Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1861-10-18
THE THIRD REGlRENT---lTS CONDITION AND
WANTS,

great interest in the Vermont Sd, and
that whatever effects the welfare of this
regiment intimately interests large
share of the readers of the CdledOniaa.
The reason is obvious: four of the ten
companies were recruited in the three
northern counties Of Caledonia, Orleans,
and Essex. and they were all in the camp
in this place a month or six weeks be-
fore they LETT for the seat of war. So
most of those who read this article have
some friends in the Sd regiment, or feel
interested in the boys from personal ac-
quaintance. II is TO such persons that
we want to talk.
We have had the pleasure within few
days of meeting several persons who
have been at Camp Advance and remain
ed there several days, and whose oppor-
tunities Of seeing the boys and knowing
their condition, both physically and NOR
ally, have been most ample. From these
gentlemen we learn-what all will be
glad TO hear-that the Vermont Sd is a
model regiment so far as discipline and
correct department are concerned; that
they have earned and hare the reputation
OF being the best regiment of volunteers
in the field, and that they have received
the highest concentrations from their Of
ficers and from Brigadier Gen. Smith.
As an instance in point which shows the
esteem in which our boys are held, it is
said that at the unfortunate affair at Falls
Church when the federal troops were
firing into each other, and when whole
regiments were breaking ranks and re-
treating to camp in semi-panic, General
Smith came riding up and made an en-
qury, to which the officer n command,
misunderstanding replied, pointing to our
boys who stood as firm and composed as
if upon parade, Here, sir, is the Ver-
mont Third" "The Vermont Third"
Numbered the General, " I att0ays AnOU
echere to find hat,"
The fact, however, of the value and
reliability of the Sd has operated some
what against the boys. They have been
almost literally worked to death. They
have built forts, cut down forests, con-
structed roads and bridges, gone on skir-
mishing expeditions, and fought the reb-
els generally, until there are but five
hundred men in the whole regiment ca
pable of bearing arms, and those five
hundred are sorry lot of soldiers. We
do not mean that they regret they have
taken up arms to serve their country, but
that they have been so overworked and
abused that they have lost all their for
mer elasticity, and nearly all their ambi-
ton. Yet we are told that there remains
the same willing spirit that actuated them
from the first. They go to their task
with a determination almost desperation)
that seems to say If needs be, | can do
this work, though hard | can expose
my life on picket guard, or in the DEATH
damp of my tent with single blanket
to cover me, if my country demands the
sacrifice.
But does the country demand such
sacrifice? We doubt it. But this brings
Us to the wants of the Sd. First, they
want a General who will realize that
soldiers have a mortal body. Next in
Importance, they each want another good
blanket The nights are already very
lamp and cold-what will they be six
weeks hence? The fogs of the Potomac
ire killing mJre of Smiths brigade than
he rebels are. Still there have been but
ew deaths as yet, but the seeds of death
IRE there, as the hollow cough and thin
aces fully demonstrate and IN three,
TX, and twelve months viii come the
harvest. Besides blankets, the soldiers
want bed-quits, feelings, undershirts,
lrawers, handkerchiefs, towels, and many
,ther things which the government can
lot or will not furnish at present, but
,Lich must come, if at all, from the
riends at home.
We believe the patriotic people of
'ermont need but to know the wants of
heir sons at the seat of war TO move in
bis matter. Let there be concert of
cton and system in this and there can
e much suffering alleviated and many
ives saved. There is scarcely a house
n the State but from which a blanket, a
ed-quilt, or pair OF socks, or all OF
Ilese articles could be spared. Let the
chool districts be thoroughly canvassed,
nd make a personal matter Of it, and see
, it that our soldier boys are taken care
E. Caled0nian.
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