Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1861-11-08

boats were there to get them back, and thus
they were "hepless."
IL is true that battle which makes about
an equal loss on both sides, may be said to
be "even'' yet we do not think it wise policy
to have such battles II they can be avoided,
for every mans life is valuable to himself and
the world, and every death is so much loss
without accomplishing any real good. True,
too. that il may be justified by the quiet 1t
gave those on the ferries but might they not
have crossed as safely even if five times that
number had been sent up to the Island, and
thus enabled those to be safe also A war
may possibly be determined by the principle
of even numbers, but it would take a long
while and many battles to do it. and only the
last few could be victorious. However am
not writing to complain of bad management,
for the official reports may materially change
the present aspect Of the affair, and at best
we all fall short at times of clearly seeing what
is best to be done rather would we dwell
on the heroism displa yed by the troops thus
far, and especially the courage manifested in
this battle, and thus impress the mind that,
with equal numbers, every engagement cannot
be otherwise than victorious.
The funeral of Col. Baker took place in this
city on Thursday at -, m, and was attended
by the President, the Cabinet, and a large
body of the military. The procession was an
imposing one, and his remains were conveyed
] to Congressional cemetery. The army around
this city remains quiet, and there are no rumors
/ Of any immediate movement The Vermont
9th arrived safely on Monday evening about
9 p. m, and were quartered for the night In
the spacious hall at the railroad depot. On
Thursday it went up to chain bridge, as am
informed, to Join their oomrads, so that all the
Vermont Regiments are now together, and
form commanding body of hardy men. /
never see them without being reminded of
whatthe author of the Green Mountain Boys"
puts into the head of one of the British SEN
tinels at the battle Of Hubbardton 20 say,
" they have more Of the regular built bull dog
about EN- than anything there is in their rag
muffin army" Our weather grows more fall
like. but continues moderate for the season,
and is attended with goodly share Of pleas
ant days. which contributes to the health of
the people and the army
Oct. 27th.
We now have published in the city Sun
/ day Morning Chronicle giving very good
summary of each week. In looking over its
columns extract the following 1.-The re-
port now is that there arc no batteries at Mat
thias Point down the river and that the
guns recently there are represented to have
been in transitu. Suffers who came up from
Alexandria last evening report that hoay can
nonading was heard down the river yesterday
from two o'clock until dark And in refer
ence to the late battle the editor says AS
we look upon it, there was an error in under
rating the force Of the enemy, and very
grave error in not providing adequate trans
/ portation. The error was in those who com.
manded this movement. All that bravery and
endurance could do was done, but the want Of
prudence or ordinary sagacity felt to oui
dismay" Still we hope for better and brigh-
ter things soon. c.