Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1865-02-03

ance offered by our batteries. The night was
dark and the water at a high state, IN circum-
stances highly favorable to their design
They passed Fort Brady and adjacent Bate
ries on the north side of the river withou' be-
ibg observed They pas sed on around the bend
near Howlet's House-the bend which the
Dutch Gap canal was made to cut of--meet-
ing with no serious obstacle, either in the
form Of distractions in the channel OF resist
ance rom the bank, until they approached
the water batteries lining the river bank be-
tween the right OF our Bermuda Hundred
line Of ,orts and the signal tower opposite
he lower end Of the canal. The presence Of
the intruders aroused II ese batteries to actiyi-
ty, and an irr, Rular esnnonading was con-
tinued for several hours between them and
the Runboats, but this firing in the dark was
naturally attended with no great effect. The
chain across the river above the signal tower
was cut about midnight by one of their tur-
pedo boats, when the Fredericksburg crowd
ed on ali steam, dashed at full speed against
the sunken barges and other remaining OBJ
stfuclions, crushed them, and made her way
into open channel below, where the river is
unobstructed thence to the waters Of Hamp-
ton roads. Had her consorts been favored
with the like degree of success, the case
might have been serious but the others ran
aground. and the Fredericks burg, finding her
self unattended, and probably feeling herself
inadequate to the task of continuing on alone
with such opposition there was reason to
anticipate, turned back without venturing
further down the river than the lower end of
the canal. 10 the morning our batteries op-
ened on the boats that wsre aground, and
one Of them was blown up, as already re-
ported. Our naval force was increased the
next day, and the next night calcium light
was arranged 30 as to illuminate the river
and expose the movements of the rebel feet,
should they make another attempt to get
down the river.
A correspondent Of the London Times re-
lates a conversation between foreign ger-
tleman, who is on intimate terms with the
Confederate government, and Gen. Grant, as
follows:
Gen Grant commenced the conversation
by exravagaut landations Of President Davis
and Gen. Lee, especially OF the latter, whose
equal, morally aud intellectually. is not, ac-
cording TO the Federal Generals protested
opinion, to be found among eminent military
men anywhere upon earth. He proceeded
next To make the startling assertion that
Richmond is doomed city, and that MIR.
Davis aud Gen. Lee are we'll aware of the
fact. He pointed out, with emphasis, that
slowly and insiduously the Federal army is
constantly advancing step, and that never
since the 4th OF June, when It crossed to
the south side of the James, has it make a
quarter Of a step backward. The end he
continued, must be the fall of Richmond
How long it will before the end comes it is
impossible fer me to say. Gen. Lee knows
the position Of my army to be impregnabe
on both sides Of the river, and he will attack
on either. do not expect the city to be sud
denly evacuated, but some day, little by little
my guns will get within Smelling distance Of
the capital, and from that hour it is merely
question OF time 1t is probable that il at
tnis stage the resistance be obstinate and pro-
longed, the whole city will be burned to the
ground. Anyhow its evacuation by General
Lees army is in the end inevitable
The National Intellgencer of Saturday
morning says that he rumors Of the result
OF Blair mission only amount 10 what that
paper has predicted, that the Davis govern
ment would present the ulrmatum of indie
pendence. If the Southern States shall adj
here to such an ultimatum then new impe-
tus will be given to the war. Notwithstand-
ing the grave effect which the countenance
given to MIR. Blair by the ostensible acts Of
the government has had on all classes of bust
ness, it will be observed that no denial in any
form of the seriousness OF the Blair mission
has emsnsted from the Administration. AS
far therefore as fesistsble differences GO, we
must conclude that magnanimous overtures
have been made to the South, and this view
is almost demonstrated as true by the recent
disclosures of the rebel press and Congress.
1t only then remains to be seen what alter
native is forced on the North. Meantime,
let us be reasonably patient.
1t is led that jeff Davis has written
letter stating that he will put Gen. Lee 10
command Of all the rebel armies when the
latter will signify his Willingness to accept
much responsibility, he having heretofore
repeatedly declined it, This would indicate
that the power soughtto be conferred on Gen.
Lee is not like that welded by our Lieu;en-
aut General, but such as can be conferred by
the rebel President, and similar to that held
formerly at Washington by Gems. Scott, Nc
Clellan and halleck. The creation of the
title by the rebel Congress was chiefly TO
mark its want OF confidence in jeff Davis,
rather than limit his authority, which could
only be lone by changing the rebel constitu
ton.
The news of the capture of Fort Fisher was
Immediately telegraphed by rebel sympathi-
zers in Boston to their friends in Halifax,
and the merchants there al once chartered the
fastest steamer in port TO carry the news to
Bermuda, Nassau and around generally, to
keep the blockade-runners out of the trap
A gentleman, recently from Halifax. says that
there were quite number of blockade-run-
ners in that port in process Of preparation TO
run the blockade, and that upon the recep-
ton Of the news of the capture of the fort,
work upon them was Immediately stopped.
The Halifax traders felt very ill-natured over
the success of General Terry and Admiral
Porter.
The croakers over the dangers of foreign
Intervention and the rebels will be interested
in two items in our last foreign news. One
is the explicit declaration Of the London
Times that the French and English Govern
ments neither desire nor expect to recognize
the Southern Confederacy. The other is the
declaration of M. Fould, the French Minister
Of Finance, that there will be an important
reduction In the military and naval expendi-