Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1864-05-13

thousand men for Jesr, and the Notifications
OF the place, which are yet incomplete, will
render il impregnable.
A Little Rock letter Of the 23d says an
the horses and mules ht for service there are
being pressed, the mules to draw the baggage
and supply wagons, and the horses the artil-
lery Of train about TO be dispatched TO
Gen. Steele. This train is dispatched in con-
sequence Of a message from Gen. Banks that
he will not be able 70 furnish to Gen. Steele's
army the requisite supplies. Gen. Steele left
Little Rock with between 1000 and 5000
men, and Gen. Thayer joined him with abou.
the same number.
CAIRO, ILL., May 6.
A steamer arrived at Memphis reports that
Gen. Steele army has returned to Little Rock.
Ark. He was followed by Prices army and
continually harrassed.
At Sabine Fork the rebels we're turned
upon and repulsed after severe battle, in
which the loss was about equal on both sides.
Marmaduke was reported on the way TO Join
Price, when it was supposed that they in
tended to attack Little Rock.
Advices from Alexandria, La, Of the 9th,
reports Banks army still there, but would
probably move toward the Mississippi river.
Admiral Porter was sixty miles above Alex
andria, near the gunboat Eastport.
The Eastports guns had been taken off
and her plating was removed for the purpose
Of tightening her off. If this could not be
done, she would be blown up. Admiral Por-
ter was being harassed by the rebels consid-
erably.
Major General Hunter had arrived at AL
exandra
CAIRO, May 6.
A gunboat from the Red river brings in
formation ths: finding it impossible to get the
Eastport off aud being attacked by the enc
my while endeavoring to tighten her, Admiral
Porter ordered her to be destroyed to prevent
her falling into the hsrds Of the enemy. The
ron-clads Fort Hindman, Joliet and two
ransports, despatched to assist in relieving
the transport, were attacked while returning
to Alexandria by the enemy, who lined the
bank of the river on both sides and fred up
on them l2-pounder battery. 1t was found
necessary to destroy the transports, which
were burned. Several of the crew OF the
iron-clads we're killed and wounded.
Discoveries have been made in Cairo which
confirm the statement as to negotiations be-
tween certain parties at the North and the
rebel General Kirby Smith, whereby the lat
ter was to secure to the former the confeder-
ate cotton west of the Mississippi river, and
receive in return goods, ammunition, &c. A
prominent business man Of Cairo was urgent
ly solicited by parties of wealth and influence
at the West and East to join them in the en-
terprise. he to act as their agent. He de-
clined, but the project has since been sue
cessiully carried out to some extent. S. II.
Casey, Of Caseyyille, Ky. in connection with
rebel brother, and VIM. Butler of Spring
field, Ill, late State Treasurer. are named as
prominent agents in accomplishing it.
CAIRO. ILL.,, May 6.
We have important news from the South
west.
On the 25th ult. wagon train consisting
Of $40 wagons, returning to Pine Bluff. to-
gether with the escort comprising the 26th
Iowa, 77th Ohio and 43d Indiana, with four
pieces OF artillery, were captured.
Gen. Steele left Camden for Little Rock on
the 26th ult., being out OF supplies. On the
30th he crossed the Sabine river Before
crossing he was attacked by the rebels under
Pagan and during the evening portion Of
the rebel cavalry crossed above there, and
proceeded to within eight miles OF Little
Rock, causing great alarm.
Gen. Steele during the whole march in bis
retreat was harrsssed by the rebels, but he
was able to keep them from doing him ma
teral damage. He found it necessary how
ever to destroy his train, and demolish every
bridge behind him.
On May lst Gen. Steele's forces were with
| in 40 miles Of Little Rock, and his cavalry
had reached that place.
Officers from Little Rock report that place
and Pine Bluff safe.
The steamer Hilman has arrived here with
one days later advices from Memphis. The
advance Of Gen. Steele and Sturgis cavalry
| 700 strong with two pieces of artillery en-
countered brigade of Forests men. 1000
strong. near Boliver, Tenn. on Monday last.
/ A severe fight took place lasting two hours
and resulting in the rebels being driven
from their Notifications when they retreated
across the river, destroying the bridge be-
hind them.
1t is reported that Forrest was present in
the fight. He is beating rapid retreat into
Mississippi. Gen. Stufgis is in hot pursuit.
Our loss was two killed and ten wounded.