Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1862-10-17

the companies should fehch tue maximum OF one
hundred and one men each An Order was also
issued for new enrolment Of the Militia Of the
State, preparatory to draft on the lst of Sep
tember, should a draft become necessary and |
this Order was accompanied by proposition to
the people of Vermont that, II they should 80
elect they might furnish The quota of the State,
-iorty-cight hundred and nincty-eight by
voluntary action,--town officers and patriotic
citizens raising the quotas Of their respective
towns, in their own way and adjacent towns com
bininE their several quotas in companies OF lOO
aud one men EACH winch companies ON being ten
tered 70 the State authorities, in lieu of drafted
men, would be accepted such, provided a pro-
per Roll accompanied the tender. giving the
names and residences Of the men, aud binding
them by suitable contract TO serve for the period
OF nine months in lieu OF drafted militia and sub
Jcct TO the rules and regulations governing militia
IN the service of the United States. knowing
that the people Of Vermont are proverbia for the
prompt, economical and efficient management OF
/ their affairs. thought it proper 20 make them
such proposition, leaving them to raise the re-
quisitc number of men wholly IN their own way,
not doubling that the business would Dee accom-
plished with system, order aud decurum II Is
well known how promptly they accepted the pro-
position, and that nifty companies, or i've kegi-
ments of nine months volunteers, in lieu OF draf
ted militia, were raised in about thirty days and
that too, after our State, with population Of
about 1900, had furnished about $1,000 three
| years troops for the war. This result is re-
markable demonstration Of the unity, patriotic
enthusiasm ndomitable and unconqucrablc spirit
of a free people, when their country Is impcrilled,
and calls for their services in ITS defence and the
record of their action in this case, will be to their
honor and credit SO long as the page of history
cudures.
1t is true that many pcrplexities had TO be en-
couutered. and difficulties surmountcd, growing
ont of the imperfect returns on which the action
both OF the State authorities aud the people nee
cssary had TO be based, lnasmuch as there posi-
lively was not time TO make thorough corrections
of either former or recent returns. The Report
| OF the Adjutant and lnpector General will dwell
more fully ON these perplexites and difficulties
But the general result is 50 creditahic to the
state. that we may all with caudor aud good feel
in review the ground, aud he satisfied with that
result the very difficulties experienced height
cung its value and effect.
/ About twelve thousand troops have been raised
in the State since October, 1861. The details Of
recruiting, organizing, subsisting, clothing, arm
ing, cquippiug, paying and transporting them,
have been numerous, and productive of many
cares, responsibilities, perplcxities aud embar-
easements
/ Considerable delay has been experienced in
getting the regiments of nine months men into
camp, owing to the inability Of the General Gov
vrnmcnt to furnish the requisite clothing, arms
and camp equppage with despatch, from the fact
that so large a number otfrvsh troops had sudden
lv been called into service ReQuisuons were
early made ON the Quarteunastcr General OF the
army for clothing, arms accoutrements and camp
and garrison cquipagc but in place of clothing
the materials therefor were sent forward, with the
request the Quarcrmastcr General OF the State
should contract for the making OF the clothing in
| the State, for which certain specific prices would
| be- paid 10y the General Government. he tents
ordered could not be supplied aud therefore the
General Government directed barracks .o be cree
ted, and sent an agent into the State who cOntrac
ted with certain parties to build them, ngrecaby
to specifications furnished 10y him. The original
design of having the five Regiments remain a
while together IN camp in the state, was modified
/ by subsequent events, and the State authorities
were requested to send them forward a regiment
at time, at the earliest practicable moment. Ac-
cordingly, one regiment has been forwarded and
the remaining four will be sent as eNpediuously as
they be prepared for marching orders.
The rank and file of the Twelfth Regiment,
which is composed OF companies OF the Uniform
ed Militia are, by an Act entitled "An Act pro-
yiding pay for the Uniformed Militia approved
April rs, 1851 clearly entitled to the state pay
of seven dollars per month, iu addition to their
United States pay, while I'm active Srrgice.' But
there is, perhaps, room for doubt, whether the
soldiers Of the other four Regiments of Militia
are, rare not entitled to seven dollars per month
from the State. IN addition to the United States
pay | respectfully suggest that the doubt should
be Immediately and clearly soyedby somc definite
action OF the Legislature Perhaps the Act ent-
tied IAN Act providing pay for certain soldiers,
and in relation to the support OF families OF Vol
unteers,N approved Nov 20, 1861, does secure
tine payment of seven dollars per month to these
troops; but it would be well for the legislature
10 make some specific declaration in this cgard
la accordance with the directions ol aa Act en-
titled IAN Act TO appoint Commissioners TO adj
just and settle certain outstanding claims for cx-
penditurcs for military PURPOSES approved Nov
, ~, 1861, and of an Act entitled AN Act provid
ing for the immediate settlement and allowance o.
I claims in favor OF this State against the Unite,
States approved Nov. ~, 1861, ! appointed
@ Hon. f. + Woodbridge, Hon. Geo +. Edmunds
e and Col Geo A. Merrill, a Board OF Comnis
p slouers with instructions to carry out tine purpos
S Is contemplated By these two Acts Early IL
q December last, the Commissioners gave motto,
OF times and places for tho presentation aud al
justnent Of such claims For each claim allowed
the Commissioners gave certificate Indicating
the amount thereof, and 10 whom payable; fol
which, ON presentation, an order was drawn b'
me, on the Treasurer OF the State IN favor o
such claimant. The aggregate amount OF thu
claims so allowed was go ,09l 81
l. The Commissioners also made up the account o
moneys expended by my predecessor n raising
organizing, subslsting clothing, arming, equip
ping and transporting troops for service uude
the United States, providing and arranging
all necessary vouchers therefor, and causing suc
!. vouchers to be recorded at length in books pre-
r pared for that purpose, which was aiterward
. lodged in the office Of Secretary Of State Tn
= Commissioner, subsequently proceeded to Wash
: ington, and presented the accounts and voucher
r To the Department of the Treasury for adjust
+ ment and allowance.
In October, 1861, | appointed Board of Med
e zeal Examiners, for the examination of candidate
/ for the office of Surgeons Of Regiments consist
+ ing of Samuel w. Thayer, Jr. NJ D., + Ward +
v Phelps NJ. D., and Charles Allen. NJ d., VIII,
# have attended faithfully to the duties of their ap
n pointment.
20 Agreeably to the Act entitled AN Act in rela
, ton to supplies Of Volunteers approved Nov
/ q, 1861, directing the Governor, under certain
r conditions, TO supply the volunteers from thi
a State, in the service Of the L. States, from tim
10 time, their circumstances require, with cloth
+ ing, tents, camp cquipage, provisions, medicines
$ and all articles required in the medical depart
v ment,N authorized the Quartemaster Genera
n 10 furnish rubber blankets, whenever needed b.
# our troops, new tents for the Third Regiment
+ which were much needed and medicines and med
p zeal stores for the Vermont Brigade, which wa
+ suffering from sickness in camp near the Potomac
+ statement OF the expenses of these supplies ap
d pears in the appendix to this communication.
also appointed Edward f. Phelps. NJ. ID.
d State Medical Commissioner TO visit ia
e Vermont Brigade during the late autumn AN,