The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1862-10-10
From the Vermont 9Th Regiment.
ALGIERS, La, Sep: 20, 1862.

From the Vermont 9Th Regiment.
ALGIERS, La. Sep: 20, 1862.
To the Editor of The Caledonian:
In these wonderful times-stirring events,
attractive military reviews and great courage,
no more interest the warrior than do virtue,
knowledge and religion, the patriot and phi
lanthropist.
While sage and poet are endeavoring to
crush out the rebellion, and applaudng the
people for lifting themselves above the en-
dearments Of home to protect the great char
ter of their rights, the soul of the republic is
fast assuming the position that Freedom IS
the birth-right of all who breathe the air
which so gracefully waves her stars and
stripes.
Our present study is not limited to what
number of men we must send into the field,
the character and tonnage of vessels which
ought to ride upon our waters, and the
wherewithal they are to be clothed and fed
and armed. We are now compelled by Or
ders and DEGREES above our volitions, not on
ly to study but act upon the no less import
ant inquiry, what shall be done for the pres
ent employment and future elevation of the
ten thousand bright, active and interesting
contraband children who are being brought
into our camps by parents bound to be free.
| They can neither cook, wash, dig nor handle
the musket, nor will they quietly sit and grow
wise by thinking their sportive hours away.
They will not be great and good by simply
seeing the novelties of camp life, nor by lis
tening to the foolish jests and wicked words
of those who ought to be men. 1t is as true
of them as of white men born free, that Sa
tan will find something for idle hands to do
l discover in the keen sparkle of their black
eyes, in their ready and ingenious wit, and ii
their light add graceful movements founda
ton, possessing those elements of character
requisite for self independence, and upor
which education and religion may rear tenn
pie wherein God and angels would delight t,
dwell.
We have within our lines nearly thres
thousand contrabands, and fully one half ar,
under twelve years of age. They appear t,
be as intelligent and vigorous as any equa
number who may be promiscuously gathered
from any other section, or race, whose means
for intellectual and moral culture have bee,
no greater.
live had thousand spelling-books and al
equivalent Of another thousand in cards ant
charts, schools and classes might be organ
lied and managed to the pleasure and prof
of both giver and receiver. We have mel
enough who would be pleased to devote tn
necessary time to such instruction, and an
happy to know that Col Thomas would Civ
the enterprise his most hearty cooperation
Philanthropists Of Vermont! are you read
to work with US in this matter? and will Vol
forward the necessary books Immediately ?
| know the times are hard and unpropitiou
for such benevolent demands, and that man
will wish to defer action until more convsr
lent season, but our future DEPENDS so muc
upon the active present that deferment @
little influences now may eliminate in grea
evils.
fknow that this war is desperately wick
ed thing and will surely curse the people wis
caused it; that its present is only evil, bu
| see in the almost present future the dawn
ing of happier day, the beauty and purit,
of whose light will pay our children thou
sand fold for the sorrow and suffering which
; covers the land. From the footprints ant
: graves Of this generation will be taught les
, sons of political truth, which wise men an,
statesmen have hardly dared to read. "Th
slave must 60 Free" is written as clearly up
on the events Of lS6l-62 as are Gods pur
poses revealed in His Word and upon ever,
visible work of His hand. read it in tn
changed sentiment of the North, in the Pha
neutrality-suspicious. of the South, and es
pecially in those wild marches and we'll earn
ed victories which so destructively urges on
ward the veteran, rebel armies of Virginia.
Then prepare them for their freedom
Gentlemen, send US the books.
Most truly yours, j. S. c., CO. X.