The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1862-05-16
edged theory.

edged theory.
The unexpected success of the Union cause
in Louisiana, resulting in The capture of New
Orleans and Baton Rouge, the capital of the
state, has sent through the heart of the West
an electric thrill of JOY, as upon the opening
Of the Mississippi depends the present and
prospective prosperity of this great central
basin. 1t is probable that Porters feet is
approaching Memphis, ready TO see the -eb-
els spitefully put the torch to that foul city,
as they have often threatened to DO in case
of attack. If they see cause, in their mad
ness, to burn up their cities, or their cotton,
or kill their negroes, to keep the same from
falling into the hands or under the control of
the government. why, let them do so-who
cares They are TO be the suffsrers-they
will only cut their noses off to spite their IA
ces, in verification of the ancient proverb.
The military operations in the West and
at Yorktown are now the study of every one,
and critiques upon the merits and mistakes
of the commanding officers are as numerous
and various as the young leaves upon the
forest trees. 1t is wonderful what an amount
of military knowledge has been acquired by
the people in the short space of wear. Judg-
ing from pretensions, the country is full of
professors of the art militaire, whose instruc-
tions, instead of being obtainable at a high
rate of tuition, are thrust upon the people, as
freely as the superabundant rains, and Just
about as benefcially,
Notwithstanding the declaimer of General
Grant TO the contrary, it is the general i'm
preston here that the defeat and slaughter
of the 9th of April at Shiloh was the result
OF surprise, and, of course, the fault of the
commanding officer. The timely reinforce
ments, however, under Buell., stopped the
on-rushing tide, and turned defeat into ylo-
rious victory. This result, no doubt has act
ed as screen to the faulty general, although
the desolation now reigning around thous-
ands of once happy hearthstones throughout
the West can never be made less, nor expiat-
ed, by any such atonement
The latest dispatch here is that "news of
the utmost Importance to the country" is re-
ceived at Cairo from Corinth, but of such a
nature as not to be at present divulged.-
This of course rouses the public pulse to fe-
yer height, while awaiting the disclosure of
the great coed or evil tidings. The prcba-
bility IS that tremendous battle is being
waged, upon which hangs the fate of the
West, if not of the nation. Oh, the streams
of blood that must flow ere the foul stain of
rebellion is washed from the land, If the
rebel army at Corinth is whipped out, the
southern confederacv receives its death-blow;
if the reverse, the struggle is only prolonged,
as there Is not the least disposition manifest
ed OF giving up the struggle until the rebel
lion is put down, be it one, two or FIVE wears.
Late Memphis papers represent the Union
force al Corinth at 100000, and the rebel
strength at 10000. The feeling at Men,
phis is very despondent, and the editors, as
though expecting speedy occupation of the
city by the Union forces, advise all holders
of confederate scrip to invest it at once in re-
al estate, as the best security against loss.
The "sympathizers" hereabout are long
faced. bu; still i'm pudent. and talk their half
way treason in public, TO the great annoy
ance of all lovers of the old flag and Union.
In some places in this state meetings are be-
ing held to consider what shall be done TO
stop the mouths Of these tra;torous babblers.
kentucky is an integral part of the United
States, and faithful to all her obligations
and her citizens are getting tired of listening
to the unbiushing advocates of the southern
in their midst. If mistake not
the time is hear at hand when they will have
either TO dry up" or take a trip to "de land
ob COTTON where they can talk and act tres-
son TO their hearts content
One Of the most significant indications of
the decline of the rebel cause, is the fact that
all through the border slave states the de-
luded young men. who went as volunteers TO
the southern army, are returning to their
homes, all of them disgusted with the pro-
gress of the southern confederacy." and most
OF them willing to take the oath of allegiance
to the government In some localities they
are allowed. notwithstanding late law OF
the state TO prevent it, to return unmolested.
save tine administration of the oath, while in
Others, they are taken up as spies or traitors
and lodged in prison. Some of these latter
have been released by their giving heavy
bonds for their future loyalty. Many of them
profess 10 have been deceived into the support
OF the rebel cause, and are deeply penitent
for their hostility to the government. How
ever they may be disposed OF, as they return,
one thing is certain, that their prospects and
happiness for life are forever ruined-they
will stand heneeforth in the communities in
which but few months ago they were the
soy and expectancy" of anxious circles Of
friends, as stand the blasted trees in the
grand old woods" scorched and shivered by
the wrathful !ightnings of heaven.
The rebel recruits from this county were
v,.l,a l..,1 r