Year: 1864

/


The question of the expiration of the


term of service of the recruits who en-


listed into various regiments from this


state in the summer and fall of 1862, has


been an exceedingly delicate and trou-


blesome one, both to the state authorities


and to the general government; and


while / have labored earnestly both by
frequent correspondence with the War
Department, and by personal interviews,


to secure for them what seemed to me


but an act OF justice, am yet compelled


to report my inability to accomplish any


favorable result.


A simple narration of the facts viii


better convey to your minds the true po>


sition of affairs, and enable you to judge
of your duties to these men under the
peculiar circumstances in which they are
placed.


In 1862 the governor Of Massachusetts
obtained from the War Department a
special order for that state, to the effect


that the term of service of all volunteers
enlisting in regiments then in the field,
would expire with that of the regiment
to which they might attach themselves,
which order was promulgated in the
usual form by publication in the papers
of the day. At the same time efforts
were being made to recruit for the Yer
mont regiments, and the order from Mas
sachusetts being published in the form OF
a general order, and in papers that were
extensively read in this state, inquiry was
made of the state authorities, both by Of
fcers recruiting aud by the recruits
themselves, whether the term Of service
of such as might enlist in the Vermont
regiments would expire with that of the
regiment into which enlistments might be
made. To this inquiry, reply, as L am
informed, was uniformly made, that it
would, and assurances were freely given
in all cases where the question was rails
ed, till ii became the general understand
ing throughout the state. Upon the
strength of these, coming thus authorita-
lively, recruits enlisted freely and joined
the regiments of their preference.


My attention was first called to the
subject by memorial, signed by sever
al of these recruits, who had been in
formed unoficially that they were 10 be
held for the full three years service
The enlistment contracts and muster
rolls, signed by the recruits, were for the
period of three years, but these were at
The time regarded as mere form, the as
'urances given being most prominent in
he minds ofthe recruits, and also being
wholly relied on by them. The faith of
he State thus became strongly pledged
o these men, and they had the right to
believe that the pledge would be pre-
served inviolate.


In May last first called the attention
If the President and Secretary of War
o the subject, and they informed me that
10 authority has ever been granted to
his State for such assurances as were
given, and while they deeply regretted
he disappointment of these recruits, and
would cheerfully grant the requst for
heir discharge with the several regi-
nents to which they were attached, if it
,ould consistently be done, yet, that re-
,ard for the public safety compelled
hem to deny the request. That the same
question existed in other States, and to
rant the request in one instance would
ettle the principle as to all, and great
injury would consequently result to the
eryice, just at the critical period of an
and active campaign. Subse-
Iuent applications have resulted in {
imilar manner. The disappointment to
he recruits 10 many instances is very {