Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1861-12-13

81 w tA1A " bilo AhN huiAlbIl Vi LuD us
charged three months volunteers, the
aggregate force furnished TO the govern.
ment since April last exceeds 100000
men.
We have here an evidence of the won
derful strength OF our institutions. With
out conscriptions, levies, drafts, or other
extraordinary expedients, we have raised
a greater force than that which, gathered
by Napoleon with the aid of all these
appliances, was considered as an evidence
of his wonderful genius and energy, and
of the military spirit Of the French ma
ton. Here every man is interested in
the government, and rushes TO its defense
when danger beset it.
BY reference to the records of the
Revolution, it will be seen that Massa-
chuselts, with population of three hun
bred and ity thousand, had at one time
ffty-six thousand troops in the field, or
over one SIKH Of her people--a force
greatly exceeding the whole number Of
troops furnished by all the Southern
States during that war Should the
present loyal states furnish troops in like
proportion, which undoubtedly would be
the case, should any emergency demand
il, the government could promptly put
into the fed an army of over three mill
ions.
It gives me great satisfaction TO refer
to tie credjtabIe disc ipline q our troops.
mo-. Of whom were. bat a short time
since, engaged in the pursuits Of peace.
They are rapidly attaining an efficiency
which cannot fail 10 bring success TO our
arms. Officers and men alike evince ar
earnest ssire TO accomplish themselves
in every duty Of the camp aud field, and
the various corps ara animated by AN
emulation to excel each other in solderly
qualities.
ihecohsp'raey against the government
extended over an area OF 1914 square
miles, possessing a coast line Of 1928
miles, and a shore line Of 2j,il4 miles, |.
with an interior boundary line Of 1881 F.
miles IN length. This conspiracy strip F.
PED US OF arms and munitions, and scat .
tered our navy to the most distant quar- .
'ers OF the globe The effort to restore .
the Union, which the government entered .
on in April last, was the NEST gigantic
endeavor in the history Of civil war.
The interval Of seven months has been
spent in preparation.
THE SITUATION.
The history Of this rebellion in COM
mon with all others, for obvious causes,
records the first successes in favor Of the
The disaster at Bull Run
was but the natural consequence of the
premature advance of our brave, but un-
disciplined troops, which the Impotence
If the country demanded. The BETRAYAL.
,loo, of our movements, by traitors in
,ur midst, enabled the rebels to choose .
md entrench their position, and by re- ,
in great strength, at the mo- ,
nent Of victory to snatch it from our
,rasp. This reverse, however, gave no
Encouragement to our gallant people ,
hey have crowded into our ranks, and =,
Though large numbers have been nee
ssariIy rejected, mighty army in irwin e
ible array stands ready to precipitate
.self upon the foe. The check that we
ave received upon the Potomac has, d,
herefore, but postponed the campaign
u few months. The other successes
{ the rebels, though dearly won, were y
lere affairs OF no important or perma, h
ent advantage. The possession of west a