The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1861-10-18


mand of Col Lord-being fully equipped and
uniformed. ready to be ordered forward 10
the seat of war
These five regiments are composed primer
pally of the mechanics and yeomanry of the
state. and under their educated and expert
enced commanders will, it is believed, form a
Vermont brigade.
On the 9TH of August. / issued commis
sion to Capt +. Weston ir., to raise compa-
ny OF practiced sharp shooters, TO he organ
lied upon the plan of Col H. Berdan. as ap-
proved and authorized by the president and
secretary of war. This company was re-
cruited to the maximum number, and left
West Randolph for Col Berdan's regiment in
the army of the Potomac on the llth Of Sep
tember.
On the 2jth of September issued a COM
mission to Capt H. K. Stoughton TO raise 4
second company of sharp shooters.
These companies have been. or are to be,
armed, uniformed and equipped by the gen
eral government.
! y regiment 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 Capt l..
r. SayeS, of leicester 10 raise 4 squadron of
Cavalry. to form part OF regiment appor-
I finpal ,n,-o..1
: TO be organized, uniformed and equipped by
Cox Sprague of Rhode Island, and lpnom.-
nated the New England Regiment cf Noun
ted Cavalry, This order is subject to the d.
rection of the Legislature.
These several corps are composed of intel-
igent, independent citizenS-volunteers-e
listed for three wears, or during the war and
the alacrity with which they have volunteered
and entered into the service of the country.
is a remarkable and gratifying expression of
the devoted patriotism of our citizens, and
an unmistakable pledge Of tn" loyalty Of YER
mont 10 the government of the nited States
and the cause of the Union.
| should do injustice to nv own feelings.
as well as to the officers and men in service.
should fail to mention the uniform tcsti-
mony which has been communicated To me
of the excellent conduct of cur troops. Those
of them who have been in active service have
been under excellent discipline. and have,
when in posts of danger and fatigue. display
ed coolness, courage and endurance not ex-
celied ny soldiers in the regular army, while
their moral bearing and exemplary deport-
ment has won for them the confidence and
appreciation of their superior officers
| doubt not that The Regiments which have
recently joined them. as well As the one soon
to follow, will do themselves equal credit,
aid prove an honor to the State and the
country.
Il viii be rcco..ec'el that the act @: the ex-
ira session, authorizing the raising Of these
special Regiments is independent Of any
previous organization or statute. The re-
Spon>ibilty of raising, Organizing, uniform
inS armins and equippins them is made the
sole duty of the Governor.
In the absence of any existing military or
ganizat;on, or authorized code. this duty
has been embarrassing and labor;ou>: and
not un.requentiy responsibilities were as
sumed for which no specific authority exist
ed. But in all cases care has been taken TO
conform to the obvious inten. and meaning
OF the act aforesaid.
BY the provision Of this ac.. the term of
service is limited TO two wears, and each non
commissioned officer, musician and private.
is entitled 10 receive from the State Of Ner-
mont seven dollars per month, in addition
to the compensation paid By the United
States.
The reqaisition of the President of the
nited States for troops for three Years, or
during the war, made t expejient and nee
essary to adopt form 0: contract in accord
ance thereto, while al the same time !, VAS
made TO conform TO the provisions of the act
aforesaid as follows: We enlist ard agr,.e
10 serve for the first two years under and
by virtue Of the provisions OF the act If the
Legislature of this State. entitled An act to
provide SIX special Regiments. for immediate
service. for protecting and defending thr
constitution and the lnion.' approved April
20, 1851 and are 10 receive the compensation
therein provided; and for the third year. ur-
der the laws, rules and regulations relating
10 the army of the ni,ed States, and such
further compensation. il anv. as the I.egisa-
tur@ O. the State Of Vermont NAV hereafter
provide"
1t Will be seen. therefore. that should th,.
term Of service be extended 10 the third
year, the soldiers thus serving VII not be
entitled to the seven dollars per month ex-
ira pay, without further Legislative proyiS-
ions. Every consideration OF equity and
justice demands that provision should be
made for placing the several corps of citizen
soldiers upon the same footing in this re-
gard.
Owing to circumstances beyond my con-
troll, II has, until the present time, been I'M
possible to obtain the vouchers necessary for
preparing properly the abstracts to be pre-
sented TO the Treasury Department for The
reimbursement OF expenses incurred by the