Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1864-01-12

| be more easily done from this side OF the river.
And then if we moved back to Warenton the
enemy would come in here and forlfy again along
the Rappahannock, and perhaps for a vigorous
defence between here and the Rapdan. Besides
this the men had built themselves frstrate quar-
ters and preferred to remainj and he believed
that the line could be as easily defended here as
anywhere. We had plenty of teams, and where
camps were considerable distance from any wood
they could be employed to haul it for them.
General Sedgwck's opinions prevailed. So an
order has been issued that every regiment may
have as many teams as they want to draw their
wood. The third division had hardly any chance
at all to get wood, previous TO this order.
II is reported that seventeen rebel deserters
came into our lines this morning. The cavalry
that picket on the outer line, say that the rebels
are continually coming into our lines, sometimes
IN squadS.a1d often with their officers with them.
One cavalry man said it beat the devil how
the Johnnies were desertng. He says the rebel
commissioned officers have to stand pic ct on
their outposts, 10 prevent their men from running
away. They like their status better under Presi-
dent Lincoln's proclamation than 10 the rebel ar.
my
Day before yesterday, a member Of our regi-
ment, was carried to bis last resting place Fu.
neral scenes are always sad but the saddest ol
all, it seems to me, is the soldiers funeral. There
are seldom any mourners here to follow him to
his grave, and no tears Of sympathy and griel
fall on tis cofhn, as il is lowered into the silent
tomb Stranger hands bear HIM 10 his long
home, and stranger hands bury him from mortal
view. In this instance the Rev. Mr.. Mack, oil
the 3rd regiment ofhcated as chaplain. lie read
somesselect passages Of scripture, offered pray
er for the living, for the friends Of the deceased
and for US oil. He admonished US not to forget
the lesson here taught Us BY the Almighty, and
as we fired the salute over bis grave, we felt that
life is held by a very frlil tenure indeed. Some
where among the wild hills of Vermont there
are dear friends Of this man, whose hearts will
be pierced with sorrow when they zee that name
mentioned among the dead And to know that
he died among strangers, with no friendly hand
10 minister to his last wants, will be the keenest
pang Of all. But such events occur every day
till we begin TO scarcely notice them.
This mans case was peculiar though by no
means solitary one. He came out here as a
substitute for a drafted man, and since he joined
the regiment he has been unable to do any duty.
He had previously been a soldier, and was once
discharged aud before he had recovered his dis
ability, for q sum Of money be consented to enlist
again. Perhaps he thought be had sufficiently
recovered to make it safe for him to DIN the
army once morej or perhaps be though, there
would be no difficulty in getting discharged again.
II so he made fatal mistake. The bounty he
received was the price Of bis life. The boys
who knew the circumstances Of his enlistment
had but little sympathy for him, and whatever
be suffered, they thought tia punishment well
deserved, Boys that have served so far through
the war without any bounty or extra compensa.
tion whatever, are apt to be envious Of those
more favored, and TO refuse that cordial sympathy
to them in time Of need, that they would cheer
fully render TO one Of their own comrades
especially il, as IN this case, they have cheated
the government, and after getting out here are
unable to do their share of the duty aud this
feeling is shared not only by the men, but by the
officers and surgeons and all concerned. Per.
haps this is wrong, but it is a fact nevertheless,
and those who have once been discharged from
the service, or any others who are not physically
sound, would do well to take heed before they
accept the bounlies so temptngy offered them
for enlisting. nev,r could see why this man
was not discharged as soon as it became apparent
that be could never be fit for service here, and
perhaps it is not my busnass to inquire, but il
seems TO me to have been almost too cruel pun
ishment TO allow man to die OF a lingering
camp disease for a crime such as this soldier had
committed. believe discharge was about being
made cut for him when be died. Any one that
enlists now thinking to get discharged again,
plays risky game in which life itself is at stake.
ANTI-REBEL.