Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1861-07-26

Gen. Johnston and Col. Hunter were killed
at Manassas. 1t was rumored that Gov.
jackson was also killed. The slaughter Of
the Conlederates at Manassas is represented
as very great. Messengers sent from Ma
nassas represent the army in q starving
state, and all the produce in the neighbor-
hood was being seized and sent down. The
suffering at Winchester was very great.
Provisions and groceries were very scarce.
Sugar was a dollar per pound.
The President and Secretary Of War are
vigorously at work recognizing q powerful
army.
Within the last p hours over co, 900 fresh
troops with a number of batteries OF artillery
have been accepted. A number of regiments
have arrived, and every day will bring i'm
mense reinforcements to the CAPITAL.
Ger. Mcclellan was expected at Washington
Wednesday. The appointment is highly po-
pular.
AZouave taken prisoner with others, and
who subsequently effected an escape, arrived
at Washington yesterday, with a broken
handcuti on one wrist. lie reports that the
Zouaves were treated with Indian baTbarity
by the rebels, many being p%inioned to trees
and t0rmented with b~aYOnets thrust at them.
Considering all the circumstances. so far
as yet known, OF the severe repulse Of the
National troops at Bulls Run, or
Sunday, it was to be expected that there
would be some exaggeratIons in the first
reports. 1t is Il relief TO learn that
the loss of life is likely to prove much
less than was at first supposed. But
at the best it must have been great, and
for a time it will be severely felt. The loss
of guns and other war munitions is also a
serious one, though one which redoubled
energy can soon repair. The really serious
loss, as we view it, beyond that of killed and
wounded, Is of a moral kind. We think 1t
not extravagant to presume that this reverse
will prolong the struggle a full year, if not
more, beyond the time when it might have
ended, il we had gained the victory which
was 50 a~nxiously hoped for by all, and SO
confidently looked for by a great many. Yet
we ttlUOI utuDl Uul llGl MlltlH q Atu5Dh-
able time there will be a full restoration Of
tone TO our soldiers and to the people gen.
orally, and the war will be prosecuted with
redoubled energy and force. As to the final
result, we feel no more doubt now than
when to the Presidents proclamation, aftcr
the fall of Sumter. the instant response went
up to heaven from the hearts Of twenty nils
lions Of loyal and patriotic bos0ms, that the
Government should stand and the rebellion
be crushed out Of life-not only for this gen
Grafton, but for ages yet 10 come.
rs for criticisms on what was done and
what was not done, which led TO the repul-e
Of our forces, W. have none to make. rs
vet too little of what is fact and what sur
mise is known to justify any thing beyond
vague opinions, except with those whose o'j-
cial positions put them in possession Of all
the facts in the case. II Is enough to say
that the lesson las been 4 severe one, at the
best-terribly seyere-but perhaps a needed
one for all. Some things we think viii be
learned from it, which q good many were
determined not to know before
We think the iusansato howlinEs which
have so long filed the public ear, against
the President, the Secretaries of the Depart
ments and General Scott, because the army
Of the Union wasDot hurried on to Richmond,
and the Rebellion brought TO Il final end be-
fore midsummer, Will be checked tori while.
Men will be made to believe nov, though
they would net admit it before, that 10
march an army nearly two hundred miles
into an enemy = country filled with d4nso--
Gus passes, covered with wooded hills, where
the whole ,Gicient population WIS i%uiuriato
with h~ystiliry-where large armies were
known to exist. supplied with heavy and
email guns on a large scale, and about which
but little reliable information could be got,
is a diferen. affair from getting up "a great
pleasure excursion.
No doubt great efforts had been made to
end cut the true condition Of the enemy, yet
in fact the position and character Of their
intrenchments was not well known for ten
miles out Of Washington. C1ntrariwIss, the
enemy had good means Of knowing the con-
dition Of the Government forces. Ii is to be
remembered that Washington itself is in the
enemy : country-and the great mass Of the
population in and around it, have long been
in sympathy with the leaders Of this great
rebellion and multitudes there would come
out openly for the rebels if they dared to do
it.
The impatiencc because the army was not
pushed forward into Virginia, which, though
most fero3iousiy in public journals. has
been heard in muttercd grumblings all over
he country, could not fail to have some
fleet in preoipltating action. The result
that the army was moved before 70
vas ready after all. If General Impatcncc-
he general from whom Gen. Scott said lie
lad more to fear than from all others, shall
,e superseded in consequence, II viii he well,
-FOUR Army CJrrespondenoe.l