care for the sufferers. | met Mr. Howard
Of Barre, Formerly Lieut.. Of 3rd VI y he
escaped unhurt. IL was rumored that Mr.
JAS. Brock was wounded did not see him,
Peter Dewey aud John Nash escaped.
The explosion set the building, with the
immense ea4unt of Qntgtermaster and COM
missary property. on hre-but fortunately
the Steam Fire Engine, sent there TO tde SAM
itary Commission, Go supply the hospitals
with water, was near at hand aud commenced
throwing several streams a. water upon II
which saved many doiIar. Go Government
But | cannot portray to you the horrible
sisht-nor will attempt--that you could
get amy idea OF how extensive the damage is
The dead could not be recognized they were
blown 10 pieces and we can only say such and
such are missing for we cannot find them.
Probably the most Of the whites employed
were Nermonters, but teamstcr, and men en-
gagged drawing stores of regiments here at
the front will be reported missing. J. b. l..
Late Richmond papers savagely complain
Of the nobel authorities for marching the ne
gro soldiers captured at Pet rsburg through
the street of ,he city with white soldiers
They claim that the negroes are worth half
million Of dollars. and should have been
marched 70 pen by themselves in order that
among tAs7a Ind think the moral fleet Of
the treatmeut they received will be exceed
inRy bad upon the slaves OF the city aud
country, and that the authorities have lost
the best chance they ever will have to show
that under no circumstances will any counte-
nance be given to the policy for making sol
diers Of negroes.
Fraternal affection finds a tare illustration
in two brothers now residing in Kenebunk
A few years ago both started for California,
but one was taken sick on the Isthmus and
returned back. His brother went on, and in
a short time accumulated $1,000, when he
also returned and < ye half oft to his broth
er. They with their wives, live together,
the latter taking turns" in presiding at the
table.
The Richmond papers contain e letter Of
resignation from Secretary Memminger, on
account of the popular distrust OF his ability,
ana MI. Dyis's response accepting it be.
cause recent events do not variant him in
doing otherwise
During tie hot weather, and the absence
of Mr. and LIZA. Lincoln, the White House
is being all renovated. A great deal Of To-
jury mas been done by yisitants, who have
clipped the eurtairs and torn the wall paper
Tor the purpose Of sending home Presidential
souvenirs.
passenger in the mail boat from CITY
Point reports that detachment Of the I'd Ar
my Corps sunday, swept round to Deep Run
and captureda number of prisoners. About
80 were landed at Fortress Monroe They
are South Carolinians of Longstreet's corps.
Their appearance indicates extremely hard
service.
A letter from New Orleans says that the
crop Of cotton will be so remunerative in the
Department of the South that one lessee of
government plantation, formerly newspa-
per correspondent, will realize a profit Of
one hundred thousand dollars this season
This is indeed fortune for one who has been
toiling hard az a small weekly salary.
In the vicinity Of Paducah and Mayfeld.
Kentucky, there are over one hundred widows
and families OF Union men murdered by guer-
rlilas. Cog RaIne intends approfsgi ating
from the idhds assessed on rebel cotton and
tobacco for that purpose five thousand dollars
each for these people.
The vote Monday in Connecticut through
the state on the constitutional amendment al
lowing soldiers TO vote was small, but the re-
turns received indicate large majority in ia
yor of the amendment.
Gerrit Smith has published a letter in reply