Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1863-03-27
FROM THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC.

BELLE PLAINS, VA, March II.
Mr.. Ediior-l do not write at this time be-
cause there is anything exciting to commune
cate, nor yet to let you know particularly
that the Army remains in siatu quo or that
all is quiet on the Potomac" for that is no
longer our line Of defence but merely to say
that the Army ia biding it's time in perfect
readiness, or if not, it is to be Immediately,
for a move as soon as the mud blockade" is
raised, which job is progressing much faster
under Generals Boreas and Sol than the reb-
els get along raising the Charleston blockade.
Although we know nothing about the purpos-
es Of the Commanding General, still, being
Yankees, we cannot help guessing. The peo-
pie may be assured Of one thing, that there is
vitality yet in the Army, and that Gen. Hook.
er will demonstrate it to the country. OFF
GERS here in discussing the capture Of Gen.
Stoughton, say they wish the rebels could
take more Of the same class, for il is better to
lose Brigadier than Brigade. The citcum-
stances are understood here to be that the
General had established his headquarters at
Fairfax Courthouse, as it was much more
comfortable than living in tents with the Brig
ade, which was lying neat the Station some
three or FIVE miles distant, and that only a
small guard was Kept al the Court house, and
that the patrolmen, strange to say, had got
the false notion into their heads that it was
more comfortable IN doors than out especial
~ on that night as it was very dark and
rainy, and thinking too, perhaps, there could
possibly be no danger so near Washington
BY the way, Washington IS a very safe place.
and TO convince one that it so considered, he
needs only to see the crowds Of otiicsrs that
throng l.. 1t seems in his raid it proved a
" city Of refuge" to Gen. Wyndham. 1t must
be conceded that the plan Of the rebels in this
case was skilfully and boldly executed. Still,
after knowing the exposed condition of the
place, which information was probably COM
municated by some loyal o. citizen, guarded
by our troops within our lines, any ono can
see it was not difficult undertaking, certain
ly not when directed by those who we're per-
iectly familiar with the locality. Vermont
should let no false notions of dclicacy pre-
vent her speaking plainly in this matter. II
the reports are true, it is due to herself and
to the cause that the facts should be exposed,
and the lovers of ease more than their coun-
/ try should be sterniy rebuked.
/ The expedition Of which | spoke in my last,
| proved entirely successful returning the same
week to this post from Lancaster and Heaths-
vile, with one rebel Colonel and other pris-
oners, valuable mail matter, and large
amount of property.
The Suffers. of whom we have heard SO
much, are not without their trials l even
sometimes think they earn their money the
hardest way, as it is with the greatest trouble
and expense they get their goods to the Army
and frequently they receive the attentions Of
Capt. pitkin for selling whiskey, when he
| turns them over to the Provost Marshal, who
conhscates their property. A few days since
the Captain had fourteen arrested and condn-
ed in prison boat, for approprating to their
use about twenty bales of hay, that had blown
overheard in the harbor. In very few min
utcs after the arrests commenced, there wert
twice as many bales in the water as blew
overheard, every Suffer throwing over wha
he had taken up, and all he had in his boa
besides. They regard these attentions the
same as all other aw-breakers--as persecu-
tons. CIVILIAN.