Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1899-04-14
THE GOVERNORS
OF the New England States in
the Civil War.

An Article In the New England Magazine
for April which Speaks OF Cows. Fair
banks, HOIbrOek and Smith.
"The New England Governors in the
Civil War" is the title of an article bv
Elizabeth Ballister Bates in the New Eng
land Magazine for April. The article CON
tains the portrait of the several war gov
ernors, including Erastus Fairbanks, Fred
erick Holbrook and John Gregory Smith
of Vermont. The part referring to our
own state is as follows:
Vermont claims to have been the first to
throw up Union intrenchments in Virginia,
the first to assault Confederate fortifca-
cation, and the first to send full cavalry
regiment from New England. She was
certainly first in proclamations calling for
men, Gov. fairbanks proclamation bear
ing the same date as President Lincolns.
If the militia machinery was rusty in other
states, here 1t had dropped to pieces alto
gether. The governor Erastus Fairbanks,
was one of the members of the great Fair
banks house of scale-makers. He had
fought his way up through hardship and
encouragement. Eight years before he
had served a term as governor, and had de-
feated his reelection by signing a prohibi-
ton bill. With increased wealth, he had
become an active Christian philanthropist.
Upon the outbreak of the war an imme-
date session of the legislature was called
and the work of raising three regiments
undertaken. A loan of 81 900, 600 was au-
thorzed and six additional regiments.
while liberal provision was made for extra
pay and the care of families. In October
the famous First Vermont briagde, the only
state brigade in the army of the Potomac,
was organized. After Bull Run, the Fourth
and Fifth regiments were loudly called for,
whatever their condition, and after that
still another regiment This left within
30 days and at the same time cavalry and
sharpshooters were being recruited.
In October, 1861, Gov. Holbrook, who
had succeeded Gov. Fairbanks, announced
to the legislature that two more regiments
were needed to fill the quota. These join
ed Buffers expedition.
The order of April, 1862, to stop recruit
ments was followed after the Shenandoah
disasters by the demand for another infan-
try regiment, as Washington was threat
ened. In six weeks it was in camp The
circumstances following the Peninsular
campaign necessitated the call of July 4,
| 1862, for 300, 600 men. The Ninth Yer
mont reaped great glory from being the
| first regiment to pass through New York
after this call. Gov. Holbrook notified the
secretary of war that he could raise anoth-
regiment in 80 days, which would put Yer
mont's quota far in excess of existing de-
mands. He was ordered to proceed, and
Immediately came the August call for 800,-
600 more men-these for nine months
Let no young man" said Gov. Holbrook,
capable of bearing arms for his country,
linger at this important period" All suit
able men were ordered enrolled the next
day. Another Vermont brigade was form
ed, although the state was now pretty well
drained After two years Gov Holbrook
retired from these unwonted military pur-
suits. He was farmer, a writer upon ag-
ricultural topics, and for many years pres-
dent of the Vermont Agricultural society
During his administration, Vermont was
the first to obtain United States hospitals
for its soldiers on its own territory.
Gov. John Gregory Smith 1858 65) was
literally educated as a lawyer and was a
man of family and means. He succeeded
his father as chancellor of Vermont, and he
was so successful railroad man that, after
the war, he became president of the North
ern Pacific railroad He devoted himself
unflinchingly to the Union. Both in the
field and afterward in disbanding, he was
unwearied in his efforts for the honor of
his state and the welfare of its soldiers.