Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1861-08-30
FROM THE Sd VI. RECIPIENT.
Correspondence oftAc Vt. Chronicle

CAME LYON, Chain Bridge.
miles aha'o Washington, August II, ls6lS
supi Sc your readers already know where tie
"N Ncrmont Third is located, and what it is doiu,
need net stop to tell that story over again. But
suppose the moral and religious condition IF the
regiment is not as well known.
1 feel il 10 be my duty and privilege TO speak
of this department more particularly. will there
fore give short sketch of what has been done fJr
tie regiment from the beginning.
One Of the first projects that occurred % my
mind was to get up library for the IL of the rt-
gimcut. This library was INTENDED 10 be made up
o. misccliAn iAncous books of all kinds It vas honed
that 10y tempting men To read books Of auv kind
not positively bad, would prevent much evil. To
collect this library, l appealed - individuals To-
contribute books from their lihrarics-useful and
entertaining books also books that were small ia
size that We could carry the largest uu her in
the smallest space To this appeal the friends Of
the regiment rc cToricd most literally and under
standingly-C-pcchIv the citizens of ST. Johns
bury.
But meanwhile it -e,med that the men of tho
regiment would be willing to give something in
money which would secure them some new books,
and some newspapers and periodicals l therefore
asked the comp lnies 20 contribute money, which
they did very readily. With this money large
number OF books have been purchased, besides
subscriptions .os nearly 200 papers and ma 20 zines
- III NttAiFt NCtLIN ava monthly an LaDrF
e be aJle 10 say that the d" Library attracts q
good deal Of interest in the Regiment bv ali ranks
and classes. he chest which the Qul1tlTuastcr
A%-i- % ---i- f-ts tt- t,,s.
tent, and is t0lcrable substitute for bo5k-c5yc
"A luxury VIC have not dared 20 look for in camp
This library, though containing many religious
books, Is altogether distinct from the religious
tracts anu papers which are regularly distributed
to tie Regiment. OF these, l have been aCle %
obtain large supply through the liberal donation
sHl.-
Besides procuring, while IN y cw ork, some 5000
or 10000 pages OF tracts, l subscribed for nearly
1000 copies Of the American Messenger, th.lls
Paper, Tract Journal and Child at Home.
Before leaving Vermont the regiment was full
ly supplied with Testaments-party by the liber-
ality OF individuals partly by direct donation Of
books from the Vermont Bible Society. Wo have
also a supply Of the Songs Of Zion, for Sabbath
service and expect soon to receive supply Of the
soldiers Hymn Book very appropriate little
work published by the Young Mems Christian
Association of New York.
So much for the reading Of the regiment. Now
what is it, Ieii rous condition Ii is decidedly
hopeful. Ii is true a majority Of the regiment are
thought SIS, careless auI profane. But gambling,
both with cards and coppers, which was so alarm
ingly prevalent in Camp Baxter, has, l believe,
utterly disappeared. This is owing mainly to the
fact that the regiment has been kept vigorously
at work since leaving Vermont. Ideness is the
greatest pest OF camp 1ic Tor Il breeds every Oth
er vice. But our library has had something TO do
with this desirable result. Drunkennesshas new
er been giaring evil in our regiment, though
there few incorrisiule cases These, however,
find 1t difficult to get rum, and the penalties so
severe FOR getting drunk, that they are held great
/ ~ in check.
But the hopeful feature Of all is the evident
/ presence Of the Holy Spirit operating both on
/ tho minds of Christians and the unconvertci.-
/ The prayer-meetng held daily in my tent is very
/ interesting and profitable, Christians seem TO be
fully alive to the performance Of their duty, and
here aud there a sinner mes up tremblngly 10
ask prayers and confess his resolve to follow after
/ Christ. Two conversions may now be confidently
| reckoned,-two or three bAckslideIs brought back
70 duty-orc or two who have been secretly induls (
inga hope, resolved to out and confess Christ
openly-and seEcral sinner: snXiously inQuiring
the way Of life.
I could mention many cases in particular, did
| your space allow, but l trust the simple mention
of the fact of these interesting cases will excite
renewed and more earnest prayer for the regi
ment as a whole and for individuals in it. IC
encourage prayer still more, l would add that all
the persons here alluded TO- have been religiously
educated or are the subjects Of prayer by faithful
friends.
God grant that have yet more blessed news t'
give your readers at some future time.
Yours very truly,
". 2. PARMELEE,
Chaplain Sd Vt Ecgt