The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1866-11-06

Of the army to tread the streets Of Rich
mond Of the gullsnt Tenth, which at
Monocacy and elsewhere separate from
other Vermont regiments, won imperisla-
be fame in honorable competition with
the brave troops of sister States Of that
last off}pring Of Vermont, which ere its
ranks were filled took up its march Rich
nond-ward. and scarcely halted except
for battle, until called up for fpa! mus
ter out; Of the sharp shooters and batter
les always summoned to the post Of dan
ger; Of our ubiquitous cavalry which
upon seventy-two hard fought fields rolled
up trophies OF victories as the fabled
giants upon Ossa rolled the leafy Olym-
pus."
And he would have dxeit upon the
deeds of our "Old Brigade" which be-
came like the Old Guard Of France, in
the resplendent glory Of the Empire, the
pride and envy of the army; not the
least of whose honors 1t was to win and
ret ain the confidence and admiration of
those two eminent Generals, the one
that skillful soldier of Vermont whose
genius alone could relieve bclcagucrcd
and discomfted army In the delenses Of
Chattanooga from what appeared to 9TH
er. TO be ar impending fatality, and
whose lofty conceptions carried victory
through the clouds of heaven over con-
ident and previously victorious enemy;
the other, that rugged veteran of the
West, under whom the brigade reached
the pinnacle Of heroic achievement, and
II whose careful training and soldierly
example the brilliant career and surpass-
ing fame of the brigade are largely due.
He would also have told you Of that
younger brigade with briefer but not
less glorious service. He would have
presented in detail the Herculean efforts
of our little State in the great war, the
facts and figures Of statistics, and by COM
parison with the efforts of other States in
other times have enabled you better TO
appreciate the magnitude of the task per-
formed by Vermont IN the struggle for
national preservation. All these things
circumstances compel me to leave TO oth
er and better hands
But, men Of Nern,ont, woul you have
the immediate, unmistakable proof of the
vaor that has added 50 much to the lusrc
Of your escutcheont Then raise your
eyes to these tattered colors that adorn
these halls with suggestions of glory
which we may well allow to conceal the
skill and handlwork of the architect.
These pierced and shattered fragments
tell, with an eloquence lofticr than hu-
man lips can utter, where stood Vermont
in the Juror Of battle.
"Thcv tell of life that calmly looked on death,
OF peerless valor, and of trust sublime,
| Oh costly sacrifice OF hOliost faith,
OF lofty hopes that ended not with time"
Thank God not single flag did our
! Vermont soldiers surrender during the
four years of war; not one of the sacred
emblems ever felt the polluting touch Of a
traitors hand There let them hang 20
long as peace shall remain within our
borders, s,-gOrious ensigns of liberty, noble
inspirators of patriotism, silent monitors
of DUTY. But should liberty again be AS
sailed, should the,pestil,nce of war again
: breathe upon us, then return them to the
front, their wonted place in the hour Of
: battle, and there YOU will find strong arms
; and brave hearts to bear them on to re-
2 newed victory.
Y But, after ALL how feeble are the facts
r and figures of statistics TO portray the
magnitude of sacrifice which Vermont
has lain upon the altar of free government.
Our eyes have become 50 accustomed to
large figures that they scarcely attract
/ attention, But could we go down into
Il the tabernacles of the hearts of the prou.l
I fathers, the fond mothers, the devoted
. wives, the atfcctionate sisters Of those
Il ''who have submitted to the last dread
ttst of patriotism, and laid down their
+ lives for their country" there might we
e behold the real though sad picture OF
C heroic sac ilice to loyalty and duty.
= What, TO the heart st icken by the loss
e OF son or husband, or brother, are untold
millions of treasure in comparison with
r the single life crushed under the burden
c of patriotic duty! In the fullness of gen.
. erous sympathy we minglc our tears with
d those of the bereaved ones over the ashes
+ of the patriot dead Gladly do we award
j. the full need Of praise both to the living
= and dead for their noble sacrifice.
;. Not less Of praise and admiration do
g we extend to the untitled patriot who,
!, without hope of reward and emolument,
). attested with his blood the sincerity Of
e his devotion, than to the titled chief
!. Side by ride in death they become the
: equal worthy offering for freedom. When
e generations to come, in the full fruition OF
J. the blessings which the triumph of free
. government. will perpetuate, shall reflect
d upon the price of their inheritance they
d will drop the tear of gratitude alike upon
;. the graves of all those who lost their lives
n in the noble struggle.
Il At the first reunion of Vermont officers,
l. while gathered around the festive board,
a sentiment was offered to our comrades
d Standing with bowed heads, that joyou.
) assembly responded in the sublime elo
IS quencc of silence. No feeble words d
d mine can add to that delicate and express
1t i've tribute of our regard and affection.
;, To the broken home circles there il
h the sweet consolation of the highest dut,