The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1888-06-15

Their amazement changed to admiration
rs the war went on. The white-haired vet
Grams IN the old wars of Europe watched
our eXtempOrized armies. organized with
skill, put could not tell what to make of 1t,
when our soldiers (recent recruits) COM
PEELED reluctant victory to follow their ban
ners: '"''
Announcer amazement awaited them.
When the final victory was won, and the
PROSTATE foe acknowledged himself van
quished, their baleful predictions were
again at fault. Some of them predicted
not lay, that after our youth had begun to
relish the taste of blood, after the tiger ele-
ment IN mans nature had been fully
aroused, we should find it difficult to win
our fighters back to civilized life. The
land was to be oyerrun with lawless marau-
ders; The employment of thrifty Industry
w wSo'% %o not SATISFY the returned troopers
waste, brute force and carnage
~ was possible for monarchy to con-
trol such an element, but being themselves
tne element OF strength they would NOT
control themselves. Consider their amaze
ment as they beheld these immense armies.
Wnen the purpose of the conflict had been
attained, as if at the wave of some potent
magiclan's wand stack their arms. fold IN
thelr shot-tattered banners, lay off their uni
FORMS and take up the long unused but not
1Orgotten implements of peaceful industry.
ine hopes ana predictions of monarchy
haG been defeated as well as rebellion.
me american citizens who now enjoy its
t blessings are aware of the magni-
tude OF this struggle. Barring the fictitious
account OF the numbers that followed Xer-
Hes upon the invasion of Greece. the world
mas never seen so many men of one nation
under arms at the same time. The record
OF the war department show that there were
mustered into the service of the United
states during the rebellion 2,77s,SO4 men,
ana tne obituary records show the death in
tne service OF S59, 52S-mOre than the entire
population of the State of Vermont. men.
women and children.
~ inns stupendous number, in proportion
to her population, Vermont stands at the
head of the list. The record shows that
she furnished to the Union army 80. 2SS en-
! iistmehts; more than one-tenth of her en-
than one regiment and half, in excess of
her quota or OF all call made upon her by
the Government. OF these the record
SHOWS that 1924 1CeTe killed In battle. a
larger percentage than that of any other
State. 0''''-
This astonishing number of killed IL, bat
ties itself tells the story of the yalOr of Yer
mont troops. The old Vermont brigade
was famous for its staying qualities, and
was always pushed to the front when a
point was to be held, or desperate work was
to be DONE
The record also shows that the total loss
es OF Vermont troops by killed in battles
disease and O.her CASUALTIES was over $500,
more than One-third of her entire enlist
ment. Many who returned brought with
them the seeds of disease incurred in the
service, which soon bore the fruit of death.
doubt II such an army record can be
paralleled in history.
That Vermont has not been unapprec-
alive of her soldiers is evidenced by the
1act that since the war four of them, Coils
Proctor, Pingree, Farnham and Ormsbee
have been called to occupy the gubernato-
RAJ cnalr, while positions of rank honor
ana dignity have been literally assigned
to others.
While speaking of this proud record of
Vermont and OF Vermont soldiers, cannot
G s1oe without special mention of that ''no-
pest Roman of them alp General George
); Stannard, who emblazoned the banners
OF Vermont with glory, and evoked "a ma
tons praise. His heroic record is SO ia
mlllar to you all that have little need to
rehearse it. 1t was my happy fortune dur
ing the war to serve for several months up
on his staff, and this close relationship of
military association was the foundation of
an affectiOnate friendship that lasted until
his death. Few men knew him better or
his confidence to greater degree,
and no one loved him more. can but
mention him, for if should give way to
my feeling l should detain you another
hour. cannot refrain. however, from fig
lratively dropping upon his tomb to-day
.he tribute of my atfectiOnate regard, and
honor to his memOry-and to add thereto
)ne or two diSintereSted acknowledgements |
Of his worth from distinguished soldiers
md civilians who did not know him person
,lly, and consequently were unbiased in
heir expressions.
Senator Blair of New Hampshire, in a re-
)Ort made to the U. s. Senate June 18th,
1885. said:
Maj. General George j. Stannard was one
If the most able and brilliant military Off
'erS which our country has produced. He
conceived and executed with the troops at
lis command the most decisive movement
n the great battle of Gettysburg, univer
ally admitted to have been the turning point
,fthe struggle for the preservation of the I'm
on and contest of arms which in general
hip, bravery, and glory, in the conse
luenceS involved and to everything which
contributed to historical interest was inferi-
n to no other in the annals of the race.
This country is under greater obligations
modest volunteer officer, who in his lifetime
earned every thing while he claimed moth
ng, but whose greatness of soul was recOg-
lized by those who knew him and whose
Oul is sure of that Immortality which be-
Ongs to conspicuous deeds done in the
'ause of mankind and to noble personal
character
General STANDARDS long and faithful ser
vice in the army, from April IA, 1861, to
Tune ~, 1866, during which time he partici-
,ated in all the battles of the Army of the
Potomac, and was successfully promoted
rom 1t. Col. to Major General, being
six times and losing his right arm
It the battle of Chapin's Farm, Sept 30,
S64, would alone entitle him to rank as
VermOnt's chief sOldier-but his title to
hat proud distinction rests also upon
trOke of military genius that would have
made him a Marshal IN France or con-
erred the highest rank in any other militia
y nation of the earth. refer to his auda
iOusly brilliant flank movement upon
'icketts' flank at the time the head of his
ttacking column, 1900 strong. struck the
Jnion line in the last desperate attempt to
AIRY the position at Gettysburg This
movement made by Stannard with the 18th,
4th, and 18th, Vermont regiments, defeat
d the attack and saved the day at Gettys-
urg.
Maj. Gen. Abner Doubleday, then in COM
nand, of the first corps to which we be-
Onged, in recent communication describ-
ng in detail this famous charge, after COM
e