Lamoille newsdealer. [volume] (Hyde Park, Vt.) 1860-1877, 1861-10-18


horized Capt Z. R. Sayles, of Leicester, !
o raise squadron of cavalry, to form a
'art of regiment apportioned to the sew
,ral New England States, to be organized,
Uniformed and equipped by Gov. Sprague
If Rhode Island, and denominated the
New England regiment of Mounted Cav l.
airy. This order is subject to the direc-
tion Of the Legislature.
These several corps are composed of in
telligent, independent citizens--volun-
teers-enlisted for three years, or during
the war; and the alacrity with which
they have volunteered and enterd into the
service Of the country, is remarkable
and gratifying expression of the devoted
patriotism Of our citizens, and an unmis-
taxable pledge of the loyalty Of Vermont
to the government of the United States
and the cause of the Union.
I should do injustice to my own feel
ings as well as to the officers and men in
service, should fail to mention the uni
form testimony which has been communi-
Gated to me of the excellent conduct of our
troops Those of them who have been in
active service have been under excellent
discipline, and have, when in posts of dan
ger and fatigue, displayed a coolness,
courage and endurance not excelled by
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. ~
l doubt not that the Regiments which
have recently joined them, as well as the
one soon to follow, will do themselves
equal, and prove an honor to the State
and the country. "
1t will be recollected that the act Of
the extra session, authorizing the rails,
ing of these special Regiments, is indie.
pendent of any previous organization OF
statute. The responsibility of raising
organizing, uniforming, arming and equip
ping them is made the sole duty of the
Governor. G 6
In the absence of any existing military
organization, OF authorized code, this du
ty has been embarrassing and laborious
and not unfrequently responsibilities were
assumed for which no specific authority
existed. But in all cases care has beer
taken to conform to the obvious intent anc
meaning of the act aforesaid.
By the provision of this act, the tern
of service is limited to two years, and eacl
non commissioned officer, musician an(
private, is entitled to receive from th'
State of Vermont seven dollars per month
in addition to the compensation paid by
the United States. .ia a
The requisition of the president of tn
United States for troops for three years
or during the war, made in expedient ant
necessary to adopt a form of contract il
accordance thereto, while at the same tim
it was made to conform to the provision
of the act aforesaid, as follows -" W
enlist and agree to serve for the first tw
years, under and by virtue of the provis
ions of the act of the Legislature of thi
State, entitled an act to provide for rails
ing six special Regiments, for immediat
, service, for protecting and defending tn
constitution and Union approved Apri
26, 1861, and are to receive the compens
alton therein provided and for the thir
year, under the laws, rules and regulation
to the army of the United States, an
such compensation, if any, as the Legis
lature of the State of Vermont may here
after provide ,tea8 lssa
At will be seen, therefore, that shoul
the term of service be extended to th
third year, the soldiers thus serving wi
not be entitled to the seven dollars pc
, month extra pay, without further Legi'
, lative provisions. Every cnsideration
equity and justice demands that provisio
} should be made for placing the sever
3 corps of citizen soldiers upon the SAN
l footing in this regard iie5b Hd
+. Owing to circumstances beyond my col
Q troll, it has, until the present time, bee
impossible to obtain the vouchers nece'
sary for preparing properly the abstract
Q to be presented to the Treasury Depar
ment for the reimbursement Of expense