The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1865-06-02
VAR NEWS.

WASHINGTON, May 26. Acting Rear
Admiral Bradford, commanding the North
Atlantic blockading squadron, has for
warded to the navy department copy of
letter from Commander Macomb, giving
the details of a successful expedition up
the Roanoke river, n. c., by the Josco,
Valley City and picket boat No 5, under
command of Lieut.. Commander Thorn
ton. The expedition proceeded as far as
the rebel naval station at Halifax, and
succeeded in capturing the steamers Cotton
Plant, Fisher, and Dolly, and the engines
of Cushing's torpedo boat and another
craft of some kind. The vessels were la
den with slaves, corn, 30 bales of cotton,
three cases of goods and six barrels of
brandy. The expedition also found %
bales of cotton on the banks of the river,
which were brought off. The commune
cation of Commander Thornton disclosed
the fact that the Roanoke is cleared of Oh
structions, and that a number of guns
sunk by the rebels have been raised. A
quantity of confederate cotton is stored
away along the banks of the river and
will be captured. The rebel naval station
at Halifax was taken possession of by our
forces and will be held until further Or
ders.
New ORLEANS, May 81. The Pieayune
has reliable information from the trans
Mississippi department that Col Sprague's
conference with Kirby Smith resulted in
nothing in consequence of want of har-
mony in the rebel council. Smith was
disposed to surrender, but the Missouri
generals, Parsons and Shelby, demanded
an amnesty for themselves, which was not
offered in the Presidents proclamation.
Col. Sprague returned accompanied by a
Mississippi colonel, who goes with him to
Washington to confer with the authori-
ties. If these generals are not included in
the amnesty, they propose joining Maxi
milan. The troops are DESERVING in great
numbers and going home, and the people
are generally respondent. Cotton can be
bought very low for gold. Several boats
loaded with cotton are ready to come out
Of Red river as soon as they are permitted
to do so. Another flag of truce boat was
expected to come down on the 18th. The
country is overt1owed from Alexandria to
the mouth of the Red river.
The steamship Clinton, from Brazos
10th, brings confirmation of the fight at
Boco Del Chico pass between the United
States forces under Col. Barrett, and the
rebels under Gen. Slaughter, in which the
enemy We're driven twenty miles toward
Brownsville, where the rebels were REIN
forced, and Barrett retreated, fighting, and
reached Brazos with a loss of scventy-two
killed, wounded and missing, including
Capt. Temple and Lieut. Sedgewick of
the Saith Indiana, captured. Slaughter's
official report magnifies our force and
claims biz victory. He admits loss
of forty killed.
WASHINGTON, May p. Gen. Sheri-
dan will establish his headquarters at Ba-
ton Rouge for short time, during the or
ganization of his army for Texas. The
material for an army available in that de-
partment includes the infantry corps of
Gems. Steele, Granger and A. j. Smith,
and a large force Of cavalry, all in fine
condition, and said to number 90, 900
men. Gen. Merritt will doubtless be as
signed to the command of the cavalry,
with Gems Gustav, Lee and Wilson rs di-
vision commanders. Three corps are also
understood to be en- route for that depart
mcnt from other points.