St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1898-06-29
AT CHICKAMAUGA.
The Vermont Troops and Their
RatiOns.

Rations.
The CALIFORNIAN has received the fol.
lowing communication from Governor
Grout relative to the condition of the
boys in camp:
Editor CALEDoNIAN:--In view of re.
ports as to treatment of the Vermont
regiment at Chickamauga, Col. Clark
was addressed asking information and
to be fully advised as to food and cloth.
ing, especially as to the daily ration the
men draw. The following is his reply,
which shows the exact ration, except
that by recent modification the men now
get fresh beef six days in ten, salt meats
three days in ten and 16 ounces canned
salmon one day in ten, otherwise the "a
ton is as given by Col. Clark.
1t will be noticed that the sick are
treated in division hospital which ac-
counts for the absence of two surgeons
from the regiment. This is probably adj
visable as one surgeon is undoubtedly
sufficient to determine between minor
ailments and sickness.
This is the best that can be known of
the treatment the regiment has received
and is receiving as to subsistence and
equipment. 1t is furnished that the pub.
lie may have the facts, and it is a pleas
ure to know that the heart of William
McKinley's administration is as tenderly
regardlul of Uncle Sans soldier, boys in
1898 as was Abraham Lincoln's in
1865. am, sincerely,
JOSIAH CIRCUIT.
Dear Governor:-Yours of 18th inst.
is just received and in reply to your in
quiries will state that the only trouble
the boys have had with their fare was at
first when the cooks were green and they
were trying to get through the ten days
field rations which were issued us in Yer.
mont and which included no fresh meat
We got fresh meat advanced as far as
possible, which had to be deducted from
next issue, and as result for the first
fifteen days or so pork was the chief diet
and the kickers developed.
The ration is now:
lb. fresh beef five days each week.
" Id. bacon.
n Id. bacon when no beef.
10 OF. fresh bread.
22s OF. beans.
1915 OF. potatoes.
31s OF. onions or as OF. canned to-
matoes.
1as OF. coffee.
22S OF. sugar.
Vinegar, salt, pepper, etc., in abun
dance.
The quality of most OF the stuffis very
good and the companies are getting usec
to swapping or disposing of savings and
SO getting little luxuries in addition.
Though have been separated from thu
regiment as brigade commander most o
the time since our arrival have kept my
eyes on it as far as l could and can as
sure you that aside from the necessary
discomforts Of army life there has beer
nothing to cause complaint and very
little OF it has been heard here. As re
CARDS clothing, will say that the regimen
is very nearly equipped now, but tn
delay, which has effected all other uni
formed troops as well, has been very an
noying.
The general health of the men has no
been bad, not nearly as bad as l ex
pected on account of the terrible strait
caused by change of climate, diet ant
manner Of life. DR.. Lee is with us a
brigade surgeon, DR.. Jackson is at div
sion hospital, and DR.. Hamilton with tn
regiment. There are no regimental no:
pitfalls now, all patients sick enough t.
require treatment being taken to divisio
twice each day. Minor ailments const
tute "sick in quarters" and are cared 70
in our hospital tent which is nov
equipped with cots, sheets and pillows
and l have given the surgeon cart
blanche to procure any luxuries he deem
proper. Division hospital is we
equipped and from reports received l d.
not doubt that the best of care is give
the sick there. The boys stand well a
to behavior and when they get full
equipped will be credit to the state i
looks as we'll as conduct. I thank 20
for your good wishes, and believe me,
Yours very truly,
o. D. CLARK.
Chickamauga Park, Ca, June 16, 1895