Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1898-08-25
VERMONT SOLDIERS
ONLY LACKED AN OPPORTUNITY TO
. -, DISTINGUISH THEMSELVES.
Gen. o. o. Howard Commends Gov.
CIRCUITS Action In Asking For the
Regiments Recall when There
Was Nothing Moro to DO Done.

Gen. oliver o. Howard. who recently
returned from working at the front on
the Christian commission, was seen by
Free Press reporter yesterday, and when
asked to say something of his experience.
replied: II have had about as much
crowded into the last three months as
any man ever had. Where shall l be-
gin?"
In response to a question he said: Il
returned to this city last Saturday even
ing. / landed from the Seguranca a week
ago Saturday. ! had business engage
ments in Petersburgh and Chicago, ILL.,.
from which places l have just returned
Except for that trip l have been with
our soldiers or our sailors during the
whole of the past month. We had on
board the Seguranca 300 men representing
% organizations. artillery, infantry and
cavalry. Most of them were either i'll or
very weak. as | imagine from the ac-
count in your paper, the Vermont soldiers
at Fort Ethan Allen are. Typhoid fever,
chllls and fever and dysentery leave men
very much exhausted. / do not wonder
that Gov. Grout asked to have the men
sent home when he saw so large n pro-
portion on the sick list" (2l4 out of 1860.
/ The general was asked If he thought
| there would be any dlscredit to the State
or regiment because Gov. Grout had ask
ed to have the men sent home after peace
was assured. and he replied None what
ever. | visited the regiment twice while
1t was under Gen. Brookes command.
Every officer and in fact every man cx-
pressed TO me an anxiety to go to Cuba
or to Porto Rico or anywhere, where they
could have share in the active work of
the campaign 1t Is evident enough that
as only 10000 men altogether df am cor
recO were called to tho absolute front,
that the remainder of the 100000 volun-
teers could not possibly bear a hand in
the war except to stand and wait. Per-
sonally l have this feeling, that every
regiment circumstanced like the First
Vermont, which did Its duty and all re-
CURED OF 1t nobly, should he credited
with its good will and spirit of patriotism
as much as If 1t had been in the place
of the rough riders at Santiago. 1t re-
Iqulres twice the fortitude to stay in camp
particularly where the water has not
proven good and whore the men have
seen their comrades, constantly attacked
by fevers and dropping down day by day
among them.
II hope that some reward will be giver
to every faithful soldier who did his best
that his children may see that his services
we're appreciated Surely the press will
distinguish those officers who have acted
! their part with diligence and ability, anC
remember the sufferings of those who
have been attacked by disease as we'll a:
those who were pierced by bullets. Or
my last visit to Chickamauga, Qt was my
third, | saw Capt Brownel when he anC
his men were guarding the pay depart
mont of the army. 1t was duty requiring
diligence and probity and II was magni
iicently performed On this trip there wal
no fault that could be found with the or
der. discipline and service of the regiment
Chaplain Day was himself i'll with dys
EMERY at the time and was afraid that /
would reach the men. as it has since done
l am glad he Is well and has been abl
to render such constant and gentle ser
: vice through the hospital department.
know / shall always meet any membe
of the First Vermont with feeling o
tenderness and respect, and II anybody 4
disposed to cast slur upon these men
II will be n disgrace to the man who doe
, 1t, for Vermont men are ready to figh
battles, to endure hardships, or to Civ
their lives for their country's honor, an,
somehow such soldiers God willing, will
= have their reward.
=. II have worked in the Christian com
! mission TO do what little good l could II
d, the camps and at the front. but whethe
- there be record of Ii or not is of littl
consequence as long as my God and m
= conscience approve. So lot it he wit
Il every Vermont officer and soldier who ha
borne his part in this war with Spair
Somebody will remember his service an
= sacrifice and the Almighty will grant HI
blessing"