Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1862-09-30

tents of the regiments which he would never more
command, and the dark line of the parapet which
he would no longer defend. | knew that the
scene, although meant as a kindness, must have
brought him more pam than pleasure.
When the music ceased, Lieut.. Colonel Lull Of
the New Hampshire 9Th, and Major Peck Of the
Connecticut 18th, successfully stepped forward
and made, each on behalf of his own regiment, a
brief farewell address. We did not suppose that
the General would reply. We knew that his hab'
its were averse to speech-making, and that he
could be in no mood for mere exchange OF com
pments But the tall grand form slowly arose
and came forward with exceeding dignity INTO the
exposure of the moonlight, hating with the pre-
cison of the old soldier was surprised, and |
suspect that the General himself must have been
surprised, to find that he was one Of Natures ora
tors With that feeling sincerity Of tone which is
one of the chief charms OF Wendell Phillips, and
with simplicity and manner which rendered his
words douby touching, he spoke, almost sentence
for sentence, as follows:
! "GENTLEMEN-l wish earnestly that ! were
able to reply to you; that had been gifted with
the faculty Of public speaking, so that ! might
make some fitting answer to the kind words which
YOU have addressed to me- so that | might express
my gratitude for the feelings which prompt you
to come here. This is the greatest compliment
ever re eiyed in my lie. Indeed, this is the only
compliment Of the kind | ever received. Lieut.
Colonel Lull traced out TO you, in more tiatterlng
colors than the subject deserved, my military ca
reer and you have observed that It has almost
all been on the frontier, or at small military posts
where would naturally not come in intact with
large s0ciai GATHERINGS, so that | have never been
exposed, even had deserved it, 10 receive come
pments like this which You offer ne Therefore
it is that now wish for the first time that pos.
,essed the gift Of utternce; and | assure you
that desire it solely because | am extremely
grateful for this expression Of your regard
$50 far as the motives which prompted me to
the step which have taken are concerned, 90
not see any reason to regret il. My heart tells
me that under the rcumsances, did right in
resignng my commission. But do regret exceed.
ugly that It's first consequence will be to separate
me from your society. am truly sorry 10 part
with YOU was greatly struck was most ia
voraby impressed your appearance and
bearing and expression when you arrived to reen.
force me at Snip Island. was touched when
thought saw in your looks that you felt your
true posltion-hat YOU realized that you had let
your business aud home to fight in an rXtraordin-
ary Just and holy war-that your souls we're lull
Of the motives which ought to move men who
enter into conflict for country and liberty As
| watched our division review there, WAS more
than ever impressed with this appearance OF NOR
al noblsness. | had seen armies before, but nev-
er such an army as that-never an army which
knew il had come out to fight for the highest
ot,,ia- ,f via f,rt hn If IN
nothing else.
"And here in Louisiana, have seen you grow
ing up 10 be true soldiers. You have borne wor-
thily sickness and exposure. You have carried
your comrades every day 10 the grave and yet
you have not been discouraged, but have been pa
tient and cheerful, and asslduous in your duties
As have watched this, have learned to value
and esteem you and therefore, | am all the more
grateful for the good will which YOU show me.
yet must not believe that this kind feeling
has been aroused solely by what | am personally
1t must come chiefly from the fact that you look
upon me as in some MEASURE the exponent OF
great and Just cause. 1t is because you sympl-
thise more or less with me in my hatred Of Say-
cry. Perhaps some OF you are not yet Of NY
opinion perhaps the past has still strong hold
upon your sentiments. Bat | firmly believe, yes,
have a happy confidence that, before another
year is finished your hearts will all be where mlre
is en- this question. And let me tell YOU that Tins
faith is no small consolation for the trIal of eay-
ng you.
" And now, with earnest wishes iJr Your welfare
and aspira ions for the success OF the great cause
Tor winch you are here, bid YOU goodbye
believe that few Genes of the kind cover so
much earnest, unieigned regret as did this parting
interview. 1t was no empty compliment on the
part OF these fine young fellows who had barely
struggled alive through the sickness OF a louisa.
ma summer, aud who had been encouraged under
1t all by the unostentatlouS hero,m and instructed
by the patient, wise kindness %; The leader who
was about to leave them. Without eXlggenlion,
it was the utterance OF the feelings Of children to.
ward "A good father Rarely do officers and sol
diers so love a general who has had No opportunity
to share with them the dangers OF battle and
crown them with the honots of victory. Even the
prlyales, who seldom had a chance to speak with
their chief, universally regret his departure. We
hanl get the ike OF him again very soon, Is a
remark which have heard quite often lately.
tell YOU that he is one OF the nobesl souls in OUT
whole country. Even men WHO entirely disagree
with Gen Phelps on the policy and necessity o
emancipation, admire him Tor his honesty, and re
spect him for his unselishness, and love him fol
his kindness.
Have We seen the General ?" said an officer o
the Irish 9th Connecticut to me, when first ar
rived. Hes a terrible Aboitonist-lust it'll,
cracked on that point but he's one OF the fones
men that ever lived. Yen loike him as soon a
ye know him ye cant hel p takin' to him. He
Just the kondest-hearted man that ever was. lie
down on US officers sometimes but never on tn
men The men I'D 90 anywhere and fight any
thing for him and SO I'D we.'
Z" / never knew another man so short tim
and learned to love him so much" said an office
of the Connecticut 18th. "As for his policy, it
right. The negroes ought to be liberated, an
ought to be armed. If Gen. Phelps had had ia
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