The daily Green Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1861-1865, 1862-11-08
Red Tape.

Rev. A. t. Stewart, a chaplain in the army
writes to the United Presbyterian, the follow
ing long history of his efforts to get FUR
Tough, which illustrates the power and benefit
Of Red Tape:
After the late great battles, and the rebels
all fairly pushed back across the Potomac into
Virginia, it became evident that our Grand
Army proposed to itself rest, after such long
and vigorous exercise, with consequent fatigue
Taking advantage Of this luiI in the stIiie Of
blood-it seeming also the most opportune for
the purpose-appication was made to the
powers that brief leave Of absence be granted
Inc for the purpose Of looking after aud man
aging variety Of business matters, anu espe-
cialy for enjoying a short season Of social and
Christian intercourse with friends and dear
loved ones, after so long and close co fine
mont to camp. The request must needs 20
to McClellans Headquarters for approval or
rejection.
A document was according ly prepared in
which were duly set FORTH in an effective man.
ner-as the writer supposod-the various rea-
sons which induced the application; and all
finished up with few hourishes and touches
of rhetoric which we're considered irresistible.
According to red tape no one is allowed
to carry his application in person to the gran
ting power. My precious document being
ready, it was sent-think you, dear reader,
direct to the Headquarters of Gen Mcclellan?
Nothing of the kind. Such direct course
would neither have been red tape, nor circum-
ocution. AS directed by red tape regulation
the formal eloquent document wasfrst carried
to the Adjutant of our regiment, there to be
started on its long routine of red tape toward
the Headquarters of the Army Of the Potomac
Our Adjutant-Joe Brown we call him
being plain, blunt, straig htforward, matter
ot.fact sort of man, shook his head ominously
as he took in hand the prepared paper, frankly
stating that neither the penmanship nor the
size of fcldingor the sheet was 10 proper form
for red tape. Our Adjutant, however, being
a warm friead, and very obIigng wthal
caused the clerk to transcribe tAe document
10 round, bold, we'll aourished penmanshp, and
upon paper having the proper size for red
tape-folled according to regulatou-put
into the prescribed enveope-tied with red
tape, and then carried to our RegimeDtal
Headquarters for approval or disapprovaI.
Our Colonel, by far too opcn.hearted and gem
crous even to refuse request to a friend wrote
upon the proper folding, Approved and re-
spectfuly forwarded under which his name
and official title was ftly inscribed had the
paper retolded, tied with red tape and carried
by an orderly to the Headquarters Of our
D'idado. Having acquaintance and some favor
lii said locality, our good Brigadicr turned
fold OF the sheet and wrote thereon, Approved
and respectfully forwarded with name and
officials underneath. An orderly carried it
thence to Division Headquarters.
Its introduction to our Division General
must have been in an evil hour. No specia
or favorable influence from the petitioner
could have preceded the orderly. Some I'm.
toward circumstance may at the time have
Vexed the worthy General or perchance he
may have become weary with leaves of alb
sence requested. Be all these as they may,
new fold of the paper was made, and the
endorsement commenced with that unfortunate
little bit OF Latioizcd English, DIS. Dis.
approved, but duly forwarded name and
officials being duly affixed, tied up with red
tape and by an orderly forwarded to the Corps
Headquarters.
AS tho foremost sheep in a flock, when
making leap even over some imaginary OBJ.
stacle, is almost sure to be followed in the
bound by the next Que in the rear, so that
ominous DIS being the first thing seen
upon the document at Corps Headquarters
no doubt had preponderatng influence in
sotteing there its destiny. A new field was
made and thereupon the fatal endorsement be.
gan with Das, having underneath both name
and official dgnitary--was rc-envelopcd, tied
with additional red tape, and by an orderly
carried on its last stage to the high place of the
held-Headquarters Army of the Potomac.
I'co Discs, according to human calculation
were likely to produce a negative, and so it
unfortunate turned out. Red tape having
thus conveyed the document, eloquent in ap
peals, to its 6ual destination, red tape arres.
ted there its farther progress. Whatever
under other circumstances, might have been
its fate, those unfortunate Discs had no
doubt, strong prepouderating influence to.
ward the undsrsgned's side. The last fold
on the precious sheet was here made. and
thereon written, Disapproved and respectful.
ly returned by order of Gen. Mcclellan -
rctoldcd, re-onveloped and rebound with all
Its accumulations OF red tape.
An orderly then took the concern in CHARGE
and conveyed it back to the Headquarters OF
Corps Commanding. His orderly carried il
down To Division Hao5ou,rtox, L.: