Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1865-01-13

The editor Of the Baltimore American
writes from Norfolk January as follows:
81 learn that Admiaal Porter is still peg
ging away at the fort with the New Ironsides
and his Monitors keeping the rebels from
making any alte atoms in their defences, and
compelling the garrison TO remain boxed up
in their damp unwholesome bomb proofs. -
Whether he will succeed in driving them out
or rendering the place untenable, time will
disclose, but he is undoubtedly determined
not to give up the effort unless ordered to
desist by the Department
Whether he will receive any further as
sistance from the army is not yet known. but
find that the impression in both army and
navy is that little Of the same persis ence,
/ if displayed by Gen. Butler, would have
given us possession of Fort Fisher by the
present time"
The army correspondent of the Ptiladel-
phia Inquirer says it was possible for any of
our gunboats to run clear up to the bulk head
OF the Dutch Gap Canal a week before the
bulkhead was blown up, The mine for re-
moving the remaining section cf earth was
sunk twenty feet below the bottom of the
canal, being kept dry by pumps. From the
main shaft diverged five separate galleries,
one of which was placed several feet forward
under the bed of the river. In these gale
ries were placed an aggregate of six tons of
gunpowder. The explosion was attended
with but slight report and the conclusion
was barly sufficient to crack the ice on mud
puddle near the edge Of the crev.ce.
The blowing out of Dutch Gap Canal, il
Judging from the reports which have reached
Washington, was not a complete success. Ii
was while making the original arrangements
for this explosion that Gen. Butler conceived
the idea Of the powder ship to be used against
Fort Fisher. Officers Of the army and navy
and Professor Henry agreed 10 estimating the
explosion OF large quantity of powder rs
certain to produce damage. Whether all the
powder was exploded or only part, blowing
the remainder into the water remains 10 be
ascertained.
The army correspondent of the Cincinnati
Commercial says that Gen. Thomas was de-
layed three days in his pursuit of Hood by
the pon.oon trains, which had been ordered
to follow up from Nashville ut once, going off,
through some unaccountable blunder. on the
road TO Murlreesboro.
Collector Draper OF New York is going to
Savannah to look after the thirty Thousand
bales OF cotton captured there, which is to be
taken to New York and sold. He will take
testimony relative to its ownership, and the
rights of the owners, if they shall be found
to have any rights, TO be settled hereafter.
Admiral Porter's feet has returned to For
uess Monroe, having successfully weathered
the storm off Wilmington. They sustained
but triaing damage during the bombardment
of Fort Fisher.
The Cincinnati Commercials Columbia,
Tenn. CORES pondent intlma,es that news from
Thomas army hereafter will be received from,
another direction. Marching orders have
been Issued, and the whole army is in motion.
Ill the sick and wounded have been sent to
Nashville. rr
LOUISVILLE, Jan. s.
Owensboro' has been taken possession Of
l. L.. -. l. =. ~. a.