Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1865-02-10
MISoELLANkOus DISPATCHES.


Messrs. Alex II. Stephens, X. NJ. T. Hunter
and Jas. A, Campbell left Richmond yester-
day on their way to Washington, to confer
with President Lincoln on the subject Of put
ting au end to the war. II possible. The cir
cumstances under which these gentlemen
have departed on the mission are understood
to be ss follows:
Mr. Blair having sought unofficial and con-
fdential interviews with President Davis, de-
parted for Washington with the assurance Of
the President that he would be willing at any
time to send agents or commissioners to
Washington to confer about terms Of peace,
II informed in advance that said commission
ers would be received.
On Mr.. Blair's second visit to Richmond
he brought the consent Of President Lincoln
to receive and confer with any agents inform
ally sent with a view to the restoration Of
peace.
The three gentlemen who left yesterday
we're thereupon selected by Davis, and have
gone without formal credentials, and merely
as informal agents, to see whether it be pos
sible to place a conference for peace on any
basis which moy serve for obtaining so de-
sirable a result. Ii is possible success may
attend these efforts. but wisdom and prudence
demand we indulge in no cou6den, expecta-
tions on the subject, and that we relax not
one moment in energetic preparation for the
ensuing campaign.
From the choice made by the President we
may rest assured no means viii be left un-
tried to effect peace if it be possible to attain
it, but IL the eminent citizens selected for the
purpose shall fail in the attempt, one good
result will certainly have been reached. All
disco'dsnt councils on the su ject will have
become reconciled, and it will no longer be
in the power Of factions or the timid to per-
susde the people that peace can be reached
by any patch other than that opened for US
by stout hearts and stout hands
The Richmond Whig has the following
Petersburq Jan 20. Nessrs Stephens,
Hunter and Campbell are in the city and will
be passed by flag Of truce through Bushrod
Johnson's lines Tomorrow. Their mission
excites much comment.
Macon, Ga, JIn2S. Private advices from
Savannah state that sherman commenced his
movements in South Carolina on the l7th,
with three columns, the main column going
towards Charleston, taking with it nearly all
it's transportation. The other two columns
are in light marching order and are moving
by separate roads towards Branchvile. Gen.
Hill has issued orders requiring all non
combstsnts to leave Augusta.
NEW YORK, Feb. /.
Gold, 2:30 P. M, 81 2 3-4.
The steamer Sierra Nevada from Savannah
and Hilton Head the 2sth has arrived.
On the evening OF the 9th disastrous
conhsgration 1ccurred at Savannah, destroy
ing considerable property. but without loss
of life. On the morning Of the 2Sth, anoth-
sr FIRE broke out, destroyiag two squares in
the third district. Buildings were torn down
TO prevent the flames from spreading, as the
wind was blowing strong from the east.
Some feEd had placed keg Of powder at
the side OF the arsenal corner Of York and
Walker streets undoubtedly TO blow up the
city, as the arsenal contained some so tons
Of powder. The keg was placed in the
shadow of tree to avoid discovery, with the
top taken of This he lish design is at.ribu-
ted to rebels who are in anything but an
amic able mood in view Of their present con.
dition.
FoRT MONROE, Jan. 81
The steamer Warrior from Fort Fisher the
2qth, has arrived.
Gunboats were moving mp Cape Fear river
towards the rebel Fort, evidently intending
to lombard it. No further news.
The steamer Columbia had arrived from
Hilton Head with 500 rebel prisoners. The
success Of the expedition In South Carolina
is highly gratifying. One portion Of Sher-
mans army had moved direct from Savannah
and another portion were rapidly advancing
against Charleston.
The latest news from there states that they
were within 40 miles of Charleston. The
rebels were obstinately offering resistance at
every point, but were being gradually con-
tracted and desperate battle was not proba-
Charleston, where the main body of the reb-
sl force has been concentrated.
New YoRK, Feb. 2.
The Herald's correspondence says recon-
noisssnce from Gen. Thomas army at East-
port. Miss. shows that the main portion Of
Hoods army was at Tupello. Miss. On the
appearance of our forces before Corinth some
400 rebels stationed there evacusted the place
after burning the railroad depot. Between
30 and 40 OF them were captured.
The Herald's st. Louis dispatch says
fight took place at Darville, Ark, on the
l4th ult. in which it is reported that the reb-
els we're whipped and obliged to evacuate the
place
IL was said that Lees nomination as Cen
eral-in-C Chief would be sent to the rebel Sen
ate by Davis on Monday. but that Davis has
not yet made any movement to reinstate Joe
Johnston.
The Herald's Savannah CORES spondent re-
iterates the statement that TIE union men are
holding meetings in Georgia. Nine counties
have been engaged in the movement. Ten
thousand bales of cotton have been shipped
north for distribution.
The supplies OF food from Boston and New
York had elected thanks from public meet
ing.
A di; patch dated Wilmington, Jan. %.
says -Four thousand bales Of cotton bad
been burned AZ that place aud two car loads
near the The city. IL is not stated whether
the fire was accidental or in accordance with
the recent order issued by the rebel govern
ment.
The Tribuns's special Washington dispatch
says Gen. Singletoa has just returned from
Richmond. He is OF the firm bslief that
there will be no peace between us and the
rebels and that there can be none, unless
they abandon the idea OF Independence or we