Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1868-06-03
VI thC ANNbAtth"
HAWKES. Orderly Book

One of the most valuable donations to the
Vermont Historical Society during the cur
rent year, is - MAJOR John Hawkes. Orderly
Journal Book, a manuscript volume of
several hundred pages, written in 1859 and
100. The book is somewhat dingy as
might be expected from its age of more than
a hundred years, but is in excellent preserva-
ton. and every page is as legible when
first written. The author an Inhabitant of
Deerfeld, Ms. and saw much active military
service both in the of l744 and in that
of 1855. In 1860 he rose to the rank of 1t.
Colonel. This volume was his Orderly Book
in the campaigns of 1859 and 100, on the
upper Hudson, Lake George, and Lake
Champlain. In 1912 the volume fell into
the hands Of Ephraim Hoyt of Deerfeld,
who enriched it with copious historical notes,
some of which are as many as twelve pages
in length. Subsequently it came to the
possession of the Rev. George 3. Spaldng
Of Hartford, Ct, by whom it is now presented
to the Historical Society of his native State.
1t were good thing if other sons of Yer
mont, who have left the State of their nativi-
ty, would emulate this good example, and
would show by similar thoughtful acts, that
they do not forget the mother who bore them
Many of these orders and notes are of
great interest to the general reader. There
e evidence that the vice for which @ our
army in Flanders " was so notorious, pre-
vailed in the American army also
." As it is VIGOROUSLY true that profane
cursing and swearing prevails in the camps
it is not only very far from the Chri
soldiers duty and very displeasing to the
Lord of hosts and God of armies, but dis
honorable before men. it is therefore re
quired and expected that for the future the
odious sound of cursing and swearing il
turned into profound silence. If after the
publishing of these orders any is found
guilty of the violation of these orders, they
may expect such punishment as Cou n
Marshal may Judge for disobedience.
Here is a record of the fate Of deserter
- George Edwards, a Deserter in the l7tf
Regiment, is to Suffer Death the Picquits o
the Line is to assemble Immediately in the
front of MontgOmerys the Commanding
Officer of forbs (Forbes's Regiment p will
Order that Regiment to Erect Gallows on
the Battery Immediately in the front o
Montgomerys where the Prisoner George
Edwards is TO be Hanged IN his french Goa
with Lybill on his Breast Hanged for De
sertion to the French he is To be left Hangec
all Day and at Retreat beating to be buried
Very Deep under the Gallows and his french
Coat with him this is to be put into Execu-
ton Immediately and if the provost Marshal
Doth not find \ Hangman the Commanding
officer Of the Piquit will Order that the
Provost Master Doth it himself
Occasionally there occurs brief memo
randum of some important event in the
campaign as, for example
July Goth, 1859. About of two O'clock
att Night the French Blew up Fort Tyanter
ogue after we besicged it days
The volume contains large amount Of
the materials of which genuine history Is
composed What would we not give for the
orderly books of Ethan Allen, Col. Francis,
and others who had to do with the military
history of Vermont in the early days?
r. W.
Coventry, May 80, 1868.