Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1865-01-06

the evening of the 2lst and during the whole
Of next day. his infantry we're crossing the
river. Our cavalry crossed Duck River in
| time to have an occasional brush with For
rests force which covered the enemy's retreat.
No fighting Of consequence However has oc-
Cured since the affair at Spring Hill. II is
safe to say that Tennessee is now free from
/ rebels.
CISoINNATi, Dec. 90
| dispatch to the Commercial from Lom-
sa, KY, says the raid of Gems. Burbridge and
/ Stoneman was brilliant success The reb-
ell Gems. Breckenridge, Vaughn and Duke
were whipped. Their artillery was captured
and their forces. Saltville was burned and
the saltworks destroyed. The railroad from
Bristol ard 90 miles beyond wythervile was
destroyed with all the rolling stock. Bristol
and Wythervile were laid in ruins. The
property destroyed is estimated at over two
millions.
NEw YoRK, Dec. 90.
The Tribune's special Washington dis
patch says il was five thousand coored troops
who landed near Fort Fisher. They took up
strong position and held it against vigor
attack. They then attacked aud carried at
the point of the bayonet an earthwork in
front Of Fort Fisher. The rebels being rein
forced returned and retook the Fort, driving
out our black troops with heavy loss. What
remained Of them were re.embarked, and the
men-of-war again opened fire Fort Fisher
A rebel dispatch, dated Wilmington, Dec
"a, reports the explosion Of our torpedo boat
follows: "A Yankee gunboat grounded
ast night near Fort Fisher, and was blown
. up by the enemy" 1t also says: The Yam
kee boats were repulsed six miles below Fort
Branch, on the Roanoke river on Friday.-
ol. Whetfo-d was seriously wounded. The
fight is expected to be renewed this morning
Gen. Grant, says Washington letter
writer. dues not intend that the campaign IN
outh shall have even temporary respite in
he winter. There is to be a winter campaign
N the Carolina. under the leadership Of Gen
.ral sherman, which will give the rebels no
shance to recuperate their wasted energies.
WAsHINGToN, Dec. 30
Admiral Portefs report Of operations at
Wilmington has been received at the Navy
Department. ! he attack was opened on the
2ith with all the iron clads and heavy vessels
II the feet, the smaller vessels being held in
reserve. Previous to making the attack tor
edoes on large scale. supposed to contain
knnpowder enough TO explode the magazinee
# the fort was carefully prepared and ex-
ploded under the walls OF the fort. That
great results were expected from this expert
ment, the boat selected f1r the purpose was
he Louisiana, disguised as a blockade run
ner The explosion occurred at quarter be-
tore 2, a. m on the Gath, but was nothing
Ike what was expected. A, daylight the feet
moved in, and at IL 80 the attack commenced.
The firing Of tie feet was magnificent, and
be fort was speedily sienced and the enemy
driven to the bomb proofs, two magazines
blown up, and feveral buildings set on fire.
During the heaviest Of the mbadment Il 5
shots per minute was fred The enemy we're
silenced so quick that no one was injured on
buad the fleet from their guns. SIX 100
polnder Psrrott guns on the feet exploded
killing and wounding in the aggregate Al Of
icers and men. These explosions were on
the Tconderoga, Yam fe, Juniatn, Mackinaw,
Quaker City, and Susquehannah, and were
attributed to defective manufacture Of guns.
The Mackinaw was perforated in her boiler
and had 10 persons badly sc lded. The os-
ccola was struck near her magazine and made
water rapidly, but was saved through the ex-
ertions OF her officers and crew.
The officers and men came out Of the ac-
I tion with contempt for the rebel artillery, and
were anxious to renew the fight in the morn
/ ing. On the 25th the transports had arrived
aud q conference was held to decide on the
/ place of attack. Ii was deciCed that the feet
/ should renew the attack while the army land
ed and made the assault. Seventeen gum
1 boats were sent to cover the landing of troops,
/ who were rapidly thrown on shore. Shelling
va resumed a. m. on the 25th, the firing
/ being quiet slow, with design OF amusing the
navy while the troops assaulted the fort
G a fa, k,ta IL. -.
of landing was five miles east OF the feet
About 5000 were landed and moved up to
within 600 yards of Fort Fisher. One Of
fcer ascended parapet and brought away
the flag, A soldier led out a horse, killing
the orderly riding him and brought off his
dispatches. Another fred his qua into a
bomb proof among the rebels, and several OF
our men were wounded by our own shells
Gen Weitzel sent word that the assault was
impraeticable. The army landed about o.
clock and commenced Reconciliation at 5
o'clock, one bridgad, staying on shore during
night, covered by gunboats, 65 rebel soldiers
! surrendered as our troops landed, and 200
more gave themselves up to small recon
noiterDg party. The loss of our land forces
is not stated. Admiral Porter closes by say
I ing that there are about a thousand men left
J va ohNAN " VIZ "AANJt "HD he'N Nv 1Ns 81
off on account OF surf on the beach. These
will b. taken off III the morning, and the sol
diers will then be sent home.
The Richmond Enquirer strongly urges
that JEFF. ID wis be deposed as Commander in
chief of the rebel armies aud Gen. Lee be
made Generalissimo. In reply, the Sentinel
says: No important enterprise is undertaken
without consulting Lee.
1 he Examiner also urges the elevation,
saying both confederaies and federals will
feel that strong and steady hand is laid upon
the wheel and that il manages business and
battle and it will make arrangements accord
Ingly
The Richmond Examiner announces with
grief that Mosby has been severely if not
dangerously wounded.
A dispatch from Washington says: An
arrival there brings reports from Savannah to
the 26th Al that time heavy firing was
heard in the direction of Broad River and il
was thought that an effort was being made
to intercept Hardee.
CINCINNATI, Dec. 80.