The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1862-09-19
Disgrace of the 18th Vermont.

hope Gen Butler was hasty in this order, and
that time will prove that he was misinormed.
The injustice Gen Mcclellan did Gen Casey's
division at the battle of Fair Oaks is in the
mind of every one. If the order is true we be-
lieve the officers were to blame, and that the
regiment will improve the first opportunity to
"show whether they are worthy descendants
Of those who fought beside Allen, and with
Starke at Bennington"
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE GULF,
New Orlet MS, Aug. -, 1862.
General Order No. go.
The Commanding General has carefully re-
vised the official reports of the action of Au-
gust 9TH, at Baton Rouge, to collect the evil
dence of the gallant deeds and meritorious
services of those engaged in that brilliant VIC
tory.
The name of the lamented and gallant
Gen Williams has already passed into histo-
| ry.
! Col Roberts, of the 7th Vermont Volun-
teers, fell MORALLY wounded, while rallying
his men. He was worthy of better disci-
plned regiment and better fate.
Glorious as it is to die for ones country.
yet his regiment gave him the inexpressibIe
| pain of seeing it break in confusion when not
pressed by the enemy, and refuse to march
to the aid of the outnumbered and almost
overwhelmed Indianians.
The 18th Vermont Regiment, by fatal mis-
| take, had already fired into the same regiment
they had refused to support, killing and woun-
ding several.
| The Commanding General therefore excerpts
the 7th Vermont from General Order No. 81,
and will not permit their colors to be inscrib-
ed with name which could bring to its Off
GERS and men no proud thought.
1t is further ordered, that the colOrs of that
regiment be not borne by them until such
| time as they shall have earned the right to
them, and the earliest opportunity will be
given this regiment to show whether they are
worthy descendants of those who fought be-
side Allen, and with Starke at Bennington.
P. S.-Since the above was in type we
have seen letters from Capt Salmon Dutton
and Lt-Col Fullam, both of the 9TH regiment,
and both of whom were in the battle of Ba-
ton Rouge, where the alleged bad conduct of
the regiment occurred, if it occurred at all.
Both Of these letters are very explicit, and
both writers perfectly agree in saying that
the charges against the regiment are nearly
every one false. The letter of Capt Dutton
is elaborate, giving quite full statement of
the part the 9TH took in the engagement. We
have not room to copy the full refutation to
the charges. Lt-Col Fullam says: From
my own knowledge and what | have been
able to learn from others have no hesitancv
in saying that the charge of misconduct on
Ne part of the Regiment during the battle
are not supported by facts"
Capt Dutton writes in regard to the charge
of deserving their colors "The allegation is
lnfounded and unjust; the disgrace unmerit-
ed and disheartening. Iassert, and upon the
assertion stake my all, that the 9TH Vermont
regiment conducted themselves, as a regi.
ment, creditably, as can and will be proven
in court Of inquiry. The regiment is dis
yraced for no reason in the world but the
malice and envy of those not engaged i'll the
fight" at is falsehood no man will pre-
sumo to utter to an officer of our regiment
The national flag was borne by the color
bearer of the reg iment, sergeant S. w. Park
hurst, who brought the same on to line on
which TO form our regiment on that memo
rable morn and by him was carried through
out the entire action, and which under a
murderous fire he held aloft and kept where
the regiment could see and rally # need be
around it. That flag was ever where it should
be and nobly did he stand by and bear the
same from the field, without its once leaving
his hands. Thus to impeach the bravery of
man who stood the test of Bull Run credi-
tably to himself and his company, as Is:
Lieutenant, and to publish to the country
that other hands than his bore our flag from
the field of battle is statement so unjust tina,
pray God it may never stain the annals cl
our history"
After reading both the letters referred tc
We ale compelled to the belief that the CON
duct of this regiment was misrepresented tc
Gen Butler, and that he has thus hastl,
done it and the State great injustice We
have no doubt he will do what he can to rec.
tify his mistake.
Vermont will not forget her eth and S,f
regiments, though they are far away from hel
and though the greatest interest of the wal
centers nearer home. 1t is not always battle
that the soldiers fear the most or that is
most destructive to our army. The eth regi
me1t left our own Green Mountain state last
winter with about 1000 men. Scarcely
seven months have passed, and notwithstand.
ing no engagements of great moment have
been fought in which the 7th has taken part
yet this regiment went into the battle of Ba
ton Rouge with only two hundred men
Where are the other SOOo Sick in hospitals
and in tents, and beneath the sod of hos.
tile country. The malarious swamps Of
Louisiana and Mississippi have been more
fatal to our northern troops than the bullets
OF the rebels. Let US be careful and do then
Justice, at least.
IHE 18th NERMoNT.-In letter from {