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

return OF the rebel troops, who had been
sent to reinforce Bragg. and during whose
absence the attack was to have been made
Admiral Dahlgreen has had the Monitors
scraped, and has one OF two expeditions on
foot, from which favorable results are tx-
rected.
New YoRK, Dec. 30.
The steamer El Cid, from Newbern oath,
has arrived
A drummer, lately confined as prisoner
has arrived at Philadelphia, and reports that
be in company with seventy others escaped
from the prison in Danvile, N. c. After
reaching the outskirts. of the place, they sep
arated into squads Of six, lying concealed all
day, feeding on barks and plants. The squad
in which was the drummer boy, arrived in
famished condition within our lines atCharles-
ton, Va, after having travelled four hundred
miles in four weeks.
The Post states that a British lieutenant
who was to sail for Bermuda.to-d day on board
the Amazon with rebel letters in his posses
sion, was caught to-day by United States
Marshal Murray, and Is now on his way to
Fort Lafayette.
The officer was to proceed with the other
passengers, but Marshal Davis received infor-
nation concerning the rebel mail, gave the
captain permit and allowed the other pas
sengers to 20 forward. That individual dis
played his uniform and great arrogance at the
office of the Marshal, but his baggage, in
which the mail had been concealed, was sent
for, and the letters were found.
The letters we're at once forwarded to Sec
Rotary Seward, who is in this city, and it ia
understood that the Secretary, while having
no objections here to the presence of English
officers, agreed that such individuals ought
not TO be engaged in carrying such mails to
to the rebels. Before he went to- the fort
English officer said th,t Bermuda was great
depot for rebel goods and that large share
of them came from this city.
WAsHINGToN, Dec. 20.
Major milford, Assistant Commissioner o.
exchange, arrived here this evening from
Fortress Monroe with important dispatches
to the government relative to the matter Of ex-
changes Ould, the rebel commissioner de-
clines to have further communication with
Gen. Butler and says he will not hereafter
be protected even by a flag OF truce.
The Bull Run Mountains are reported to
be full of desertors from both armies who are
regularly organized for purposes of murder
and ROBBERY.
Heddguarters 1rmy oftke Potomac, Dec 20.
All is quiet, and all boundin camp.
A Delaware and the 9th Michigan reg-
ments left to-day for home to recruit under
the recent general orders.
The report Of the removal of Gen. Ingalls,
ia totally discredited. an expedition to CO.
operate with Gen. Averll, consisting of two
regiments of infantry, 400 cavalry and bat
terry OF six guns, under command of Col. Geo.
d. Wells, has returned to Harper's Ferry
without the loss of a man.
After penetrating to- Herrisonburgh where
Averill had finished his work, and where
Wells had accomplished his diversion, strict
ly according to orders. he found himself con-
fronted by from 5000 to 10000 of Lees
army under Rosser, with part of Stuart's
cavalry in his rear at Front Royal, by strategy
he scattered the former and avoided the
latter forces. and returned back % his post
unframed. SO desperate at one time seemed
the chances of the expedition that rebels in
Winchester offered bets that not man would
return. One hundred rebel prisoners were
safely brought off
FoRrREss MONROE, Dec. 20.
The Richmond Enquirer of the 25th con-
tains the following
Bristol, Dec. 24.-Our forces are still
around Rutedge and Morristown. Cannon
aiding was heard at the latter place on Sun
day. Gen. Longstreet was unable to follow
up his command in consequence of the large
number of barefouted men in his command.
The weather is cold and the mountains are
covered with snow.
Gen. Morgan passed through Columbia on
the oath
There are 800 cases of small pox among
the Yankee prisoners at Danyille.
The confederate ARMY in East. Tennessee
has gone into winter quarters.
ST. JuHNs. N. f., Dec. ~.
The steamship Adriatlo from Galway the
.22nd inst. arrived here at 3 o'clock on Satur-
gay.
The political news is unimportant Presi-
dent Lincoln's Message has been received
and his amnesty proclamation is regarded as
unpracticable.
The Liverpool Post says Lord Lyons in
message to Earl Russell predicts termina-
tion of the American war in three months.
The Army and Many Gazette regards Lees
failure to follow Meade in his rout AS an in
dex OF the utter helplessness of the south.
As regards Meade's futile advance it says
with good generalship, Richmond might
have been the prize.
The synopsis OF President Lincolns mes
sage received by the Arabia via Halifax, at
tracts general comment The London Times
looks upon the message as warlke, and says
the effect of the whole document, the amnes-
ty included, resembles that OF lost battle
The offer of peace is on terms that can not be
accepted The whole questions still depends
upon the fortunes of war.
The Times also says it may be gratifying
to the north to be formally assured that the
government is strong and successful enough
to offer amnesty. bat it is evident that Mr..
Lincoln anticipates no pacific results, nor
does the Secretary of the Treasury, who
looks forward to still two years of war ex-
penditures.
Special dispatch to the Traveller
WAsHINGToN, Dec, 80.
The Richmond Wing of the 2Sth, iavors
treating with Gen. Butler for the exchange
of prisoners. The rebel Congress has placed
the financial questions in the hands If a
special committee, and several new plans
have been proposed.
The Wing opposes wholesale conscription,
and says the country will no, stand it,
The Wing says there is great mortality
amongst the federal prisoners at DAnville.
The official report of the rebel loss a the
| battle OF Chiokamauga WAS 2,297 killed,