The daily Green Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1861-1865, 1862-02-19

presence of rebels. Secretary Stanton has made
this gallant charge the occasion for the follow
ing war bullctn
WAR DEPARTMENT,
Washington, February II.
To Brig Gen. L. w. Lander The President
directs me to say that he has observed with
pleasure the activity and enterprise manifested
by yourself and the officers and soldiers Of your
command. Iou have shown how much may be
done in ti.e worst weather and worst roads ny II
spirited officer aG the head Of Il small force OF
brave men, unwilling 20 waste life in camp when
the enemies OF their country are within reach.
Your brilliant success is a happy presage OF what
may be expected when the army of the Potomac
shall be led to the field by their gallant General.
(Sgnod) EDWIN NJ. STANTON,
Secretary of War.
There can be no doubt what the President
means by the language Of that bulletin. Re-
Dukes have been expressed far less pointedly.-
Inactivity on the Potomac is no more to be toll
Grated hereafter than inactivity elsewhere. The
brave soldiers Of the West arc not to win all the
battles of the war. There is work before Gen.
Mcclellan, and the President intends that he
share in the glory Of the next six weeks. And
this bulletin is all the more pointed because it
is well known that Gen. Lander is not on the
best terms with Gen. Mcclellan, and that the
request, which he made Immediately after his
splendid achievement at Blooming Gap, to be re-
leved of his command, was occasloncd by this
misunderstanding
We call attention to this bulletin and its
significant hint that our readers may sec who
should have the credit Of the recent victories
that have SO stirred the heart of the Nation
Gen. Mcclellan may have, and perhaps has, the
brilliant military genius which his most ardent
admirers claim for him. 1t is not impossible
that he has seen the end from the beginning, and
that it was part of his magnificent plan y
about which so much has been written. to cap
ture Fort Henry, Roanoke Island and Fort Do
nelson during the last ten days, and that 1t
would have ruined the country and destroyed
forever The hope of a triumphant vindication of
the authority of the Government if either
one Of these victories had lappencd three
weeks, or SIX weeks earlier it they did. But
plain men of common sense will be quite likely
10 sec some evidence of q new hand in the cner-
gy that has been infused lnto all parts Of the
administration Of the war during the last month,
and whea they understand that it is since Mr.
Stanton has taken his portfolio in the War D.
partment that these manifestation OF vgor have
been conspicuous, they will be in n haste to 90
back of that easy and natural cause OF y result
that has $, delighted every one. The President
and Sec Stanton are nowat the head of the Army
and Navy, and it is their will and commands
that have sent and are sending the thrilling
words along the lines that have gla1dcned the
Nation with victory after victory.
Gen. Mcclellan is at the head of the army Of
the Potomac, and Secretary Stanton plainly tells
him to sec how Gen. lenders success " has
shown hop much may be done in Ms 'corst
weather an worst roads by spirited officer, at
the head of n small force of brave men unwilling
to lOaste life IN camp ,vhen the enemy of their
country are w,thi REACH"
Honor to whom honor is due Tho brave
soldiers of the West, and their gallant leaders
Eave won splendid victories, and are rapidly
moving forward to sill greater achievements
First, and above ALL to those who have periled
their lives in the face of the enemy and under his
deadly fire, and whose generalship has carried
our starry flag into Arkansas, Tennessee, Ala.
hnI md (l,ro 1ot
and gratitude be bestowed. Let Gen. McC.el
lac have all the glory that is rightfully his, tut
let us not be in TOO much haste to give him
golden spurs till he has won them.