Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1868-10-28

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the event proved how much too small it was
1t was little thought at that time that befor
the close of the war Vermont would send {,
the field seventeen regiments of infantry
one of cavalry and three batteries of artillery
The truth is that each side in the strugel
underrated the other. But the contest wa
fought and won. The great principle o
equal rights triumphed.
/ The actions of the State during the wa
ire well known and need not be recounted
From our mountains and valleys, from tn,
shop, the counter, desk and workshop th'
Nermonters rushed to the field. The Stat,
made large and liberal appropriations fol
their support. As the war continued anC
men became scarce the towns began to offel
hounties-some of them very large. Wher
Grant was fighting in the Wilderness
bounties reached their highest point, anG
ceiling that the men then asked for woulC
ne the last, and that they were needed only
to finish the work so near completion, they
| put forth every exertion and raised her full
quota without draft. Vermont furnished
over "a 900 men for the service of the L nion
| We kept the ranks full, as they were depleted
! by battle and disease, and thus continually
reminded our gallant Sons on the field that
/ they were not forgotten
| The fathers of the Safe inscribed on our
tag the words 80 reedom and Unity" and
when Lincoln proclaimed emancipation to
the slaves, these words became the war-crv
Of the loyal soldiers Of the Union And the
result of the war Was to make that sentiment
national one. Freedom of speech, freedom
of press, freedom for all men and the unity
Of states under the Constitution-is what
the war has secured
But while we honor the fathers and sons
Of the State, we should not forget the heroic,
al
PEELED by patriotism the women of Vermont
gave up their husbands and brothers to suf-
tering privation. hunger and death Most
nobly have they contributed TO the honor of
the State and we must not forget them
But 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 accomplished orator We
need not go 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 q title easily won and preserved
but it was theirs Nor should we forget the
regiments stationed on the Gulf, exposed to
the double danger of battle and disease. In
this department the 9TH and 8th regiments,
and lsc and I'd 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 Richmond.
The llth in the defenses of Washington :;
the bold troopers of her cavalry with their
73 battles and "a capture rebel flags the
sharpshOotsrs with their deadly rifles have
earned mple praise. The 18th with its
'loody record the Sd battery with its short
but honorable career, must be passed with a
Iara he 4
f July and the glorious deeds of the I'd
Brigade. The history Of their organization :;
their comparative inexperience their hasty
and arduous march To Gettysburg the noble
manner in which they wIthstood the terrible
fire of the rebel artillery and the charge OF
Pickett's veterans; their change Of front in
che face Of the enemy; and their gallant and
repeated onsets against the enemy till his line
was turned and the battle of Gettysburg won,
are precious facts for Vermont. The records
show that every regiment brought back the
Olors entrusted to its charge wher it went
TO the field. No Vermont flag was left in the
enemy's hands.
But at what fearful cost was this glory
obtained 5,l24 men lost in battle and
224 more wounded and MANNED for life
The Stare Is second only to Kansas in the
proportion of losses to the whole number of
troops The memory of fallen comrades
wilt be kept green. Fifty four commissioned
Ulcers met the fate Of the soldier In
every village of Vermont her martyred sons
sleep, and costly monuments or humble tab
lets, mark their last resting places. The
war was closed secession failed. The Off
GERS and men resumed the garb and occupa-
tion of peace and no indications of the
struggle remain but the recoris of their
bravery. But the manned soldiers and the
vacant places in many household tell the
sad tale.
Is the war over. or has it only assumed an
other form? Have we succeeded in making
treason odi0us? No; we were in danger Of
losing all the results of the war but all
doubt upon the subject is now removed.
Vermont, by the memory of her fallen sons.
declares that the fruits OF the victory shall
be preserved. She declares for the preserva-
tion of the national honor and faith Sla-
very shall not be renewed nor secession grow
again into life. Slaves must have the ballot
to aid the cause they defended with their hay
Onets. Traitors, North or South, must be
punished. The great Captain who directed
our arms to complete and final victory, says,
let us have peace. If we are true 10 our
selves, peace will prevail, and prosperity bless
our people beyond all former time. Grant,
n November. will insure full fruits of the
victories he won at Appor,attox. In the
words Of the immortal Sedgwick. "pnt the
Vermont boys ahead, ;" and the result is in
A poem By Col Redfeld Proctor followed,
replete with happy hits and "reminiscences of
the early days of the war. 1t especially took
pff the surgeons, chaplains, and other - long
range gentry, in the most felicitous man
ner.
On motion OF Col. Veazey tt resolution
was adopted thanking Gen. Washburn and
Col. Proctor for the oration and poem, and
copy of each for publication.
In the few minutes remaining before the
supper hour. Senator Edmunds and Hon. d.
E. Nicholson made short and pleasant speeches
and several other gentlemen excused them
selves from the same duty.
At 10 O'Clock, the society reformed and
marched TO the Village Hall, where the sup
per had been provided by the ladies of Beth
any Church. The entertainment fully justi-
fed the high reputation these ladies have
achieved. The tables were decorated most
with flowers, and were loaded
with sub5tantiale, well supported by the
choicest luxuries Of 3 hundred larders. Ev-
erything was well cooked, and we'll served,
and made most ample amends for any def
ciencies which may have occurred under for
mer caterers.
After the removal Of the cloth, Gen. Rip
ley first requesting the continued presence
Of the ladies, introduced Major Rounds, the
'osst master OF The evening, who proceeded
to read the regular sentiments.
l. Vernaont-1he Nation Ladez Always
indicating correctly the progress and condi-
'lon of the religious, political and social
prosperity Of the Union truly. in that con-
stellation which every American hopes will
bespangle the civil sky of this continent
forever, is she ~ the star that never SETS
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