Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1864-04-22

JONI Minor BoTTs.-Brother Earle OF the
Irasburgh Standard has been visiting the
old Brigade at Brandy Station, and gives IN his
paper an interesting description of his visit.
We copy from it the following account of an
interview with Mr.. Bolts
On Friday, April LIST, in company with chap
lain Roberts, we took a horseback ride to the
residence Of Hon John Minor Bolts, who lives
between two and three miles from the camps Of
the Vermont brigade. We had interesting con-
versation with him about the war and many Of
the public men Of the country. His position
thus far has been one Of strict neutrality. We
b'lieve however, that he is more Of Union
man than a rebel from the fact that the rebels
twice had him a prisoner in the Libby at Rich
mond, once as he told us for eight weeks and
one day locking through the CRATES Of that re-
nowned institution. We think this proves that
they have not mich confidence in his loyalty,
and if they have no faith in him We certainly
ought to have. rs spoke of Gen. Mcclellan in
terms Of severe reproacb, and sand that he had
certain knowledge of the fact that he could
have marched into Richmond at the time Of the
seven days fight, with but slight molestation;
the rebels expected HIM and had commenced re-
from fall NC into his hands. We asked if he
thought Mcclellan was a traitor, and he replied
no, but he had fallen into bad company and his
head had been turned with the idea that he
might make his place as head Of the army n
means to grasp the glittering prize Of the Presi-
dency, so he adopted for his motto d" make haste
slowly" in the vain hope that the war might
be terminated in some other way than by fight
ing, and peace patched up that would leave
him the great man Of the nation. Speak
ing Of himself Mr.. Bolts said h had been high
ly favored since the war begun as he had three
different governments over him, rs each army
advanced or was driven back-the rebel, the
federal. and AIoshy; Of the three he preferred
Mosby for he afforded him complete protection,
while the rebels and the federals took all Of his
rails, stating that when the army came he had
thirty miles Of rail fence but they had taken
twenty-eight miles for I cir share, leaving him
but two, and these two leaned over very percep-
tlbly towards the Vermont camps In person
Mr.. Bots is about FIVE feet ten inches high,
rather portly, has a mild countenance, is pleas
ant spoken but earnest IN his manner, has not
very high forehead, Is about sixty years Of age,
and We should not pick him out at first sight for
a very great mln. though We should think he
would make very popular landlord to a coun-
try inn He does not think but little Of poll
ucians, beratIng them soundly; his opinion Of
them ought to be worth something for he has
been IN public life the most Of his days, having
been a Member Of Congress from Virginia sew
eral terms and WAS at one time prominent can
didate for the Vice Presidency. lie said during
his lie he had never seen but one politician IN
whom he had perfect confidence, but one that
was true aud entirely uusel6sh, and that was
Henry Clay. We can forgive Mr. Bots any
number Of sins for speaking that name.