Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1861-12-20

little less than one-fourth, or 1856, are ex-
cused from duty on account Of sickness CLASH
fed as follows
/. Excused from duty, but on foot and no, wholly
2 Excused from du,y and mostly confined to tent
or in company sick tent, 2i5
3. Excused from duty, and sick Ia Hospital, 29t
Total, ios6
Those Of the first cla" we're complaining
Of colds, ordinary catarrhal affection Of the
mucus membrane of the lungs, throat ant
; head also, diarhoea, rheumatism and som,
I mild forms Of disease, and includes quite
= number Of men who were not of a sound con
/ stitutiou when they entered the service, an,
o owing to their frequent appearance on The
= sick list will soon be discharged from service
In the second class, the diseases are measles,
remittant, iutermttaut and typhoid fevers,
e iaundice. and some other affections Of liver
c and digestive organs.
D ..In the third class the diseases existing
q are typhoid fever typhoid pneumonia jaun-
; dice. rheumatism, dysentery, bronchitis. as a
sequel to measles, very rarely diptheria and
phthisis, and some variety Of diseases of no
very dangerous character. which may. never.
theless, render it best for the subject to be
discharged
On the 29th Of November there were -
from the Vermont brigade IN the various hos
pitfalls in and around Washington, SO of
whom were from the 9th regiment, who are
under the care Of surgeons Of the regular
army and well provided for.
In relation TO the cause Of the diseases, DR..
Phelps says that remittant and intermittant
fevers are common diseases in the region of
Camp Griffin, and might occur in an unaccli-
mated person, however careful Of himself
But the diseases which prove most mortal,
typhoid pneumonia and typhoid fever. have
no necessary connection with the climate of
Virginia, but are Of camp origin, and accom-
panied by a state of profound prostraion Tor
asthenia) shown in the great and persistent
depression Of the pulse, cold skin and other
similar appearances. 1t is this asthenia that
destroys life, more than the local affections
of the bowels, liver or Lungs. As to the
causes which induce this as;henc state, we
Nv should here be stated that the assemhaee Of Hcgi
ments perhaps fifteen in number which composes Camp
Griffin, is only part Of the assenblage Of troops
extending for miles through the region bordering the Po
tomac whom, as Gen. Mcclellan says. no man may
number These have been lying upon the same ground
for weeks and although good deal Of has been
used 70 keep the camps clean disease in
cden 10 camps has arisen The only that can be
given why disease prevails throughout whole range
camps then Is because they have remained stationary
so long The cause is not in the but in the
ated soil, and the silent, contamination OF the
waters and atmosphere. deaihly influence # these
gives 10 all d ease Of whatever asihe form,
and causest u prove mortal far beyond what I'D
cur away from the region Of camps. Upon maxi care
ful survey enabled convince myself that In one
speedy action Of the cause alluded To, and happy
find that my views were endorsed by the proper auhor
Ties to such extent that the regiment moved
very fine location before left"
The particular measures necessary to be /
taken to stay the progress of disease among
the Vermont soldiers, DR.. Phelps reserves
for a subsequent report. He then pays a
fitting compliment to the soldiers officers and
medical staff of the Vermont Regiments, and
says
"The sacred soil is no where occupied by more true
hearted men than the Vermont Regiments However en-
comprised by dangers from foe than the hosts Of
treason however great their fa,igues however deeply
they feel their separation from their own dear the
fond hearts that breathing PRAYER that the God
OF armies may be their protector they faint not but With
cheerful and resolute air. discharge their duties They
fear not the enemy whom they long They suffer
not for good food and in plenty They web shell
tered and having been accustomed 10 the seventies o long
and winters they will endure with comfort the short
and milder winter OF Virginia There many noble
fellows who wish not merely be called men but to bemeR,
70 acquire the physical endurance that much ad-
mire and respect in the soldier and which separates him
so immeasureably from the artificial degeneTatinns of
humanity common in civilized life 70 he soldier.
really deserving the has been the pride
Of citizens Of republics and well II may be So for the
true sodier,one who to bravery add subordnaton,
and TO that physical endurance the result Of proper
tTainiug,-will be a nobemRn though he a simple
button a star, And triple will ennOble
characterization and efeminaey, however much Of
bravery may exist The good soldier must inevitably
be a good citizen"