Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1862-03-13
OUR ARMY CORRESPONDENCE.


HgArouARrERs % VT Vol
Camp Griffin, Va, March 7Ih, 1862.
DEAR HERALD 1T 10 we'll known that
for the first few weeks after leaving Vermont
the 81 Regiment was much Dissatisfied with
its commanding officer. Unused as all we're
to the strict discipline Of military life, and
accustomed to do and say what zoe thought
best, it is not strange we thought our duties
irksome. and the officer who insisted on their
being faithfully performed hard master and
even 'yrannical. But time and experience
have taught us that we must part wi h much
of our freedom and many of our privileges TO
render us efficient as soldiers. Now we re-
gard our duties as necessary and cur officers
with respect and love. It's common re-
mark among the privates of the Regiment,
1--WE would not exchange our feel Ulcers
for any in the service; and yeste'dly they
publicly showed their regard for Col. Whit
ting by presenting him with an elegant sword,
sash, belt, saddle and horse equipments, the
expense Of which was four hundred dollars
The Regiment 70 med by division in front of
the Colonies quarters al nine O'clock, when
Eernon d. Rood, private of Company II,
made the folIosing rtmMks:
Col. WHITING:
Sir:-Those tokens which
now OF in my hand Az. about to Pr,
sent 10 you in behalf Of tie privates at SO1r
rceiment. IIsvino the houor TO ppriorm ,hi-
| jiule ia k which Aff rr'ls me 80 much plea, urp,
| (heiUg appointed by the committee chosen
from the respective companies of the rcgi-
ment) shall be as brief as 90 sbIe, know
| ing that these emblems in themselves are sut.
fcient to show unto on the kinI regard aud
high appreciation we have for GU as our
commander.
You have been relieved from your aruous
duties for short time by being permitted to
visit friends with whom on have been sccus
10 ned to associate in bveone days. | trust
many pleasant interview and happy hour
have been spent by sou during this ABSENCE,
and row We make glad our return by pre-.
senting to you this sword, s,sh, belr, and al
so the horse 'qmpmen's | assure you that
we do not present you with these merely be-
cause 1t is customary 10 make like presenta-
tons among all regiments, but that we all
might in mple manner snow 10 YOU that
the Kindness you have ever manifested To-
wards u is duly rocirroca;ed.
Take them, use them TO the best of your
ability; and in the many Conf'c's which
DOUBTLESS We shall have chance to p irti,i-
| pate largely IN may they serve to buoy up
| your spirits, feeling that the generous donors
are those OF your own command, the sturdy
sons OF the 10, al Green Mountain State, and
| the offspring of such men as the heroic L han
Allen, who are as willing TO lay down their
lives to maintain this government, with all its
sacred honor, as our forefathers were to es.
tablshit This rebellion which has involved
US in civil war, so much to be dreaded bv
every one, is about to receive final blow
| Our ne wspapers for the last few weeks have
been filled with the details OF ser es of VIC
torres IN favor Of The cid flag. The clouds
are already beginning to break away, allow
| ing the bright sunlight OF freedom to shine
through with such brllliancy as TO render it
wholly impossible Tor the mystic vspors OF
treason TO again reunlte to shut out its pier
eng light. Our officers and soldiers are be-
coming IN earnest, and are beginning to deal
out TO traitors what they most Justly deserve.
| n Just God, who will not suffer the last yes
tige ct true government to be blotted out
forever, crowns our arms with success, and
will soon smile upon US, as He has done for
iuanny years, on happy and thriving re-
public.
Ma this sword serve as an efficient weap-
on wiel. led IN self defence, and may its shin.
ing blade .'eckon US on to victory which shall
tell towards be restoration of this oace glo.
rious and happy Un'on'
The above was a. elivered in graceful and
easy manner, and at tie conclusion Colonel
Whiting replied as follows;
This is indeed magnifcem present. 1t
could not have proceeded from any other
source and be priced as much as il j.. The
good OF any # depends upon the way it is
received.
1t this present should seem to he the resUit 4
OF wlnklng at violation of military discipline |
ITS reception would in my estimation ever
seem degrading. The parent who is faithful |
IN the discipline of his family in time rec, ives
the respect of his family.
The otfc7r who is faithful in discharcinr
HIS uu'J IN ume receives the respect of those
over whom he has been placed, Still, the
disciplined rarely fad the exercise pleasant
and joyous at the time. Hence this present
mas taken me by rprise at this time. This
act tells me that you have passed that point
az which you NAV have felt 30 much DEFEND
Ell on the letting off by your officers. and
'hat you nave deliberate y CONS 10 the con-
cluslon that YOU are ready to do your whole
Tour intelligence assists you in seeing TO
what extent you Lave (tor the nme) parted
with Your freedom in taxing up arms in this
day OF your country's purifica,ion your
good sense suggests the necessity of parting
with svery right that prevents efiiclency as
soldier. Bear this in mind, the more YOU are
forced u, to suffer, The more yau become mper-
,iiea IN Tins war, the more satisfactory will be !
the remembrance of it. /
i he Second Vermont b.,r, =, =. 1..-l-r.