Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1863-10-16
S79I.673 50

To which should he added
whatever expenses may hc
incurred in raising addition
al troops
There Is also still a balance
due from the United States,
for expenses IN raising and
furnishing troops, Of about 60, 900 90
1t is a question for you, gentlemen. to de
termine. whether it il better to increase the
bonded debt, OF whether it lie wiser to pro-
vide by tax sufficient 10 meet the present
liabilities and the necessary expenses for the
current year, so far as they can Ice approx
matcly made.
The State. in all its industrial interests. Is
m prosperous and heathful condition. and
whether the people will ever be better able
10 meet the burdens arising from our nation
al trials than at present, Is for you 70 judge.
commit the question to your considera-
tiun, believing that You will. even better
than myself. understand the feelings and
wishes of YOUR several constituencies, and
that YOU will bring to the subject that en-
Hchtened and careful Judgment which lte
magnitude and Importance demands.
MILITARY.
BY the report Of the Adiutant and Ins-
rector General, it appears that Vermont has
sent into the service of the Onted States SIX
teen regiments Of infantry. one regiment
Of cavalry, three companies Of sharpshoot-
crs. and two batteries Of light artillery,
numbering in all Is ,224 men. Ofthese, the
first regiment of infantry, the three months
men, were returned and discharged at the
expiration Of their term of enlistment, leav-
ing at the commencement OF the present year
fifteen regiments infantry, one regiment ca
valry, three companies sharpshooters, and
two batteries OF artillery. No addition
al regiments have been raised during
the year. During the present season,
the 18th, 18th, l4th, 18th and 10th
regiments of nine months men have been
mustered sut of service, their time of enlist
ment having expired. Tne regiments now in
service have suffered greatly during the past
wear from the various casualties Of war, the
whole number now remaining being only
1884, Of whom only 6l50 are on duty.
1t Is. therefore, duty which the State
owes to the government, that these regiments
should be filed as speedily as possible. Every
consideration Of patriotism, Justice to the no
bic men who have borne the burdens of the
fight hitherto, and whose ranks have been
thinned by the heroic and fearless exposures
to the fire Of the enemy, the honor of the
State. all. conspire to heighten the obligation
which the State is under, 10 urge new and
fresh recruits into the ranks rapidly az
possible.
II was at one time in contemplation by the
cNernment to consolidate the decimatcd re-
sments as far as could be done, as a meas
ure Of relief, and ar the surest means at hand,
Of securing the most effective service, with
the limited number of troops then at the
command of the government. Such meas
ure, however necessary and Justliiable 1t may
have at the moment seemed. would have bceu
most unjust to the war worn and noble men
and ofhcers. who had 80 bravely and faithful
ly done their duty. Ii was not their fault
that tnelr ranks were thinned; 1t bespoke
the highest cOmmCndation for their fortltud6
and courage, and hence. it was but Just %
those veteran regiments. that their organlZa-
uons should be preserved. and they he per
mitted, II possible, to fight under the same
associations, and side W side with
uled and familiar comrades. rather
an De consolidated with stranger troops,
anu under untried commanders. Fully
i1ee'atlns the Justice of this measure, and
l.. al'antages To he derived from 1t. in May
my preiecossor called the intention Of
fui0e'ary Of War 10 the Importance of
v;,Ie ne ranks If the veteran regiments
the ~. recruits, rather than consolidate
army 11,ueh's IN the field. and augment the
Secrs,.!n new regiments for service. The
decided y u War adopted the suggestion, and
apprn,cb;.a apPropriate the avails of the then
regiment. lrait 70 the recruiting of the old
werId .I II was houed that sufbci.nt men
The resul, of fteali1ed st 70 meet the demand
VI "ie draft, however, shows