Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1868-10-29
Re-Union society Of Vermont Off,
EVENING ExERcIsRs,

report Of the business m Getting of the
ofticers' Re- Union Society, at Montpelier,
on Thursday afternoon last, We devote
this morning considerable space to the
interesting exercises of that evening
The meeting at the State House, drew
out full house, including many ladies
The meeting was called TO order at half
past seven, by Gen. VIM, y, W, Ripley,
OF Rutland, the retiring President of the
Society, Prayer was offered by Rev.J, 5
Roberts, Chaplain Of the Senate, After
music by the band, the President intro
duced Gen. p T. Washburn, Of Wood
stock, as the orator Of the evening.
Gen. Washburn was enthusiastically
received, and spoke for about three-quar-
tiers Of an hour, in an earnest and inter
esting manner.
GEN. wAsHBURN's GRAFTON,
The call has announced the purpose OF
the Society TO renew friendships formed
in army service, TO recall the memory
of fallen comrades, and to take fresh coun-
sci as 10 their future duty. He would
proceed 70 sketch, imperfeotly. the part
taken by Vermont. in the war for the
Union.
The history of Vermont in the war is
unwritten The official archives are
ready and waiting for him who shall
weave them into an interesting and popu-
lar form, But the present is a
fitting time 60 pay tribute TO the
part taken in the great contest by our
noble State; and also TO drop tear in
honor OF our deceased fellow-soldiers,
After the encroaehments ofislaveholders
had renderd forbearance impossible, the
north prepared itself for the struggle.
Vermont, like many other States, was des-
titute of any militia. A false economy
had disarned her many years before. \
few volunteer companies, poorly equipped
and drilled, were organized, ant that was
all But the State met the emergency
promptly and nobly. One regiment was
at once formed, and hurried to the front,
too late to save Norfolk, but soon enough
to take part in the first battle of the war
To Gov Fairbanks and his staff, great
praise il due for their labors TO have YER
mont early represented in the Union
army.
III Allt HltAlltl me inc 0ltlt lfElNAaNuTt
had met and passed two acts that deserve
10 bc ever remembered, one voting State
pay 20 the Vermont soldiers and the other
making provision for the care and support
vi their families
Two regiments of infantry were or.
tlercd 10 be raised. and two more if nee
essary. This was considered by many too
large, but the event proved how much too
small it was. 1t was little thought at
that time that before the close OF the war
. Vermont would send to the field eighteen
regiments of infantry, one OF cavalry and
three batteries of artillery. The truth is
that each side in the struggle moderated
the other. But the contest was fought
and won. The great principle of equal
rights triumphed
The actions of the State during the war
are well known and need not be recounted
From our mountains and valleys, from the
shop, the counter, desk and workshop, the
Nermonter- rushed to the field. The
State made large and liberal appropria-
uons Tor their support. As the war con-
tinued and men became scarce, the towns
began To offer buunties-some OF them
very large. When Grant was fighting in
the Wilderness, bounties reached their
highest point, and feeling that the men
then asked for would be the last, and that
they were needed only to finish the work
50 near completion, then put forth every
txcrtion and raised her full quota without
IA draft. Vermont furnished over "a 900
men for the service OF the Union. We kept
the ranks full, rs they We're depleted by
battle and disease, and thus continually
reminded our gallant sons on the field
that they were not forgotten
Tho fathers of our State inscribed on
orr dag tile words /" Freedom and nifty,
and when Lincoln proclaimed emancipa-
ton 10 the slaves, these words became the
war-cry OF the loyal soldiers of the Union.
And the result of the war was to make
that sentiment n national one Freedom
Of speech freedom of press, freedom for
all men, and the unity of States under
the Constitutional what the war has
secured
Bat while we honor the fathers and
sons of the State, we should not forget the
heroic, selt.sacriticing, long suffering
mothers. lmpelled by patriotism the
women of Vermont up their hus-
'basls aud brothers h. Suffering privation,
hunger and death Most nobly have they
contributed to the honor of the State and
we must not forget them.
And to do full justice to Vermont we
must follow her soldiers to the field.
Even the flags around and over us, all
tattered and torn in battle, bear filter
praise of their deeds than the most elo-
quent words of the most accomplished
orator. We need not 20 over the history
of the Old Brigade. From beginning to
end it was always at the front, ever where
brave deeds were to be accomplished and
glory won The best Brigade in the
army of the Potomac was not a title ca
silly won and preserved, but it was theirs
Nor should we forget the regiments sta
toned on the Gulf exposed to the double
danger of battle and disease. In this de-
partment the 18th and Sth regiments, and
LIST and ID batteries did efficient service
The 9th won and deserved the praise Of
being the best disciplined regiment in the
army, and was the first to enter Rich
mond
The 11th in the defcnses of Washing
ton; the bold troopers of her cavalry witt
their - battles and "a captured rebe
flags the sharpshooters with their deadly
rifles have earned ample praise. The It'll
with its bloody record; the Sd battery
with its short but honorable career, mus
be passed with mere mention. Her,
we must notice the Sd of July and thu
glorious deeds of the Cd Brigade. The
history of their organization their com
paratve in experience; their hasty ant
arduous march to Gettysburg; the nobl,
manner in which they withstood the ter
rible fire of the rebel artillery and tn.
charge of Pickett's veterans; their chang,
of front in the face of the enemy; ant