Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1862-08-21
Rutland, Aug. 18th, 1852.

THE NINE MONTHS MEN.-The N. Y
Journal Of Commerce, in discussing the aues-
ton, What will be done with the nine
months men, says:
This question, which is everywhere asked
can be answered only by guesses. The gov
eminent will not, and should not disclose its
purposes in regard TO its soldiers. Only one
thing is certain-that Whatever services the
nine months men are put 10 will last ONLY
nine months. The government has never
broken faith with its soldiers, and we may
safely believe will never attempt to extort
one hour OF service from a man beyond the
period for which he was sworn in. But
although it is impossible to say what DISPOSE
ton will be made of these short term men for
the most efectual carrying on of the war, it
is not so hard to surmise some things that will
probably not be done with them. They will
not be used to strengthen the old regiments
Rentorcements for that purpose will be
taken from the three hundred thousand
three years men.
Ii would be bad policy to mix up two
classes of troops. one of whom would be
entitled to a discharge one or two years
before the other. The retirement of part
of a regiment could hardly fail to have a
demoralizine effect on the remainder
Since the nine months men cannot be ad-
vantageously worked in with the old regi-
ments, it therefore follows that they will not
be put into the field until they have been
pretty well drilled at home. This can only
be done in camps of instruction, located at
some central points in the different States
from which the conscripts are taken. With
the utmost activity on the part Of the
Government, the nine months men cannot
be raised, organized, properly Differed,
armed and equipped, before the early part
of September.
They will then need month or six weeks
instruction in camp, before they will be
good for anything. This will carry them
safely and comfortably through the summer
in our healthy Northern climate, up to the
pleasant days and the cool nights OF mid
October, when the soldiers themselves,
becoming ardently martial on their small
experience, will look upon trip to the
South and fight with the enemy as positive
recreatIons. Unless the nine months men
differ In some extraordinary respect from all
other soldiers, they will be glad to exchange
the dull routine OF the camp for the tingling
excitement OF service, when the bracing
winds of autumn come along. The cause OF
grumbling would then be that they were
held back.
By this time about two months fthe nine
will have been used up; and the men can.
not be econnmically employed on distant
expeditions or protracted campaigns. They
could, however, perform a valuable and
indispensable service in occupying posts
now held by veteran troops, or taking care
! of places which may be won from the
enemy by our victorious three years men
and keeping down rebel instructions, while
the main body of the army presses on to new
conquess. Perhaps the best regiments
among them might be mingled in strong pro-
portions with the old regiments and do their
part in some OF the Gery work of the war,
The nine months men will pass the cool
and healthy months, if any, at the South,
and will return to their homes in the beau
tful month of May, unless they prefer to 20
on soldering to the END OF the war, and very
many OF them will The places of those who
retire may be supplied by other nine months
men, if the government chooses TO order
another draft. Or the Government may
raise 100000 volunteers. for twelve months,
| if that course should seem best. With these
facilities, which are practically unlimited, at
the disposal OF the Government, let us hope
that the end of the war Is not far Off"