Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1865-03-03
MISCELLANEOUS DISPATCHES.

the rebel papers announce that Sherman's ad-
vance had reached Camden, 40 miles north
of Columbia on Saturdy.
WAsHrNeToN, Feb. %.
The Navy Department has received the
following from Admiral Porter
U. 8. FLAo SHiP MALvERN,
CAPE FEAR RIVER, Feb. 10.
StRi
| have the honor to report the surrender
or evacuation Of Fort Anderson. General
Scoheld advanced from Smithvil!e, with 5000
men, on the l 7th inst. At the same time
attacked the works by water, placing the
monitor Montauk close to the works and en-
6lading them with the Pawtocket, Lenafee.
Unadilla and Peequot, the tide and wind not
allowing more vessels to get under FIRE. TIE
fort answered pretty briskly, but quieted
down at sunset. On the 18th, at o'clock,
moved up closer. with the Montauk leading,
followed by the Macknaw, Huron, Sassacus
Pontoosuc. Marstango, Lenafse, Unadilla,
Pawtucket, Osceola, Shawmut, Seneca, Wy
ook, Chippewa, and Little Ada, and kept up
heavy fire through the day, until late in the
afternoon. The enemy's batteries were 81
fenced by three o'clock, though we kept up
the fire until nearly dark. We also fired
through the night In the meantime Gen.
Schofield was working in the rea. Of the reb-
els to cut hem off. The latter did not wait
for the army to surround them, but left in
the night, taking five or six pieces OF attil-
lery with them, and everything else Of any
value. At daylight, this morning, some Of
our troops that were near by went in and
hoisted the flag on the rampsrts, when the
firing seized from the monitors. There were
ten heavy guns in Fort Anderson, and a
quantity of ammunition. We lost but :hree
killed and five wounded.
d. ID. PORTER, Rear Admiral.
To Hon. Gideon Wells.
In addition to the dispatch of Admiral
p .rter, in relation to the surrender or evacu-
alton of Fort Anderson, information was re-
ceived a the same time at the Navy Depart
ment that Lieut. VIM. B. Gushing construct
ed mock monitor, so closely resembling one
of those vessels that no difference could be
detected at distance Of 100 yards. On
Saturday night, the 18th, at about o'clock
this vessel was taken up to within about 400
yards of the fort and set sdrif. As there
was a strong food tide, she moved up the ri
yer and passed the fort as If under slow steam.
At the time the army had worked about two
thirds of tue distance around and in the rear
Of the fort. and the rebels, no doubt, think
ing their communications would be cut off by
land and water, hastily escaped by the only
avenue open to them, leaving their guns un-
spiked, their mortars uninjured, &c.
NEW YORK, Feb. %.
The Herald's special Washington dispatch
says Gen. Singleton accompanied by Judge
Hughes late Of the court Of claims, has gone
again to Richmond, it is supposed on peace
mission.
The Fort Fisher correspondents agree in
stating that Fort Anderson is nearly as strong
as Fort Fisher and that its capture opens the
way to Wilmington, without further obstruc-
tions Of consequence.
The Richmond papers announce formid able
movements by federal troops against King
ston, N. G. and also on the Virginia and
Tennessee railroad.
The Richmond Examiner of the Goth an
nounces the arrival OF 975 union prisoners
from Danvile for exchange.
The Richmond Wing Of the goth shows
that it was Wheeler and not Fitzpatrick who
was whipped at Aiken.
The Richmond Dispatch OF the 10th thinks
Shsrmans main body will keep on the north
of Charleston and cavalry will be sent TO
break up the read at Florence. His policy,
it says, has been to keep his force together
and thus force back the rebels.
NEwBERN, N. C, Feb. 10.
The great speech of Mr.. Hames, delivered
in the House of Commons of North Carolina
on the goth ultimo, is attracting much
attention. His argument, favoring a resto-
ration Of the Union is as fearless as it is able.
The irresponsible Represen atives in the reb-
ell Congress from Kentucky, Missouri and
other States, who have no constituents, and
who are assisting to bind The letters upon
North Carolina. are severely handled by him.
He holds that North Carolina has a per-
feet right to dissolve her allegiance with the
Confederate government and enter into sepa-
rate negotiation with the United States for
peace. He proves secession to be failure,
and says that Sherman is moving forward
through South and North Carolina TO Coop
crate with Grant in the reduction of Rich
mond and the capture of Lees army thst
great as this undertaking may seem. it is not
half so great as was that of his march from
Dalton TO Savannah.
lhe North, he said, being in the best pos
sible spirits over their recent brilliant victo-
ries, will speedily furnish the 100000 men
called for by Mr.. Lincoln, who will go to the
field with the greatest slacrity, and soon be-
come excellent soldiers, inspired as they are
with the hone Of speedy success.
He said "Can we prevent the success of
enemies Can we recover back the majority
of the Confederate States Can we hold
our remaining territory
Can we even prevent the fall OF Richmond
and the capture or destruction of our only
remaining army, recruited to the full extent
OF our white population
Sir: These questions have already been
answered by the government itself in the
negative, by its leading organs-the Rich
mond Sentinel and Richmond Enquirer-who
have declared the contest to be too unequal
to be- longer maintained unless we arm our
slaves"
He was opposed to arming the slaves. On
this subject he sald--'We have ten male
slaves al home to one white man. Excite
them to frenzy by passing a law to conscrlps
them, and we have an immediate insurreo-
tion, which to put down. would require the
Withdrawing of our armies, thus leaving the
field to our enemies, II no insurreet,on
took place they would either go over to the
enemy in a body or turn their guns upon us