Year: 1863

ported would be transferred excepting only such the opn
ion of the Surgeons charge of these Hospitals could bear
the journey to Vermont and such would get we'll in two or
three weeks remaining where they About one thousand
sick and wounded soldiers scattered through large number of
Hospitals have thus been transferred to Vermont to enoy the
benefits OF the change mountain climate and their native
air of the best of medical treatment and of being near and WIS.,
tied BY relatives and friends The expenses of transportation
are borne by the General Government The expenses and SER
vices of the Commissioners up the present tme amount to
about three thousand dollars about three dollars per man of
the men transferred No i'll effects have resulted the soldiers
IN their transit to the State


1t becoming settled opinion among high medical auhori-
ties in the army that it viii be advisable to establish several
Hospitals elevated upland mountainous regions more
particularly for the most successful treatment Of chronic darrha
that great scourge of armies The marked which
has attended the treatment Of this disease in the Hospitals
Vermont clearly indicates that this opinion well founded
Cases of certain stage of conescence from typhoid fever and
of gun-shot wounds which did not progress vab Hospitals
Southern audes near the tide waters have also
yielded very kindly to hospital treatment the climate Of Yer



Having enlarged the hospital accommodations in Vermont
the expense OF the State for the benefit of her soldiers
have preferred to let the upon that basis but If
should be judged desirable for the State turn these improve
ments the General Government and receive reimburse
ments for the expense incurred that probably be done M
the condition imposed by the Government however that then
the Hospitals shall be General Hospitals in the strict sense
for the benefit of Vermont soldiers than for those of other
States aK





Aduant and Inspector General for further information upon
this subject conveyed certain facts and statistics from his
office the Reports of the Surgeons in charge of the Hospitals
the State and in the Reports of the Commissioners to visit
soldiers and procure their transfer to Vermont


Reference further respectfully made the Annual Reports
OF the Auant and Inspector General and of the Quaremas
ter General tor further information
neced with military affairs fully treated therein as to need
further eluclation in this Communication.


Early in July last received communication from the War
Department. dated the Cd of that month authorizing and re
Repm of In
tanty and one Battery of Veteran Volunteer Artillery
for three years unless discharged and be composed of
who have heretofore been enlisted and have served for not
less than nine months and pass the examination required by
the mastering regulations Of the United States and informing
me that if these troops raised they will be credited three
years in the quota Of the State Five Regiments of
months troops were then returning to the State to be mustered
out of service; and the Government evidently need of
more troops to take the places of the nine months from the
various States whose term of service about expiring and
Vermont would course be expected furnish her quota under
any call for men, orders accordingly issued by the
Aduant and Inspector General the Sd of August last call
ing for the enlistment of the two Regiments and the Battery
1t supposed that these troops would be read
lily enlisted Unexpectedly however great amount of sick
prevailed among the months Volunteers after they had
returned to their homes which deferred speedy enstments in
these proposed new organizations.


The five Regiments Of nine months Volunteers composing the
Second Vermont Brigade returned the State the month of
July last and mustered of service Breboro-a
part in July and the remainder in August in my Annual Mes
sage OF last year, had occasion speak the Vermont troops
then service in the following Their vaor every
field and every situation in which they have been placed
rivals that of the early heroes of Vermont ustfes their noble
origin and proves that the race has not degeneated but
of DID, capable the most heroic and manly Deeds and may
be relied upon every emergency The application of this
language to the Second Vermont Brigade justified by its
whole bearing while the service The conduct of these
months Volunteers every duty they called upon per-
FORM whether in guarding long line of country in rapid and
prolonged march in hurng back the furious charges of the
enemy the bloody field Gettysburg showed clearly that
they possess the high qualities which have many occasions
been illustrated by earlier Regiments and they therein again
demonstrated that in seadiness reliability courage and
durance the Vermont troops not exceed by those of any
State or Country


In closing this brief communication, deem it proper affirm,
that the unity of purpose and effort the good order and obed
authority and to law the broad nationality of sentiment
and the patriotic sacrifices which have characterized the people
of Vermont their endeavos aid and sustain the General
Government the present great erugge OF the Nation have
placed the State exalted and pure position which history
will record to her lasting honor.


embrace this OCCASION gentlemen through you to return my