Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1863-04-17
Juattbnan y stair 0uutua,.
by r.. WALTON.
MONTPELIER, APRIL IL, 1868.


FROM WASHINGTON.
WEDNESDAY,, April 8.
Vermont Cacairy again.
have learned, from Col. Sawyer, that it /.
has been pretty well ascortained that the reb- /
ell force, in the late fight with our cavalry, had
major aud four captains, and probably more
than two hundred men. II this be true, our |
men were greatly outoumbered by the enc
my and if Capt Bean was forced to abandon
Flint to save his own men, his case is very.
much relieved For his sake and that of his
friends, hope the facts will justify him. 1t
is tolcraoly certain that he lost most Of his
men. DR.. Hall came in from the regiment
yesterday, and he states the missing men still
20 be eighty: so If Flints thirty-fyo are all
counted lost, Bean must have lost siSty-fve
out Of his hundred.
The Ninth Vermont
Gen. Stannard has reported at Washington,
and his regiment is at Fortress Monroe, or
will be to-day. The regiment was at Balti-
more yesterday. An agreeable change for the
regiment It will doubtless improve the first
opportunity to pay off the rebels for llar-
pors Ferry
Smugglug
Stringent regulations have been promulgat-
ed 10y the Treasury War and Navy Depart
ments, to prevent trade with the rebel States
a matter of no particular Importance to YER
mont, trust, for presume her people are
not engaged in smuggling but it is Of great
consequence to the country. The rebels are
hard pnched for supplies hence the policy
of pinching them still harder.
Report on the War.
The report Of the Congressional Commit
tee on the conduct Of the War is altogether
too yoluminous for your columns, and had
therefore intended to give summary of it..
But have been anticipated by brief al d
very fair statement, in the n. y. Tribune,
which avail myself Of. Letme introduce it by
observing that ;he committee was unanimous
in its conclusions, after iull and fair invcs-
tgauon Officers whose conduct seemed to
be questionable, were themselves summoned
to testify, and so also were their riends.--
Moreover the mode pursued by the commit
tie prevented deception. The document de-
serves confidence.
From the n. Y Tribune Of April 7.
The Congressional Report the Conduct Of the War,
which eg pf.u ed Yesterday IN full is remarkable As
dealing not with opinions, or arguments, or
Incomes but mainly with iacs. # is historical state
mout of the eco ette on certain important points We
have already presented in these columns an impartial
summary Of this evidence let eudea,or 10 note now
more buehy the conclusions which % establishes We
viii try TO state them ia such way that however they
may conflict with personal patates or prtludces they
shall not be c0uttuseft0le as matters Of fact.
The Army OF the Potomac was organized by Mai
Gen Mcclellan. BY the fret Of October SOL L num-
bcrcd 1885, OJ men, and was in all respects nc for imme-
dntc service The Rebel army al Manassas winch was
opoosed Co H. was less than ~ 900 strong But the
Amy u the Potomac nevertheless remained inactive
d9r', Inc whole Winter Of is6l-2 and nd NOT move
mi tbe rebels voluntarily evacuated Manassas In Mach
A victory that winter would PARTIALLY have aunihatcd
he Rebellion. IL is not now disputed that our army
would have won victory il it had been tried and that
Gen Mcclellan issoeJ responsible for lis failure 90 ny.
Seoondig. The blockade II the Potomac might have
been prevented or raised al any during the winter
by naval orcc with the cooperation OF 1000 troops -
Ceu Mcclellan withdrew the troops and is SOLELY re-.
.,0n,llc Tor the continuance Of the blockade
Ih.rdlv. The Peuinsular Campaign was Gen McClc.
laus l plan. fe;uotanty aoquissotd ia by tho rlcsi
dent and uudcltl by Mcclellan on the express cou-
ditou hc should leave force sufficient opiu-
ion Of all bis corps commanders FOG he defense If ASH
ugton They fixed the number Of that force 5j % o.
Bat Gen. Mcclellan, violation Of his agreement aud
{
rs Oll troops from the Capital part even OF those ue
ing raw aud uo light artillery LEFT them. The Ptesf
dent therefore, ordered the corps ot Mcdowell 10 remain
for the defense Of Washington and even including ibis
D corps the spcohcd number OF troops NOT made up
Yet iha rs what termed an interference with Gen
Mcclellan plans and is n substance thc only ground
OF complaint gains. The President, and the only excuse
offered lr the failure Of the Peniusuar Campaign.
fogthy. Mcclellan took with him 90 the Peninsula
more than 100000 troops The Rebels had less than
4 21OuJ TO resist his occupation 81 NofktoNn. But Boz
sat down TO ocsese III the Rebels concluded to reen
force and resist and after months delay the place
q evacuated hy the Rebels without firing gun, just az
Mcclellan was ready 20 open his batteries. Meanwhile
part OF McDowUls corps bad been sent him Itis nup
r known that Yorktown might have been taken at once
and that l.ichmond would have fallen with IT, For th'
delay and failure Mcclellan alone is responsible
e Fuhy There were three other ecasluns, when j
, Nc leIan had improved nus advantage Richmond nigh
have been taken by the troops who could al hay
I been moved against 10 viz After the battles Of VIII
Il h,usburs seven Pines aud Malvern Hill. Bach tint
be ueatcd 90 advance u It was too late, and the ebe
70 capital vas saved.
a Ntrhy The retreat Of the Army Of the Potomac al
IA ter aud during he seven Days Battles piecipita
% aud premature, Tho battles were all fought by th
Corps commanders Gen McCellans only share in th
operations being 10 order aud superuteud the uuneces
saD retreats by night And when finally after th
- splendid victory Of Malvern Hill won IN his absence, h
Il again fell BACK 70 Harrison bar, lac dispaTed of hi
army, made no preparation for defence for twenty fou