Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1862-06-06
THE RECENT NDER AND ITS
CONsEQ L IN CEs.

"VAS" writes from Washington, under
date of May 2S, to the Springfield Repl5Iors
follows
The history OF the recent disaster is yet 90 10
written, and when it comes out, Gen Banks will
be ACQUITTED o. all blame. The fact Is, Stanton
telerra,hei Banks in the course Of sunday nj cht,
his intense delight at the wonderful retreat Of the
little band. Il was one Of the finest things in the
history Of the war-that was what Stanton telc-
graphed the retreating general, and 1t was thar
dispatch that was read % the men who had Just
made a fearful march OK 90 mile, alter lighting
A battle with the enemy in the morning, causing
the poor fellows to burst forth with lively cheers.
Ii was a happy thought in Stanton % send the
cingratulatory order, for the troops must have
been in no amable mood towards the Government.
Gen. Banks protested again and again against the
proposition 20 strip bin OF all his force. lie sent
messenger after messenger here, but all 10 pur-
pose. lie gave facts 20 the department and not
opiuions lie kz,tr tina; the rebels were thick in
his front; be could see them; bis scouts were all
the time giving information Of the TACT. But some
of his best troops were taken from HMM fact,
nearly all his troops. l have heard that some
prominent citizens waited on Mr.. Stanton on Fri
dav. and almost beseeched him to give Banks
stronger force-and we're turned away, might a.
most ssv. .coutemptuOusly. The next day Mr. Stan
ton saw the mistake he had made, and went 70
work as quickly as possible to correct It. But It
WAS too late 20 save the valley Of the Shenandoah
from disgraceiul irruption from the rebel hordes
Il was too late 70 save the gallant Maryland reg
iment at Front Roy al
The call for troops was not caused By the simple
fact that Banks has been driven from the valley.
The Government evidently fears that the rebel
leaders have changed their tactics, and mean to
rush up into Pennsylvania, while Mcclellan IS
occupied before Richmond or, at least, to threaten
Washington, and thus prevent Mcdowell from
advancing upon Richmond. All agree that II was
a great mistake to leave Banks SO weak. II he
hat kent his force fully up to 10000, he wouli
not have been attacked and it would have certain
ly have been better for Mcdowell to stay this slde
Of the RappahannOck.
Before Mcclellan left for the peninsula there
was council Of the leading generals OF the Poto-
mac army upon the questi0n-how many troops
shall be left for the defence Of Washington The
number agreed upon was $4,000. Yet all were
taken but 10 600. It was under these cireum-
stances that the president determined to detain
McDowelrs corps. At the earnest solicitation Of
Gen Mcclellan, some fifteen thousand men were
taken from this corps and sent 10 the peninsula.
Thea Mcdowell moved on FTedericksburgh, and
ever since he hls been calling for more troops
more troops. lie was certain that Jackson was in
his front. There was no troops to spare, and
therefore Banks was stripped-and then followed
the disaster Of the Shenandoah. The Star Of this
city blames Fremont, but that Is mean as 1t is IN
Just. Pray, wlat mad Fremont to do with the
affair The very day Kenly was devoured, one
Of his detachments (at Lewinsburg) was attacked,
but gained the victory.
Last Sunday, when he excitement was intense
here, | heard a prominent Congressman from Ken
tucky. a man noted for his bitter proslavery no.
lions say, "the government never will succeed
till it dopts a more vigorous policy towards re-
bells. You don't want any more bills passed IN
Congress, bu; let your geEerals hang every cpen
rebel wherever they pass with their troops-let
them turn the sc0undrels over to the tender
mercies Of the troops-and then these knaves will
be-in 20 behave themselves. Kindness upon such
fellows is thrown away. You caa only terriiy
them into submission
he late reverse conyinces everybody this way
that the war is to last all summer. Il has enc0ur-
a-ed the rebels to hold out to the latest moment
10 try their fortunes in the mountains If driven
from the sea-coast. Should we be successful en-
ough 70 win two great battles-at Corinth and
Riehmond-it is possible that the rebellion would
cave in very soon, but the look IS now very decd-
edly in favor of summer and sutumnal cam
paign.