Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1861-10-18
Ube 4tree Nreaa
BCWLENC CTON:
FRIDAY MORNING. OCT. I5. IsCl.
GOV. FAIRBhNks, ADDRESS.
Tbs Honorable hhe GRc-2l Assembly
Of n. sal Il ITmonk;
BURLINGTON

GENTLEMEN The extraordinary events Of
the present year.-the critical condition Of
the country, and the very responsible and
difficult duties assigned to the Executive.
under the provisions of the acts Of the late
extra session Of tho Legislature, furnish a
sufficient reason why l should depart from
the usual custom in retiring from the Exec
utIVe Cihcc, and communicate briefly in an
address To the General Assembly, the trans
actions Of the past few months, and espe
cially those pertaining to the organization and
equipment of the troops for the service Of the
United States.
Immediately alter the passage Of the act
Of April Goth, providing fyr " the appoint
ment Of Regimental and Field officers" the
lst Regiment was detailed from the Uniform
Militia for three months service under the
requisition of the President Of the United
States. and on the "a day OF May, mustered
at Rutland
This Regiment, under it's accomplished
commander, Col Phelps, did important ser
vice at Newport News, and was honorably
mustered out Of tho service of the United
States at Brattleboro' on the 18th Of August.
On the 7th Of May orders were issued for
recruiting the ID and Sd Regiments Of Vol
unteers, under the provisions of the act Of
April 26th, entitled /" an act 10 provide for
raising SIX special Regiments
These were filled with great despatch and
mustered at Burlington and s.. J0hnsbury
early in June.
The second Regiment, under Col. Whit
ing, left Burlington for Washington City,
June Oath
The third Regiment was ordered forward
by the Secretary of War July 18th, and left
ST. JohnsbuTy under the command of Colon
el-now BligadIer General-Smith. July
24th.
On the sixth Of August, commissions were
issued for raising the fourth and fifth Regi
ments Of Volunteers, which were filed near
ly or quite 70 the maximum number OF
l046 men each, and mustered at Brattle
boro' ana St Adams, Sept. l2th-li'h.
The fourth, under Col. Stoughton, left
Brattleboro' for Washington City, Sept.
2l5t, and the 9Th, under Col. Smallcy, left
St. Albans Sept. Z3d.
These several Regiments have been uni
formed and equipped, furnished VITA army
wagons and horses, ana armed with Rife
huskets at the expense Of the State.
On the 18th OF September recruiting ofi
Gers were appointed for raising the sixth
Regiment OF Volunteers, which was filed
win great Iromptitude, and mustered at
Montpelier tie first week in October, under
the command OF Col, Lord-being fully
equipped and uniformed. ready to be ordered
forward TO the seat Of war.
These five Regiments are composed prin-
cIpally of the mechanics and yeomanry Of
tbe State, and under their educated and ex-
perienced commanders, viii, it Is believed
form Vermont Brigade.
On the seventh Of August, l issued a
commission to Capt. T. Weston, Jr., to raise
company Of practiced Sharp Shooters, to
be organized upon the plan Of Col. Il. Ber-
dan las approved and authorized by the Pres-
dent and Secretary Of War.
This company was recruited TO the MAXI
mum number, and left West Randolph for
Col. Berdan's Regiment in tho army Of the
Potomac. on the 18th of September.
On the 25th OF September, | issued 4 COM
mission to Cspt. II. II. Stoughton, to raise a
second company of Sharp Shooters.
These companies have been, or are TO be,
armed, uniformed, and equipped by the
General Government.
Regim mt of mounted cavalry has been
raised by voluntary enlistment under a COM
mission issued by the Secretary of War, TO
Col L. b. Platt.
have authorized Captain /. Il.
Sayles of Leicester 70 raise a squadron OF
Cavalry 10 form part OF Regiment ap.
portioned to the several New England States
to be organized, uniformed and equipped by
Gov. Sprague OF Rhode Island, to be demon.
mated the New England Regiment of Mount.
ed Cavalry. This order is subject to the
direction of the Legislature.
4
ligent, irdependent citizens-yoluntoers-
enlisted for three years or during the war
and the alacrity with which they have vol
unteered and entered into tho service Of tn
Country is L remarkable and gratifying
expression Of the devoted patriotism of ou
citizens, and an unmistakable pledge Of th
loyalty of Vermont TO the Government o
the United States aud the cause OF th
Union.
should DO injustice TO my Own feelings
as well as 20 the officers and men in servic
should iaIl 20 menti n the uniform testi
mcny, whlch has been communicated 20 me
OF the excellent conduct Of cur troops
Those OF them tbat have boen in actlv
service have been under excellent Discipline
ard have, when IN posts Of danger au,
fatigue, di,p.ayeI a. csolnczs, courage an,
endurance. io- cAtti4cu DN t0ldiCTS 10 th
regular arHv. wLi'- their moral bearing an
exemplary department has won for them tn
confidence aud probation Of their super,o
ulhccr2
doubt nos il-I Ghe Regiments which hav
recently Joined them, Is well as the one 500
to follow, viii 10 themselves cgual eIodi
and nFoyo an honor to the State and tn
Country.
IL s~iI be recollected that the act of I'll
Extra Session, authorizing the raising
taese special Regiments, is Independent {
IL L. c&n