Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1864-06-03

For the Journal
SHiP ISLAND, MISS, May 81, 1864.
Dear Jo,inai-lt has been many weeks
since have ventured to address you, for the
simple reason that we are so wholly isolated
from the world, that have found but little
that would prove Of interest 10 your many
readers. But subject has recently been
brought to the notice of the public, that es-
pecislly interests those who have fathers, sons
and brothers in the army. | refer to the in
justice that has been and is to this day prac-
ticed of confning our Union soldiers to hard
labor with ball and chain, without the bono-
ft Of a court martial, for minor offences to
which no crimnality can be attached. More
than three hundred men have been sent TO
this Island within the past year and to-day
there are in confinement here over one hun
bred hearty and &c bus; men, (the balance hav-
ing been transferred to Tortugas,) leading
life Of disgrace, sentenced for one year and
upwards with ball and chain, and many with
the loss Of all pay and allowance during tneir
tenn Of service. And the most CALLING Of all
is the significant fact that their Judge is
well known sympathizer with the rebellion.
Here are scores Of brave men who have fought
nobly when " ali was not quiet along the Po-
tomac." who served faithfully u"der Butler
and Williams, and who distinguished them
selves as veterans during the Teche and Port
Hudson campaigns bearing on their bodies
the scars of twenty battles. These men while
on short leaves Of absence in the city, so far
forgot themselves Ms to take an overdose Of
Commissary," we're taken up ny police, com
posed Of rabid secessionists, taken before a
Provost Court presided over by a man OF
Southern feelings and principles, and with
out an exception, denied the right-whch
belongs to every soldier-of producing sim
gle witness in their defence were sentenced
ia above. on the mere assertion Of a police
man. have before me the case Of a" Green
Mountain Boy" who carries scars Of honor
received at " Irish Bend" Port Hudson
and Donaldsonvilo," whose only crime was
getting tipsy in New Orleans while off duty,
for which be labors with ball and chain for
three years. And although his company com
manders we're in the city, be was not allowed
the benefit of their presence to testify AS to
his previous character. From the records Of
tie same Court there are cases Of citizens
brought up for trial for uttering reasonable
language, and otherwise aiding and abettng
the rebellion, fined the palry sum OF twenty
FIVE dollars and then released. Another citi-
soldier, and received sentence of one years
confinement, nd through the inteicession of
weaty relatives was relca-ed in less than
! three months But % Is superhuous to null
/ tply cases. Here are the men who have nobly
/ fought, bled and suffered who have endured
untold hardships and privations, and counted
/ it an honor to be numbered among those Who
have bravey defended the stars and stripes.
] h,., ]
/ of committing an indiscretion, that iorty-fve
I out of fifty officers commit was about to
say daily--base been arraigned before a Pro-
vost Court, and without being allowed to
! produce witness in defence. or. in many
cases make plea, have been sentenced to a
/ life of disgrace. This post was visited some
weeks since by Adiutant General Thomas,
and every heart was stirred to pity at the
earnest and eloquent appeal made by these
unfortunate men to be returned to u cir reg-
ments and allowed to fight for the dear old
/ flag. You ask, why is such gross injustice
allowed and twenty thousand Onion soldiers
in the Department of the Gulf ask 10 vain
/ why Mrs. General Banks has beard the
! question, and soon we hope and trust she will
be able to tell US why. l have written this
from records which have before me, and in
all candor, and have only given an outline OF
what will soon be made public from oficial
sources. am we'll aware OF the feeling that
exists in all grades Of society toward a crmi-
nails and when these soldiers shall have been
released from here and also the FIVE hundred
and upwards from dry Tortugas) and returned
To their friends, unless the facts OF the case
causing their imprisonment have been made
known, they will be looked upon with con-
tempt, and years would not suffice to wipe
out the stigma attached to their name and
character. II is not question Of law, for no
reasonable person claims for moment that
the offence is of such an aggravated character
that it deserves such severe punishment.
/ Morally it resolves itselfinto this our BROTH
or has gone astray. 10 an unguarded mo
meDt while off duty he sinned. Shall we take
/ him kindly by tbs hand and direct his feet
/ into the right path, giving him kind words
OF counsel Or shall the opposite cour be
pursued, and when he has taken one false step,
/ by our conduct morally compel him to take
two more in the same direction / do not
speak thus earnestly in excavation Of the
conduct of any soldier who so far forgels his
manhood as to indulge in strong drink to ex-
cess. But have served as private in the
ranks, and know something of the trials aud
hardships to which a soldier is subject, and |
do say that the offence does not warrant the
punishment inflicted. And am assured that,
although the best possible treatment is meted
out to him, yet the recompense is triAlng
compared with the service rendered and the
hardships endured
Hoping to see your interesting face often,
am Yours for Freedom,
@. w. Fla.
LIST It. 74tb u. S. Inf. (colored.)
Refugees from Richmond state that during