Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1865-02-17

die, prisoners. EH.rts are making to get up
an exchange, which will release these suffers,
I, will require much effort Il their behalf, and !
!, is hoped all good citizens will aid the Nm !
dertaking.
The Times Washington dispatch an
nouuoss that great cavalry campaign con-
.isting Of an extraordinary movement through
The Cotton Gulf States is about to take place
f3en. Thomas and Wilson to command the
,o,oe which will be ample fct the purpose.-
Montgomery, Selma and Mobile are to be
waited and there will be a cooperation by
Gen. Candy. The expedition will start about
the middle OF next week from PASSPORT The
opening Of the Alabama and Tombgbee ri
yers and the occupation Of Selma, Montgor-
cry and Mobile will virtually completv our
military work in the cotton sttss Of the
Gulf.
The Richmond Examine, 81 the Sih says
The enemy still hold his dofenses on Hatch
cas- run where lie lie reported to be heavily
in,reached. His cavalry movements towards
Dinwiadie Court House seem to have been
planned aad executed to give his infantry
time to intrench at Hstcher's run which they
seem to have done efectually. AZ matters
stand the Yankees have extended their lines
two or three miles, but have not advanced
them.
The same paper urges that the present
passion of the South aroused by the results
Of the Peace Conference, should be made
available before it evaporates.
The same paper say there was report in
the city that Charleston had been evacuated
but the War Department had no oonfrma-
ton Of it.
WASHINGTON, Feb. II.
Gen. Grant was before the Commute on
the conduct of the war this morning. The
following question was asked him;
1t is stated, upon what authority ! do not
know, that you are charged entirely with the
exchange OF prisoners
Gen. Grant replied THAT is correct, and
what is more, l have effected an arrangement
tor the exchange of prisoners, man for man,
officer for officer, or his equivalent, according
to the old cartels, until one or the other party
has exhausted the number they now hold. |
get great many letters daily from friends OF
prisoners in the South every one Of which
caused to be answered, telling them that
this arrangement has been made and that !!
suppose exchanges will t made at the rate Of
5000 per week, or just as fact as they can"
HEADqUARTERs ARMY OF THE Potomac,
Feb. SIS p. M.
Nothing of interest has transpired to-day
al hough the weather has been more fAvorsbl
than for several days past The troous are
busy building works along the newly estab-
ished line, which will take some days to
complete.
Lieut. Col Tremaine Of the 10th N. Y.
Cavalry wrongly reported Major Tremaine
Of Greeg's staff, was badly wounded and has
since died.
The Herald's army of the James, dispatch
mentions renewed rumors of preparations to
evacuate Richmond.
Rebel deserters bring these reports in, also
that Lee has ordered the court martial Of any
Of his men caught half mile in the rear Of
his lines.
The Herald's correspondent from the
shenandoah reports the strictest vigilance
exercised in the cavalry by scouting and re.
coAnotering parties. Regular troops are
stationed in different parts of the upper val
ley, but guerrilss prowl between the Blue
Ridge and Allegahany Mountains.
rha Richmond Sentinel says The Unior
forces are making raid in Florida. At las
accounts they were advancing on Rice's Bluff
in unknown force.
The Augusta Constitutionalist says the
appointment of Dick Taylor to the command
ofthe army ofthe Tennessee had ms PRED the
troops with fresh hope and thsy were in ex
cellent condition.
The Petersburg Express says; The fight
ing Of Monday was very severe. The timbe
and underground were literally cut to piece
by balls and bullets The grourd was Tough
over four times in consequence Of the arriva
of reintorcements on either side. The charg
49, 1 Il a. IL = Il
is said to have been one Of the grandes
scenes in military annals. The Yankees los
between 500 and 1000 killed and wounded
and 200 prisoners
NEW YORK, Feb Is.
Gold opened at 50. O6; II a. m. S2.O5 "a
Late Richmond papers state that Sherman
had effected crossing of the Edisto rive
which was held by Gen. Hardee on his lin
of defense of Brsnchvile. Another porto,
Of his forces were two-thrds of the way from
the Edisto to Columbia an important poin
forming III junction of the Charlotte an
South Carolina and Greenwich and Columbi
railroads, which connect with railroads /
Richmond.
Admiral Porter announces to the War De
partment successful expedition under Lieut.
Gushing up Little river, S. C.. resulting in th
capture OF some solulerB ana arms ana IN
destruction at All Saints Parish Of $500
worth OF cotton. AT the mouth Of the har DO
two fats containing small amount of cot
ton was captured, and brought off togethe
with some negroes. The South Carolin
planters whom the command met, ex presse
willingness to come back undea the old gov
eminent an mostly of them appeared to b
loyal men only waiting emancipation fror
military rule.
The Worlds Hilton Head correspondent
OF the Sth says
Sherman's army in its advance meets wit
scarcely any resistance, and his troops cove
an arear of territory 40 miles in width. Fo
several days preceding the 9Th inst they ha
been engaged destroying railroads the oh
Ject seeming TO be to isolate Branehville
Augusta and Charleston from all possible ali
20 reinforcement in order to capture the gar
Tison Of each city.
The Herald's correspondent represent
military matters on both sides of the Jane
river as again quiet. The army holds its new
ly acquired ground. Gen. Wright has re
turned to the eth corps. Desertions fror
the rebel armies continue to be frequent.