Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1864-01-29
Our arntp Correspondence
For the Journal.
FROM THE FOURTH REGIMENT.
, ~ y II y y NWNF NJ
January is, 1864.


Juggling, picking, and grubbing to exc out fuel
sufficient to ward of the frosts of the snug
winter weather we are having. For some
days the weather has been quite mild, and
the snow, which had laid for two weeks, has
vanished. To-day a rain-storm has again
commenced, probably the precursor Of I'M
fathomable mud and slush, till another frost
shall encrust the surface of this war blight
ed land. The toll and monotony Of our life
is endured with good spirits fully as ever
before. Indeed, your correspondent from the
Station has hit the nail on the head when he
noted marked contrast in morals AID spirits
from last year. This is partly due to better
food, and hardly less to the large amount of
express goods, in fine order, constantly re-
ceived very effectual antidote against home
sickness and disafection Another stimulus
is the hope, now vergiug towards realization,
Of release nom the tolls and priyations Of the
service, to enjoy, for time at least the half
forgotten delights Of home and friends Many
OF our comrades are now enjoying these for a
briei period then, again as veterans, 70 buck
lie on their armor, to toll and fight till death
releases them, or Victory crowns our ban
ners with the myrtle OF peace Taught by
experience, they, as men. must have counted
the cost, and are prepared to abide by their
choice. II they find more devolyed upon
them than at present Anticipated, they will
not finch, but push on and finish the job. II
may be safely asserted that many others are
half persuaded to join them many. doubtless,
will, under the extension OF veteran bountes,
aud Of those who shall be discharged, large
proportion will re-enter the service within
few months, il troops continue to be raised.
Nobly as has our State done in more than
filling her quota, aside from re-enstments in
the field, her veteran soldiery still hold the
front rank on her scroll of fame beside the
heroes Of rs. Their past prestige is but the
herald of still brighter future, side by
side with their new comrades in arms, they
shall, through toll and danger, push rebel
lion tn its " last ditch" and restore in more
than pdstine strength and beauty the ram
parts Of Freedom, enlarged and founded on
adamant. 1t argues no dereliction OF duty if
they lay aside their armor for time to gain
new strength for the final contest, and pasied
be the tongue which would donounce one who
prefers to return to civil life. Large bounties
to veterans are but simple justice as well
sound policy, aud all honor to the soldier who
from choice or principle shall re-eoliat, but if
from enfeeb led health, dislike Of the service,
or the claims OF family or friends. e should
decline doing so. he has surely endured and
suffered enough to entitle him 20 a release.
With present prospects he can be free with
out hazarding the loss OF ground already gain
ed. he can rest securely before again putting
shoulder to the wheel, and have yet to find
"A veteran 80 sick of war that he will not re-
turn to his post as first relief on second round,
when the second and third reliefs have stood
their time in turns. Such an one is good
soldier under our regulations. aud as good a
patriot, | aver, as the average run at home.
Objections may be raised to these views Of
mine, and possibly there may be Vermonters
base enough to stigmatze them the pleas
of towards, who mean after all o shrk out
if possible. In regard to delay in re.enlist-
ments it may be urged that now or never is
the decisive hour, that we have no time except
the winter months to rest, but during the
coming season are to combine our efforts aud
strike the finish,pg blow. While grant that
such an issue is desirable, and with fair
prospect of securing it, we ought not to delay
a moment. l confess myself skeptica as to
speedy arxistue Of the contest, and acting
on probabilities, feel rather bound as good
soldier to retire at present from the font to
the reserve, to let them wac are coming to our
aid take the brunt Of the present onset, and
then with recuperated energies we will be in
for the last finishing stroke. Let those who
choose, after a MONTH furlough, return to the
front, others may do good service 10y taking
a longer respite, indeed it seems TO me that
we positively need it Tor future efficiency My
ideas may not tally with military theories or
statistics, but those who have suffered partial
starvation for so long time, need rest and
generous diet to restore their vital energies
after the exhausting tolls aud prvations Of
three years. Moreover they need to feel the
restraints and elevating influences of home,
society and religion to have their thong hts
turned into old channels, and old associations
revived, elise the mind and morals will suffer;
lapsed already towards barbansm, their course
must be turned, or they will return at last, if
ever, to society to be its dregs. rather than
ITS ornaments 1t is common impress sion
among us thai many at home already reg .rd
US as unfit for society and are continuing in
various ways to keep us in tie field and there
are too many indications of such feeling let
us not be sacrificed thus, but allowed some
chance for reformation. If orr morals have
been corrupted, it is but natural incident of
war; and loss suffered in the common cause
We are therefore justly entitled to the priv
ieges Of society again, even to remain as cit
liens while others finish the work in which
we have endured so much Let our faults be
palliated by these suferings. cannot refrain
from an allusion to what hope is an isolated
case. A prominent citizen of Orange County,
finding the quota Of youths he had inveiged
into tho service thrown out, appeals to his
townsmen with us to re- enlist and fill up the
towns quota, suggesting it woud Ue capt.
tai thing for them. When we consider that
one of these soldiers has dependent family,
and another dependent mother and they the
only sons, his sefshness is evident, for he
has two sons also, who have never been in the
feldi Why are they withheld; Can such base
ness skulk among our green hills ask the
people Of Vermont, are we not men worthy of
better treatment than this, rather of a well
come TO your homes and hearts, and fir
record on your ancestral scrolls
Yours, S.
Captain Alanson j. Stevens, son of the
late DIR. Stevens of st. Johnsbury, was killed