The daily Green Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1861-1865, 1861-07-23
nlislellollD.
Army Chaplains.

The following npon subject that Is excl
ting some interest at the present time is
from the pen OF New York correspondent
of the Boston Journal:
Il am in daily receipt Of inquiries about
the position, uniform and pay of Chaplalns.
I am induced to make q statement in 1he
| Jourua! boih to benefit those who need the
information and to interest tho general read
er. The Colonel of each Regiment appoints
the Chaplain with the consent Of the Board
of Officers of the field staff and line. The
rank and pay Of Chaplain is that of a
Captain But he does not wear the Uniform
nor badge of Captain. He has only the
rank and pay.
1t has long been customary to appoint to
the office OF Chaplain in New York and
commission men, not ouly who are not cler-
gymen, but men who do not even profess to
be relieious-bankers brokers' rum Sellers
profane men, drinking and gambling men
hold rank as Chapans These men gene,
rally put on the uniform of q Captain, and
are so called. So fine Regiment the list
New York State Militia has COMMISSIONED
Chaplain who is not clergyman; but an
other man conducts service
Some clergymeu recently appointed, aping
those bogus Chaplains,' as they are called
here, have come out with the full rig OF
CAPTAIN. have seen some and heard 'hem
sneak in the Fulton street meeting IN 1ui
uniform and Regmentas. And some 0
them have astonished their friends by calling
on them in not only full uniform, but witt
sword and pistols in their belts. ~,
The folly of all this is manifest lh'
} simple garb of an army Chaplain is Ian
suit of black-siDgle breasted coat huttohe'
Nd to the throat, black velvet stripe on tn
outside of the pants, at the wearer's optlon,
y small dress sword, white gloves and blacl
fatigue cap, with gold marrow band !
such a garb he is recognized and respectc
az a Minister OF the Gospel. In the othe
garb he is regarded as member OF the sta1
and qaitc as likely to be asked to play ca'd
and take drnl, as anything else
In most Regiments it is quite dlihcoii -,
) hold any service but on the Sabbath. In
men are kept quite close to work all the day
The want Of place to hold meetings an
the fact that the men usually want the tin
, from dress parade to the revelle Tor recrei
l., ton make the matter oi service quite DIN
emit, But IN case any service IS held durln
$ the week, the officers Of the Regiment al
usually very willing to aid and render seF7l(
to carry on the meetings. ,
- The pay Of a Chaplain is that OF Cal
tain. Si5O per monitor by the recent u
cision Of the War Department, the pay oE
7 cavalry captain, which is $50, three FatioL
dav valued at thirty-three cents each'
month for a. a.servant if he really has on
which will cost the Chaplain $40 month
~ ,or9o valued at SO . month, ii he has
horso. which is about onc.half the keeping
the horse will cost. But the morse and ira
ninrs, which will cost from $3.50 TO Soo
The Ohaplaiu must furnish himself but
lost in tic service, lie will be paid for by t!
Cover, ment-perhaps-at the cad ct i,
war; All else, including clothing &c'
ar must buy himself. Ia somo Regiments
-. ChanlaiY on Sunday mus. get the men
oetber as best ne can. In others the 90!
5el does not dismiss the Sunday, a. NJ
sneetion till after Divine service. All t
services must be short. A sermoa from
- - fifteen minutes is all that is expected.
short hymn and prayer, with portion OF
NJ Word Of God, is usually the order
,er It will be seen that the pay OF Chapl'
de- ;s small, and for the encouragement of N
'''' about to enlist for the war, Congress mas u