Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1862-01-10

hlflctly news uetalis siuciuulIb tns GLORIOUS auaI
at Dransville on Friday last, in which the Yer
mo Mt brigade was not fortunate enough to take
part, Chaving arrived the stage Just as the
tain dropped) I will conhne my letter chiefly to
some matter usually passed over by correspond
ents, but Of which think the public desire to be
informed.
SANITARY CONDITION OF TIE Vt. TROOPS.
On this much has bSen said and written, though
but little calculated to give our friends at home
all the particulars they would naturally wish to
know. There has been alarming amount Of
sickness among the soldiers of the Vt. Brigade
This is a sad but undeniable fact, and is account
ed for In various ways. Ny explanation is
follows The nativity returns Of the 4th regiment
and presume the same to be the case with the
other Vermont Regiments, show that nine-tenths
Of the men were born in Vermont, where their en-
tire lives have been spent. Reared among the
pure air and sweet waters Of their native hills,
with none but healthful influences surrounding
them, with warm beds to res; in, and tight roof
over them, and above all, regularity in their
sleep and food, they are suddenly and without
previous preparation, placed in new sphere,
and where all the habits to which the system has
become accustomed, are totally changed. The
first few weeks during this change are the most
trying, and then ii is that the soldier should be
the best protected by good warn clothing without
and good fool within. But the ith and 9th regi-
ment7 were not thus protected; for weary weeks
they were exposed TO the cui raw winds both
! night ard day, with no oyCr-coats-tlo 4th
without oven dress coats and nothin, but a thin
flannel blouse, over an article called by courtesy
shirt composed Of the poorest shoidy, 90 pro-
tect them from the exposure Their food also
was insufficient Tor needs at that time. There Is
aud has boon, plenty Of good substantial food is-
sued them, hut at the time l refer o., they were
inexperienced in its preparation. Tt was not
properly cooked, and tho memory Of tie home
comforts sud home diet was too rec ut 30 give
them tie necessary appetite, TO cat enough to
sustain tho constitution.
If you would realize precisely the sensation Of
sleeping in a tent, with tho covering furnished
by the Government at the came time, take sin
gle blanket, and without any pillow, lay !ourself
down in your wood shed, and sle,r through the
a the morning, and if you escape severe cold,
hen will you be more Fortunate than were most
Of the soldiers Adj to the Influences Of deficient
clothing entire change Of diet, and change Of hab-
it required by night duties and exposure, the
fact that the spring on smoot's farm, from which
the a. Sd, and 5th regiments were supplied wi.h
water for drinking and cooking purposes, was
supplied from a brook, at tho foot Of a slightly
/ ,oping ground, on which some ffssn tandred
horses have stood and been fed for three months
and on which is lying the mass Of filth naturally
collected in such a vicinity. and watch are also
the sinks used by two thousand men.
Let regiment be encampsi on the same ground
two months, and unavoidably the soil will become
'-r--snated with malaria. which is r.lNs-~' -
the action OF moisture and warmth, to be dissent
mated over the adjacent ground, and to poison the
lungs it is breathed into. There are other causes
operating more especially upon individual cases
Want of personal cleanliness is, I regret to say
one very common. The number Of men required
TO occupy each tent, from l6 to 20, is, am con-
fdent, injurious to health. think have men
toned causes sufficient to render the great amount
of sickness VIC have been subjected to, no subject
of amazement. Is it wonderful that with all these
causes operasag upon constitutions hitherto free
from them, there should be such numbers reported
upon the sick LIST, day after day and week after
week, until our hearts we're filled with dread, and
our hospitals with the sick and dying, even to
overaowing7 1 am writing Of time which,
thank God, has passed for US. The ith Regiment
removed some two weeks ago, to a healthful and
beautiful location. And now, amid pine grove,
sa high and healthy ground, we witness each
day decrease Of the sick list, and additions tC
our force Of active duty men. To day but 60 are
reported sick, where weeks ago, tire, huad,sd
and tiriv was the number l intended mentioning
tho diseases generally prevailing, their nature
&c, but see, by abstract from DR.. Phelps
able report just handed me, that he has discussed
the matter aby and in his usual excellent style.
Of course all interested in the subject will read It.
The visit Of Dr.. P. was productive Of much good
We hear With pleasure Of his probable return as q
permanent thing; we hope as Brigade Surgeon
Such an appointment would indoel be wise one,
and one which would he received with graufca
tion By the whole Brigsde. We have already
strong representation Of the medical talent and
ability Of Vermont, in tie Regimental Surgeons
No State can show brighter galaxy in the field
To our excellent Surgeon, DR.. Allen, one Of th'
best and kiniest Of men, az well a talented PRO
iessionsl man, and his valuable Assistant. DR.
Childs, we owe much Of the freedom from diseas'
VIC now enjoy. Out Of over 1000 cases Of sick
ness treated by them, but 26 fatal cases have &C
CURED, and this in the worst class Of disease t
treat, and through incouveniencos that woul,
appal one unused to camps. DR.. c. has frequently
seen and prescribed for over 30 cases per day
and both are indefatigable in their exertions- I
the surgeons Of other Vermont Regiments, mos
Of whom are Professionally and personally know
so me, the same remarks will apply; and certainly
, Vermont has no reason 70 blush for her mediea
{ representation
IHE CLOTHING or HE VERMONT SOLDIERS.
This is an abundant even TO excess; each ma
i, can new have as many blankets as be chooses
call for the price of these and other other article
being taken from the allowance of $3.50 pc
month for clothing. Almost incredible amount
L of clothing and beding have been sent from Vel
!, mont; stockings and mittens in great and suft
cient quantities for any possible need during th
q present winter. 1t would be an impossibility
: should we move ten miles to carry such an amour
. Of clothing, and much would unavoidably be lef
As far as my personal knowledge extends, Il
) men are well supplied with everything necessar
n for their comfort, and am informed in answer
y numerous inquiries made of officers in other Re
Is iments that such is the case throughout the Br
5. ade. Much bedding and thousands of footn
are yet undistributed; and the ladies of our mob
State" God bless them, will do US no kin
ness by sending any more at present. Delic aci
for those in Hospitals will be at all times WELDON
and beneficial, and sent to the care of the Regimen
e. al Surgeons will be judiciOusly applied. We cam
e sufficiently thank the noble men and women who
ID hands have worked so steadily snd whose time Il
A. means have been expended so lavishly for o
n eneft; they are the honored recipients Of o