The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1898-06-10
Judge reads Military Record.


some of the state papers are drawing
between the war records Of
the two candidates for congressional
honors in the second district Judge Read
might well have prayed TO have been de-
livered from his oyer.aealous friend who
first announced that Read was soldier,
He probably was a good one, all YER
monts were, but the fact that he was
drafted Into the service stands out poor
ly in contrast with the prompt action of
his opponent, the present congressman
from the district Montpelier Record.
Let us see what comparison of
records shows. General Grout was
born, May "a, 1886 Judge Read
was born, December 26, 1912. When
the war broke out General Grout was
almost twenty five years of age.
Judge Read was barely eighteen
years of age. General Grout was
his own master, Judge Read was
minor, and in obedience to his father.
General Grout did not enlist until the
summer of 1862. More than one
year of the war had passed, then, be
fore he was moved to "prompt &C
ton" Judge Read tried TO enlist in
the summer of 1861, but was per-
emptoriIy forbidden by his father.
In the fall of 1861, not yet nineteen
years of age, he again tried to enlist,
and was again prevented by his
father, who felt himself dependent
upon this son, the oldest of nine
children. Meanwhile there are but
few evidences of the ''prompt action"
of General Grout, now nearly
twenty six years of age. Regiment
after regiment had been raised, and
he was still practicing law in Barton,
In fact, no evidence of 'prompt ac-
ton" is found until after the call for
the nine months men in the summer
of 1862. Up 10 that time, which had
given the strongest proof of pure
patriotism, the boy Of nineteen, or
the man of twenty-six 2.
When General Grout enlisted in
the Barton company, more than one
year Of the war had passed. ''Prompt
action" that. He was elected its
captain, and chosen lieutenant colonel
Of the regiment al the election of FIELD
officers at St, Johnsbury, Septem
Der 26, 1862 He returned to Yer.
mont after nine months service, anC
remained thele during the rest of the
war. Possibly "prompt action" ii
that. After the St. Adams raid il
October, 1864, he was elected briga
der general by the state legislature
While making this remarkable wa
record, in which is found no evidenc,
that General Grout was ever on +,
battlefield, except as visitor, tn
boy of eighteen had passed hi
twentieth birthday, the draft of 1856
had occurred, and refusing the offe
of his father to release him by tn,
payment Of tue Communication fee o
$500, he had gone TO the front as
private in the ranks of the End Yer
mont Vols. He was with his regi
ment at Rappahanock Station, Min
Run and on other battlefelds, Nher
the old Vermont brigade gained i'm
perishable renown He was severed,
wounded in the bloody struggle 0
the Wilderness in May, 1868, ant
bears the marks of that battlefield t.
! this day. Late in 1864, he wa
transferred to the Veteran Reserv
Corps by reason of his wounds, an,
was finally mustered out of the ser
vice in August, 1865.
J Such in part is Judge Reads mill
tary record-the record Of a boy, VIII
+ was not permitted to enlist Of his ow
free win ard accord of minor, VIII
accepted gladly the opportunity al
forded him Of ente,irg the service
and of young man who sealed wit
his own blood the evidence of hi
patriotism and his devotion to hi
: country. True, he was but a privat
/. itfs the ranks, without political in
/. f1uence and backing TO procure fc
him the shoulder straps of lieuter
ant colonel or the rank of brigade
! general of militia. True, that as
! private he performed every duty ri
: CURED Of him fearlessly and manfull
who shall not say better because {
his earlier obedience of parental con
mands.
Who are ashamed of his militaI
record Not his friends, who kno
him as an upright man, loyal citize
It and able legislator. Not his con
Il lades.in arms, who point with prit
to his record as brave and gallal
4 private soldier, to which he with moe
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