Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1861-11-14
AT and near Washington.

Long bridge across the Potomac is being re-
constructed.
In three weeks time half million federal
troops will have been raised and in the field.
Rebel pickets have been extended all along
our lines but this is believed to be only feint,
covering the withdrawal of their troops to the
coast.
Gen. Mcclellan has issued an order that the
passes given by Gen. Scott shall be honored
hereafter until further orders, the same as be-
fore his resignation.
1t is gratifying to know that we are about TO
have our stock of rifled muskets increased with
in few days by the addition of from twelve to
fifteen thousand
At Annapolis II 900 federal troops are re-
ported to be gathered, awaiting the return of
the transports of the great naval expedition,
when they will be sent South as reinforcements.
Prof Lowe has arrived in Washington with
five balloons, ordered by the Government, with
portable apparatus for the generation of gas for
their imitation. They will be distributed as fol-
ows One with the Potomac fotilla, three
along our lines in Virginia; Prot. Lowe will
leave with one on a steamer which will be
anchored in the river, while he makes his re-
connoissances and watches the movements of
the rebels on the Virginia shore. For the man
agement of the five balloons, l6 wagons, 50
horses and GOO men, exclusive of those on the
boat, are employed.
At recent dinner given by Gen Mcclellan,
he remarked to guest that there was no pow
er on earth. neither that of the Press or of pol
iticians, that should cause him to swerve hairs
breadth from the policy which he had adopted
in relation TO the present war. Awaiting him
self of all the military wisdom that is in possess
sion of the officers around him, together with
his own experience, he has, to the best of his
own ability, adopted plan of warfare TO which
he intends TO adhere most rigidly.
1t is reported that the Government is now fit
ting out two more great expeditions against the
shores and strongholds of the rebels. Both the
ships and men are to be dispatched as soon as
possible. One of the new expeditions is to be
commanded by Gen. Butler, and the other bv
Gen. Burnside. Their destination is secret,
though the preparations have been going on
for some time past and are now being more ac-
lively pressed forward than ever.
The news from Europe at the State Depart
ment is understood to be eminently satisfactory.
Official dispatches corroborate the impressions
given by the tclegraphic reports already pub
lished in the newspapers. Unofficial commu-
nications from loyal citizens of the United
States, residing in Paris and London, say that
in France Prince Napoleon has cast off all re-
serve. and declared that the instruction cannot
prevail and other letters say that secession is
dead in France, or, at least, that it gives no
signs of life.
Correspondents here express the opinion that
a forward movement Of the National forces at
Washington may be anticipated about the l4th
of November. The blunder at Balls Bluff, the
necessity Of sendiug troops to lower Maryland,
and Gen. McClellan's unalerable purpose TO
fort;fy every position in his rear before attempt
ing an advance, have thus far stood in the way
of any such demonstration. 1t is minated, al
So that the General favors an exchange of pris-
soners, and that a majority of the Cabinet take
the same ground.
The rebels on the Lower Potomac are appar-
emily making retrograde movement-or rath-
er perhaps, Withdrawing n considerable portion
| of their forces in that vicinity. This movement
appears to have commenced on Thursday after
noon. From escaped slaves and Others from
among the rebels, it is ascertained that the
troops thus Withdrawn are destined for points
south of lrginia-undoubtedl for the defence
of the seaboard against expeditions from the
North, or for operations against the expedition
which has effected Judgment on the South
Carolina coast The great increase of the rebel
force on the Lower Potomac was primarily made
under the apprehension that the expedition
might be intended for operations against the
right of their line at Aqua Creek, and their
mistake having been ascertained, they are max
ing haste to rectfy it.