Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1865-02-28
aid them in the effort, and Justify them in SO do
n.y. is, to say the least, to be greatly regretted.
ThA Fall of Charlastnn.

1u6 Ihli VI OudTlesIOu'
We last week gave our readers the intelligence
that the rebels had evacuated Charleston. We
this week add the news that our forces in and
about Charleston at once took possession of the
abandoned nest of treason. They raised again
the old flag over the battered walls of Sumter
said to be the identical flag, which little less than
four years ago was hauled down by Major Ander-
son. They hung out the stars and stripes over
the ramparts Of Moultre They shook the folds
Of I" old glory" to the winds OF heaven over the
deserted city whose inhabitants FIRST trod in the
dust the symbol Of our nationality. Charleston,
with its harbor, its approaches its forts, it's public
Buildings, and what Of its inhabitants and private
property yet remain, is once more, in quistness
and peace, reposing under the ensign Of the re-
public and yielding obedience to the sovereign
power Of the United State'.
On Sunday afternoon April IA 1861, Major
Anderson, with eoors flying and drums beating,
marched cut of fort Sumter, sauting the national
flag with fifty guns before hauling it down from
the work which he could 10 longer successfully
defend. Treason had there fred the first gun, and
ts shock loosensd the imprisoned elements of the
most desoating and terrible war which ever Grim
soned and blsckened the fair face Of the peaceful
earth. Since then tho black and fearful storm
has swept aoroGs the face Of the republic and has
ioarrsd and burned over almost every insur-
gen: state and now It is visiting with ts scource
and pouring out its bittersst rain OF wrath on
South Carolina the mother OF treason and traitors
city which hardly ever loved tho emblem Of the
national unity ard strength, the nome Of nullh-
cation, tho naughty and defiant crest Of treason,
has been compelled TO receive into its streets the
soldiers il has hated, and ia to-day governed by
military rule which il bias boasiingly declared
should never sgain invade its borders.
The people would have BEEN better pleosed,
would have thought il more in harmony with the
eterna fitness Of things, il some storm Of war
could have fallen on the city and utterly destroyed
it, leaving not enough Of its ruin, to mark whore
it ones stood. It had been recsoned as tho neat
in which the egg OF treason was laid, and the
bloody rebellion hatched, and from which the
foul bird few at the heart Of the nation, and it
would have gralifsd almost every loyal man fthe
memorable march Of the war had rendered Il nee
esiary to visit upon it a rstributou Ike that which
overlook guilty Sodom. But the very cowmdce
Of its defenders at last saved it from th. iaie snd
LEFT it to fall an easy capture into our bands aud
what the rebels have left OF Il will BE- allowed 10
remain.
Thus step by step tbs national power is being
vindicated, and the national flag restored to the
places which have disowned it. South Carolina,
from its situation, has been hitherto but little
visited by our armies. There ha. been severe
fighting in Charleston harbor, but our forces have
never penetrated far inland. But the genius Of
Gsn. Sherman is now leading magnificent army
through the heart Of the State. Coumbls, its
capital, has been occupied by him without firing
shot, and his progress through the richest coun-
ties OF the fiery Palmetto State is almost wholly
unobstructsd. His advance has compelled the
evacuation Of Charleston and be now seems TO
be entirely master Of the situation. How soon he
will meet serious opposition il mainly matter Of
speculation, though it is probable that the rebels
will not risk battle until they have collected ell
their scattered forces in North and South Caro-
lima, in front Of our army in its march north.
They cannot With those, however, match The
splendid army under Sherman, and il Beauregnrd
chooses to fight he will certainly be beaten The
army trusts to Sherman, &. The people believe in
him and we all wait confidently the result Of the
grand and brilliant strategy which is closing as
ine1orably as fate around the last stronghold o.
treason at Richmond.