Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1863-12-22
Notice of the late Lieut.. Lavigne'


Mr.. EDITOR --l enclose a copy of letter |
have received from the Lieutenant Colonel COM
mandng the SSth Illinois Infantry Volunteer,
(second Board Of Trade) regiment, which tells its
own sad but noble story. am led to make the
public mention Of Lieut.. Layigne in simple JUS
lice to the brave fellows memory, and for the
knowledge and satisfaction of his many friends in
Vermont lie is best known on the line OF the
Vermont Central Railroad long ago--as the
pleasant, good natured, good looking news boy
on the train, and for the last five or six years as
the locomotive companion Of your well known
Capt. Patterson. Charlie "had probably as many
real friends as any young man Of your acquain-
tance.
In the spring Of 1862, he came to Chicago, and
found employment at once 10 the machinery de-
partmept of the Galena and Chicago Union Rail
road Company, and had the promise OF an engi-
neers berth at the time he enlisted. Now that
he has met bis death in the service, mention oil
the circumstances OF his enlistment may be inter-
estiag: At one Of the great war meetings held
10 this city, last SIMMER, Rev. Robert Collyer, a
Unitarian, made an offer Of one hundred dollars
in gold to any reliable young man who would en-.
list fer hm,-"be his soldier" and promised that
be would be to that man father. This was Sat
urday night. Charlie having seen and heard Mr..
G. several times, determined to offer himself, and
next morning after service, went to Mr. Colyer
asked for the position, and was accepted, immedi.
ately set himself about recruiting for his regi
ment, md for bis success was made Orderly Ser
geant. At the battle Of StOno River, he distin-
euished himself, since which time he has com.
manded his company, and some months since was
made LIST Lieutenant. In mentioning his death
last Sunday, Mr.. Colyer said that his soldier had
/ proved himself all that he could ask AN earnest
noble and brave soldier, and had died martyr
to the cause of humanity, liberty and his country,
and that if it lay in bis power, he intended to
bring the remains home but whether or not they
came, be would ask bis friends to allow him to
place a tablet sacred 10 his memory in theiI
house.
Ligut Lavigne leaves widowed mother and
two sisters in Quebec, whose grief will be mos
terrible, as well know, but they have the kindes
sympathy of many friends, Of whom Robert Coll
yer will be first and foremost, and who will moi
forget the pledge he made their son and brother
A. S. B.
HEADQUARTERS, Ssth INFANTRY, ILL, Vols, I
Chattanooga, Nov. 20, 1868. )
DEAR SIR 1T becomes my painful duty tC
inform you, as the friend Of late Lieut.. Chas. II
Layigne, Of his death. He fell while brayely lead
ing bis company in that most desperate charge
Of this war, on the afternoon Of the 25th nst. H'
was killed before we reached the first line
works. Lieut.. Lavigne was one Of our best oih
GERS, and in his death his company have expert
enoed less it will not recover from. The Off
GERS of the regiment all sympathize with th'
friends of the Lieutenant. have seen him II
other battles before this, and be has always excl
ted my admiration by his gallantry
enclose a note for his mother, which you vii
please forward to her as sm not sure of her ad
dress, and will you be SO kind as to inform Mi
! Collyer of the death Of Lieutenant Lavigne.
. would have his body sent ncrth, but at pres
ent it is impossible, as expect we shall follow tn
enemy. have not time to write any Particular
will ouly add, his grave is marked. will sen
: his effects to you in few days. His body wa
robbed, so that what money he may have bad,
gone. lam, yours truly,
6. w. CHANDLER,
s Lieut.. Col. Commanding.