The daily Green Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1861-1865, 1861-10-23
GREEN MOUNTAIN FREEMAN, OCT, %, 1861.
Response of Gov. FAN banks.

ACSPUuoo VI wv / Oil UA1Aos
The following response of Gov. Fairbanks to
a recent resolution Of the Senate, will explain
itself, and the resolution which called it forth
EXECUTIVE CHAMBER,
Montpelier, Oct. DIST, 1861.
To the Hon. LEVI UNDERWOOD,
President Of The Senate,
SIR In response to resolution adopted by
the Senate October 18th. | have the honor to
state, that the arms furnished to the Fifth Reg
ment Vermont Volunteers, before it left the
State, We're the United States ritied muskets
which had been used by the First Regiment,
which was detailed for three months service
The number of rifles being inadequate for the
supply of the Fifth, made requsition upon
the War Department for $50 rifles, to supply
the deficiency to which the Assistant Secretary
of War replied Sept. 3d. saying, I'VE will
supply your troops with the arms needed, on
their arrival in this city, Meantime Il letter
was received by the Hon d. A. SlnalIey. from
Gen. Ripley of the Ordnance Department, da-
ted Sept. Goth, as follows -" Having received
u requistion from Governor Fairbanks. $50 RI
file muskcts have been ordered to be forwarded
Col. Henry A. Smalley, Burlington, VT Up
superintendent at Springfield, requesting that
the rifles might not DO sent to Burlington, as
Col. Smallcy had been ordered forward with his
Regiment, and that the arms would reach him
at Washington.
communicated copies Of this correspondence
to COL Smallcy, October 18th, saying to him.
% if any thing is neglected which should be fur
nished by the State, | hope | may be informed
OF it; and having received no further infor-
nation. | had reason to believe that the arms
had been received.
On receiving information, on the 18th instant
from other sources, that the Regiment had not
received them, Immediately renewed the req
ulstlon upon the Ordinance Department, and
have despatched special messenger with in
structions to procure the rifles either at Spring.
field OF Washington. and ensure their delivery.
In reply to the enquiry of the Senate. " whett-
err the Fourth and Fifth Regimcntsare now fully
Supplied with proper equipments, uniforms and
clothing OF every description, including over
coats submit tho following statement from
ten. Geo. +. Davis, who was entrusted with
the duty Of purchasing and furnishing the uni
forms, equipments tents and camp cquipage Cor
these Regiments. lie says -
"Ihc entire outfit for clothing for tie Fourth
and Fifth Regiments. not delivered to them at
camp III this state, were forwarded from Boston
and Rutland. to the care Of Fairbanks 4 Co..
lS9 Broadway. New York. on or before the 4th
instant, with the exception Of 200 infantry
coats, and 300 oycrcoats. which were t. be for
"arded by express on the Sth. The above SEQ
ovcrcoars were forwarded from Rutland at the
time above stated.
have reason to believe that the goods were
not forwarded from Boston and Rutland a: ear
y as Gen. Davis expected.
A letter from Messrs Fairbanks e. Co.,. dated
the 18th of October, i'll reply to my enquiry
As to the causes Of delay. states as follows
" The reason why the clothing has not all
been received by the Regiments, IL. that it ha.
lot been furnished by the manufacturers. We |
nave forwarded two or three lots this week.
which came from Rutland and Boston, and to- |
lay (Oct. lS) we have received three large cases
rom the latter place, which we shall forward |
~ Express a. others lave been.
\ letter from j. Halscy Cushman. Quarter
master Of the 18th Rcgimcnt, dated Oct. l7th |
% Fairbanks 4 Co., saws 4" All goods for
Sardcd by YOU, Of which | have had notice,
ave been received, except three boxes which |
im waiting for" He speaks aleo Of clothing
icing received for the 5th Regiment.
1t does not appear that there has been any
neglect to forward the clothing from New York |
IS fast as it has been received there, nor that |
here has been any unusual detention of tic
goods in their transit between New York and |
" ashngton but they have not been forwarded |
y the manufacturers as was expected and stat
d by Gen. Davis.
| am therefore unable to inform the Senate
whether the 18th and 9th Regiments arc now
uily supplied with equipments, uniforms and
lothing of every description though it il not
Improbable that the packages which rcachc!
New York on the 18th inst were the last to he |
cnt, and that at the present time all the art.
les may have been received.
ERASTys FAIRBANKS