Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1837-02-17
TO he Editor Of The Vermont Phanir.

noticed in your last paper an ill-naturcd at
tack on the Light Infantry Company of this
village, and its officers, in which the writer evin-
ces little regard for truth and propricty. As a
member Of the company that has been assaulted,
claim the privilege Of replying very briefly to
the charges aud insinuations OF this wri,er--
Allow me in thc first place. To say that the time
for reviewing the situation Of the companyis
not well chosen. In the middle of winter,
when the operations and exercises are neessari-
" suspended by the season, there is an obvious
untitness in subjecting Us TO inspection. Indeed,
as your correspondent does not pretend 10 have
made any actual inspection, il is certain that his
newspaper report is founded on mere conjecture.
II is said there has been ssgreat falling ofrin
the numbers and spirit" Of the company. For
tunately, this assertion is wholly uniounded, as
appears by the subioined certificate of the clerk
II may be safely affirmed that the number of
those having real and permanent membership
in the company was never greater than at this
moment. IL is true that two persons have with
drawn from the company, and this has been
swelled by your correspondent into :" a great
falling off" But of these one was VIGOROUSLY
led away by the promise of promotion else
where; and although he may have magniied
himself into host, can assure him that his
withdrawal has subtracted but single anif
from our "numbers," and has diminished still
less the "military spirit" of our body. Ofthe
other person who has left our ranks, need not
speak, as his military talents and importance,
however eminent in his own eye, have not yet
been made conspicuous 10 the public by any
mark Of favor from his new associates.
But the sale of the Armory is brought to no
tice as evidence OF degeneracy in the company
and its commanders. The annexed statement
Of the clerk explains the reason and purpose OF
the sale, in manner satisfactory as hope, To
every gentleman Of honesty and honor. The
company had contracted a debt; TO discharge
this debt they ordered the armory 10 be sold,
deeming IL unbecoming the character OF gallant
Green Mountain soldiers not 10 fulfil their obli-
cations to their creditors. Your correspondent
speaks in terms Of high compliment of our for
mer Captain. In this | certainly ,acquesee.
| am sure, however, that he would scorn the
idea advanced by your correspondent, that bis
successors ought to pay, from their pTivate
rockets, the debt contracted under his capfdin-
cy. Such notion would be unworthy ~ ,
high-minded officer; il comes with no bad grace
from a crafty speculator, hackneyed in the aIts
of raising funds on other mems paper =.
tits unnecessary for me TO say more m an
swer TO the attack OF your correspondents
desire you to publish this communication and
the accompanying certificate. Let your corr
respondent inspect them; and trust when, he
admit that il is more honorable, and less annoy
ing to the citizen soldiers pay his debts prompt
ly, even TO the surrender Of his property, than
to sustain sinking credit by usurious loans,
or to live in perpetual apprehension Of bailiiis
and catchpoles .s,a
A LIGHT INFANTRY SoLDIER.
Brattleboro, Feb. ii, 1881.
Having been applied to, as Clerk Of the Brat
tleboro Light Infantry, TO certify the past and
present situation Of the company, make the
following statements, partly from the records
of the company and partly from my own per-
sonal knowledge.
In March, 1885, George w. Wood was elect
ed Captain. At that time, the company con-
sisted Of 30 members, rank and file. At the an
nual June training Of the same year, the num-
Der Of those then actually doing duty was A.
Of these, however, several were persons who
volunteered their services for that day onIy;---
the. precise number cannot state, a. Captain
Wood did not make the usual return ON the
occasion. At the time when Capt. Wood OBJ
tanned his discharge, and r. s. Brown, the pres
ent Captain, was chosen in his place, the num-
Der of members had diminished TO ~, being two
4. Al. IL .la s.f Canf M Since