Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1915-04-16
HISTORICAL
SKETCHES
OF ESSEX co.
Taken from the Vermont Gaz-
eeteer, Published in
the Year 1862
Continued from last week

That seemed to rouse up in her the
same patriotic spirit which was so
often manifested by the matrons of
1776. Mrs. Stevens seemed to take
deep interest in the movement of
the armies from the first; and late in
autumn when the roads were muddy
she would walk twice week to meet
with the other patriotic ladies of the
village, to contribute her mite to-
wards furnishing socks and under
clothing for the soldiers of the Sd
VT, for which many a "God bless
you, " went out from the hearts of
those brave boys when permitted to
change their clothing after a hard
days work in the mud and wet of
the sacred soil of old Virginia. All
this Mrs. Stevens did before her own
boys had thought of volunteering.
Soon a recruiting officer made his
appearance asking for volunteers, and
her two oldest sons-one 20 and the
other 18 years of age--signified their
wish to obey their country's call.
Though hard to part with her main
supports in her declining years, yet
Spartan like she bid them go, and
Immediately set about getting them
ready, accompanied them on foot to
the village at IL o'clock at night
through the untrodden snow, saw
them sign their names; received the
loving kiss; bid them good bye, with
an injunction to remember they were
Green Mountain Boys" left them
to take the early train for the seat of
war, returning to her home now
made lionel y for the sake of her
country. A few weeks afterward the
recruiting officer again returned,
when her only remaining son, then
16 years old, asked permission of his
mother to follow his brothers. She
felt she could not spare him; she
could not at first bear the thought of
one so young and so frail going to
the field of strife, to endure the toll
and privations of camp life, but the
pleadings of the boy and the love of
country finally overcame the mothers
desire to keep him near her, and she
consented. Soon he was ready, and
though little was said, the fearful
eye and quivering lip spoke louder
than words of the mothers anguish
and sisters sorrow as they pronounc-
ed the last good bye.
Would to heaven we could stop
here; but alas, No! The telegraph
announces that a battle is raging at
Lees Mills, and that Co. D, of the
Vermont 3d,is badly cut up.
Onward they pressed for God and
the right,
Not aman among them quailing;
Onward they pressed through the
waves breast high,
The bullets around them hailing.
Steadily on, cheer following cheer,
And many brave word spoken,
Steadily on till they gain the shore,
Though their ranks are thinned and
broken.
with muskets set for a bayonet
charge
They rush on the rebel foe;
They reel, they waver, they break
and run,
Borne down by the brushing blow!
"For God and the right our boys
will strike,
And never an arm will falter;
Though each household mourns {
sire or son,
On our bleeding country's altar.
For God and the right! it nerve!
the heart,
And kindles the fearful eye;
l And the proud soul thrills that oul
brave boys
In this holy cause may die.
"Oh true Vermont! for our free
dom's cause
You have given your sons this day ;
And your name shall stand on tn,
scroll of time,
Until time shall pass away"