Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1862-01-14

going to say that they will be disappointed, but
merely to state some things which should be ia
ken into account in our estimates Of probable
events.
The Army of the West, or at least that com
manded by General Buel, is but recently or
ganized. Many of the regiments have been but
few months in camp Most all are raw. If
Gen. Mcclellan feels that the Army of the Po-
tomac is not yet sufficiently drilled to take the
field it may also be expected that Gen. Buell.,
an officer OF the regular service, would haveslm-
liar views respecting the Army of the West J
have understood that he has expressed such an
opinion, but cannot youch for it. If it be 30,
then we may not look for an immediate conflict
understand that all his regiments are not brig
AIDED that camp Of instruction is abe vi to be
formed at Bardstown. IL is certain that his
troops are not all armed ; and it is also certain
that his army IS not concentrated. The regl-
ments are scattered all along the line OF the
railroad from Louisville to MuniordsvIlle. He
las not been with hls troops, but has remained
at Louisville experimenting the organization Of
his army from that point. Yesterday ho pro-
ceeded TO Muniordsyille. With all of these
facts before us, knowing that our officers who
have been in military schools believe in the prn-
ciple OF getting ready, it is possible that the
expectations OF the people may be somewhat do
ceyed.
Looking at Bowling Green, and summing up
the facts that reach Us in regard to the prepar
ations o.. the rebels to resist an advance ut that
point, we see other reasons why Gen. Buell. may
be inclined to move with caution. The rebels
are in strong position, on high bills, behind
ntrenchments OF great strength, which are
daily becoming stronger through the muscles OF
thousand slaves. Cannon are mounting, re.
Inducements arriving, and everything possible
is doing 10 make determined stand. The rebels
are terribly in earnest there, as much so as upon
the Potomac. Gen. Buell. knows very well that
it will require nerve and strength to crrry that
position by an attack in front--a movement
which do not expect to witness for presume
he, like most men, is willing to walk round u
difficulty, rather than venture hazardous at
tempt to rile over it.
bowling Green, you remember. is ne rly Tor
ty miles igom Green river. The rebels have torn
up most OF the track upon the railroad for that
distance. 1t is not probable that an engagement
will take place there tll the track IS relaid, for
prudent commander will keep his conmssariat
up with his advance 1t was only last week that
tie Quartermaster began the organization of his
IA nsport trains. Taking all these things into
view, a legal mind would not, ! think, argue
that there was to be immediate activities Bu
: Gen. Buell. keeps mis- own counsel and there ma,
: b, stirring events Of great magnitude At Bowlin,
Green before the first week OF the new year hi!
= passed. And here let me say that there are ap
= prehensions that the rebel force at Bowling
c Green and vicinity is much larger than has gen
orally been supposed.
There is no evident preparation for demon
! straion down the Mississippi in concert witt
the movement upon Bowling Green. Our gun
boats at Cairo arc not completed, we have but
few men there to man them, we have no g-and
army organized to take Columbus in the rear.
All this is well understood by the rebels, and
they have drawn to Bowling Green all available
forces They have, as you observe by looking
at the map, extensive railroad facilities. All,
or nearly ALL the troops ut Memphis have been
transported to Bowling Green, or are held IN
readiness Tor an immediate transier-all the
available forces have been gathered up from
Alabama and Mississippi When Gen. BIell
appears before Bowling Green, it Is among the
possibilities that he will engage force in num-
bers quite as large as his own.