Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1863-12-08
Circular Letter from Adj.-Gen. Washburn.
ADJUTANr AND INSPECTOR GENERALS OFFICE,
Woodstock, Nov l6. 1868

ADJUTANT AND INSPECTOR GENERALS OFFICE,
Woodstock, Nov. l6, 1863.
SIR 1t has been officially announced that
this state furnishes It's quota Of men under th
| Presidents proclamation draft on the fifth q
January will be avoided But we ought to d
more than merely avoid draft on that day.
The people of the state hav- made it matter
Of boast and congratuaton that they have res
pended promptly TO every call made and thai
every quota heretofore assessed upon the state
has been furnished. 1t is my earnest desire thai
we should still retain the right thus to point Ia
the most practical illustration possible ol
the patriotism of the State but in order
to do tbl the state must not only raise her quota
OF the 100000 called for, but must also make
up the deficiency under the draft. 1t is to pre-
vent this latter point from being overlooked, in
our zeal 10 evade draft, that ! write this letter.
In assessing the quota Of the State, to be filed by
draft, unless previously filed by volunteers, the
deficiency under the draft (l923) is added by the
War Department to the quota Of the 100000
1880, making a total quota now charged the
State Of 1858 men). The immediate pressing
emergency is fer men to fill old regiments, all
therefore it is that it has been announced il tn )
quota is filed, time will be given for raising IT,
residue But the deficiency under the draft has
not beer forgiven 10 the st te. II still stands
charged against the State to be drafted for on the
oh Of January, If draft on that day Is rendered
necessary by a failure to fill the other quota and
if no draft is had on that day, then to be RAISED
by volunteering as soon as may be after that cay
Hence We cannot again pride ourselves upon
having filled all requisltons until We hayl made
up that deficiency. There is another considera
ton which should induce US to make up this def
cheney.
The State has undertaken to raise new regi-
ment of Veteran Volunteers, and battery OF
light artillery, and the men to be raised for filling
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 90
into the old regiments. Hence, unless The deli
cheney under the draft is flied, the new regiment
and battery must fall and the State fall under,the
disgrace OF having attempted more than she can
accomplish. No loyal citizen OF the State would
oLsent to this, ii the question we're submitted TO
him. And yet it must be SO, If the several towns
conhue their efforts 10 o mere attempt 10 avoid
draft.
The enhanced bounty offered to new men who
enlist for old regiments, will eiecually prevent
our obtaining any considerable humber Of that
class Tor the new regiment aud battery. But for
those who have served nine months Tie bounty is
the same whether they enlist in the old regiments
or in the new regiment or battery. This class OF
men also are usually more willing to 20 into
new regiment where there is an open chance for
promotion, than an old one where the offices will
be claimed by thoie who have served faithfully
during the war. 1t is, therefore, mainly from this
class that we must hope to fill the new regiment
and battery. II We can accomplish this we shall
have the old regiments filed with new recruits,
who, by the side OF the veterans, will in u very
short time become themselves veterans, and thus
we shall eiiectually promote efficiency OF both old
and new regiment
There are in every town in the State,a sufficient
number OF returned nine months men to fill the
quota OF the town Tor the deficiency under the
dralt. But regret to say that that class OF men
seem reluctant TO re-enlisl. And yet, in some
way they must be induced 10 do 80. The coun-
try needs their services. The State requires them
for filling up the l7lh regiment and the battery,
and il they refuse to respond to the call OF the
country, and OF the Stale, the honor OF the State
Will be Iarnshed bya dlsgraceiu ieIlure to accom-
plish what il has undertaken.
have 10 tear but that in two weeks from this
time, the people Of this State will be aroused to
the necessity OF raising men, and degree OF ex-
ctemenL will exist which will ensure the raising
OF the quota under the 100000. When that
state Of puOlic feeling exists, 1t will be infinitely
easier for the towns to make up also their defcien
cy under the draft, than 1t will be at a later day,
alter the excitement shall have subsidized. lflhey
regard their own Interest," they will strike while
the iron is hot"
| wish you to present these views and such 9TH
ers as may occur to you, fully and explicitly to
the seeotmen and loyal citizens o. the several
towns within your district Impress upon them
the duty, aud absolute necessity OF raising their
several quotas OF the 300,00O required. 1t is
Idle to say that with six weeks before US in which
to work, we cannot do voluntarily, what we kno,s
we can oe aud shall be compelled TO do at the ex-
piratlon OF that time. But also impress upon
them the duty and importance Of filling their en-.
lire quota, OF taking advantage of the present 0 :
portunity and placing themselves again in a po-
ston where they can rest from their labor, with
the satllaetion Of knowing that they have accom-
pllshed all that is required of them. Urge them
10 impress upon those Of the returned nine
months soldiers who can and should re-enlst,
the duty ofre.ensting at the present time. 1t is
but very little more work to raise 5000 men than
to raise 5000, believe it can be accomplished,
am | most earnestly desire that it may be.
10 do il will require the active labor and CO
operation OF the Superintendeuts oil recruiting, of
recruiting officers now in commission, Of the Sc
Iectmen Of the several towns and OF the loyal and
patriotic citizens generally. Use your utmost eff.
tort to accomplish It in your district. Hold meet
ings in towns, and II necessary, in school districts.
Avail yourself Of the services of the local speakers
in your districts. Appeal to the women Tor their
help Their assistance will be most cogeut, and
is seldom wanting in good cause.
I'VE are fighting with most determined enc
my and when we are as deeply impressed with
the feeling that we lciu succeed as they appear
to he, when we can cheerfully make the sacrifices
for pphalding the best government that ever ex-
isieS, tfpf they make for its destruction, when
eyeb.msd and woman IS impressed with the ne.
oessily " the utmost exertion il we would have
the right prevail theh, and fear not ill then, we
shah succeed and crush this rebel ion. Every
man has bis duty TO petiorm-a most important
duty is entrusted 10 YOU have no doubt that
il will be faithfully executed.
Yours with respect,
prTFR f. WAsuBURS