Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1863-01-01

| tender to YOU, officers and soldiers, the
thanks of the nation.
(Signed) ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
Official Report.
HEADQUARTERS. department Of North Caro- |
lima Dec. 20-Maor. Gen. Hallcck, general-in.
chief, Washington My expedition was a per-
feet succe 5. | burned the railroad bridge at
Godsboro, and Mount Olive, and tore up sew
sra miles of the track of the Wilmington and
Weldon railroad. We fought four engage
ments, viz at Southwest creek Kinston, White
hall and Goldsboro, and whipped the enemy
handsomely each time.
S. G. FOSTER, Brgader General command
ing.
Proclamation.
HEApoUARTtRs DEPARTMENT OF THE GULF,
New Orleans, December 16.
In obedience to orders from the president,
have assumed command Of this department of
the Cult to which is added, by his special ar-
der, the State of Texas. The duty with which
| am charged requires me TO assist in the res
toration of the government of the United States
1t is my desire to secure TO the people oil every
class all the privileges of possession and the
enioyments which are consistent with public
safely, or which it is possible for beniiicent
aud just government TO confer. In the execu-
ton of the high trust with which am charged
] rely upon the cooperation and counsel OF all
loyal and well disposed people, and upon the
manifest interest of those dependent upon the
pursuits of peace, as well as upon the support
of naval and land forces. My instructions re-
quire me 10 treat as enemies those who are en-
emes but | shall gladly regard as friends those
who are friends. No restrictions will be placed
upon the freedom of individuals which are not
ilnperutvely demanded by considerations Of
public safety But while their claims will be
literally considered. it is due also TO them to
state the rights of the government will be I'M
ninchingly maintained Respectful considera-
ton and prompt reparation will be accorded to
all persons who are wronged in body or estate
by those under my command.
The government does not profit by the pro-
lougalon Of this civil contest, or the private or
public sufferings which attend it, Its fruits are
not equally distributed. In the disloyul states
desolation has empire on the sea and on the
and In the North the war is an abiding sor-
row, hut not yet a calamity. Its cities and
, towns are increasing in population, wealth and
power The refugees from the South alone,
compensate, ir great part for the terrible decl-
: nations of battle. The people of this depart
= ment who are disposed to stake their fortunes
and their lives upon resistance to the govern
ment may wisely reflect upon the immuiahle
conditions which surround them. The valley
of the Mississippi is the chosen sea: -: i'0iirl a.
V tiun, product and power on this continent. In
y few years twenty five millions of people, I'M
surpassed in material resources and capacity fol
war, will swarm upon its fertile rivers. Those
who assume 20 set conditions upon their exodus
y to the Gulf count upon power not given Il
: man The country washed by the waters of thu
Ohio, the Missouri ard the Mississippi can neve
he permanently severed. If one generation
: basely barriers away its rights, immortal honor
will rest upon another that reclams them
!. Let it never I've sal either, that the East am
the West may be separated. Thirty days dis
lance from the markets OF Europe may satisf
the wants of Louisiana and Arkansas but it wi
not answer the demands of Illinois and Ohio
l. The valley of the Mississippi will have its de-
d tas upon the Atlantic. The physica forces c
the West will debouch upon its shores with
power as resistess as the torrents OF its giar
IS rivers. This country cannot be permanent
it divided. Ceaseless wars may drain its bloc
il and treasure. Domestic tyrants or foreign foe
may grasp the sceptre of its power, but its de'
tiny will remain unchanged. 1t will still b
Il united. God has ordained it. What avail
is then the destruction ofthe best government eve
C. devised by man. the self adjusting, self-correc
-, ing constitution of the United States.
u People of the Southwest, why not accept II
n conditions imposed by the mperious neces
err ties of geographical CONFORMATION and CONNIE
l. cial supremacy, and rc-establish your anciel
=, prosperity and renown? Why not become II
" founders OF states which, as the entrepots an
III depots of your own central and upper valley
~ may stand in the affiuence of their resource
n without superior, and in the privileges of tt
or people without peer, among the nations {
the earth?
'e n. p. BANKS, Major General Commanding
W Irr,,s ypo,, TUE ApNy oE THE poToNAc =
.. We find the following in the New York Tr
: bune's correspondence
/ Through the army l hear little censure
y" Burnside. Were there disposition to col
denim him, the rare fitness and magnanimity
.. his department since the battle would dsnrm
When he speaks of the fallen his voice breal
D. with emotion. When asked il Glowness on Il
&C. part of one of his Grand Division commando
n, did not cause the defeat, he replies "No.
understand perfectly well that when Gener
=, meets with disaster, he alone is responsible
:" and will not attempt to shift that iespoHsib
'le ity upon any one else" Such man may n
in be Napoleon but he is, at least great in i
it moral courage and his integrity. This ma
-, too, is great in his tarnestness. His who
IL heart. his whole life, is in the cause.
The roads havi become hard and smoot
it is quite possible that the Army of the Pot
mac will resume the march before many da
have pissed.
The soldiers, so long as they have nothil
warmer than snelter-tents to sleep UNDER won
prefer to keep in motion. | have heard maj
rt of them express the wish that we could keep
- MAJ ching and marching until we had thoroug
" y whipped the rebels or been beaten to iel
IT, ourselves. These cold nights stimulate all Il
of active powers, Men cannot sleep, hut stal
xt around the camp fires in groups, and discu
he the deep problems of the day, or curse the i
efficiency Of many of the officers under who
3d. they are compelled to serve.
n 1t seems to be quite generally believed that
u.s. large portion of Gen. Lees army has been Sc
of to the vicinity of Richmond. Deserters al
r. negroes, almost daily arriving tell US that &c
es Longstreet has been in motion for several da,
er and that his possible destination is North Car
to lima.
he In anticipation of the holidays the solde
as are decorating their camps with evergreens N
IL making extensive preparations for the fesli,
" ties. Many of the camps ARE already begi
he ming to look very picturesque and beautiful, al
ke would repay one well to visit.
u Occupation of winchester.
I'd Col. Reyes moved from Romney and toe
IS possession of Winchester on Tuesday mornin
O. when the rebel pcke6 left there, took their d