The daily Green Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1861-1865, 1863-03-26
From the Messenger.
From the Sixteenth Vermont Regiment.
FAIRFAX STATION, Va,
March 10Th, 1868.


possession of this place, and no rebels have,
as yet, appeared to dispute our claim. The
truth is, the rebels do not make their appear.
auce, in this section, when they are expected.
1t would seem from cur past experience, that
we should be looking for them just at the
time, that we do not expect them, They ap-
pear to have, at least, one advantage over US
they know just when we do not expect
them, aud when the least prepared for them.
The recent raid that has deprived US of our
General, may prove valuable lesson to us.
We are learning to lock the door, althoug ii it
be even, after the horse is stolen. No man
is allowed out OF his quarters after taps"
at night, unless on duty. The various regi.
ments have countersign Of their own, and
guards and scouts, take ample precautions
against surprises We are growing more
suspicious, of the claimed loyalty, of some of
our citizens around us, in this section. We
have in fact, the strongest reason 20 infer that
they are 10 sympathy With the bogus Coined
eracy. They are under the influence of that
inveterate prejudice against the Yankee that
has for years been SO carefully cherished at
the south. Many Of them have relations and
friends in the southern army. They look upon
US as aliens and enemies, and still foster the
forlOrn hope, that the independence of the
Coufederacy, will be acknowledged. Last
Saturday night scouting party from cOmpa-
ny B. brought in four prisoners, who were
taken under circumstances that indicated, that
they were not loyal. The old saying, " that
honest people will bear watching, should be
thoroughly applied here; the loyal citizens will
bear watching, and the disoyal, greatly need
it. We shall be troubled with raids and sur
prises, as long as we allow the enemy qiuet
place within our lines, and surround them
with every means to know our situation, and
strength. The enemy cannot be furnished
with better spies, than those we thus tolerate
in our midst.
We notice that the capture Of our General,
is producing some excitement, and discussion
in the papers. We have just seen letter
from some one in Vermont, written to the
New York Times, containing an extract from
soldiers letter written from the place of
General Stoughton's capture. 1t is thought
by those who have some knowledge of facts
here, that the Vermont writer makes an
error in wrong and criminal application of
the term eliminate, in referring to tn e Gen
erals intimacy, with Miss Ford. We learn
that Mr.. Ford has been till within few DAYS,
prominent citizen of Fairfax Court House.
The General for while, made his quarters
at his house, but subsequently removed to the
place where he was taken prisoner. At the
time OF the raids the Generals mother and
sister were stopping at Fairfax, having their
rooms at the house of Mr.. Ferd but their
meals at another place with the General.
1t is said that Mr.. Ford has son in the
rebel army, and it is now reported here, that
he was at home short time before the raid,
and passed himself tor captain of a compa-
ny, in Pennsylvania regiment. Mr. Ford
has heretofore declined taking tho oath Of al
leglancs, because he has much property in
Richmond, that would be con6scated by the
rebels, and ii sent out Of our lines his proper.
tH At EAlrfaY Mnnld ha dnn4 nnu~I urL.. A..