Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1865-02-24

| lho haleigh Ffogress OF the ilth states
that gentleman from Florida, Georgia and
South Carolina says the people Of the latter
State are the worst whipped set he ever saw
They look on all as g.ne, believing Sherman
will meet with no obstacles. They want the
best peace they can get and want it now
The Progress in another article says sher-
man will take Charleston, Wilmington, Col
umbia and Raleigh. Gen. Grant will stay
where he is and keep Lees army in the vice
that has held 1t for tho last ten months,
and sherman and Terry will move on New
berne. The latter place will then be tho
water base and Raleigh the inland base
With Grant on the James aud Sherman at
Raleigh, all transportation cut off and sup
plies exhausted, Lees army would he in a
tight place The Government and Leeisls-
ture would leave, but the people will stay
where they are, and here and throughout the
State they will do as they have done at sa-
vannah, make the best terms they can in the
condition of things They could not help it.
The people want peace regardless of Davis
and Lincoln give them peace end protection
for person and property and they will care
very little about boundary lines or who shall
be President.
CAIRO, ILL.,, Feb. II.
Late news from Kirby Smiths army says
his troops are very much scattered. for the
purpose Of obtaining food and forage, and
that it would be impossible for him to con
centrate any force dnring the present season.
Price is reported to have gone to Mexico on
an important mission.
Scarcely boat traverses the river below
Memphis that is not hailed by rebel deserters
asking to be taking on board. The draft un-
der Gen. Canbys order has not yet been en-
forced.
WAsHISsToN. Feb. 16.
The chief artillery of the 18th corps Of
Sherman's army has arrived here, bringing
dispatches to the government He says
Shetmsn's plans are not generally known in
his own army, although he has its entire con-
hdence. 1t was Gen. Blairs division which
defeated the enemy at Rivers bridge, the SOL
diers wading to their waists to make the at
tack. 1t is clear that Sherman is moving
large column to the east and west of Branch
vile. A little to the north Of that point is
fine high fertile and productive section of
country, easily traversed, with good roads
and abounding supplies. II he is aiming at
Columbia be will traverse the districts of Or
angeburg and Richlsnd. The region is un-
surpassed in the whole land for wealth and
abundance.
OMAHA, Neo. IA,
The territorial legislature adjourned last
night. Resolutions were passed approving
the Constitutional Amendment abolishins
slavery and pledgiug the vote Of Nebraska to
ratify 1t II needed.
PHILADELPHIA, Feb. IL
The Press Norfolk. Va. dispatch of tho
18th says | have just seen Capt. Goss, a de-
serter from the rebel force who left Richmond
Sat tba .. ~ L..a
ordered all work on the monitors at Rich
mond to cease. A double ender was blown
up by them on Tuesday last. He says they
are about to evscnste Richmond.
New ORLEANS, Feb. 10,
via Cairo, IT.
A refugee from Western Texas gives the
following in regard to Prices and Magruders
armies which 10 deemed reliable. Prices
command is 5000 strong. mostly cavalry.
from Texas. Large numbers Of deserters are
constantly arriving at the Rio Grsnde and es-
Gaping north. Prices headquarters are at
Bonham, Texas, four miles south of the Red
river. Magruder is at Camden, Ark. with
part of bis command, but the main body.
chiefly cavalry, is on a stealing expedition in
Texas. Magruder has 20, 900 men, two-thirds
of whom are effective. Kirby Smiths head
quarters are still at Shreveport. His entire
strength is estimated at 3S 900, only about
20, 900 of whom are available.
New YORK, Feb. Is.
The Herald's Fort Fisher correspondent
says: A courier from sherman arrived at
Smithville on the 18th announcing the cap
ture of Branchville after three day severe
fighting. The courier came across the
try. Wilmington papers Of the 9Th confirm
the statement.
Richmond papers say that on Tuesday a
column o. Yankees were within few miles
of Augusta, and that on Wednesday Sher-
mans advance reached the south bank Of the
Congaree, within few miles OF Columbia.
The rebels having fallen back to the north
bank, battle was considered imminent.
WHEELING, Va, Feb. ls.
The Star has the following
City Point. Va., FEB. II. $50 r. M-The
rebe, flag Of truce boat William Alison, while
on her upward trip from Cox's Landing, this
afternoon, was blown up by torpedo. The
boat went down almost Immediately. Our
pickets say there we're no survivors from her.
This catastrophe probably arose from one
of the rebels own torpedves, which had been
in the water for a long time.
PHILADELPHIA, Feb lS.
The Bulletins Washington dispatch says
Richm md papers Of the 10th announce that
Shermsn's main column had reached Kings
vile Junction, and that communication south
Of Florence on the Manchester and Florence
Railroad and on the Florence and Charleston
Railroad was interrupted.
Beauregard is represented as being on the
north bank of the Congaree. Kingsville is
on the north side Of the Congaree, forty-one
miles north Of Brsnchvlle and twenty-five
miles southeast OF Columbis
A tho storv ooaa (ian Terrv WAS indaht-