Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1862-11-21
IRON wAsHN0roNAND VICINITY

Will adopt as a line Of permanent defence ard
although decided indications are that 70.
treat of the entire force to Richmond has ia
ken place, it is an established fact that they
have changed their position, and their desti-
nationis therefore matter OF speculation
There Is = ramor here that our forces have
experienced disastrous defeat at or near
Hzrper's Ferry. II is said that the rebels
came upon the place in force and have taken
more than 5000 prisoners, and suffers wag-
ons, to the value OF many thousands Of dollars
Among the prisoners, it is said. there sre
two companies Of the BROOKLYN 10Th, and
that about 500 paroled or exchanged PRISON
ers were also captured Its also said that
their capture OF commissary and Quartermas-
tiers stores amounts TO the value of millions
Of dollars. Although the rumor has assum-
ed this definite form, it is not believed in Of
fetal quarters. The same dispatch also
states this news first comes from Richmond
and that not day passes but some impor
tant secret of the government comes to us
from Richmond or its agents.
The proposed change Of base in the opera
tions of the Army Of the Potomac was fully
determined upon Thursday night after the
visit Of Gen. Halleck to the headquarters Of
Gen. Burnside, and Saturday night we learn
ed, via. Baltimore, Of quaking apprehensions
which this decision had inspired in the minds
of the citizens Of Richmond This was ~
hours before the army had struck its tents
and commenced it's new movement
A special dispatch to morning paper
states that a number Of shin merchants are
now in Washington, urging upon the Secre-
tary Of War and Navy, the immediate and
very great Importance Of sealing up Charles
ton harbor, at present the great port Of EMERY
for all contraband trade, and the hsrbor
out Of which, it out Of any rebel port, iron
chan vessels are expected to issue, which may
threaten the safety Of Northern cities.
A Wauenton letter Of the 5th states that
the Army OF the Potomac is again under
marching orders,
Gen Sumner, now commanding two large
corps. is this morning moving en- route for
an important point, which it will take two or
three days to reach.
a Watrenton letter Of the 10th to the
Times, says Gen. Burnside has broken up
his headquarters preparatory to marching -
The advance, consisting Of COUGHS and Rey-
nold's forces, are already threatening the enc
my on the line Of the Rappahannock toward
Fairfax and Gordonsvile. Our flank and
rear, which the enemy would fegn make us
believe that he is intending to attack, are
well covered by Sge.
The Times Washington correspondent
writes that the army Of the Potomac has been
for two days on the march down the valley of
the Rappahannock towards Fredericksburgh
from which place it is proposed now to CON
duct that pilgramage towards the Jerusalem
Of our crusade.
The Star contains the following The
firing heard on Saturday morning occurred
between Warrenton Springs and Fayetteville,
and was an artillery duel between the rebels
and Pennsylvania battery. The casualties
on our side were three men wounded.
The Navy Department this morning re-
ceived information Of the capture of the reb- !
ell schooner Emma off Belasco, Texas loaded |
with l2l bales of cotton,and Jamaica bound.
Gen. Halleck has resolved to adopt the /
most stringent measures for compelling off |
GERS to pay that attention to their duties |
which natural pride and sense of duty would /
seem in too many cases unable to enforce
Delinquent officers are to be taught by
prompt and inexorable punishment that their
superior rank and higher inteligene will only
be regarded aggravations OF every fault they
may commit; it being resolved that the sol
diers and non-commissioned officers Of our ar
mics shall have reason to complain of be-
ing held accountable for offences which are
with impunity by those who
should set them examples of strict subcrdiua-
ton and discipline.
Provost Marshals, policemen, and military
police and officers specially detailed for the
purpose are now being sent to all the princi-
pal cities, and over all the lines Of railroads |
throughout the country to collect names of
officers absent from their armies in the field /
and in garrison, and all officers so found alb |.
sent withou. the proper and specific authority |
prescribed in General Orders OF the War
Department will be either Immediately and
ignominiously dismissed from the service, OF
will be placed on trial for deserton while in
the presence OF the enemy.
The rumor prevails, and there is reason to
believe it, that more than 1000 commissioned
officers are now absent without leave, and
are reported, all Of whom will be dismiss
ed under circumstances attaching disgrace to
their names, leaving them no possibility for Il
return TO the service or any other employ
ment under the National Government. While
these steps are being taken with regard to the
officers, measures of an equally stringent
character are in progress TO arrest the i'm
mense number of deserters now scattered
Ahe Souhti.s auu W uplu 70 the Sc
verest penalties prescribed by military law for
their offences. But there is yetanother class
one to which no mercy will be shown, viz
those who JOIN new regiments, recently re-
ceiving the enormous bounties given, and de-
sorting before they had been called into the
field. The country has suffered deeply from
this latter class.
1t is said on high authority that the Presi-
dent on being recently shown by the Secre-
sary of War and Genera-in. chief the in =
merse lists OF deserters and roll calls of alb
sentses sternly pledged himself hereafter to
pursue the most vigorous policy with these
offenders.
Colonel Butterfeld has been promoted
to the command Of that portion of Gen.
Hooker's grand division recently known as
Fitz John Porter's army corps, and Gen. Grit
fin to the command OF the division late com
manded by Gen. Morrill, who has been assign
ed to other duties.
The Herald's Washington dispatch says
We learn that the whole army again took up
the line of march on Saturday and Sunday
for Fredericks burgh. Warrenton was eva
cuated to-day. Gen. Burnside's Headquar-
tiers were at Catlett's Station to-day. and ere