The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1863-11-27
Letter from Gen. Washburn -.

The following letter from Gen. Washburn
contains information which is of Interest and
Importance TO the public generally:
AnJ'T AND ISs. GEMS OFFIcE,1
Woodstock, Nov. 10, 1868.
CAFES B. Ballard, Supt. Of Recruiting, ST.
Jchnsbuy, Vt.
SIR: Ii has been officially announced that
if this State furnishes IFS quota of men un-
der the Presidents proclamation a draft on
the fifth of January will be avoided. But
We ough; TO do more than merely avoid a
draft on that day.
The people Of the State have made it q
matter of boast and congratulation that they
have responded promptly to every call made
and that every quota heretofore assessed up
on the State has been furnished. IT is my
earnest desire that We should still retain the
right thus to point TO the most practical IL
lsstration possible of the patriotism of the
State; but in order to do this The State must
not only raise her quota of the 100000 call
ed for, but must also make up the deficiency
under the draft. Ii is to prevent this latter
point from being overlooked, in our zeal to
evade draft, that write this letter. In
assessing the quota of The State, to be filled
by draft, unless previously filled by volun-
,eers, the deficiency under the draft 1929
is added by the War Department to the quo
ia of the 100000 (3,3SO)making total quo
ia now charged TO the State of 5253 men,
The Immediate pressing emergency is for
men to I'll old regiments, and therefore it is
that il has been announced that if that quota
is filed, time viii be given for raising resi-
due. Bu, The deficiency under the draft has
not been forgiven to the state. Ii still stands
charged against the state, to be drafted for
on the 9TH of January, if draft on that
day is rendered necessary by failure to I'll
/ the other quota, and if no draft is had on
that day, then TO be raised by volunteering
as sooa as may be, after that day.
Hence we cannot again pride ourselves
upon having filed all requisitiOns until We
have made up that deficiency. There is an
other consideration which should induce US
to make up this deficiency.
The state has undertaken to raise a new
regiment of Veteran volunteers, and a bat
terry of light artillery, anc the men to be
raised for filing the deficiency under the
draft have been assigned to that purpose.
The men raised under the quota of the
100000 cannot be used for that purpose
They must 60 into the old regiments. Hence,
unless the deficiency under the draft is filed,
the new regiment and battery must fail and
!, the state fall under the disgrace of having
!; attempted more than she can accomplish
|, No loyal citizen of the state would consent
to this, if the question were submitted to
him. And vet it must be so, If the several
towns eonfne their efforts TO mere attempt
: to avoid draft.
/ The enhanced bounty offered to new men
: who enlist for old regiments, will efectually
|. prevent our obtaining any considerable mum.
Der of that class for the new regiment and
battery. But for those who have served nine
months the bounty is the same whether they
enlist in the old regiments or in the new reg.
, iment or battery. This class of men also
are usually more willing to 90 into . new