Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1863-12-04
Letter from Gen. Washburn.
WoopsTocK, Nov. 16, 1868


der the presidents proclamation, draf
on the 9th of January will be avoided
But we ought to do more than merel,
avoid draft on that day. The peopl
of the State have made it a matter 0
boast and congratulation that they hav'
responded promptly TO every call made
and that every quota heretofore assessed
upon the State has been furnished.
1t is my earnest desire that we should
still retain the right thus TO point TO The
most practical illustration possible Of The
patriotism of the State. But in order tC
do this, the State must not only raise hen
quota of the 100000 called for, but mus
also make up the deficiency under the
draft. 1t is TO prevent this latter point
from being overlooked in our zeal TO
evade a draft, that | write this letter.
In assessing the quota Of the State, to be
filled by draft, unless previously filled by
volunteers, the deficiency under the draft
G923) is added by the war department
to the quota of the 100000, (3330) ma
king n total quota now charged TO the
State of $3.50 men.
The immediate pressing emergency is
for men TO fiji old regiments and there
fore it is that it has been announced that
if that quota is filed, time will be given
Tor raising the residue. But the def
cheney under the draft has not been for>
given to the State. 1t still stand chargeds
against the State, TO be drafted for on the
9th of January il draft on that day Is
rendered necessary by failure to Gil the
other quota, and if no draft is had on that
day, then to be raiseI by volunteering as
soon as may be after that day.
Hence we cannot again pride ourselves
upon having filled all acquisitions until
we have made up that deficiency.
There is another consideration which
should induce US 10 make up this def
cheney.
The State has undertaken to raise
new regiment of Veteran Volunteers and
a Battery Of Light Artillery; and the
men TO be raised for filling the deficiency
under the draft have been assigned to
Iha; purpose. The men raised under the
quota of the 100000 cannot be used for
hat purpose. They must 60 into the old |
'egiments. Hence unless the deficiency
inder the draft is filled the new regiment
and battery must fail, and the State fall
a"dsr the disgrace OF having attempted
more than she can accomplish.
No loyal citizen of the State would
to this, if the question were sub
mitted to him.
And yet ii must be so if the several
towns confne their efforts TO a mere at
tempt to AVOID draft. The enhanced
bounty offered TO new men who enlist for
old regiments, will eflectually prevent
our obtaining any considerable number
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 regiment or battery. This
class of men also, are usually more will
ing TO 60 into a new regiment where
there is an open chance for promotion,
than into an old one, where the offices
will be claimed by those who have served
during the war.
1t is therefore mainly from This class
that we must hope to Gil the new regi-
ment and battery. II we can accomplish
this, we shall have the old regiments fill
ed with new recruits, who, by the side of
The veterans Of the war, will in a very
short time become themselves veterans,
and we shall have the new regiment and
battery filed with veterans, and thus we
shall tflectually promote the efficiency Of
both old and new regiments.
There are in every town in the State a
sufficient number of returned nine months
men to I'll the quota Of the town, for the
deficiency under the draft. But | regret
10 say that that class Of men seem roluc-
ant TO re.enhst. And yet, in some way
hey must be induced to do so. The |
oun;ry needs their services. The Slate
'cquires them for filing the l7th regi-
nent and the battery, and if they hold
back and refuse to respond to the call Of
he country and of the State, the honor
# the State will be furnished by dis
graceful failure TO accomplish what she1
las undertaken.
i have no fear bot that in two weeks |
rom this time, the people of the State
will be fully aroused to the necessity Of
'aising men, and a degree of excitement
will exist which will ensure the raising Of
be quota under the 100000. When that
tate Of public feeling exists, it will be
easier for the towns to make up
'lso their deficiency under the draft, than