Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1863-04-28
The Petition that was not Generally Signed
By the 18th Regiment


We have received communication from az
officer in the 18th VI. regiment, setting forth at
great length the reasons for, and the Justification
Of the petition which our correspondent
" T. A. H., introduced 10 our readers, a short
time since, asking the Governor to let the
nine months men come home when their term
Of enlistment would expire reckoning from some
earlier date than the muster-in rolls. The object
Of the communication Is chiefly to exoncr4!e 1t.
Clark, and show bis connection with the petition.
The writer, after stating that at. A. II. " must
have had some improper motive in forwarding q
copy Of the petition for publication, says, Of the
origin of the petition
What gave rise to it The question as to
when our time Of service commenced, has occa-
stoned great discussion throughout the brigade !;
and our friends at home appear to be quite as
much IN the fog as we. All supposed when they
enlisted, and the enlistment papers specify the
fact, that coming as we dill in lieu Of drafted men,
our nine months would begin on the day Of the
draft, Or posslb VA day approxmallng the dates
Of the organizations OF Companies. However,
our mqsler-n rolls we're not dated back TO that
time, but few believed these roll. fixed our time
Of service. they felsone 1--WE are in lieu Of
drafted men the government can only draft for
nine months Now, il it can keep US one month
over that time j! can six with equal proprety."
Hence they infer that the government has no L.
gal right to retain u' longer than nine months
from !h5 day Of the draft Certain parties, repre-
seutlng the l2lh, 18Th and Ii b regiments, beley-
ing that the question was not authoritatyely de-
cded-ta decision Of the Adlutant General ia
the contrary Notwithstanding the Lieut.. Govern.
OF had expressed different opinion united in
requesting Lieut. Clark Of the 18th, to draw up a
petition embodyug the views Of the brigade ask
ing Gov L31took "to solicit at the War Depart
ment discharge Tor Us that will do US justice, &C
cofding to our enlistment" as an &c! OF policy a
well as right,
Our correspondent. then gives the reasons for tn,
miscarriage Of the petition. lie says
The aboye being hcts, why did the petition
mscary? The reason Is obvious Some be
lieyed i would elect nothing Others believed
It would be mis,netpreted, while designing ind
ydulIs, many Of whom, on account Of their higI
salaries can agord to be- or seem, patriotic, Will
We remain safe within the" defenses Of Washing
ton, opposed Il Oh the ground that it would b.
misunderstood and sound uuplriotic and unman
Is. Before these IDEAS were indu,trou'ly crcu
lated, Co. 3, Of the 18Th, one Of the most patriot
ic and intelligent companies in the regiment, Il
lnsrles the opinions entertained Of The petition
ntfnscalIy Styeniy-tW1 Of rs members signe
it, Co. 4, q Che l2'h signed it almost unani
mou,ly, also. Are they less sdfsGcrifcing tha
others who did not sign II ? By no means Tn
above are the reasons Of its failure
The writer then vndcates L. Clark from ha,
ing any but the best motives in writing the pet
ton, doing il by request, having himself no desir
to quit the service. OF the marginal notes o
The petition, our correspondent says:
But what makes the ml,tey more ceniurabl,
the author gives publicity u amiserabe ding
base SANDER, scurr lous libel, written by
member Of Co. ian enemy as irresponsible as /
is contemplate. TIE attack was so abusive tn
the Orderly Of Co, X, was genllemanly euoug
to withdraw it from circulation and return il
Lieut. Clark Bot your correspondent not DARN
to make such language his own. effects hi, pu
pose equally well by giving it in the words
another.
This, We believe, comprises all the letter that
material to the questions fairly raised BY the lettt
d 1T. \ H