Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1862-06-19
Vermont versu. .Old virginia"


EDITORS RUTLAND HERALD:
My only apology for addressing you is TINS
] am Vermonter, Though circumstances
have for time placed me on "Old Virginia
soil, | am Vermonter still. l have nearly
all my life lived in Vermont. / loved 1t
when | was there--I love it more now
There was born-there would wish TO die,
and rest upon those green hills, more dear 10
me than all the world beside. Your paper
was once welcomed weekly visitor. l am
deprived of that privilege now, as well as
many others which Vermont would bestow
and Virginia does not. did not know how
to prize my privileges there,--indeed l did
not know what did enjoy. In memory and
hope consists our present life. think am
living to-day in memory, for my mind reverts
back to those scenes and events / have wit
messed in the valley of Otter Creek to your
own beautiful Village,-even the signs over
your doors | can at this moment see ito
that model town OF Pittsford, just above you,
where have spent some happy days TO
old Mddlebury, and that bill where stands
my Alma Mater TO my classmates, two OF
whom sleep, though not twelve-month has
elapsed since We paced those halls together.
Please give my love and good shake OF the
hand to those who remain, and say you have
heard from Strep." There is 4" Abe, and
But" and "Don," and " Perdix," and
I" Phil" and Tom," and "Zack," and "Ez."
"Ez learn has apostdtized. We thought
| he would; he did not seem to be firm in the
faith during the last of our college days. All
these things rush into my mind to-day, but l
cannot dwell upon them; they are more
| thnu % / rs r.
haps it might not be uninterestng to your
readers to note the contrast between their
own State and Western Virginia. Though
it may not have the special interest that it
had one year ago, when Wise and his ma
rauding bands had possession of great part
of it, yet it may be well for those Vermonters
who are disposed to complain of their situa-
ton, to compare it with the situation of the
Union people of this place one yeai ago, and
now, even, and be thankful that their lot "has
fallen to them in such pleasant places"
Point Pleasant one year ago was in a state
of terror. People could not retire at night
without fearing that betole the morning
dawned their town would be fired and the
citizens murdered. AT one time there we're
but six left in the place. Wise was few
miles above, ready to pour out his fury upon
them at the first opportunity. Situated upon
the Ohio, at the mouth of the Great Kanwha
it was very desirable place for them to have
in their possession, as they wonld thus have
whole Kanawha valley between this place
and Charleston, place about sixty miles up
the river. A regiment of men was thrown
in here and rescued the place from their
hands. The inhabitants returned, but have
been living in constant fear ever since. They
were for long time in fear of Wise, and
when he was driven away guerrillas were
substituted.
Several things combine to make this place
anfobject of rebel levenge,--its situation at
the junction of the two rivers,-its being a
general depot for the eommissary stores of the
Mountain Department, there being several
hundred thousand dollars worth kept at this
place,-the strong Union feeling that prevails
J here, and branch of the Wheeling bank
, This latter suppose is not much an OBJ
ject of revenge as love flor what is not their
own) believe however il Is looked upon
in different lights by the two worthless, Davis
and Gov. Letch er, as understand Davis has
, | proclaimed that its notes shall not pass cur.
), rent in Eastern Virginia and Gov. Letchel
has offered guerrilla party that is running
, over the country near the place, a reward
to rob it. We trust they and he will soor
9 reap their REGARD and they doubtless will i
it is a good year for hemp and /" things"
there was no fear of being molested, societ,
; is in deplorable condition The harmony
that before existed is broken. About ont
half of the people are Union,-the othsl
hat are rebels at heart These are those
3 who who profess to be loyal, but are not, bu
r whose mouths are stopped. Families are d.
| dvlvied, schools are stopped, and public wor
ship is among the things that were. The
churches OF all denominations have been con
$ verified into barracks. Houses are not con
, sidered safe at night, though every entrance
to the town is guarded. Guards are ordt Re {
not 10 let people pass in or out of town a
night without giving an account of them
r selves, and they assume the authority not t
let full grown chicken pass the guard anC
what is singular fact, nearly all the chick
ems IN town have tried it and lost their live,
they say, too, if mans pig bites then
! they will kill it."
Everything has to submit to military au
thority. l must say, however, that there
have been more tyrannical usurpations than
| this even. This is the state of things in
E Western Virginia towns.
l do not speak OF 1t 20 being anything il
comparison with tie state OF affairs in some
portions o. the South. This is merely On the
. esuge Of trouble, yet when contrasted with ole
:. Vermont it may be called trouble indeed
where your society is all harmonious, if pos
sible more so than ever; your homes ar,
a safe; your families are all of one heart an,
mind; your slumbers are not disturbed a
night by fear from marauding bands; you
s;tools are prosperous your churches ar
temples for the worship Of God and not bar
racks for soldiers. Close the churches i
,e Vermont and how loug would Sabbath day
e seem such, how soon would vice begin to sho
e itself yet SO it is here. Stop your publ
,e schools and how soon would ignorance pre-
vail vet IL ia On hare