Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1865-03-31
MISOELLANEOUS DISPATCHES.
NEw YORK, March %.

The Posts special dispatch from Washing
ton has the followin
"A gentleman who was formerly mem
Der of the Virginia Legislature arrived here
to-day from Richmond having left that place
on the 7th inst. At that time every prepar-
alton had been made to evscuate Richmond,
many heavy guns and much war material hav-
ing been removed He estimates the damage
done by Sheridan In his recent raid at fifty
millious Of dollars. Five divisions Of Lees
army had been sent to North Carolina to re-
inforce Johnston and Gen. Lee himself had
gone to Raleigh to superintend movements in
that direction.
This gentleman estimates the rebel force in
the intrenchments around Richmond and Pc
tersburg at sixty thousand. There are about
ten thousand Home Guards or Emergency
Men at Richmond. Johnstons army, he
says, is about forty-dve or fifty thousand men,
many of them militia and undrilled con-
scripts"
NEW YORK, March 23.
One Of the Tribune's correspondents AYERS
upon what he deems l. be the best authority
that Richmond is now icing evacuated as
fast as possible and that in few days it will
be occupied by union troops withouta battle.
w
says it is believed by military men that the
rebels will evecuate Raleigh and make their
stand at Danville, if they fight at all south
Of Richmond.
The Worlds special dispatch says Gen.
Grant sometime since told Hon. S. S. Cox
that he believed Lee desired to evacuate Rich
mend bat did not think it could be done. 1t
is very doubtful, whether Lee could so much
,,k n Il
Grants knowledge, and once known our ar
mics would Immediately move.
The steamer Varuna from Beaufort, N. Z.
/ Goth inst has arrived. The news of the
capture of Godsboro' was received after the
victory, by dispatches from Gen. Sherman,
which it was reported called for reinforce
ments for his army during his further march
northwsrd An immense number of troops
we're promptly sent from Beaufort by rail and
other roads to Goldsboro' preparatory to meet
ing the main army Of Sherman. 1t is 6eliev-
ed that battle was imminent, and hence
Sherman's army was swelled to an overwhel-
ming force,--the extent of which may lead
to general retreat or surrender Of the enc
my. Reinforcements and supplies have al
so been sent from Newbern to Sherman.
Refugees at Beaufort and Morehead City
declare that the rebel troops are demoralized
and that their supplies are beginning to fail.
1t is reported that part of Lees army has
been sent to reinforce Gen. Johnston, and
that his main force was about five miles north
Of Raleigh. Sherman at last accounts was
marching on Raleigh.
The Berslds I'd army corps correspondence
of the goth says: Deserters report an army
of rebel deserters in Western North Carolina
under the lead of one Kirk. They are all
armed and organized for protection against
conscripting officers and to inhict such injury
on the rebel cause as will best contribute to
the speedy termination of the war, and enable
them to return to their homes.
The 5th corps correspondence Of the goth
says Heavy rumblng as of trains crossing
poptoon bridges is heard every night from
within the enemy's lines. Showing that they
are actually engaged in some movement.
The Richmond papers of the goth contain
long reply made by the select committee Of
the Senate to the accusations of JEFF. Davis
in which they charge that it was he who is
! guilty of tardiness, neffciency and want of
decision.
They say that with very few exceptions,
every law that he suggested was speedily en-
acted, and all that he asked was readily
granted, that on the very matters which he
charges them with neglectng he failed to
give them the information requested and that
was Necessary to enable them to act intelli-
1 gently.
WAsHINGroN, March %.
The Republican extra says government has
received intelligence that on Sunday last Sher-
mans army entered Goldsboro' His march
was unopposed. Schofeld's and Sherman's
armies have formed junction. The Rupub-
lican says Sherman's present command is suf-
fciently formidable to confront Lees whole
army in open field without the assistance Of
Grant, and no power that the rebels may
raise can impede Sherman's triumphant march
northward.
WASHINGTON, March 23.
The Richmond Examiner Of Tuesday con-
tains the following
Headquarters, de-, March 90 J. G, Breck-
enridge, Sec. Of War Gen. j. T.. Johnston
reports that about o'clock, P. M, on the
| 10th, he attacked the enemy near Bentonville,
routed him and captured three guns. A
mile in rear he rallied with fresh troops, but
was forced back slowly until 6 2 NJ, when
receiving more troops he apparently resumed
the offensive, which was resisted without diff
J fculty until dark. This morning he is en-
trenched. Our loss is small. The troops be-
baved admirably. The dense thickets pre-
vented active operation.
sherman was doing finely. His army was
at Fayetteville, quietly resting, preparatory
to another advance northward. IL seems he
did advance, but not far. This successful at
tack by Gen. Johnston gives earnest hope
that the redoubtable Sherman has at length
found his match.
WAsHINGToS, March "a.
Advices from the Army of the Potomac
say great deal OF firing has taken place
lately, the rebels opening fire upon our work.
ing parties as well as the Avery House sig
nal station, and upon passing railroad trains,
but so far have done no damage. Picket fir
ing on some portions Of the lines is kept up
continually, at night mainly to prevent deser-
tions from the rebel army. Tue rebels still
refuse to exchange Richmond papers.
In the army on Wednesday rumor pre-
vailed that hgh' had taken place between
Otd's army and the enemy on Tuesday, but
there il no foundation for il. The troops OF
Gen Ord we're being drilled in breaking
camp and packing up, which probably gave