Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1896-03-05
LETTsR.FRoM e. CHlTTENDEN.
Gov. Martin Ch,ttcnden and the Vernon
Militia In 1914.
To the Editor of the Free Press:

Gov. Martin Chbttcnden ana the Vernon
Militia In 1914.
To the Editor of the Free Press:
1t may interest our readers to have the
legislative history of the action of the gov
ernor and the Vermont militia at the time
of the British invasion of Pittsburgh in
1874 set forth anew.
On the goth of October 1914, the General
Assembly passed and sent to the governor,
a resolution offered by Mr.. II. C. Denison,
calling for copies of any correspondence
which he, Ohe governor may have had
with any commanding officer of the United
States army, or any officer under his COM
mand, relative to detaching the militia of
this State, particularly the request of Gen.
Macomb alluded to In his excelency's
speech OF the 18th inst.
On the 9th of October Gov. Chittenden
complied by transmitting copies of certain
documents marked 1 to IA. He added, that
copy of the answer to Gen. Macomb's
first letter of September list had been mis-
laid-that It was short, and In substance
that such aid should be afforded as
should be found necessary and in my pow
err constitutionally to grant," No copy,
the governor wrote, had been preserved Of
another letter "given to Gen. Strong on
his crossing the lake, stating his laudable
exertions IN inducing the volunteers to
turn out for the defence of their country
and recommending him as an old and ex-
perlenced officer"
Among the letters transmitted, was one
from Gen. Macomb, dated August 81, stat
ing that the enemy is advancing in full
force towards this place (Plattsburgh)
and have already proceeded so far as to
cross the Chazy at Champlain village. 1t
Is perhaps in your power to throw a de-
tachment over the lake, so as to advance
to our assistance on the road leading from
Essex. These men should be light armed
We shall be able to hold our ground until
they come to our assistance, in case they
should be too powerful for us to meet the
enemy beyond our defences."
second letter from Gen. Macomb
dated Plattsburgh, September 4th, states
1T is now ascertalned beyond a doubt
that the enemy Will march for this place
with his whole force this morning Every
preparation Is made and making that our
time Will admit. The enemy must besege
us as our works are now in a tolerable
state of defence. This will give time for
succor to get to our assistance, which
may possibly end In a complete discom-
future of his designs and oblige him to
raise the siege. Much is at stake at this
place, and aid is actually wanted as the
garrison Is small and the enemy in con-
siderable force. Under these circum-
stances, your excellency will, I am sure,
not hesitate to afford all the assistance in
your power.
Gov. Chittenden by letter dated Jericho
September 4th. wrote: II shall take the
most effectua measures to furnish such
number of volunteers, as may be induced
to turn out for your assistance"
On the same day the governor sent a
copy of Gen. Macombs letters to Gen.
Newell at Charlotte, and adds: II would
recommend II to you to take the most eff
fectual method to procure such number Of
volunteers as may be had, for his immedi-
ate assistance, from your brigade"
September Gen. Newell replied: III
1 rightly understand your letter, I can
percieve no request or order from your
excellency, directing me to have the mill
tia under my command, or any portion of
them, march TO Plattsburgh or any other
place. for the assistance of Gen. Macomb,
or for any other purpose. From your let
ter, therefore, | consider myself unauthor-
lied 10 order out any portion of the militia
under my command. or to do more than
your excellency has recommended. name
ly, to offer my advice. which may be fol-
lowed or not. AS our assistance
seems very much needed at Plattsburgh,
regret your exce,lency has not ordered
the whole or a portion of
this Brigade to their assistance,
as shall cheerfully obey any request. d.
rectlon or order of yours to repair to
IldttsDuTRn, OF any OtneT place, 10 as
sist in defending our countrymen from
invasion"
On the same day the governor replied
as follows to Gen. Newell: II do not con-
slider myself authorized, either by the con-
stituton or the laws under which we act
and from which all our powers are de-
rived to order the militia out of the State
But considering the peculiar situation Of
the army at Plattsburg, 1t was my desire
that every aid constitutionally in our
power, should be rendered. And / am
induced to believe that n request in such
a case would have more effect than an
attempt to assume unauthorized power
on all who are willing to turn out for the
defence OF the country"
The other documents were letters from
Gen. Strong of Sept. II and 16 showing
that $500 Vermont volunteers helped to
win the victory at Plattsburgh-that Sec /
rotary of War Monroe made a specific
call on the governor to order out 1000 of
the militia, which was not sent, on ac-
count of the victory, and the governors
reply that a much larger number had
without distinction of party
and contributed to the glorious victory.
De mortuis nil, etc. Let us be charitable
to the memory of the old governor. with
charity for all--with malice toward none"
let us believe that his heart was right
that is was really the question of consti-
tutional power that troubled him; and
that he knew Vermonters required no or |
der to march, when their State or their
was in danger.
L. L. CHITTENDEN.