Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1865-02-24
THE OLD FLAG
FLOATING OVER
THE CITY OF CHARLESTON
Forts Sumter and Moultrie.


OFF CHARLEsToN, Feb. 9Th, 2 p. m.
The old flag waves over Sumter, Moultrie
and the city Of Charleston. ! can see its
crimson stripes and fsdelcss stare waving in
the warm sunlight of this glorious day.
Thanks be 10 God '0ho giUeth as the Uiotory
The movements of Gen. Sherman into the
interior, threatening Branchville and Augusta
with his main column, while Gen. Hatch
moved along the coast distracted the rebels
and they committed the fatal error of attempt
ing to hold line more than hundred miles
long against his army with force greatly in
ferior. He moved not upon Branchyille and
Augusta.
In the Charleston Courier Of the llth |
learn that he tore up the railroads on the Och
and crossed the south Edisto on the 10th,
moving north towards Columbia. This move
ment severed d. II. Hill, who was at Angus
ia, from Hardee at Branchville. 1t also open
ed the back door of Charleston. Gen. Hatch
drove the rebels from the Ashepo to the Eds
to on the lth, and yesterday be was to at
tempt the crossing of the Edisto at Jackson
boro.
Gen. Potter, with a force Of several thou
sand, has been at Bulls Bay since the l4th,
while the troops on Morris island had been
in position to aid Hatch. Their combined
movements compelled sudden evacuation Of
the city by the rebel troops. The intelligence
was brought to Hilton Head last night, and
Gen. Gilmore left at 10 A. NJ.
Gen. Gilmore and Admiral Dahlgren have
just gone up the hsrbor, and officers from the
gunboat Wamsutta inform me that the city
was evacuated in the night.
They examined the forts this morning and
hat he vahala Md 1spurfal Rpata
sent out and the stars and stripes hoisted
once more over Sumter, Moultrie and the
Notifications of Sullivan's Island. About 10
o'clock this a. m. there heavy explosion
! inside the harbor in the vicinity of Fl Ripley.
/ Great fires are burning places. can not tell
/ whether in the city or not. The blockadins
vessels which have watched for months are
riding at their anchors. Their work is done
their occupation gone.
Tomorrow will be Sabbath of rest and
Joy TO officers and sailors alike.
shall endeavor TO give the readers of the
Journal early information concerning this great
event.
CARLETON.
New York, Feb. 81.
The Fulton left Charleston bar on the 18th
at p. m. The rebels in their hast, left the
several Notifications uninjured but spiked the
guns Previous to the enemy's evacuating,
they fred the upper part of the city by which
6000 bales of cotton we're burned and It is
supposed that before they could subdue the
flames two-thirds Of the city will be destroy
ed. A fearful explosion occurred in the
Wilmington Depot, cause unknown, by
which several hundred citizens lost their lives
Admiral Dahlgren was the frat to run up to
the city, where he arrived at about o'clock
p. m. Gen. Gilmore followed soon after, and
had an interview with Gen. STRENGTHENING
he being the first general officer in the city
and for the present in command.
1t is supposed that Beauregard evacuated
Charleston in order to concentrate his forces
and give Sherman battle.
The remains of two ironcads were found
which the enemy destroyed by blowing up
previous TO evacuation. The first flag over
Sumter was raised by Capt. Henry M. Bragg
of Gen. Gilmores staff, having for staff al
oar and boat hook dashed together. The
houses in the lower part of the city have beer
completely ridtled by our shot and she'll
The wealthy part of the city and now all thai
remains are Of the poorer classes, who ART
suffering for want Of food.
The World says ;-Telegrams received By
parties from Washington state that Lee hat
sent 10000 men to Beauregard; that Gen
Grant is aware of il, and the Army of the Pc.
tomse is in motion. Also, that Gen Sher
} idan is advancing with heavy fores on Cor
donsville or Lynchburgh.
The Herad's dispatch says there are agar
strong indications that Lee is preparing c
evAcuAte Richmond and fall back to Lynch
burg for final stand. Il is positively state,
that the valuable machinery and medical store
have already been removed and it ia antioi
psted that within fifteen days the capitol vii
I be abandoned
( The Richmond Examiner Of the 9Th say
Z the little army under beauregard is yet saf
and may lead sherman such a dance as Green,
, did Corvallis, over the same rivers an,
swamps. II the federal army cannot reacl
the Danville road then Il may have as wei
I staid at Atlanta. there is reason to belieN
that beauregard lie acting with design an,
J that Sherman l. near the end OF bis triumph
b. party of Shriidan's ca,aiD. Tue IA
Pc -. ~hlle scouting reentll we're draw
lot an an,buscade W Mosb)s m-u an
Ia han a A B. b