Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1862-03-28

toos in, the Whole eSpanse of county, a.
far south as the Gulf of Mexico, and from
, the Allartic Ocean on the East TO the Mis-.
sissippi river westwardlS.
b. fore fully fixing my attention upon the
immense scene, however, thought OF the
mysterious visitant, whose voice / had
heard moment previous, and looked to-
ward him. An appartion stoo on my left,
somewhat in front at distance IL about
SIX feet from NE. l sought for his features.
hoping TO recognize him. But | was dis
appointed, FOR the statae-like figure was
nousht but vapor, cloud, having only
the general outline of man. This troub-
led me, and was turning the matter over
in my mind, when the shadowy visitor, in
the same slow, solemn tone as before, said /:
Gen. Mcclellan, your time is short /,
Look to the Southwark
i l felt unabcd to resist the command, even
had ] wished TO do so, and again, therefore.
my eyes were cast on the living map.
Out on the Atlantic / saw the various
vessels of the blockading squadron loom
ing up with the most perfect distiuctness in
the bright moonshine, that illuminated
everything with strong, but mellow light
| saw Charlestown and its Forts. with their
pacing sentinels, and their su,len looking
barbette guns. My eyes followed the ocean
line all the way round into the Gulf, to
| New Orleans, and thence up the Mississ
ippi, Fort Pickens, and in fact, every fortifi-
cation along this water boundary, beheld
with as much distinctness as you, sir, see
that corporafs guard passing there.
This sight filed HE with delightful sur
prise, but itwould be utterly impossible for
me to describe the ecstastic amazement that
followed, as within the limits mention, my
eyes took in, in minute, but lightning like
detail, every mountain range, every hll
every valley, every forest, every meadow,
every river, every city, every camp, every
earthwork, every cannon, and / may say,
dispensing with future detail, every living
and every dead thing, no matter what its
bulk or height.
My blood seemed to stop in its channels,
with joy, as l thought that the knowledge,
and thereby advantage, thus given me,
would ensure speedy and happy termina-
ton of the war. And this one idea was
engrossing my mind, when once more, that
slow, solemn voice said
General Mcclellan, take your map, and
note what you behold. larry not; your
time is short
/ started, and glanced at the unearthy
speaker, saw him extend his arm and point
southwardy.
Still / saw no features. Smoothing out
the largest and most accurate one of my
maps, seized a pencil and once more bent
my gaze out over the living map. AS /
looked this time, a cold, thrilling chill ran
over me, and the huge, rough icicle again
began its saving motion through my heart.
For, as, pencil in hand, compared the map
before me with the living map, | saw mas
ses of the enemy's forces being hurried to
certain points, so as TO thwart movements
that, within day or two, intended to
make at those identical points, while on two
particular approaches 10 Washington be-
held heavy columns Of the foe posted for
concentrated attack, that / instantly saw
must succeed in its object unless speedily
prevented
Treachery treachery ! / cried in de-
spair. And, as before, my blood seemed TO
stop in its channels for joy, it now did so
| for fear. Ruin and defeat seemed to stare
me in the face. AT this dreadful moment,
that same slow, solemn voice struck once
more upon my ears, saying:
General Mcclellan, you have been be-
trayed and, had not God willed otherwise,
ere the sun of tomorrow had set, the con-
federate flag would have foated over the
Capital and your own grave. Note what
you see. Your time is short. larry notr
Ere the words had left the lips of my va
pory mentor, my pencil was flying with the
speed Of thought, transferring to the map
before me all that saw upon the living map.
Some mysterious and unearthly influence
was upon me, and noted and recorded the
minutest point beheld without the slightest
effort, or mistake. At last the task was
done, and my pencil dropped from my fin
gers.
For while previous to this, however,
had become conscious that there was shin
ing light on my left, that steadily increased
until the fiiohent l ceased my task, when it
became in an instant more intense than the !
noon-day sun. Quickly l raised my eyes,
and nevef, were / to live forever, will for |
get what Saw. The dim, shadowy figure
was no more a dim shadowy figure; but the /
gloriied and refulgent spirit of Washing
ton, the Father OF his country, and now
second time its satior My friend, it wJiild
be utterly useless for me to attempt to de-
scribe the mighty returned spirit. | can