The daily Green Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1861-1865, 1861-09-28
Missouri and Fremont.

The public anxiety is now great TO get early
and full Intelligence from Missouri. Attention
is turned away from Washington, from the
Sou coast, even from Kentucky, from which
points we should be quite Willing to hear nothing
at all for some days if we could in the mean
time get glorious news that the reverscs in Mis-
souri, had been atoned tor, that the rebel flag
had been Inundated, and that the losses OF the
past few weeks in that State had been repaired
That the great heart Of the North and North
west beats strongly in sympathy with Gen Ere
mont, and is slow to believe that the disasters
which have brought grief to the Union cause
in his District chargeabIe to any fault of his
the very general hope and desire that he may
personally be the chicftain who shall lead the
Federal troops to grand victory over the rebel
host under Price and McCulloch abundaptly at
tests. Fremont himself modestly says in his
official dispatch announcing the fall of Lexing-
ton " am taking the field myself and hope
to destroy the enemy either before or after the
junction Of The forces under McCuloch," and
there is among the people yeta strong faith that
whatever the Pathfinder undertakes he will ac-
complish.
But it is idle to blind ourselves to the strength
with which the Rebels can meet our troops in
the vicinity Of Lexington. The army under
Gen. Price is said to number 80 900. McCul-
loch, who is Fastening to his relief, has I'M
doubtedly from 10 600 to $4,000 more. The
combined Rebel army, If Price and McCuloch
should effect junction, will not fall much
if any short Of 10000. How many Union
troops can be brought together to attack Price,
there Is no means Of definitely asccrtaining, but
perhaps il is not Too high an estimate to put it
at the same figure at which we have rated the
Rebel force though we are afraid that it will
rot reach hat number, af5er leaving a sufficient
force to protect St. Louis.
Fremont has now, and has had from the out
set, difficult task to perform. But he has now
what be has not had before, q reputation to re-
rieve. The people, while yet believing that he
is the man for the place, have had their faith in
his generalship so much shaken by the events of
the last two weeks that even with those who ad-
mire and love him there seems to be demand
that he shall do something to restore his former
prestige and to vindieate the good name and the
general approval with which he entered upon
the duties of the Department Of the Vest
Fremont is unquestionably aware of this, and
while it will not lead him to put in unwarrant-
able peril any part of his command it will slim
Ia tp hin, ia rut forth tho nj aynrtiOn Of
the forces under his control to drive back the
exultant and triumphant rebel army.
There is no commander in the field for whose
personal reputation, and for success on his own
account, the people are SO solicous as for FIRE.
mont. They want rebellion put down in Mis-
souri,, but they just now want Fremont to put
it down. They would rejoice greatly to hear
that Price and his army were defeated, but it
would make this joy almost . wild delight to
know that Fremont led the victorious army in
person. They want victory to perch on the
banner Of the Union, and they want that ban
ner borne by John Charles Fremont. Even the
gallant Mcclellan is not loved SO much as ia the
General Of the West. We all respect Mcclellan
anu bGlleFV Ill LlLn, anu IIuSI W HIN, DuG tNe
hearts Of the people are not SO welded to his
personal fortunes as they are to the gallant Ex-
plorer Of the Rocky Mountains And while this
is the sentiment of the masses of the North, and
they now know that he has taken the fed, their
intense solicitude for his success makes every
item of news from his expedition anxously
awaited and eagerly seized upon soon as the
too tardy telegram flashes across the continent.
If victory can be won over the adverse forces that
are now arrayed against him, with the strength
and material Of his command, we believe Ere
mont will--wth his name and fame resting, for
the present at least, on the issue Of short cam
paign-achieye it, and we rest now in hope Of
that desirable result