The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1896-05-06
SOLDIERS BUDGET.
The Battle of Freedom.

The battle of stones River-fought
near Murfreesboro, Tenn, in the clos
ing DAYS OF 1862 and the opening days
OF lo63-was one OF the most bloody, |
! fierce and obstinate Of all the MANY
conflicts during the War of the Rebel |
lion. The weather was bitter cold; it
raned and showed alternately and froze
continually. Every hour, after the hos
tile forces met, was filed with anxiety,
dread and suffering. The night of the
3lst of December, 1862, found the
Union army driven from nearly every
position it had taken during the day.
The new year dawned upon a wide
scene OF apparently hopeless disaster.
Again and again the contest was re-
newed, with varying results, until, on
the night of the 3D. of January, 1868,
the Confederate army, despairing of
making any further impression on the
ranks of its opponents, quietly aban-
doned it's ground and retreated beyond
the reach of immediate pursuit. This
left the Union army, sadly diminished
in numbers but still strong and conf
dent in spirit, masters of the hard
fought field and justly rejoicing in the
fact of victory-but victory 80 dearly
bought as to leave its impress of sad
and ineradicable memories on all our
hearts.
Coincident with this victory came
also the immortal proclamation of
Abraham Lincoln, president of the
United States, issued on the first day
Of January, 1863 ordering and declar-
ing that "all persons held as slaves
are, and henceforward shall
be, free"; and that the military and
naval authorities of the United States
will recognize and maintain the free
dom Of such persons"
The calm and judicial tone of this
sublime proclamation can, at this day,
family convey an idea of the profound
impre ssion it made upon all the people,
aud especially upon the soldiers of the
Union army, whose solemn duty it be-
came to recognize and maintain it.
Among those soldiers were thousands
from Kentucky and Tennessee who
had just passed through the awful
scenes of battle. OF their devotion to
the Union there could be no question.
But how would they receive the proc
lamation which was to work such a
revolution in the entire social life of
the South? Already several officers
lad resigned from the service, in an
ticipation of the impending change.
1t remained, however, for a single
regiment to test the issue. In that regi-
ment was an officer of some legal ac-
quirements who succe eded in persuad-
log most of his feilow-otficers that, in
consequence OF the proclamation, the
character o. the contest had been
changed, and hat the terms of the i'm
piled contract, under which they had
emil ted, had been Vi Lifted. The y
ought, therefore, TO be allowed to leave
a service which placed them in false
position. Accordingly nearly every
officer of that regiment rendered his
RESIGNATION.
AS soon as these letters leached head
quar- ers Gene ral RoseorAns directed
his provost marshal to bring the offend
ing officer before him There was no
difficulty in tracing the origin of the
col carted action to its source; indeed,
he openly acknowledged and justified
his conduct, aud refused to retract,
though all the rest, as soon as they
realized the position in which they
were placed, withdrew the obnoxious
communications.
1t did not take long to decide what
should be done with the author of the
intended mischief. Orders were at once
given to parade the brigade to which
he beon ged. The culprit was then,
under custody of a corporal guard !,
marched into the middle of the square,
and az order read, reciing his disloy-
ally and dismissing him in disgrace
from the service. A sergeant then
ato kr.,l
off and flung away his shoulder-straps,
and then, t. the tune of the " Rogue's
March, " he was drumn ed ont Of camp,
and so disappea' ed from history.
This summary proceeding, though it
silenced any further open EXPIRE ssion of
dissatisfaction, left an unpleasant feel
ing. The absolute tyranny of military
rule does not always convince ones
reason. Something was wanting TO
make the anxious soldiers forget their
hardships, to cheer their discomfort, to
relieve the strain of strict martial law
and to substitute willing action for sui
len ObediC nee.
Just at this time a glee club from
Chicago appeared and brought the
needed remedy They went through
the camp, sin ging with great spirit a
number of new aud stirring songs, to
the intense delight Of the men. Among
them was the animated lyric which to
this day thrills the heart of every
soldier:
Yes, Wen rally round the flag, boys,
Rally once again,
Shouting the battle cry of freedom.
This soug rang like wild-ire through
the camps. 1t gave the needed vent to
the per t-up fee lings which night ain ost
as easily have been turn d into chronic
discomfort But It was when the verse
was sung
Wen welcome to our members
The loyal, true and brave
And although he may be poor
He shall never be "A slave