The daily Green Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1861-1865, 1862-12-23
For the Freeman.
Hope for th9 Republic.

and has recrossed the kappahaunock. Il mohth
has scarce passed away since 1t was announced
that Gen. Burnside had changed the line OF add
vance upon Richmond ; that instead OF follow
ing the Manassas route at the foot OF the Blue
Ridge, Aqua Creek and fredericksburg would
be the base Of his lire of march, and his route
be through the eastern and more level por-
ii ne of Virginia.
There seemed to be good reasons for this
change, the new route appeared to be prefera-
bic to the old one, and we were all flashed with
, hope and expectation that something was now
to be done, and Richmond was 10 be ttker. Bot
in accordance with our usual fortune in arrdng-
ing our plans for cam pagns, the rebels it ap-
pears were aware of our plans as soon as we
had formed then. The march Of a great army
is Of course slow operation. The delinquency
or trcachery Of some Of tho depar men IN not
furnishing pontoon bridges oocasloued further de-
lay and before ali Obstacles were overcome, the
rebels had time to take and fOrtily 6 strong po-
sIti0u in the rear Of Ercde!cksburgh. AT last
our army cross the Rappahannock, they ad-
vance to Dive the encg.j from their inrench-
menta, sanguinary battle follows, cur sold iers
dSpi"y their usual bravery, bat it is all in
vain. 1t is found that the enemy have 50 mprov-
ed their opportunity from our delay, that their
position is SO strongly fortified that it cannot be-
carried without d sacrifice on our part too
lrightful to be thought Of. Oar army could
not advance, neither could they remain IN Fred
ercksburgh exposed as they were to the cannon
of the enemy. Nothing remained but to retreat
and recross the river in tho presence of the
enemy a perilous undertaking, but success.
fully accomplished under tho roar Of the storm
and darkness Of the night.
The army will now probably 90 into winter
quarters on the north side of the Rappahannock,
and We shall have the comforting assurance
from time to time during the w,utcr, that all is
quiet along the lines. This is not the result
that was expected, and it Is 10 be feared the
country is not prepared to meet with proper
for;ituds this disappointment Of our fond ex-
pectatious. To those who have given SOILS or
brothers for the service Of their country, the
bitter reflection must arise that The sacrifice is
The country is suffering already from axes and
deranged curreBcy. We are threatened with
the interference of foreign governments which
would rejoice to gee our experiment of popular
government terminate In blood and anarchy
We have ssEsh politicians among US who ure
busy in reorganlzlng parties, to effocs some
change that may elevate themselves to power
and give then another chance for the spoils Of
Office.
But We are evidently in crisis which can
20. last long, and ii loyal men are true to duty
and their country for a few months longer, we
may reasonably hope for change for the bet
ter. We have, with all our revsrses and mis-
takes no real cause to despair of the Republic.
Within the year past We have gained important
advantages over our enemy. a year ago We were
contending on the line of the Potomac, and the
navigation on that river was "ften rendered haz
ardous by the vance OF the enemy. Now the line
is the Rappahannock and another potion Of Vir-
ginia is given over to the ravages of armies. W.
have taken New Orleans. the largest and most
important of the rebel cities, and with the excep
ton of yicksburg have the entire control OF
the Missssippi; and almost the whole Atlantic
coast of the rebel States is in GU possession.
Meanwhile the enemy have gained no important
point from US Thoy hare Invaded Maryland,
but they paid dear for their temerity at Ante
tam. They have rsvaged Kentucky but the
determined enemies, those whom they had
counted upon for friends aud allies We have
reason to hops for Much IN the movements that
are commencing on the Mississippi and IL the