Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1862-10-02

rHURsDAY, OCTOBER ., 1859.
9As ssvsnsh Hegissest-- Letter from
IA. Col fuliaa
LUDLOW, Sept. 2s, 1862.

Ma. EpIroR Since the publication OF
~ aote Of the l4th in your columns, have
ysseiysd from several sources requests to
psHltA a full account Of the dolngs of the
Nh Vermont Infantry at the battle Of Baton
lDsse, August 9th, 1862 and upon COM
nsaeing such paper it has occurred to me
Nat . account Of what befell the regiment
from the date of its muster into the United
Otatss service at Rutland, until the battle,
night net only prove ofintere st to the friends
Ct the regiment, but would help to show its
condition at the time OF the battle, and per-
hsps throw some light upon the conduct Of
Gen. Butler in publishing his General Order
No. 81, referred to, which here declare as
firmly believe, was the result Of feelings of
aninosity towards the Regiment and State,
which to say the least, are unworthy place
n the breast OF one placed by Government in
eOanand of United States troops.
s'l II is no part Of my object to cast reproach
ION al one, but If the statements which
Tan about to make are credited, and shall
write nothing but what believe can be fully
prsved, the high opinino which the people Of
latiSn to the military career OF Gen. Butler,
a. opinion based upon his words.rather than
M works, may meet with slight modification |;
y tins as il may, my only wish is to see the
truth triumph, and keeping in mind the max
not the law, Let justice be done though
- heavens fall maxim which would be
z, sha to see Gen. Butler adopt l proceed.
The regiment was mustered into service
February 18th, at Rutland, where 1t re-
oained until March 10th, During this time
something was done towards instructing the
Slkcers and men in their duties and bringing
, l-sSsut some degree of military discipline. All
~Ao have had the fortune to be encamped
With volunteer regiment in thus State in
uil.winter, when men are allowed to b. alb.
sent frequently to visit friends or transact
business preparatory to long absence, while
he time and attention Of the officers are in
. great measure occupied in clothing, armine
and equipping the men, will readily under.
stand that little could be done towards disci.
pine ; and as for instruction, if we had sue
9 eded in Graduating from the minds of all
THAT idea in relation to drill which some had
learned in the militia trainings of long ago
which they fondly cherished as SO much al
ready acquired in military science, but which
On account of the great diversity between
Mem and the system now ordered to be used
Nv the war department. are really injurious
to most of those who possess them, upon theil
loining the army; we should have had grea
reason for satisfaction, but even this point
2 had not been attained.
The regiment embarked upon two sailing
vessels at New York, March 18th, and al
though we were not able to leave the harbol
until the 18th, the men were by order of Col
Roberts kept constantly on beard the trans
ports during that time - very necessary
restriction when we consider the temptations
thrown in the way OF inexperienced young
men in our large cities. Indeed two death
which occurred, one on board each ship, or
the passage out, doubtless both resulted from
violation of this order. The passage wa
long, and Notwithstanding supply Of fresl
beef which / obtained and divided between
the two ships the day before sailing, the mel
suffered somewhat for want of fresh provis
ions before the voyage was completed, which
probably contributed to produce considerable,
sickness among men crowded SO closely to
gether as were ours upon the two ships.
The right wing under command of Co
Roberts arrived at Ship Island April 9Th, an
here on the day of my arrival commence,
Mat series OF abuses to which the regimen
has been subject up TO the present time
Upon reporting my command 10 Col. Rob
erts, our regimental Quartermaster causes
the tents and baggage of the left wing to
lisembarked with the men,when as it SCENE
Sen Buffers order only mentioned the lano
inc of the troops The Quartermaster wa
innocent OF any intentional excess of order,
but supposed that an order for the disembark
nent Of troops upon desert island, wher
there was not even the shelter of friendl
tree 10 protect them from the frequent storm
and burning sun of the climate, implied th
taking with them of such articles as were al
solutely necessary to make them comfortable
Although the landing of baggage did not o.
supy the .Saron much longer than wouI
have been required for landing the troor
alone Gen. Butler wanted her and was
great rage at the delay he declared some
body should lose his commission for it, an
pvt the Quartermaster under arrest, wher
he was kept for some days. However erin
inal the conduct of the Quartermaster migl
be, it saved the soldiers from much sufferin
for a storm of great fury arose in the nigl
and threatened the destruction of our cam
BY blowing down tents and deluging us wi,
water. Ii was impossible for US to brin
from the ship 7amerlane the remainder OF OF
camp equipage for several days; and b.
for the tents and means OF preparing foe
much distress would have been cause
among the men so long and so closely co,
fned ON ship-board.
When the regiment was being recruite
Gov. Holbrook requested ofthe War Depar
nent that it might, with the Eighth whic
vas raised expressly for the Department
the Gull, be placed in a brigade, to be undo
command of Gen. Phelps. a man well know
to the people Of Vermont as ofirreproachab
character honest, honorable and human
and one who. although his opinions upon son
points may not have been generally endorse
BY politicians, is by all admitted to be got
and tried soldier, and worthy TO commaI
srch men as Vermont an send to the wa
This request was acceeded to by Cover