Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1898-08-04
GOV. CIRCUITS REPLY-THE YER.
MONT TROOPS NOT SUFFERING
FOR ANY NEEDED THING.

MONT TROOPS NOT SUFFERING
FOR ANY NEEDED THING.
To the Editor OF the Herald:
In the Herald OF the 23d and 25th ults.
It was cdltorially stated that the cloth
ing of the Vermont regiment has been
shamefuly neglected" that "thc men
have suffered boundless discomfort which
proper care by the State would have
avcrted," and that nothing has been done
for them since they left for Chickamauga
in the way Of clothing and equipment. II
true, such statements are important. ana
so / have taken pains to ascertain their
foundation because the good name Of the
State Is involved. Col Clark advises me
that the regiment is clothed and armed
and suffers no discomforts other than
Amy life necessarily imposes.
Passing personal references in your edi-
torial. 1t may he said that the governor
ment from the moment 1t was mustered
into the United States service, the general
government then expressly assuming all
expense Of equipment and subsistence,
and ordering 1t away at once. Assurance
was given by the war department when
the regiment left for Chickamauga that
II would be fully supplied az soon as
equipmen ts for 1t could be manufactured,
and have no doubt good faith with this
assurance has been kept. It may also he
stated that from time TO time information
as to the condition of the regiment has
been at hand and l have thought, under
all the circumstances 1t was we'll cared
for.
The war department for the past 20 days
has been busy place and its service has
been most commendable. Calling from
the walks of life. mastering and equippins
225, 900 men and conducting campaigns with
a success which Is already opening the
door to peace, has been no small matter
and entities the administration to great
credit for the ability and dispatch with
which such important difficuit work has
been conducted. II compares most favor
ably with the work and results of the first
70 days of the civil war
/ From four years experience In camp,
hospital and on the field. no fears have
been entertained that our boys would not
be well cared for and have every sub
stantial comfort that belongs to army life
and frequent advicas show that such care
has been given. 1t has not seemed neces-
sary to urge the department to crowd
them into the dangers of disease or bat.
tie for the soldier that holds himself
ready for duty and obeys orders is as
brave and deserves as much honor as tho
one who clamors for danger. At the bat.
tie OF Gettysburg the brave Vcrmontors
who did not stand on the battle line were
0pN' lllt less SDlultIS anu lIGIE BdlItlll OF
ficers have never suffered discount from
that fact.
/ This note Is given, as others OF similar
character have been, to inform the public
that so far as known the Vermont sol
diers nrc not suffering for any needed
thing Notwithstanding rumors and state,
ments to the contrary. The one thinr
most to be considered Is sickness In tho
regiment and If the cause OF typhoid cases
cannot be discovered.
Now. my dear sir perhaps you can sec
why | have not felt called upon to SCI
aside ,0CO fund as you suggest anc
commission some one to draw from 4 ri
will for the comfort of the regiment. Th'
good people may he sure that Commander
in-Chiaf Mckinley will take good care u
his soldiers.
JOSIAH CIRCUIT.
! Derby Aug l.