Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1867-02-22

rpeclal Importance Will be transacted.
Gov. CHT1ENDEN AND TIE BATTLE or
PArrsuuRcH.-Som attention has been di-
rocicd lately to the action Of Gov. Martin
Chittenden in regard to the Vernon. volun-
tcers who went to the battle Of Plattsburgh.
Ii will be in,eros;in. to read the letters Of
Gov Cmitcnden and Others upon the sub
iect and We make the following ext racts
from the yoiuminous correspondence which
appears in the published report Of tie
Proceedings Of the General Assembly ofthe
state Of Vermont FOR the year 1914 copy
# which from the library Of friend has
been laid before Us.
Gen Macomb wrote to Gov. Chittcnden
under date "Plattsturgb, Sept. 4, 1914"
informing HIM Of the condition Of affairs and
saying. "your ezccllcncy will l am sure not
hesitate to afford US all the assistance in
your power"
Gov. Chittenden replied:
JERIcHo, sept. (. 1914.
SIR II have the honor Of acknowledging
your note Of this day, sn1 shall take the most
eft ctusl measure 70 furnish such number Of
volunteers as may be induced to turn out for
your assistance. They viii probably cross a;
N'Neils ferry.
have the horror to he. with respect.
Your humble servant,
MARTIN CHIITENDES.
Gov. Chittenien wrote to Gen. John
Newell at Charlotte the same day, enclosing
ten. MacomJ's letter. saying
81 would recommend it to you to :ake the
most effectual method to procure such number
Of Volunteers as may be bad, for his immediate
assistance. from your brigade"
Gen. Newell replied Sept. jth
"IfIrightly understand your letter, cln
perceive no request or order from your Excellency
directing me to have the militia under my COM
msnd. or any portion Of them, march TO Plaits-
burg or any other place, for the assistance
Gen. Maoomb or for any other purpose.
AS l consider myself, with the brigade
command. fu..y under your direction and con-
rol, and as our assistance is requested and
seems very much needed at Plattsburg. regret
hat your EKcellency has not ordered either th.
Hhole or portion of this brigade to their as
lance, as | shall cheerfully obey any request.
direction or order you may give, to repair to
P!attsburg or any other plaee,to assist in oppos-
ing the enemy, protecting our territory and
citizens, and defending our country from inva-
sion.''
Gov. Chittenden replied to Gen. Nswell
as follows
JERICHO, Sept. 3, 1914.
Sir II have received yours Of this date and
state in answer that | do not consider myself
authorized, either by the constitution or laws
under which we act and from which all
our powers are derived TO order the
militia out of the State. But consider
ing the peculiar situation Of the army at
Plattsburgh, it was my desire that every aid
constiturionally in our power should be afforded.
Ind am induced to believe that a request. in
such a case, would have more effect than an
attempt to assume unauthorized power, on all
such as are willing to turn out for the defence
Of our country.
/ am, respectfully,
Your humble servant,
MARTIN CHuTESDES.
Orders from the Secretary Of War to Gov.
Chittenden, directing him to send at
once not less than 1000 militia to Platts-
burgh, and to call out en- maSss the militia
OF the counties most convenient, are also
published, which did not reach the Governor
Ill alter the battle. In his reply acknow-
ldging the receipt of the orders, Gov. Chit
,cnden said
"Volunteers 10 a much larger number than
ihat mentioned in your request turned out and
crossed the lake to meet the enemy. without
distinction Of age, character, or party, exhibit
ing a spirit and real for the defence Of their
country which reflects the highest honor on
themselves and the country they have signally
aided in defending
There were actually, as appears from Gen.
Strong's letters. 1872 Vermont volunteers at
Pls,tsburgh on the 10th, and by evening of
the llth, the day of the battle, $500.
ENCOUNTER WITH AN ICEBERG DIR. Hayes,
in bis new work /" The Open Polar Sea-"
thus relates dangerous encounter with an
iceberg:
Giving too little heed to the currents, We
were eagerly watching tie indications OF
wind which appeared al the South, and hop.
ing for a breeze, when 1t was discovered that
the tide had changed, and was stealthily
setting us upon a nest OF bergs which lay
to leeward. One Of them was OF that des-
cription known among the crew BY the
significant title Of " touch-me-not," and