Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1863-03-20

IEN. SrcUGHToD : CAPTUFE.-Our ClTTe--
pendent with the 18th Regiment does not saw
very much about the CAPTURE of Stoushton
at Fairfax Court House, nor of opinions upon
it From private letters however, both from
Washington and the army, VIC learn that the
general feeling Is 81 seryel him right-hc' d
no business To- be- there - 1t is considered
the best ioke Of the season. Why he was
there, four miles away from tine nearest reg
Imcnt Of lis brigade, l. explained hv the
fact that at Fairfax Court House are brick
houses and comparatively comfortable quar-
ters, which Gen. s. much preferred to living
in tent. It occasionel much remark. and
opinions were often expressed that he would
get his pay at the hands Of the rebcls one
of these nights would he captured
within fortnight" &C.. The reports arc
also that Gen. Casev was much dissatisfied
with Gen. S'olghton's position. and had d.
rected him TO remove his boadquartcr, t. his
brigade, but it SCENT he hadn't got ready to
removs-tlet his mother sud sister were
domiciled with him, be rad ct piano out
from Washington, and was altogether too
comfortable II think oF leaving
1t is also said that shcrt time pre,1Ju, 70
Gen. Stoughton capture. while he was away
one evening, a man dressed in the uniform Of
L. s. Lieutenant, came - his headquarters
st the Court Hcuee. and mads minute inqui-
RES as to his sleepiag room. guard. number
Of horses, &c. The Information was given
and the man disappeared Il vas universally
agreed that he was 4 SPY. bus Gen Si'u-h-
ton took nc alarm There were some oval
y camps out beyond T4i-raz Court H,1-a on
one road, and some cavalry picLets kert on
the other roads, but NJ infantry glsrd 70
fpesk Of, nywheIs near. Stought1n WIS IN
Washington gool deal Just then. AMI no
demonstration war made by the rebels But
their plans were evidently laid. and sAout
three O'Clock Sunday meaning 4 party Of about
IS came quietly into the Tlsoe, having cap
tured the cavalry picket On the VA. and
made clean sweep. Fart Of them went 70
Gen. Stoughton'f headquarters, knocked and
asked for him. Persuaded by cooked ris-
tol, the one who answered the knock took
the rebel who inquired. n tho room If one Of
the aids be was instantly told that was
ua' 81" General, and being further persuaded.
finally LED the rch.l % General St,u~b-
ton room. H wa, sound asleep.
bat was speedily aroused aud claimed as
a p-i-saer in the name Of Gen Lee L is
saii 10 coolly replied -' Well, bring along
ny p-boots" lie was hurried of with
scant ume to dress. The rest Of the party
went roand to the stables and other quarters,
80 what prisoners and horses they could find, .
and he whole party went quietly Of, not ]
having fred a shot or caused any alarm
Among the prisoners taken Wac Lieut..
Prcntiss Of Montpelier, one of Gen. Slough
TONS staff, but be managed to escape IN the
darkness
There does not seen 70 be much regret felt
at Gen. Stoughton's capture. 1t is mortify-
ing 10 be sure; but in effect, the rebels could
not do Government better service than by
capturing and keeping all such careless Off
Gers We do not see what circumstances can
be brought forward to mitigate Gen. Slough
tons disgrace.