Lamoille newsdealer. [volume] (Hyde Park, Vt.) 1860-1877, 1864-03-02
"Quocumque me Fortuna ferat, ibo hospes."

the pressure became so great, that we
could stand it no longer, so at the earnest
solicitation of the boys, sat down and
wrote to the Hon. Portus Baxter, stating
to him our true position "a copy of which
| send you) and got it signed by about
40 of the Vt boys, and deposited it in
the Port Office to await the result. Yes
terday, about o'clock, in came three
strange, fine, looking, well-dressed gentle
men; they made some inquiries in regard
to our condition, looked around the room,
and went out again. Things went as u.s.
ual until 10 o'clock to-day, when all at
once the doors were thrown open, and
with cheers and shouts, the hoys rushed
out into the yard once more, again being
allowed the privilege Of breathing free
and pure air. After enjoying it with
them awhile, | thought would 60 in and
improve few moments writing you. /
had been doing so but a few moments, when
l heard some one calling my name out
doors. Ipaid no attention to it, being
busy and often hearing such calls. In
few moments looked and saw Capt. Hoff,
Regular Army officer, commanding this
post, coming towards me in company with
a fine looking citizen. This citizen came
up to me and asked if my name was Par
ker, and on being informed that it was, de-
sired me to step one side with him a mo-
ment. He then asked me if | had writ
ten letter to Mr.. Baxter in Washington
and signed my name to the same. be-
gan to think that | had got myself into
scrape, sure, and should have to go to
the Slave Pen, but Of course / would tell
no lie, so told him did He then said
he had received such a note. Then |
knew it was Baxter. Says he, when l
received your letter, l was deeply affected
and went Immediately and see the Secre-
tary of war, who said he would improve
his first opportunity to visit u.s.
Mr. Baxter said he felt deep. interest
for Vermont soldiers, and was very glad
that had written him, and would imme-
diately see that we went away or had our
liberty while we remained. He also said
that soldier had double rights to citi-
zen, and should always have his attention.
1t was always pleasure to him, he said,
to do favor to soldier. He then said,
"if any of US should ever come to Wash
ington, to be sure and call on him do not
feel any delicacy in coming to see me be-
cause / am a representative, but CALL
my room is always open to Vermonters. "
He then told me he would be. held re-
sponsible to Government for every soldier
that deserted. After wishing the Ver-
monters all good luck he shook hands with
me, and went out. Thus you see that
Portus Baxter is a good and whole souled
man. Such an one as the old Green
Mountain State may well be be proud of,
man that office does not emulate above a
humane act, man who is not only the
representative of Vermont, but the repre-
sentative of true manhood with the 500
of the Soldiers Rest" This act of
his, will not soon be forgotten, but will
be stored away With many other things
In the archives of a soldiers remem-
| brance
SOLDIERS REST, ALEXANDRIA, Va,
Feb. 18th, 1868.
To THE Hon. PoRTUs BAXTER, SIR =
We, the undersigned, do subscribe our
names to the following, as being correct
statement of our confinement, and treat
ment while in the Soldiers Rest. Alexan-
dria, Va: -
lst. We have been and are now, close
ly confined in room 40 80. with from
| 300 to 500 occnpants since the Doth of