Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1865-09-07

A STRANGE STORY-The Vermont SOL
diers have been no less noted for their
discipline and good order than for their
bravery. Yet the Troy Times contains
a strange story OF riotous conduct on
the part of the last battalion of the LIST
Vt. Heavy Artillery while in that city
on the morning OF Tuesday last. 1t
says:
"While partaking Of rations at the
depot they evinced rather a lawless
spirit, and as soon as that was over
their evil propensties began to manifest
themselves. The first symptom of dis
turbance was seen when two respecta-
BILE ladies passed through the building.
One of the soldiers rushed up and en-
braced one of the ladies. Mr. c, w.
Moseley, of the Troy and Boston Rail
road, who was preparing cars for their
transportation, demonstrated with the
men, saying, very mildly, That isn't the
right way to act The fellow retorted
with DEMONSTRATING Mr.. MOseley di-
reCtly upon the lips, and attempted to
kick him, when ex-poliCeman E. G.
Cushing pinioned the assailant. Atthis
shoulder strapped officer drew his
sword, rushed up to Cushing and shout
ed, If you touch my man, III run you
through Thus encouraged by one of
their officers, a reign of lawlessness
commenced; and none of the others in
command tried in the least to check it.
Gangs of six or eight went staggering
up and down the depot, striking right
and left. They singled out small men,
and especially those who seemed to be
helpless. Among others one of the
coWardIy miscreants approached Major
Joe Egolf who lost an arm at Reams'
station, and struck him upon the cheek.
He waa about to follow it with a kick,
when Messrs. Tapln, Harris and others
interposed. The Major pointed out the
assaiant to some of the officers of the
regiment, but they declined to interfere
further th.%.n to promise to make an ex-
ample of him. The Major even offered to
take his chance of thrashing him, one
arm against two, in the street outside
the depot, but the coward refused even
this. For half an hour q miscellaneous
skirmsh continued. 1t was nothing
more nor less than a riot. Passengers
and citizens were struck, kicked, jumped
upon and abused. Even little boys
we're hurt. Two policemen were on
| duty, but they could only protect citi-
zens as far as possible; it was useless to
try and arrest anybody-for the officers
Of the regiment expressly forbade it.
| The Times calls on Gen, Hooker, in
command of this department, for re-
dress, and continues:
1--WE would also call the attention of
| his EXCellenCy the Governor Of Vermont
to the case, which is so unlike the usu-
al conduct of Vermonters. The escutch-
con of that grand old State must not be
furnished by the contemplate conduct
of few men claiming it as residence.
For we cannot but think that this regi-
ment, which was one of the last to en-
ter the service must have been made up
largely of men from other States. Mai
or D. J. Stafford is the name Of the Off
Ger in command. On his head let the
responsibility rest.
We can hardly credit this story Of the
Times, yet as we know nothing of the
facts we can now only take the Times
version Of them. If true, the matter
should be investigated and the guilty
made known, for the glorious record OF
our Green Mountain Boys, made all
through the war, should not be allowed
to suffer from the misconduct of few
members of this regiment after active
service is over.