Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1862-11-21
From tie Ninth Regiment.
Yours truly,
CiMp TYLER, CHICAGO,
Illinois, Nov. II, G2.

SFAI NhiNEhNSt
Illinois, Nov. II, G2.
Friend EuIe,-I suppose the Sand
ard " still lives though we have had no
evidence Of I've fact for several weeks.
The condition Of our company and re-
siment is slowly improving, yet bad
enough now. Twenty men have died
from this regiment since coming to Chi
cago, nearly one half more than NIL we
had previously lost, and our sick list is
very large. If We remain here till
spring fear there will be few TO ex.
change, or take the field. The boys VINO
are we'll are in excellent splits, but anx
ious to 90 to Vermont or be returned to
the field. We are quarteIed here in
small, cold, leaky horse stalls or stables,
on the public fair grounds. ! am just
informed that we have less than four
hundred men reported for duty today,
showing that nearly one half of the reg
iment are sick in quarters and hospital.
We have lost Sc men by desertion since
coming here; two from this company,
viz: Alyah w. Elmer of Suutn, and
George \. Bemis, a whilom resident oil
Irasburoh, but whose home, / believe, is
in New Hampshire.
We are greatly amused and sometimes
a little cxasperated by the many foolish
rumors concerning ua, which are current
in Vermont and 90 the rounds Of the pa
ptrs. A friend wrote me, a few day
since, inquiring in apparent earnest, " il
we took an oath never again to take up
arms against the south, " stating that suc!'
was the report there. Did | not know
that other stories of US, equally as ride
ulous, werefreely circulated and believed,
| would not answer SO silly a question,
even to friend. Now to satisfy those
credulous, curious aud mischief making
tale. bearers who delight in circulatin:
such disUedtable reports, | will state
that we took no oath, made no promises
or representations Of any kind, nor did
we sign my papers; in fact we knew
nothing Cf the conditions of our paro..
ill about 40 weeks ago. The conditions
were agreed upon by Gen. White on our
part aud Gen. Hill on the part of the
rebels, AMI all the parOling aud oath ia
king that was done at all. was done by
them. The conditions simply are, that
we shall not serve against the south till
regularly Exchanged. Even TO these con-
ditons no one ever agreed, save General
White and perhaps the commanders OF
brisades yet they are of course binding
upon al, Such is the truth concerning
this scaodaous rumor which it seems il
rife ameng you. From all / can learn,
most OF ibe rumors yo1 get concerning
US all, are equally untrue. There seems
TO be class among the stay at-homes,
who, too covardly 10 enlist themselves,
find consolation in inventing and giving
circulation to such false and scandalous
reports. You may know such men when
ever Won meet them. Though they have
not a relative, not even second cousin
or friend in the army, they gruinble
about tbe desolations of the war, and
whine about their taxes. Destitute of
any spark Of patriotism, they envy The
honest and self sacrificing soldier the re-
spect TO which his calling entities him,
and seize upon every opportunity to rob
him of that which is most dear to him
his good name. Not only this, but they
do it in the most cowardly and contemp-
tible manner. Instead of openly accu-
sing him. where he may defend himself.
hey throw out sly insinuations at home,
among his neighbors, while the accused
is hundreds of miles away serving his
country; yes, and defending the homes
Of those very men who are so ready TO
irjure Inn. had hoped that Vermont
had few such men, but fear | am mis-
taken. Permit me, however, TO say TO
them, wherever they may, that generally
speaking they love lie better than the
truth, that they are cowardly polIroons
and the meanest of sneaks.
Yours, &c,
A. BARTLETT.
ALLOTMENT NJ 7TH AMI 9TH REGIMENTS.