The daily Green Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1861-1865, 1862-09-27

! 9Th New Hampshire and 18th Connecticut regi
ments, the only ones in the immediate vicinity:
The interview mad been concerted, without th
/ knowledge of the General, by the officers Of th,
/ New Hampshire Sth and the Connecticut 18th
| which, in consequence of certain late military
movements, were Yesterday the only regiments il
! the immediate vicinity. At O'Clock they march
, ed up to his quarters, preceded by the band o
| the 9th Connecticut. A semici"ce was formed ii
front of the rude bower Of poles and rushes which
| partially protects the door of the tent from the
teverish sun of Louisiana. Two or three natona
and marital airs succeeded each other. | could
but family discern the tall form and irongrey
beard, and grave, thoughtful countenance OF the
General as he sat silent and motione :, hidden by
the bower from the moonbeams which lighted up
the faces of the officers and the fast gathering sol
diers. He could see ", and behind US the white
tents of the regiments which he would never more
command, and the dark line o! the parapet which
he would no longer defend. | knew that the
scene. although meant as kindness, must have
brough him more pam than pleasure.
When the music ceased, Lieut.. Colonel Luli OF
the New Hampshire 9Th, and Major Peck of the
Connecticut 18th, successfully stepped forward
and made, each % behalf of his own regiment, a
brie! farewell address. We did not suppose that
the General would reply. We knew that his hab-
It's were averse to speech making, and that he
could be IN no mood for mere exchange Of COM
pliments. But the tall, grand form slowly arose
and came forward with exceeding dignity into the
exposure Of the moonlight, hating with the pre-
cislon Of the old soldier. | was surprised, and
suspect that the General himself must have been
surprised, to find that he 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 doubIy touching, he spoke, almost sentence
for sentence, as follows
"GENTLEMEN--I 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 20 the kind words which
you have addressed to me, 30 that might express
my gratitude for the feelings which prompt you
to come here. This is the greatest compliment |
ever received in my life. indeed this Is the only
compliment of the kind ever received. Lieut..
Colonel Lull traced out TO you, IN more tiattering
Colors than be >ubject deserved, my military Ca
reer and YOU nave observed that II has almost
all been on the frontier, or at small military posts,
where would naturally not come in intact with
large social gatherln.s so that have never been
exposed, even had deserved it, TO receive come
phmen,s like this which YOU offer me- Therefore
it is that now wish for the frs. time that pos
seSsed the gift of utterance; and | assure you
that desreit solely because | am extremely
grateful for this expression OF your regard.
I" So 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 tcIs
me that under the rCumStances, did right in
resigning my commission. But do regret exceed
ingly that its first consequence will be to separate
me from your society. am truly sorry to part
with you. | was greatly struck was most IA
vorably impreased-with your appearance and
bearing and expression when you arrived to reen-
force me at Ship Island. | was touched when |
thought | saw in your looks tina, you felt your
true poston-that YOU realized that you had lett
your business and home TO fight in an extraordin-
ary just and holy war-that your souls were full
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 nobl9neSs. had seen armies before, but new
er such an army as that-never an army which
knew it had come odt to fight for the highest
principles Of right-for the good of humanity and
nothing else.
"And here III Louisiana, have seen YOU grow
ing up TO be true soldiers. You have borne wor.
thily ckness and exposure. You have carried
your comrades every Gay to the grave and yet
you have not been discouraged, but have been pa
tent 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 bV 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 sympa-
thSe more or less with me in my hatred OF Say.
cry. Perhaps some OF you are not yet of my
opinion perhaps the past has still strong hold
upon your sentiments. But firmly believe, yes,
have happy confidence that, before another
year is finished your hearts will all be where niue
is on this question. And let me tell you that this
faith is no small consolation for the trial of leav-
ng you.
"And now, with earnest wishes for your welfare,
and aspira ions for the success Of the great cause
for which you are here, bid you goodbye"
l believe that few scenes of the kind cover SO
much earnest, unfeigned regret as did this parting
interview. 1t was no empty compliment on the
part OF these fine young fellows who had barely
ma summer, and who had been encouraged under
it all by the unostentatious herolsm, and instructed
by the patient, wise kindness of the leader who
was about to leave them. Without exaggeration,
it the utterance of the feelings of children to-
ward good father. Rarely do officers and SOL
diers so love general who has had no opportunity
TO share with them the dangers of battle and
crown them with the honors of victory. Even the
prun tap uhn hnl nho .,,,L