Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1861-08-09


~ The advantage the rebels had over
the Federal army in the commencement of the
war, in the years of preparation which they
had been making, is no longer subject Of
doubt. The principal arsenals in the Free
States had been robbed of nearly all their mu-
nitions of war. which had been secretly and
carefully deposited in the Southern States by
that arbitrator of Buchanans Cabinet Sec
rotary Floyd. where they could be made avail
able for the use of the rebels against the gov
ernment at whose expense they had been fit
ed up. Indeed. their plans were so well laid
that it IS not absolutely certain that some of
the heavier ordnance had not been placed in
position for use even before heir treason had
shown itself in open rebellion the govern
ment in the meantime so completely in their
hands as to be utterly powerless for resistance.
Since the outbreak Of the war. also, the tao
tics Of the rebels have been worthy of imta-
ton by our government. They have exercis-
ed the strictest socresy in all their movements
enabled to do so, no doubt, by their system
of terrorism, rather judicious prudence
on their pari-allowing no communications to
be sent to the loyal men of the North, and
exercising so close scrutiny as 10 those
wishing to pass their lines, as to amount to
whose allegiance to the cause of the Conledc-
rates was undoubted. The number of men at
their command and the facility with which
they could be concentrated at any given point,
and the strength of their Notifications, we're
not known to the Federal officers until tho
sad catastrophe at Bull Run opened their
eyes, and they found themselves contehding
against odds which might have resulted in de-
feat had no panic occurred.
On the other hand. the rebels were thor
oughy posted in every move that was made
by the Federal army. Their aiders and sym
pathzors were retained in positions under the
Government which enabled them, through a
multitude Of secret channels, to communicate
to the rebel leaders all the information they
desired The number of our men. the strength
of our Qualifications, the time and place of the
contemplated attack, and even the minutest
details respecting our every move was well
known in the rebel camp, in some instances
even before the orders had reached the officers
whose duty it was to execute them.
| Such laxness on the part of the Federal Of
icers was wholly inexcusable. They well
knew that they had to contend against sub
tile, secret foe, and they should have guard
ed themselves against the possibility Of be-
uayal. Every person in the employ Of gov
ernmcht whose loyalty was in the least sus-
pocted, should have been removed at once,
aud their plans entrusted only to faithful loy-
al servants. But-our late defeat is, we are
! glad to know, working wholesome reform in
this respect. None but competent officers
are in future to have command Of our army (;
secret spies and disloyal servants are no long
er to have access to government secrets sub
tlety and secresy on the port of the rebels is
to be met in the same manner by the g vern-
ment officials and government appears to be
addressing itself to the gigantic work OF
crushing out treason and rebellion in man
ner not only demanded by the mighty upris-
ing of loyalty throughout the country, but in
a manner which slone ran i7snre 70 '"e-s'