Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1865-01-27

The exchange of rebel for Union prisoners
has been recommended under Commissioners
Mulford and nuld. On Thursday six hun
bred rebel officers and soldiers we're taken
from Point Lookout up James river, 10 be ex
changed for a corresponding number Of our
men
Official returus show that the rebels have
over $4,000 Union prisoners in their hands
while we have rs 900 rebels including q
general officers.
A rebel soldier who lately came into our
lines said he knew Of private meetings being
held in citizens houses for the discussion of
the advsabiity of urging their legislatures
to renew their allegiance to the federal gov
eminent, and was informed that similar dis
cushions were taking place privately over the
whole country
/ The black laws OF Illinois will probable be
repealed by the time that this sheet is in the
hands Of the reader. A bi for this purpose
was introduced some time since, and will be
passed as soon as the rules will allow. It is
a significant fact, however, that resolution
reafh rming the Infamous code was introduced
| by Democrat from Logan County, and on
being put to The House, received the vote Of
every Democratic member. Most OF the
Democrats seem determined to bury them
selves, past resurrection. under the ruins of
slavery "A. S. Standard.
The steamer Star of the South, from Port
Royal nth, has arrived. Among her passen-
gers were Gen. Osterhsus and staff
The New South contains an editorial from
the Charleston Mercury of the 18th, which
says: The condition of this military de-
partment Georgia and South Carolina is any
thing but satisfactory and to none less so than
to the General commanding the department.
His department has been newly turned into
his hands, and many of the troops ave new to
him aud the department. They come to him
a crowd of imbeciles. He has received
them, herd of stragglers and outlaws.
What has been done to eradicate this fatal
evil we shall not stop to inquire. The time
has been very short to do much, and the forces
have been very much scattered, but the very
last moments are arriving when all must be
done that is to be done, when all must be
done that can be done. The enemy does not
intend to wait upon our leisure, and there is
much to do. The path we are now travelling
is straight TO destruction. The crisis of the
Coniederacy has arrived in fatal earnest. The
result of the next six months will bring the
coniederacy to the ground OF reinsta,e its
power. Without reform we are doomed.
There must be no more JEFF Davis foolery,
but brains and nerve, reform, shooting. cash.
iering, order, srbordinstion. soldiers, not
runaways, ragamuffins, ruthans."
The garrison At Beverly, West Va, was
attacked on the morning OF the llth by a
force Of The enemy under Gen. Rosset The
town aud portion Of the garrh on we're csp-
, tuied. The number Of the enemy is no,
stated. A later dispatch confirms the above
but pays the enemy again retreated.
Con. Butler was in court when the ss,ut,
for Fort Fisher commenced. On hearing tn,
cause he raised bis hand saying piously
"Ihsnk God fer that victory"
Sanbo had been whipped Tor stealing biz
mtster's onions. One day he brought in
skunk IN his arms. says he, "Massa, here
do chap dat steal de onions. Whew--smel
him brefls @a,s al.e rs|
q A Missouri postmaster thus expresses hi,
. opinion Ihd, his official returns are correct
4" hereby certify that the four goin A count
/ Is as near Rite as | nov bow to mak II /
Al i. 49, IA -