The daily Green Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1861-1865, 1862-01-02
From the Fourth Vermont Regiment.
CAuP GRIFFIN, Dec. 20, l0O1

YOU IN reg ara 10 thlIRs Ill S"''
tho present opportunity.
Tbe Tonrth Vermont Regiment left the State
under very unpleasant circumstance A.ia.. G..
miliar Herewith, but allow me to assure you
that the consequences have been worry serious 10
tho men of our Regiment They have suffered
from want of clothing, and consequently from
sickness. As they have been exposed 70 anu
against the cool weather ana storms
If Virginia, many Of them have been SICK WIN
sore throat. fever, measles and other diseases
Some have died, others are still SICK, yos on Tue
whole our Regiment IL improving ana our
troubles are fast disappearing. The fourlh 10
gaining reputation superior to any hegmens
IN the Brigade. This is owing to both oihccrs
and men our Regiment was composer %
larger number Of young men than any o'nei
raised in Vermont, and from this tact they nave
been quicker of perception, more reody TO learn
than older men. They have already aequifco
knowledge in drill that does them credit
Our Colonel has by his unceaslng laDor en-
forced thorough military discipline; ne mas a
hy his vigilance and keen perceptions been aple
to eec exactly where the fault has been, ana ~
his kind. considerable, manners ana thoroug"
knowledge of military matters has galneo 'lle
respect. confidence and affection OF the Kegnent'
1t is with pleasure that state this, Tor there ID
no mind more capable of leading the masses
than the mind which has power over ooth heao
and heart with the men strongly attaeheo 10
him and ready to follow wherever nc leads,
have no doubt that we shall serve our country
as fully and ably as soldiers can serve, ana 10
our full share in gaining for her glorious non
orable and lasting peace
Sir, when the first sound Of the drum was
heard in the valleys of Vermont and Its h'iis
echoed the sound, it told us that dlretul mo-
ment was at hand it called upon us to take up
arms for the defense OF the country-a country
whose laws and institutions have gained FL us
the highest respect and position among civilized
nations it called upon us today aside our daily
yocations to take leave of our fathers, mothers,
wives sisters children ard loved ones t. bid adieu
to the blue hills, green mountains, and lovely
valleys of Vermont, and 60 forth to battle for
the Union, for Liberty and Country. 1t brought
to our ears the distant CLARK of letters with
which tyrant was cncirclins our country, and
we rallied around the standard of Vermont and
the Union, fully awakened to the responsibility
of our task and went forth to conquer the enc
NV or die in tho attempt. We lett-your sym
PATTY and prayers followed US We, believe
discharged our duties as we'll as citizcns, sol
ders and freenen of Vermont could discharge
them. When at the expiration Of our term Of
enlistment ne returned, you welcomed us to ou1
homes with joy in your hearts and language
r recompcnse that will never be forgotten.
But the great object of our mission had no
been achieved and felt that Vermont was no
the place to linger When she again sent mel
to tie battlefield, !, with many Of my fellow
soldiers took my place in the ranks, witt
, the same motives, the same intentions, the sam
= object as when first started. am to-day il
, the field soldier and one Of the Fourth Yer
mont
Our country calls for the strong arm, for viz
y orous and manly exertions to vndicate ils in
i suited honor. Tho blood of our choicest men
4 of Ellsworth, Of Lyon, Of Baker, of y hundrc
others, and among them SONS of Vermont, call
: upon us to avenge them-and, sir, believe Inc
e when the time comes. an avengng arm will b
c found in the Fourth Vermont Regiment.
n We are at present in Virginia, the cradle {
Americas greatest man and most beloved Fail
J. or. Two armies occupy its soil in hostile array
and soon the decisive stroke must be gwen. |
10 fields are desolate its houses and homes deserted
burned or otherwise destroyed. The time hs
been-and who shall tell the hour when agai
u the blood of the Unonist and the traitor sha
r, flow IN common over its soil? Will not Il
n spirit of The departed Great arise and spur
from its once prosperous precincts the traitoro,
hand that has caused so much misery? III
winter is come, and with it It's heavy rains ar
e. cold blasts, and when we stand on the adyan
l. post as pickets in the dark. cold and drcal
re night, wet and shIvering ,-watchiul guardia
,e over our sleeping army, and the hcarthstone
e. our country,--well may weremember our home
" and find time for sober thought and contempt
le ton, while we recall the many happy hou
N passed there. AS We think If the valley wi
TO its beautiful cottage and shrubbery, OF the BIZ
smoke curling upwards to the azure sky, Of Il
y music TO which we have listened, the books '
s. have read, the mysteries ct nature we have low
to ponder II our summer rambss when we
Ill member the pleasant smile, the merry laug
u that has SO often welcomed U.S. the peace, ira
u guilty and innocency it has been our fortune
look upon, We deem such homes such EMO
ments well worth battling and suffering for.
er But shall we again cjoY such blessings? s.
of undoubtedly we shall and it is with pain tn
=, state that the distant murmur of doubt u
- fear has reached our ears, and that, too, fro
4 {; our beloved home. To such minds would 50
memory On event in history When tho YOU
Prince, Peter the Great of RUSSIA, resolved
make his people great nation, he thought
~ proper in order to accomplish his object. to
quirc piece of territory by the Baltic Sea-
which to build city, establish commerce a
N. organize navy. The land belonged to Swed
- then powerful nation ruled by Charles XII
'o' young, courageous and energetic king of hi
military reputation, and could only be had
conquest. Peter did not stop long to consid
an but raised an army Of so, 900 men, and decla
war against Sweden. The Swedish king, au
lor as lightning, met HIM with an army of only |