Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1847-02-18

The SUFFERINGS OF THE VoLUNTEERs.-On
Saturday night and during part of the Sabbath,
it rained i'll torrents, and the country around the
city is deuged The I'd regiment of Mississp-
pi, and the % regiment of Pennsylvania Volun-
teers, were encamped at the Battle Ground, a few
miles below the city. These brave men who a.
bandoncd the pursuits of civil life, and all the
endearments of home and friends, to aid in the
prosecution of the war, were exposed to pitt
less storm and drenchng ram. Instead of COM
Portable quarters being furnished them by the
officers charged with this duty by the Govern
nent they were encamped on piece Of ground
submerged and up to their knees in mud and
water.
Several of the Volunteers, both from Penn
sylvanla and Mississippi, have called on us and
complained Of the shameful neglect of their COM
tort by the officers Of the Government A writ
ten statement has been furnished us, signed by
many officers and privates Of the Pennsylvania
regiment complaining in indignant terms, of the
course which had been pursued towards them
In TINS statement there are severe reflections up
on certain high officers. From a sense of duty
to the service we withhold the statement from
the public. Still, we cannot disguise our feel
ings. Our brave countrymen are sickening and
dying from exposure, which could and should
have been guarded against by those whose duty
1t was to see that they were placed in the Uni
ted States Barracks (stil unoccupled) or some
other building where they would have been CON-
Portable. Death has making fearful havoc among
the MlsslsSipplans, and it would seem that there
are none who careth for them"
We cheertully withdraw the latter clause of
the above sentence. There are sumo feeling
hearts among us. We know, from the best au-
thority, that doctors Graham and Fenner, two of
our skilful and esteemed city practitioners have
been attending the sick volunteers by day and
by night The Surgeon General of the army is
here, and we hope to hear remousrance from
HIN about the unnecessary and cruel exposure
of the volunteers. The worthy Mayor OF our
city, the patriotic aud humane CroSsmdn, upon
hearing of the sufierlngs of the camp, waited up
on Col. Hunt, U. s. Quartermastcr, and proposed
that something should be done, and speedily
done for the relief of his gallant and suffering
countrymen Col. II. assured the May or that
steps would be taken to remedy the evil.
We have been waited upon by gentleman
attached to the company OF Philadelphia Ran
gers who informs us that the Company TO which
he belongs, as well as the Cameron Guards and
Stockton Arlerlss, have lost nearly all of
their blankets and other property, having been
swept away by the waters The state of things
is shocking to humanity. viii not the Senator
of the United States from Pennsylvania who has
been honored by having MS name associated
with brave corps, exert his influence to have
his friends better taken care of by the Govern
ment? We expect to hear the thunder Of SEN
ator CdmerOn's indignation in the Senate Of the
United States.
About two hundred of the Pennsylvanians have
left the camp and have come up to the city. Fiji
teen or more left last evening in one of the
steamers for home, sweet home" and we are
Informed that many more will start by the first
opportunity.
In what we have said we have not designed
rejecting upon any officer of the Government in
this city. 1t is The Government that we ain at.
Its agents at this point (the base of all the army
opera,ons) should have been supplied with the
requisite means to furnish quartars, clothing,
provisions and every thing necessary for tho
health and comfort of the noble spirits who pat
rlotlcally embarked in their country's service.
W o. Iropic, Jan, "a.