Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1876-04-07

As Decoration Day approaches, a little re-
view of the condition OF the Vermont De-
partment Of the soldiers organization will
be of general interest. The Department
now numbers eighteen posts, having post
In almost every considerable town, Brandon
St. Johnsbury and Woodstock excepted.
Ii numbers little snort Of thousand
members.
On the 29th Of January last, Col. 7. S.
Peck was elected Department Commander (;
and on the 18th of February announced the
Department staff as follows
Eben Taplin. Burlington, Assistant Ad-
Jutant General; Ed. Z. Greenleaf, Burling-
ton Assistant Q. NJ. General: Chas. F..
Spaulding, Burlington, Inspector Willard
harrington, St. Adams, Judge Advocate :;
Kew. N. n. Glazier, Chaplain; X. j. Coffee,
Montpelier, Chief Mastering Officer.
On the same date Col. Peck, addressed to
each member of the order in Vermont a
circular letter. urging him to use his per-
sonal exertiOns to increase the membership,
by bringing int it all good and true men
who were honorably discharged from the
service and saying that record viii be
kept in each Post of every comrade who
has brought recruits during this year, and
the same will be put upon - Roll of Hon
or, to be published at the nert AnHual En-
campment
Remember, comrado," adds the COM
mander, . that We arc fast passing away.
Not many years hence, this Order will be a
thing of the past but while VIC live, let
US stand fogether.' in genuine comrade-
ship
On the 25th Of February the appoint
ment of an aide de camp in every Post was
announced, as follows:
BURLINGTON, February 18th, 1876.
GENERAL ORDER, No2
The following are appointed Aides
Comrades Geo T. Childs St Adams Thomas B.
kennedy, Fairfield william Schroeder, Burling-
ton Albert "a. Niles, Worthwhile j. J. Pratt,
Montpelier J. L. Moseey, Mortified Il. J. Nc
Vain, West Randolph G. Mcmillan, Watsfeld.
A. stursess, Jamaica Roswell Farnham, Brad
iord J. VI. Dyer. Rutland; Charles A. Bundy
Arlington Nelson o. Wilcox, Bennington: R. f.
HathorD; Ludlow Geo. L. Green, brattehoro
George ii. Sessions. Factory Point II. u. Maynard
Mddlebury Frank Ray. Wilmington.
pointed " aides from each Post, and in addtio 10
their duty such, they will perform that of Special
inspector, and are expected at all times to keep
awe ana - further the interests Of the Order every
way possible. They will report (by letter. each
month, 10 the Assistant Adjutant General the gene
raj condition OF the Post and offer such suggest Ous
as they may deem propsr.
II Is expected tina: every comrade will possess 4
o. A X. Badge, u be worn at all meetings, un the
outside Of the coat, On the let side.
On the 29:h of March, circular was
sent to a soldier in each town in Vermont,
the portions Of which OF general interest
are as follows:
CoNRADE This is sent you for tho purpose Of
requesting all soldiers in your town 10 r-anize.
make the necessary arran- ements, and on the Both
May, $50, Decoration Day strew the graves OF our
fallen comrades with flowers. IL has been lament
able TACT, that in many places IN Vermont this duty
has never been performed that men who have
fallen in the defence Of the noblest cause ever
known. have been suffered TO lie forgotten and un-
recognized in their graves. Now the o!der Of sol
d ers known as the Grand Army O, the Republic
have thought this 10 be one % their duties and in
TINS the centennial year u our Republic have de
termined 10 try and have every soldiers grave no
tced, be II " known or unknown. /. there arc
graves N different parts OF your town please have
committees detailed to sec that they are properly
decorated. Should the season be late and flowers
hard 10 procure, We would suggest that evergreen
Wreaths be placed upon the graves also that How
er-seeds De strewn upoa the tops OF the graves,
winch Will spring up and bloom during the entire
season. Every Post u the Grand Army will. on
that day, turn Quito perform this sad bur beautiful
duty and each Will send report thereof 10 these
Head Quarters. We hope You Will do the same,
ana also send copy az any newspaper outain.nS
your proceedings, which viii be lied among the
records OF the order.
7. 5. PECK. Department Commander.
EuES TAPLlS, Asst. Adjt General.
We cannot doubt that as result OF these
timely suggestions, the cravosof our heroes
Will be more carefully and generally lecorA-
ted. this year, than they have ever been
And We trust that Col Peek'~ patriotic
efforts to arouse increased interest in tae
order viii be fully appreciated and fad "a
hearty response in all quarters. - he
says in his first general order '' There is
work for all, and IN this the Centennial
year of our noble Republic let Us make such
an advance that in after wears we shall be
able TO look back To tins time with pride
Let all delinquents in each Post be reused
to duty. so that every soldier and sailor in
this State wi. be member of the Order
Ii Is suggested that in counties where there
are but few Posts. and there are parties en-
titled to membership living in adjacent
towns, the members, Individually. get
them to join the nearest or most convenient
Post. and when Decoration Day comes.
il will be No ltger known that soldiers
grave was neglected in Vermont