I t~IRiAL  REC OR
OF
ESSEX, VERMONT.
PPREPARED BY
Lo.; C. B  U L>UT L:E7-,  1V7 De
BURLINGTON:
ILS. STYLES, BOOKs ANID JOB PRINTER.
1866.




PRE FACE,
At the annual town meeting held March 6, 1866, the
following MEMORIAL iRECORD was read,-and on motion
of D. H. Macomber, Esq., the Selectmen of the town
were directed to procure the printing of not less than
six HUNDRED copies of the same, and as many more as
shall be subscribed for by individuals; one copy to be
distributed to each family in town.
In compliance with this vote, the following pages,
gathered partly from oral communications, but mainly
from official records, and woven together amid the active
duties of professional life, are herewith presented to the
people of the town.




MEMORIAL RECORD.
Repeated instances of patriotic devotion to the "Flag
of our Union" have occurred in our history, since the
war of the Revolution made us as States " one and inseparable." The war with the mother country in 1812
-14, and with Mexico in a later day, are cases in point.
In both, were exhibited the strong love of country and
enthusiastic attachment to it, which has ever been a
prominent characteristic of the American citizen.
But none of these so stirred the utmost depths, or so
enkindled to a flame the patriotism of the masses of the
people, as when those thrilling words flashed along the
wires of the Telegraph, on that bright Sabbath morning,
April 14, 1861, S Sunter ihas fallen,"  It vibrated
through every nerve and muscle.  It quickened to a
feverish glow the pulsations of every heart. It hushed
the tumult of rancorous passions then culminating into
ripened animosity.  It instinctively drew men of all
parties and shades of political opinions together, and
each found the heart of his fellow beating in unison with
his own. Throughout the whole North not a discordant
note was heard or uttered. With unparalleled unanimity, the patriotism of the people rallied round the symbol
of our liberty and nationality.    Not a star shall be
stricken out;" "' not a stripe shall be erased from the




dear old flag;"'"the ZUnion, it mnust and shall be preserved," was the unanimous outburst of the patriotism  and
loyalty of a nation in peril from foes within itself; and
the most natural expression of that patriotism  was to
rally for the nation's defence, to repel invasion and to
put down rebellion. Hardly, therefore, had the first calls
for volunteers been promulgated, ere the ranks were filled, and hearts that most joyfully kept "step to the music
of the Unlon, the Constitution and the Laws,' —ruthlessly violated by those of our own household,-were
marching away by thousands and tens of thousands, amid
tears and fearful forebodings, shouts and rejoicings, to
defend with their blood and their lives, the altars and
fires of our beloved country. Old and young participated in the patriotic enthusiasm.  The scarred and warworn veteran of former days, chafed in his age and weariness again to peril his life for the flag under which he
had marched to victory, —but the young, with lighter
step and nimbler gait filled up the ranks before him.
Fathers brought forward their sons, in many cases enlisting with them. -Iothers, with much'the same spirit
that animated the Spartan mothers of old, who gave
their sons the war shield, and with patriotic bravery
ordered them to bring it back, or themselves to be
brought back upon it, offered up their offspring upon
the altar of an imperilled country. Each vied with the
other in prompt enthusiastic response to the country's
call. Never, in all our history as a nation, was enthusiasm  more enthusiastic, patriotism  more patriotic, or
loyalty more intensely loyal. The integrity of the Union,
the symbolic representation of our freedom and national



ity, assailed by armed rebellion in our midst, were the
dragon's teeth, sown by that unnatural and unsightly
monster secessiofn, from which sprung the armed hosts of
patriotism  and bravery, which have brought to us of
this day, the blessings of peac.aad a restored Union.
In this conflict, now so happily terminated, this town
has borne an honorable and praise-worthy part.  It has
had representatives in nearly every regiment that has
been raised in the State, and in a large proportion of the
hardest-fought battle fields,  A few have been buried
upon the field of victory they helped to win. Some have
found a resting-place among their kindred at home.
Some have brought back the evidences of their valor in
the wounds they received upon the battle-field, and in
the mutilation of' their persons.  Many have passed
unscathed through all the perils of camp and battle and
prison.  Miost of them have merited the gratitude of
their townsmen,  and we to-day place upon enduring
record their bravery and their patriotism.  Over the
dead let us shed the tear of condolence and sympathy,
and erect for themt in our hearts, a monument which shall
hold their names in lasting and grateful remembrance.
For the wounded and those who have returned to us
unscathed, let us wreathe for their brow an unfading
diadem of honor and affection from a grateful people.
Immediately upon the breaking out of the rebellion,
the President of the United States made requisition




upon the Governor of Vermont, April 15, 1861, for its
quota of seventy-five thousand State Militia, to be
mustered into the service of the United States for
the term of three months. In compliance with this
requisition Governor  A _  ordered all the uniformed companies organized under the then existing Militia
Law of the State, to fill up their companies to the
full quota, and appointed Rutland as the place of
rendezvous. This order was promptly obeyed, and in a
very short space of time the First Vermont Regiment
was ready for marching orders. In this regiment Essex
had four representatives in the Howard Guards, of Burlington, viz: Malcolm G. Frost, Clark W. Bates, Ileman
Austin and Edgar A. Beach.  To Mr. Beach belongs
the honor of being the first to enter the ranks from this
town, and for his promptness and patriotism in responding to the call, he received a gratuity of one hundred
dollars, offered by Byron Stevens, Esq., to the first volunteer from Essex. Mr. Austin presenting himself for
enlistment but a short time afterwards, received a like
gratuity from Mr. Loomis of Burlington, in consideration
of care for his son then just enlisting. The regiment was
mustered into service azlay 2, 1861, and was discharged
Aug. 15, 1861.
During the succeeding summer months, under the
proclamation of the President for volunteers for three
years, the Second, Third, Fourth, Fifth and Sixth Regiments were rapidly organized and sent forward. Westley Hazelton having been appointed recruiting officer




with his headquarters at Essex Centre proceeded to enlist
a company, which, under himself as Captain, became
Company I of the Sixth Regiment.  In this regiment
Essex was largely represented during the war, and by
some of her best and most active young men whose
names we now place on record.
September 4, 1861, Albert and George Austin enlisted, the former of whom died December 11, of the same
year, the latter, George, was promoted Corporal May 12,
1865, served through the war, and was mustered out
June 26, 1865. Reuben Austin enlisted September 25,
1861, and died August 2,1862. Elias E. Austin enlisted
August 6, 1861, was wounded in the foot at Spottsylvania Court House May 10, 1865; promoted Corporal June
19, 1865, and was mustered out June 26, 1865. Norman
A. Baker, an only son, around whom centered the fondest
hopes of doting parents, enlisted October 2, 1861, and
died in the Hospital January 9, 1862. Willard F. Blood
enlisted Sept. 9, 1861, and was discharged March 8, 1863.
Lowell S. Bradley, enlisted as lMusician, August 28, 1861,
was sick in Hospital at Philadelphia, and was discharged
July 1, 1862.  IHe afterwards re-enlisted in the Invalid
Corps, went to Washington and died in the Government
Insane Asylum. George H. Brown enlisted September
4, 1861, re-enlisted December 15, 1863, was promoted
Corporal January 1, 1864, was wounded in the Battle of
the Wilderness, Miay 5, 1864, at about four P. M. of
that day.  He lay on the ground between the lines of




battle all night, and until nine next day. Up to twelve
o'clock P. M., he received an occasional drink of water
from soldiers who were searching among the dead and
wounded for their comrades, but aside from that nothing
till he was carried off to the Field Hospital.  After he
was wounded the Union lines were broken, and he lay
midway between.  On the morning of the 2d day the
Union line of battle was extended over him, but scarcely
had he been carried off the field, ere the Union forces
were again driven back, and the rebels occupied the
ground on which he lay wounded. He was wounded in
the thigh, producing a compound fracture of the femur.
After he fell he received five wounlds; a bad one in the
hip, from which the ball was extracted fromwl the under
side of the thigh on the 16th of lVMay, and was found to
be flattened and one portion of it turned at right angles
with the other. Another wound was in his back, two on
his leg and ankle, and one on his head.  At the Field
Hospital one only of his wounds was dressed.  HLe was
about two days in tile aminbulance on the road to Fredericksburgh, every jar of which added keenness to his sufferings. On the 20th of May he arrived at Washington,
where the Surgeon, not supposing he could survive, did
not set his broken limb till the 2d day of June, nearly a
month after the battle, when, seeing the recuperating
energies of his system were strongly and vigorously asserting their supremacy, his limb was carefully dressed
and splintered, and on the 5th dclay of May, 1865, the
anniversary of his terrible sufferings, hle was honorably
discharged from the service. His repeated wounds are a




livinl_ a-.d honorable, testimonial of his faithful service in
ou om      r.'s 5211,Thoinas COasey enlihsed September 9, 1861, and to his
everlastuma, dmsg~rc.-Sce~ dceserted'August 1d8e 62   Timothy
V.'w  Do wuer enlisted A  gust 29, i861, was electediCorporal of thke colpay upon its orgzanizatcon; was wounded
at S.rfaO  SCation, lu-gini,    une 29, 1862, by a piece
of shell in ti    _.eghm~ eye~, putting it entirely out; taken
pri$soner  rune 303, a9   ws confined  in Belle Island prison
nntil Aut-ustiS, ao -861; then paroled and taken to Point
Lookout and exhcaRgedC December 26, 1862.  -Ie was disch1arued A,rugusA 27oam, ( 563.  Wiliam  B. Dunlop enlisted
Septemern,)v  8, 1861 ao   vwus also Corporal; Septetnber 1,
863''O~I t'ias,,,S.ed      _ stO    t iaVld Corpso  Christopher
C   SFilse' encc:ed A!-~Ins-sts 24-, 1$i1  and was mustered
out Octcberi 238, 13, 8OL    iestleyI Hazelton  organized
Cooinpainy r:-fth a- U-r nt, ut wn-t out with it as Captain,
fresi: i his om  iss L i     i anuar y 17, 1869, and returned
ho me~  l,,'W.r-l,;  Io di.enda!i enlisted into Coumpany H,
Se conRime a i O) S3iooters,  December 7th, 1861,
and was a,- d..'.. t...~ leebe 1$3 1 86,2 iS Tel2 B. lellen
enlisted _&uuswi:, 2,o3 138-1 (   d~ed Junly 5, 18I2.  1enry T.
10_oseley ecnhlist.   2'-i'.3,.86i,  was one of the Corpor0ls in  i t  o, 0 ganzaio f i&  thie Company N was promote.d Se1 oi- Iecom (  or a  18t  c; teenlisted December
la5 1S36   an  w- hii ed at S)ottsIyvania MIay 12, 1864..Ie ys r-orund   by aJ p,,e of sneil in th  0roin at the
battle of  ga-:   a           ite    A n a   taken aprisoner'nd




10
was in the Belle Isle Prison.three months, where he suffered, every thing but death; when paroled he was too
weak to walk to the boat. He was in all the battles in
which the Sixth Regiment participated until the time
and place above mentioned, where he was killed instantly by a shot through the head.  John B. and George
W. Page both enlisted December 18, 1861, in the Seventh Regiment, Company A, which was ordered to New
Orleans, Louisiana.  One died July 21, 1862, the other
September 16.  Leander Poquett enlisted August 23,
1861. Re-enlisted for Williston December 15, 1863:; was
killed instantly by a ball through the head at Charlestown, Virginia, August 21, 1864.  Nelson A. Prior enlisted September 8, 1861, and was discharged December
9, 1862.  William Prior enlisted September 9, 1861;
died December 26, 1862.  Alexander Renonf enlisted
September 21, 1861; died December 10, 1861. James
and John Ryan both enlisted May 7, 1861, in the Second
Regiment, Company G.  James died May 12, 1863.
John passed unscathed through all the battles under
General McClellan around Richmond, braved the miasms
of the Chickahomany; followed the fortunes of the brave
Army of the Potomac in all its wanderings and meanderings, until the battle of the Wilderness, where he was
wounded.  Having served one term he re-enlisted January 31, 1864, for a second, and was discharged June 13,
1865. George HI. Scribner enlisted December 18, 1861,
in the Seventh Regiment, Company A; and was dis.
charged October 10, 1862.  Oscar A. Scribner, his
father, enlisted August 23, 1861, in Company 1,




11
Sixth Regiment; re-enlisted December 15, 1863, and
was instantly killed in the battle of the Wilderness,
May 5, 1864.   Louis Tatro  enlisted  December
18, 1861, in Company A, Seventh Regiment, and was
discharged June 6, 1863.  Frank L. Taylor enlisted in
Company A, Second Regiment, May 20, 1861, and was
discharged April 4th, 1864.  Frank B. Warner enlisted
December 10, 1861, in Company E, Seventh Regiment;
was promoted Corporal; re-enlisted February 17, 1864;
discharged April 12, 1865. Lyman S. Williams enlisted
September 26, 1861; promoted Sergeant; re-enlisted
December 15, 1863; promoted Second Lieutenant Company C, May 15, 1864; First Lieutenant Company I,
October 29, 1864; Captain Company I, November 12,
1864; mustered out June 26, 1865.  Captain Williams
was in all the battles in which the Vermont Brigade
participated, save in those of Lee's Mills and the second
battle of Fredericksburgh, and was slightly wounded in
the battle of Charlestown, Virginia.
In September of this year, Colonel Lemuel B. Platt
received orders from the War Department to recruit and
organize a Regiment of Cavalry to serve three years.
Its Companies were speedily filled up and the Regiment
was mustered into service November 19, 1861.  In the
organization of this Regiment Essex was represented by
two individuals, both enlisting in Company A: Malcolm
G. Frost, September 16; and William B. Renouf, September 17. Both were discharged November 18, 1864,
having served their full time,




The  avi-ry arm of the ser vice proved0 to  a mo0t
effectual arnd important one, and a position in the Vermont Oavaljry'vwvras nto snse u Lreo  cLlh wuh-was their udnceasing activity Lna. tche remark nhas been ibequently made
that they we're never out of thei  saddleso        e Frost
went out aQs c-tOopoal, but Wvas soon promoted to the pom
sition of Sergeant   On the 56h dy of'iove uCber 1862,
he was taken -risoner ao  t a nsn o-ci Wi- VsntonVirginial, a,-a   s for o  teearly a month col-fined in Libby
Prison at J   clinhmoi-d, nVirginia) befor  he 1was paroled.
During his';'io'  on.l... n.e was   o-i.ted  6eiry weil, butsubjected tco'the prison a-llre,  w-ii l Wh v v ils nt eVs he expresses it well caslcnlased   o prcimote til' o'8t r0or0ons
health~  Teie dail y' diet was s    1a piece of salt boiecld beef
about two inches scunae, abonu ten ounces of good bread
and a pint of beaen soup made by'boiling a ev b eens in
a large (uanitiy of' w,'e~, ands wtthoau soasoning of any
kind.!Ih \wvas exchanuged in iarelh oflloe-ing, aned returned to his ieome-n; -pnaritinie,'i 7oa     in tht cease- -
less stir annd st.ife  hi ch   aralcie    d thhi1n  Ca1rvaeIhyo Duering the last year of his service he -wvas Fhie coior1be0a-rer of
his Company'o.A& tw e hbactle of <ons 33roo~ tOche Ucnion
Cavalry had heen overpomwered by    l.i.3e',   nd coinl
pelled to ref-Teat  AS ey e     re o n o hLhsI -ea0t   in pass
ing through aie  of ooshis h          orse having become
somewhat r estive aui-nd       v u.  anageabe   oviehanging
liinbs knoced t he  coloro          s f  nis 11and a-nd dropped
them  upon  h<e 3groundO B         lravely dererniining unot to
leave his colors in ti3e hands of the r'eboeie  nor to nlave
his na-ti.ve, SRt at-e d,    by   hei,        coolly di.s




mnounteCt fino his horse in the J'tae, of the rapidly  approaching foe, picked up tlhe coloirs and mnounting his
steed barely saved fhhuself fronn benig taken drisoner,
an]d bore alolft the colors in triunmpho   [lad there been
five thoutsand dolars in go. ld on the goround at that spot,
he iwonld no   s have risked his lifo to have obtained it, but
to save'the dear; old fag,9 under ancd for which lhe had
fought so inany battled, from  Ifalllhng in'o the hands of
those who sotU:'ht;O trcamu-ple, in the d-st,- h'e would
bravely tee any da-nresz,        dly or iTo subsequnent to
the incident'es  hSavo nusst re-aeri, thed e t Union Cavalry
were again on tihe'd,  ocvarnce, afnd, tihe Veer     mont Cavalry
in the centere  wer"e 0t'Orm-led in lEnM of battle to attack the
rebel Cavalry tin a strong position  they hleld at a place
called Mount Olive, The order to charge Was mnet by a
terrfbly galli-ng frn-e of grape oand canister  and carbines
fiOi1'omthe rele & sLu-nC m lic7,oi.ice  thm;7e nhon  li nes and
Threw them  iO con  io...e   hle. sanhil    the rebel line
seened ia s amz-tenLl C bOhn an'I confiused as our own5 so fnu
rious was the onset  Coonsoicuous mion.1g, the men whose
braver7' anCd  gIa-llant'ty rfalled the'Union forces in'his
critcicalincuctro,   ci and  rned the tide of  victory against
the exultaont -o.~beh, vTe, ewg-eant F ro- and his name is
honorably  nmentioned iccn the dispatches which 1will transmit to posterilty rle remombranc   e of bthe 9th cday of
Octobe'rl' SO63.'Ibransco)m  eorriseo enliste, d Decembere   -inb, i8 61, as
musician in Company A, Seventh'liegiim'ent, and died
October 3,  831   li9,agney Ca-mpbell also enlisted in the




14
same Regiment and Company, January 17, 1862, and
died July 4, of the same year.  Myron Owen enlisted
February 11, 1862, in the same Regiment, and was
Second Sergeant of Company E. He re-enlisted February 15, 1864, and so far as is at present known, is the
only man of the original enlistments into that Regiment
from this town, who has been able to stand the vicissitudes of the climate. All the others have either died or
been discharged from service. Hfe was mustered out of
service March 14, 1866, with his Regiment.
John Chase enlisted as wagoner February 8, 1862, in
Company F, Eighth Regiment, and was mustered out of
service June 22, 1864.  John HI. Bell enlisted May 7,
1861, in Company G, Second Regiment, was slightly
wounded in the groin, and was mustered out June 29,
1864.
The individuals whose names we have thus passed in
review, enlisted without any other bounty than such as
the Government offered them. The nrovelty of the war,
and the crude notions then entertained by many in regard
to the magnitude of the rebellion, gave some eclat to the
idea of enlistment, but above all the enthusiasm and
entire unanimity with which men of all political opinions
joined in sustaining the administration in its determination to vindicate the majesty of the Laws, and to bring
back the People of the rebellious States to their proper




allegiance, contributed most oto swell the tide of onutgush
ing patriotism, vhitch threatened to almost depopulate
the NTorth, by thaking its entire  arms-bearing population,
old and young) i-nto the army of the OUnion. Recruiting
Offices were croswded to overflowing.M AlImost any one
that planted tlhe s'tal~Is nUd stripes in'he streets, or flung
it -o the breeze fCrmo  a, window, would  gather around
him         d a crowd, ea(s'er to ma rch  under it  ample folds. T he
strairns of mnartial mulsic made up of fife and drum  only,
had nmorve att'rachtions dhean the  nost elaborate opera.
Crowds lef the-ir buslness in the wo'r-xshop, -the store,
t.he counting-0o0om't[ie mill, the loomn  tho plougb, the
anvil, Ithe bh. wIJnad t1e pulpit, to -vht.ness their enthusiastic
patriotism  and devetion  to the IUnion,  bV enlisting ihi its
defence wThen -in danger',    ao,-reat wo s the trush that
ari1ms aend ammnirtion  anCd ~iot ling  co uld htardly be Snl)p
plied.  requIts  Lwo3o  troops cr reep   ow  filled as soon as they
were -madei,  id -T"  mia oeder was issued to shut up
recruiting o. ffices n  sop  enl,,  ut    n -i'Zer e were humdreds of tlhois-aoSnd  moe  in the ans ha n had been asked for. As in. oether places, so in Es! sex, the. order to stop
enlisteni lts ds appipo'luted many anxious expcetan;ts
tint thire soe hellion did  uot stop, 27ti  loome d up  11 a along
the southern horizon1,  ur'ager1, stronger and minore exacting.
It assumled the gigant.'ic plroportions of a sternd resaloilty  a
thimng which had blows to give as i well as take, and which
mnust be m.e Cand to hand,. f Ts e to:u(ce.  In a few short




16
months, therefore5 it became evident thatt more troops
would  be required.  The Union forces were rapidly
becoming decimiated by the casualties incident to climate and position, waerisonie marches and hardships.
The ranks must be!iQle@d    But the enthusiasm which
had swelled the UTnion ar-my to a pmighty host, till
officials cried  6 hold5  enough!" wvas now  c soinewhat
abated, and some other appliiances must be devised to
fill up the quotas under the new  and repeated calls for
men  which  were  likely  ito 1-. m en.l,   The iov 
ernment  pays  bountie, " o  ercucrable eoT-listments;
why should not Towns add to  those bonuties  and
thereby avoid hne ofiWensive dira ft, aid themselves, the
individuals Wwho eniist, and thne ~overonn t beosdes, all
at the same time~  Opinions di/deied.   wxidely in regard
to the policy of pLaying such bounntieLs It wics thought
by some to be destructive io that spirit of psatriotism
which oughlt to animnat      e e   soul nd control the ac tion
of every American  in this hor of  tisco ntry s daingerr
By others it was 11hought h eomnni,-oly' proper an /d iulnnane
that the man who placed his li d nf el t1t  in j opirdy,] 1
for his country, should.d be ewati cldi f'o ] is scelfsacerifice,
not only by the gratitud r o! thoi e'o r e _Smai ned a t
horne, but also by soeine npec-Liuini-ay:-iS-a-,   erely
selfish considerations irmy haviTe cont roled tPlA decision of
the question by many   o'o others, the payrentL of bonnties seemed a matter of neces.ityg absolite and positive,
if the People of the Town desied to         avoid )a da,always odious to a f-ree people an  seoldomn used under any
but monarchical governiments.            %wn eride ro le nay




17
have been a consideration with some.  But yet, whatever were these differences of opinion, they were blended
in the one absorbing and paramount idea of sustaining
the Government in its efforts to suppress rebellion and
restore rightful authority.
Accordingly, when the first Town Meeting to decide the question whether bounties should be raised
or not was held, August 30, 1862, the question was
settled with few dissenting voices, that Essex would
not be outdone by its neighbors, either in paying bounties or avoiding drafts. The vote passed at this meeting
gave a bounty of one hundred dollars to each volunteer
who should enlist to fill up the quota assigned to Essex,
and imposed a tax of seventy-five cents on a dollar of the
Grand List to pay the same. The tax thus raised, however, was found to be illegal, inasmuch as no authority
was invested in Towns to raise money by a tax upon the
Grand List of the Town, for any other than Town purposes.  This defect was remedied by the Legislature
which met in October following, and on January 3,
1863, the Town, at a Town Meeting legally warned and
assembled, treating the meeting of August 2, 1862, as
null and void, imposed the tax mentioned just above.
Meanwhile, considering the question of bounty settled
by the vote of August 30, 1862-a few individuals generously pledging themselves to indemnify the Selectmen
for their action in the premises-the quota of the Town,
(twenty-nine,) under the call of July 10, 1862, for two
2




18
hundred thousand men, was rapidly filled, and the
recruits were all mustered in previous to October 1, of
that year, as follows:
Alpha M. Austin enlisted July 25, 1862, in the Tenth
Regiment, Cormpany B, as wagoner, and died August
18, 1863.  Heman  Austin re-enlisted August 25, 1862,
in Company HI, Second Regiment Sharp Shooters, and
was transferred to Invalid Corps September 1, 1863.
Edgar A. Beachl re-enlisted August 21, 1862, in the same
Regi ment and Company; was promoted Corporal March
12, 1864; to Second Lieutenant Oct. 11, 1864; transferred to Company HI, Fourth Vermont, February 25,
1865; promoted to Second Lieutenant Company A,
Fourth Vermont, June 4, 1865; mustered out as Corporal Company I, Fourth Vermont, June 19,.1865.
This detail of promotions and transferments, though running over a space of nearly three years in time, yet reveals
nothing of the daily life of the soldier in active service,
-nothing of the privations and hardships; nothing of
the anxieties and forebodings; nothing of the toilsome,
wearisome marches in an enemy's country; nothing of
the sleepless nights, or of the exposures to storms and
rains as well as to disease and bullets;-which form the
sum and substance of the soldier's camp history.  We
occasionally get glimpses of them from those who have
passed through them, but they are only inklings of the
reality.  In the case of Lieutenant Beach we have an




19
illustration of these remarks.  He was wounded in the
right thigh on the 27th of October, 1864, at the battle of
Boydton Plank Road, Virginia.  He lay on the battlefield without covering of any kind, without any thing to
eat, and, of course without having his wound dressed,
for five days. His sufferings were great, for during the
first night it rained very hard. At the expiration of this
timne he was picked up by the rebels and taken to the
Confederatei Hospital, Washington street, Petersburgh,
Virginia, where he remained seven days.  Here he
received good treatment and had plenty to eat.  From
thence he was taken to Richmond and confined in Libby
Prison Hospital.  While in this prison he suffered considerably, but mich less than many others of his comrades did; for making himself known as a imember of
the Masonic fraternity, he found friends who mini-tered
to his wants. Whilst laying upon the field of battle he
was robbed of what money he had, his knife, pocket-book,
two gold pens and case-and in fact every thing he had,
even to a half-cent he had carried soine ten years.  On
the 5th day of February, 1865, he was paroled.
Truman W. Blood enlisted August 21, 1862. He was
lost overboard and drowned, as a portion of the Vermont
Regiments were on their way to New York City, August
18, 1863,  James Bagley enlisted August 21, 1862, and
was transferred to the Invalid Corps September 1, 1863,
whence he was discharged.  Henry S. Bradley enlisted
in Ninth Regiment, Company F, June 14, 1862; died




20
October 1 of the same year. Elias L. Brownell enlisted
June 11, 1862, also in Ninth Regiqment, Company F,
where. he was promoted to the post of Sergeant; thence
to Second Lieutenant, December 22, 1863; thence to
First Lieutenant, March 13, 1865; transferred to Colnpany C, June 13, 1865; promoted to Captain of the same
Company July 3, 1b65; and mustered out with his Regiment.  Thomas Callegan enlisted June 24, 1862, in
Company F, Ninth Regiment, and was mustered out
June 13, 1865.  James Burrett enlisted in the Second
Regiment, Company A, August 21, 1862; mustered
out June 19, 1865.  Alfred L. Case enlisted August 25,
1862, in Comnpany I, Sixth Regiment; and was mustered
out with the Regiment. David H. Castle enlisted in the
same Regiment and Company, Septe'mber 5, 1862; and
was mustered out June 19, 1865.  3Mr. Castle was very
severely wounded at the battle of the Wilderness, }Iay
5, 1861, and was in hospital confined to his bed nearly
two months. On the 6thl day of October he returned to
his Regiment, and was in the battle of Fredericksburgh
Heights, Funkstown, Md., Gatinsville, Rappahannock
Station, Brandy Station, and Petersburg, Virginia.
George Chase re-enlisted August 21, 1862, in Company
H, Second Regiment Sharp Shooters; was transferred
to Company 1-1, Fourth Regiment, February 25, 1865;
mustered out 3May 23, 1865.  Stephen Cox enlisted in
Company G, Second Regiment, August 19, 1862, and
was discharged October 21 of the same year. Henry 1-1.
Cota was mustered into thle Sixth IRegilnent, Sept. 15,
1862, and took leg bail for parts unknown the very next




night after.  Cowards like him should remain in parts
unknown. William J. Domag enlisted Aulgust 5, 1862,
in Company F, First Rlegilnent Sharp Shooters, and was
killed in the battle of thle Wilderness, Mlay 5, 18614.
Richard Dowrns enlisted in Conlpany K, Fifth Reg't,
September 2, 1862.  Joel Ellis enlisted in Company HI,
Second Regiment Sharp Shooters, August 30, 1862.
Both these men received the Town Bounty of one hundred dollars each; the one deserted August 27, 1863,
the other Decemnber 15, 1862.
John Fleming enlisted in Company I, Sixth Regiment,
September 2, 1862; died October 2, 1863.  Hosea iM.
Gorton enlisted Anugust 30, 1862, in Company E, Second
Regiment; died Nrovember 29th following.  Of James
Foley, Jr., who enlisted in Cormpany K, Sixth Regiment,
I lhave been able to find no trace beyond his mustering
in. Alnos Greely enlisted in Company EH, Second Regimient Slarp Slooters, A1862; was reported
missing in action of MIay 8, 1864; afterwards returned
to his Regiment, and transferred to Company H, Fourth
Regiment; and was a paroled prisoner July 13, 1863.
He was killed in the battle of the Wilderness.  Myron
D. Isham  enlisted in Second Regiment, Company G,
Augist 15, 1862; and was mustered out June 19, 1865.
Lorton L. Lathllop was mustered into the service to the
credit of tile Town, September 15, 1862, but was disclharged for physical disability.  John Lavine enlisted
March 20, 1862, in Second Regiment, Company A;
re-enlisted April 13, 1864; and deserted May 19, 1864.
Barney lMVattimore enlisted in Company I, Sixth Regi



22
ment; was promoted Corporal and Sergeant July 1,
1864; mustered out June 19, 1865. Norman J. Nichols
enlisted in Company G, Second Regiment, August 28,
1862; was wounded in the right eye in the battle of the
Wilderness, May 5, 1864, by which wound he loses the
use of that eye; he was discharged May 27, 1865,
Lemuel B. Page enlisted August 30, 1862, in
Company I, Sixth Regiment; mustered out with his
Regiment, June 18, 1865. Joseph Peppin enlisted June
6, 1862, in Company F, Ninth Regiment. His Regiment
was taken prisoners and paroled at the surrender of
Harper's Ferry to the Confederate troops under "Stonewall" Jackson, on the 15th day of September following.
Hie was promoted Corporal Jannary 1, 1865; and mustered out June 13, 1865.  George W. Prior enlisted
August 1, 1862, in Company I, Sixth Regiment; discharged January 25, 1864.  Orman P. Ray enlisted
August 30, 1862, in Company G, Second Regiment; was
promoted Sergeant Major November 1, 1864; Adjutant
December 24, 1864; mustered out June 19, 1865. Mr.
Ray served one-and-a-half years in the office of Assistant
Quartermaster of Volunteers, and six months in Assistant Adjttanlt General's Office, both at Headquarters
Second Brigade, Second Division, Sixth Army Corps,
Army of the Potomac.   Daniel Raymond enlisted
August 30, 1862, in Company I, Sixth Regiment; was
transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps December 20,
1861; was stationed at St. Albans during the raid upon
that place; and was mustered out July 3d, 1865. Loyal
Remington enlisted August 28, 1862, in Company G,




23
Second Regiment; and was discharged March 10, 1863.
Albert F. Sawyer enlisted in Company L, First Cavalry,
August 15, 1862; died in Richmond, Virginia, September,
1863. Alfred F. Sawyer enlisted June 9, 1862, in Company F, Ninth Regiment; died August 30, 1862. Hannibal Tichont enlisted in Company H, Second Regiment
Sharp Shooters, August 22, 1862; and died September
26, 1863. George W. Tubbs enlisted in Company I,
Sixth Regiment, August 30, 1862; and was mustered
out June 19, 1865. Nathan A. Williams enlisted June
9, 1862, in Company F, Ninth Regiment; and was
mustered in as Sergeant of the Company. His Regiment
after its surrender and parole at Harper's Ferry, was
stationed at Chicago, where it remained until its
exchange; February 15, 1861, Mir. Williams was transferred to the Invalid Corps.  Leonard S. Witherby
enlisted as wagoner of Company F, Ninth Regiment,
June 2, 1862; and was discharged October 23, 1862;
re-enlisted as private in the same Regiment and Company
for three years under the call of October 17, 1863; was
transferred to Comy any B June 13, 1865; and mustered
out with the Regiment.  Mr. Witherby received the
hundred-dollar Town Bounty for his first enlistment, and
a Town Bounty of three hlundred and fifty dollars for the
last, and was among the fortunate ones in escaping casualties.   Norman Woodworth enlisted in Company I,
Sixth Regiment, August 31, 1862; was promoted Corporal January 1, 18641; was wounded in the shoulder at
the battle of the Wilderness, May 5, 1864, late in the
day; walked five miles to Fredericksburg Hospital




24afterwards, and was thence removed to IvicClellan General I-Iospital at Philadelphia, where he died May 24,
1864.
Under the act of Congress of March 3d, 1863, an enrollment of all those liable to military duty in the several
States, between the ages of twenty and forty-five, was
ordered to be made.  Under this law  the offices of
Provost Marshal General and of Deputies in each
Congressional District, together with Boards of Enrollment and sundry  minor offices, were created;
forming a complete net-work of military dignities,
extending into  almost every  town  in  the  State.
In this enrollment two distinct classes were made;
the one, of those between twenty and thirty-five
including all unmarried up to forty-five, the other, of
those between thirty-five and forty-five and married.
The latter class were not to be drafted till the former
class was exhausted.   The two classes were subsequently merged into one.  Under the original law a
Draft was made at Burlington for the towns in this
Congressional District, in July of the same year, to fill
quota under the President's Proclamation  for three
hundred thousand men, and the following persons were
drafted for Essex, viz: Edgar Ellsworth, William Fletcher, Rev. Daniel Lewis, Charles MlcKiernan, Daniel L.
Thompson, James F. Warner and Dwight S. Williams,
each of whom paid the commutation fee of three hundred
dollars. Edward S. Atherton, Carlos D. Bellows, Henry




Page 25.  Ilnsert Luc-us, in place of CASSIUS, and add the name of
CASSIUS M. BoOrT1T.








25
Bixby, James Bixby, Charles Carty, II. W. Field, Enoch
Howe and Timrothy D. Sargent furnished substitutes;
and several were exempted for physical disability. This
was the only Draft attempted during the war, save for a
few towns that were delinquent in filling their quota.
The only drafted man that entered the service from this
Town was George Bates, in Company B, Second Regiment; he was discharged with the Regiment July 15,
1865.
Closely following the call for three hundred thousand
men, the record of which we have just completed, the
President made a requisition upon the Governor of
Vermont for the immediate enlistment of five Regiments
of men for nine months' service. Under this call twelve
young men enlisted from this Town into the Thirteenth
Regiment, and were mustered into service on the 4th
day of October 1862. They were as follows: Charles
W. Atherton; Harmon H. Ballou, discharged February
28, 1863; George S. Bliss; Cassius MI. Booth, elected
Corporal, promoted to First Sergeant March 3, 1863;
Thomas Calvert, died May 17, 1863; MIark Day, elected
Corporal; James N. Gates; David T. Hard, wagoner;
Alfred D. Olmstead; Fred. A. Slater and Hall Woodworth, musicians. The latter died January 9, 1863, and
his remains were brought home for interment. All save
four of them were in the battle of Gettysburg, July 3,
1863, just previous to the expiration of their term of
enlistment July 14, 1863, thus giving thein an op



26
portunity to see some active service before returning
home.  Special mention is made of the gallantry and
bravery of the Tlhirteenth Regiment in the reports
of the commanding  General.  Of a circumstance which
occurred just after this battle, a Major General of the
Army of the Potomac thus speaks:'" After the battle of Gettysburg, when General Lee's
"army was in the vicinity of Antietam, the Vermont
" Brigade was deployed as a skirmishing line, covering
"a point of nearly three miles.  The enemy were in
"force in front near Beaver Creek.  The Sixth Corps
"c was held in readiness in rear of the skirnlisl line, anti" cipating a general engagement.  The enemy had evi" dently determined to attack. At last his line of battle
"' came forward. The batteries opened at once and the
" skirmishers delivered their fire.  Our troops were on
"' the alert and stood watching for the skirmishers to
so come in, and waiting to receive the coming assault.
I" But the skirmishers would not come in; and when the
" firing died away, it appeared that tile Vermonters thus
"deployed as a skirmish line, had actually repulsed a
" fill line-of-battle attack. Twice afterwards the enemy
" advanced to carry the position, and were againl each' time again driven back by this perveise skirmtish line.
"The Vermonters it is true were strongly posted in a
6 wood, and each nman fired fiom  behind a tree; but'" then everybody knows that the etiquette in such mat-' ters is for a skirmlish line to conie in so soon as thley
" are satisfied that the enemy means business.  Tlhese
" simple-minded  patriots from  the Green Mountains,




27
"however, adopted a rule of their own on this occasion;
" and the enemy, disgusted with such stupidity retired' across the Beaver Creek."
The position they held was an important one, and understanding this, they determined to maintain it, regardless of all usage or danger.
The Vermont Brigade was never defeated in any battle, and were complimlented for gallant conduct in every
engagement in which they took part. Many times did
their valor and unflinching bravery turn the tide of battle against the enemy, and in some instances it is hardly
too much to say, saved the Union army from disastrous
defeat.  "We are safe, then," was the reply of General
Sheridan, when he found the Vermont troops were in
the most hotly contested portion of the battle-field.
And his confidence in their fighting qualities was well
founded. The brilliant reputation they gained early in
the war, was never tarnished to its close.  They maintained it through all their campaigns, bringing home
with them the mementos of their gallantry and bravery,
in the tattered and torn battle-flags which adorn the
Legislative Halls of t1e State.
The officers under whom the enlistments for this year
(1862,) were made, were William B. Weston, Charles
Nichols and George Gates, Selectmen of the Town.




28
During the period we have just passed in review, and
also during the years 1863 vnd 4 War Meetings, so called,
were frequently held in Town, and speakers from abroad
were invited to address the People upon the slubject of
the war, and the importance of unabated efforts to sustain
the Government in its determination to suppress the
rebellion. These meetings were largely attended by old
and young, male and female, and were greatly instrumental in maintaining the enthusiasm in favor of the
war, and of quickening the patriotism of the People in
enlistment.  Fresh impetus was always given to enlistments by these gatherings, especially among the younger
class, who were not subject to the draft or enrollment.
And it was from this class mainly that recruits were
obtain ed, so that the number liable to draft in Town was
not materially lessened during the war.
Meanwhile the reb~ellion was scarcely shorn of any of
its gigantic proportions, and another requisition was
made by the President for three hundred thousand more
men, on the 17th of October, 1863, with instructions
that a draft should be made on the 5th day of January,
1861, in case the men were not enlisted previous to that
day.
The question of bounties was now agitated with renewed vigor, and a Town Meeting was called to consider and
determine the matter.  It was held D)ecember 2, 1863,
and was the occasion of an exciting, animated canvass,




29
in which strong opposition to the payment of bounties
by the Town, was developed in both the political parties
of the day. Expediency, and a desire to avoid the draft
seemed to be the main elements in the decision, and the
vote was carried-yeas 71, nays 40-to pay every volunteer who shall enlist and be accepted previous to January 5, 1864, the sum of three hundred and fifty dollars.
The Selectmen were authorized to borrow a sum  of
money, not exceeding ten thousand dollars, to carry into
effect the above vote, and a tax of one hundred cents on
the dollar of the Grand List of the Town was ordered.
As an inducement to the prompt payment of the tax,
four per cent. was voted to be deducted from it to those
paying it within thirty days. This decisive action of the
Town and large increase of bonnties, was deemed necessary by the action of other towns. A sharp competition
between the towns had arisen, and the lagging patriotism of those who desired to enlist, but were waiting for
the largest pecuniary inducement, needed, it was thought,
this extra stimulus to inspire it for the pressing emergency. No enlistments would take place without it, and it
was doubtfiul whether recruits could be obtained with it.
If none were procured no tax would be required.  The
number of men to be raised, including the deficiencies
under former calls was large. The quota was twenty-five,
the deficiency thirteen-the aggregate thirty-eight; and
the anxious inquiry was: Where are the men? Who of
all those enrolled and liable to the dreaded draft, will
go?  Artned with this large bounty and aided by the
energies of a thoroughly loyal and patriotic people, the




30
Selectmen entered upon the task with commendable
zeal and earnestness, and their labors were rewarded
with the most triumphant success.  The quota was
filled and the draft, postponed from time to time, was
finally averted.
The individuals who enlisted under this call were as
follows:  George F. Atherton enlisted February 16,
1864 in the Seventeenth Regiment, Company B; was
sick in hospital August 13, 1864; and was mustered out
July 14, 1865. John B. Atherton enlisted in the same
Regiment and Company, August 22, 1861; was wounded
in the action of Spottsylvania, Virginia; was in General
Hospital, August 13, 1864; and was mustered out July
14, 1865.  These men did not receive any Town bounty
upon their enlistiment but have received it since. Edgar
S. Barber, enlisted December 24, 1863, in Company I,
Sixth Regiment; was wounded in the wrist at the battle
of the Wilderness, May 6, 1864; was transferred to
Company G, January 1, 1865; and discharged June 29,
1865.  le receives a snall pension.  Hiram J. Bishop
enlisted in Colnpany A E'ittl Regiment, January 5, 1864;
and has been on detached service in the Navy since
May.  John Berwin enlisted December 26, 1863, in the
same Regiment, Company A; discharged June 29, 1865.
James Casey enlisted December 28, 1863, in the Eighth
Regiment, Company D; and was mustered out June
28, 1865. Francis Cormea enlisted December 26, 1863,
in the same Regiment, Company F; and was mustered
out June 28, 1865. Joshua L. Day enlisted in the First
Cavalry, December 28, 1863; was taken prisoner in the




31
battle of June 1, 186P; and died at Andersonville, Georgia, October 7, 1864.
Andersonville! a name which will go down to posterity as the personification of cruelty and inhumanity,
unparalleled in all the annals of history.  Only for the
purpose of keeping in remembrance the enormous expenditure of suffering as well as blood-shed it has cost to
preserve the integrity of the Union, do we allude to the
worse than Black-HIole horrors of this infamous locality.
It was never a town or a village, but simply an insignificant station on the Railroad from Macon to Eutala,
Georgia.  The prison and the buildings which sprang
up around it in consequence of the location of the prison
there, -were all there was )f it. It was remote from human
habitation; fit place for " treason, stratagem and spoils;"
a place of more than ordinary security. The original
enclosure gonsisted of nineteen acres, and was made in
the unbroken woods, the timber being removed as it was
required for the necessities of the prison. The enclosing
stockade was made of pine logs placed end-wise in the
ground close together, and was sufficiently high to preclude
the possibility of escape over it. It was built in January
1864, and during the ensuing summer was enlarged to
twenty-five and three-fourths acres, forming an area of
one thousand two hundred and ninety-five feet north and
south by eight hundred and sixty-five feet east and west.
The ground rises from the centre toward each end in
rather a steep, rounded hill. A small stream of waterthe only source from whence their supply of this indis



32
pensable article was obtained-rising from springs a little
to the eastward of the stockade, flows across it through
the narrow valleys between the hills.  The water from
this stream was used for all the purposes of the prison,
and was often rendered unfit for any use by the compost
washed down by the rains.  Like nearly all southern
land, the soil is liable to be washed away by the rains,
and rendered almost impassable by the depth of the mud,
and on the slope of the hills within the enclosure, ravines
now exist gullied to the depth of ten or twelve feet. In
addition to these there still remain deep holes dug by
the inmates to screen themselves fromn the broiling sun,
or to obtain water.  In this small space, and with this
greatly insufficient supply of water, and yet within rifle
shot of an abundance of an article so necessary to the
sustenance of life and maintenance of health, thirty
thousand Union prisoners were crowded, for the space of
thirteen months. For this long period of time they had
no shelter or protection from the changeable skies above,
nor the pitiless, unfeeling earth beneath.  A summer
shower of only thirty minutes duration would make the
entire hill sides-their sole abiding place-one rolling
mass of slippery Inud. The hill tops and sides were quite
insufficient standing room-to say nothing of laying
down-while the valley between was ever and anon filled
with the swollen brook, foul and loathsome from the debris of the soil, humran evacuations and the greasy accumulations of cookery, all pouring into the little stream
from which alone they could slake their burning thirst.
In this scanty, shelterless, pitiful spot, parching to deep




33
seams in the scorching sun, and sliding under their feet
with every shower; gaunt famine stalking among them at
noon-day and pestilence walking in their midst at night;
growing spectre-like from starvation thirst and disease;
fainting, scorched, drenched, scoffed at, scolrged or shot
for the least violation of the iron rules of their tyrannical
oppressors-whether committed wittingly or unwittingly;
hunted with blood-hounds if any escaped; half cladnay worse, clad scarcely at all, with neither a blanket
nor a shelter under which to protect themselves from the
storm, the heat or the cold —these brave defenders of our
national flag- too brave and too heroic to desert the
" stars and stripes " of the Union, or swear allegiance to
the "stars and bars"' of the Confederacy, even when
death, in the most cruel form tyrannical ingenuity could
invent seemed inevitable-these men suffered on patiently and with genuine heroism, till death relieved them of
their untold misery, or till their prison doors were opened
by the welcome sound of peace. The graves of thirteen
thousand, near this southern lazaretto, attest the unshaken
fidelity of the dead to their country; and the other
thousands, that with pallid and sunken cheeks, and forms
attenuated to skeletons, covered with filth, alive with
vermin, with gaping wounds that had never been dressed,
filled with maggots, maimed, crazed, idiotic, worn and
wasted by disease and want and starvation, were finally
liberated from the bondage of their cruel task-masters,
are living evidences of a loyalty which neither present nor future shall question.  Who shall say that
many of these precious lives might not have been saved,
3




34
and much of suffering and cruelty prevented, had the
system  of exchanges been uninterrupted.  The future
historian will decide on whom this responsibility ought
to rest.
Alfred L. Douglas enlisted in Co. I, Sixth Regiment,
December 28, 1863; was wounded in the head in the
action of the Wilderness, Mlay 6, 1864;  promoted
Corporal May 12, 1865; and mustered out June 26, 1865.
HIorace Fairfield enlisted in the sanre Company andl
Regiment;  and was mustered out June 26, 1865.
Nathaniel A. HIoyt, enlisted in Company (4, Eleventh
Reg.iment, December 14, 1863; was sick in General
Hospital, August 31, 1864; and was discharged June 12,
1865. Mortimer Lister enlisted December 24, 1863, in
Coimpany I, Sixth Regiment; was taken prisoner in the
action of Cedar Creek, Virginia, and confined in the
prison at Salisbury, N. C.; where he died Decemnber 11,
1864. The sufferings of our brave boys in those southern
charnel houses will never be fully realized. Clarence K.
I Mansfield enlisted in Company E, Eleventh Regilnent,
December 4, 1863; was wounded in the foot at the battle of Cold Harbor, Virginia; transferred to Company
D, June 24, 1865, thence to Comnpany A; and mustered
out, August 25, 1865.  Seth A. MIansfield enlisted in
Company F, Ninth Regiment, after it had been exchang.
ed, December 4, 1863; was promoted Corporal, Aug. 27,
1864; transferred to Company B June 13, 1865; promoted to Sergeant July 1, 1865; and mustered out with
the Regiment December 1,1865. Hugh McDermot enlist



35
ed in Cavalry, Company A, December 14, 1863; promoted Corporal June 1, 1865; transferred to Company
B June 21, 1865; and was mustered out August 9, 1865.
John McKiernan enlisted January 14, 1864, in Company
B, Seventeenth Regiment; and was mustered out July
14, 1865.  Lewis A. Mereno enlisted in the Second
Vermont Battery Light Artillery, January 4, 1864;
and was mustered out July 31, 1865.  John Mulvaney
enlisted in Company E, Eleventh Regiment, December
14, 1863; was sick in General Hospital August 31, 1864;
and when he recovered deserted October 11, 1864.
James B. Nichols enlisted in Company I, Sixth Regiment,
December 14, 1863; and was killed at the battle of the
Wilde rness, May 5, 1864.  George E. Parker, enlisted
December 26, 1863, in Company F, Eighth Regiment;
and died May 24, 1864. Alfred Robear, Jr., enlisted in
Company I, Sixth Regiment, December 9, 1863; was
wounded in the ankle in the battle of Spottsylvania,
May 10, 1864; his leg was amputated at its lower third
on the day following, and he was transferred in due time
to the Hospital at Burlington, whence he was discharged
August 25, 1864. An artificial limb was furnished him
by the benefaction of the Government, and he receives
a pension of ninety-six dollars per annum.  Edward D.
Sands enlisted in the same Company and Regiment,
December 19, 1863; and was instantly killed at the
battle of the Wilderness, Mlay 5, 1864.  Harrison and
Marcellus Sisco enlisted December 14, 1863, in Company
G, Eleventh Regiment; the one died July 17, 1864;
the other was discharged May 26, 1865. Fred. A. Slater




enlisted in Company I, Sixth Regiment, as musician; and
was mustered out with the Regiment. Adam Sugmiller
enlisted December 9, 1863, in Cavalry, Company A;
was transferred to Company B June 21, 1865; and
mustered out August 9, 1865. James Sweeney enlisted
December 14, 1863, also in Company A, Cavalry Regiment; was promoted Corporal 3Mlarch 1, 1865; transferred to Company B June 21, 1865; mustered out August
9, 1865.  Albert Whlitcomb enlisted Feb. 16, 1864, in
Company B, Seventeenth Regiment; and died of wounds
received in thle battle of Spottsylvania Ccurt House,
Virginia, Mlay 15, 1864. Iis father, Warren B. Whit.
comnb, enlisted in the same Regiment and Company,
February 22, 1864; and died July 30, 1864, at Alexandria Hospital.
The Selectmen of this year (1863,) were Charles
-Nichols, George Gates and Jacob K. Drury, and they
were continued in office during the next year, (1864).
The tax of 100 cents on the dollar, voted December 2,
1863, it was understood, was only about half the sunm
required to be raised. At the annual meeting, therefore,
held March 1, 1564, the subject was again introduced,
and an additional tax of 100 cents on the dollar was
imposed to complete paying the bounties authorized by
that vote, and a discount of four per cent. was ordered
to be made to all those who paid the tax previous to July.




37
The hope was now strongly cherished that the last call
for men had been made, and that no more bounties
would be required.  A  larger army than history has
ever recorded as being gathered in any country in so
short a period of time, had been placed in the field.
But a still more mighty effort was necessary to be put
forth before the rebellion would be crushed in all its
parts. For this struggle the Government must concentrate all its energies. On the 9th of March, 1864, General U. S. Grant was invested with the command of all
the armies of the Union, and the whole power of the
Government was pledged to his support. Troops were
to be rapidly forwarded to the front, and the decimated
ranks were to be promptly filled up.  More men were
therefore demanded, and the patriotism of the North must
be still further tested, to furnish the muscle which in the
final grapple should overpower the rebellion, and compel
submission to rightful authority.
-Call rapidly succeeded call.  A call for five hundred
thousand men was issued February 1, 1864; a call for
three hundred thousand, March 15, 1864; and another
for five hundred thousand, July 18, 1864.
The appearance of these repeated calls renewed the
question of town bounties, and accordingly on the 30th
day of July, 1864, a Town Meeting for that purpose
was warned alld held.   At this meeting the Town
voted to pay three lhundred dollars bounllty for one-year




38
recruits, and a tax of one hundred and twenty-five
cents on the dollar ~of the Grand List was imposed
to raise the sum required.  Every person  liable to
a draft who procured a substitute to the credit of
the Town, should receive a like sum of three hundred
dollars, and every person not liable to draft, procuring a
representative recruit, was also to receive the bounty
offered.  At the same meeting the Selectmen were
authorized to deposit the sum of three thousand dollars
with the State Treasurer, to procure recruits in the belligerent States.  Under this latter vote one recruit was
procured. The competition between Towns was now so
active- some towns offering the most extravagant bounties-that the Selectmen, although using their utmost
diligence, were able to obtain but few recruits under any
bounty they were authorized to offer, and a Town Meeting to take into consideration these facts was warned for
August 30, 1864.  At this meeting the Selectmen were
authorized to l:ay such sum in addition to the three hundred dollars bounty voted July 30, not to exceed five
hundred dollars in the whole to each man, as may be
necessary to pr()cure the recruits, and such contracts as
the Selectmen had heretofore made to pay five hundred
dollars to any recruit, were approved and confirmed.
An additional tax of 50 cents on the dollar of the Grand
List was voted to meet the increased liability, and those
persons furnishing an accepted recruit were allow ed the
same sum as bounty.




39
Armed withi this authority and following out in good
faith whlat they understood to be the spirit of the people
of tile Town, wvliich was to fill up the quota without a
draft, the Selectrnen succeeded in raising tlhe men. The
individuals thus enlisted were as follows:
Silas Cook enlisted Sept. 17, 1864, in the Cavalry.
IIe received one thionsand dollars bounty and immediately deseioted.  It is not known tlhat he ever reached
his reygimnent.  VMyron Miitchell enlisted September 16,
186, in Conmpany K, Seventeenth Regiment; was transferred to Colmp)any C lNovember 26, 1864-; and mustered
out July 14, 1865; Jesse Brighit enlisted September 19,
18S64; and deserted October 9, 1864. George Boeecher
enlisted in tile Sixth Reginment.  Henry Dapo enlisted
in the Ninthi Regimnent.  Jolhn L. Whitten enlisted, but
was disclharged September 24, 1864-.  Edward Ilurray
enlisted for the Sixthi Regiment.  John Slhenahan enlisted for the Cavalry.  Warren W. Ccnger and Robert A.
Dunlop enlisted in IHancock's Corps, and have served
the full term of their enlistment. The latter, a native of
Essex, enlisted in the beginning of the war from,Crown
Point, New York, in one of the New York Regimlents of
Cavalry.  On the 6thl day of July, 1 63, he was taken
prisoner in a skirmishl withl Steiwart's Cavalry, about fonr
miles from IHagerstown, Maryland, and was taken to
Belle Island prison at Richlnond, Virginia, -where he
remained till the 28th of December, 1863, w hen lhe was
taken to Parole Camp, Annapolis, Maryland, and after
a long delay exchanged 




40
Mr. Dunlop kept a daily diary during his imprisonment, from which it appears that he entered that
prison Wednesday, July 22, 1863, and received a
quarter loaf of bread for breakfast, and the same for
supper, with a small bit of meat, as his rations.  On
the 24th he writes: " Have been nineteen days in rebeldom-the toughest place I was ever in; the men
here look more like walking ghosts than men; lay on
the bare ground, nothing over or under us; some have
tents, others none; ground damp, and such a stenchenough to kill one.  They took every thing away from
us in Richmond, before we were sent to the Island, but
our cups; guards smuggle in bread for us, but only
take green-backs for pay." Of two Frenchmen and two
Dutchmen who took the oath of allegiance to the Confederacy, he says: " Poor despised creatures, they will
be thought as much of as mad dogs one of these months;
one ofthe men that searched us was a deserter from the
Sixth regular Cavalry."  " Sunday; what a long dreary
day —nothing to read; not much to eat-half a smnall
loaf of bread, and a bit of meat."  27th-" Some more
of our men came to the State of Starvation-two hundred
and fifty in all." And so on from day to day, he notes
the arrival of squads of Union prisoners to the prison.
While some were cursing the Government for not releasing them by exchange, he says: " My faith is good
as ever; think they will get us away as soon as possible;
but" he adds, "we are getting very weak and emaciated."
August 10-"-' Very hot and sultry.  Great phenomenon; about 3 o'clock P. M., a bright star seen in the




41
south; the sun shining bright at the time; some thought
it a balloon on fire."
On less than atn acre of ground there were three thousand four hundred prisoners, a third of thein without any
shelter. It was "a great mystery to him and his fellow
suff'erers why the Government did not take them off.
" Can't see why they leave us here to starve and die.
They carry them out every day dead, and worse than
dead.  Every day takes away a pound of flesh from our
bones; they shoot our men like dogs; shall be a happy
being if I ever get out of Jeff's dominions." Duriing the
first part of the time the weather was hot and sultry and
the boys were many of them sick and large numbers of
them died; during the latter part the weather was cold,
and the nights quite cold and freezing. The rations were
small and poor generally:-sotnetimes an ear of corn
a-piece for several days; then plenty of bread, but no
salt; then dying of hunger; then one ration a day of
corn bread, and two ounces of stinking pork; then sour
bread and bean soup, etc.; many of them were without
any other clothing than a shirt; and when sick had little
or no medicine and less care.  Every few days expectations would be raised by the prospect ot being taken off;
only to be followed by sad disappointment.  " No one
cares for us poor Potomac soldiers;" " given up all hope
of ever getting out of the hands of the rebels;" "rumlors
of exchange to-day;" "doomed for the winter;" "hope
our Congress will do something for us;" "'we shall never
be exchanged;" —are the entries daily made.  Thlus
between alternate hopes and fears, expectations and dis



42
appointments the dreary months passed away until the
27th of December, when the hour of deliverance came,
and with five hundred " happy boys" lie " bade good-bye
to Belle Isle and Richmond, got aboard a canal boat
about dark; laid at Fort Darling all night, crowded like
sheep in a pen; the happiest day I ever knew-feel
like a boy with a new jacket; hlave been one hund:ed
and seventy-five days in the care of thle brutes; don't
mean they shall ever get me again; hurrah, hurrah."
On the 29th. of December lie arrived at Camp Baker,
Annapolis, Maryland, " free, free, agaill."  The prison
fare reduced him to a skeleton, almrost, but did not abate
his patriotic devotion  to his country.  IIe speaks of
the prisoners who  took the oath of allegriance to tlhe
Confederate Governmnent, as "lnot Imen, 1)lut villtains in
men's form," and tlhinks lie slhould )ity tlleir skitrs if
they were ever caiglht ly the boys of tlhe reginllet to
whlich thley belonged.  Under date of August 05th lhe
writes:   " One of our soldiers raised thle Confederate
flag for a loaf of bread; v-engeance was declared on
himn when we get out of this; tlhe first titne they have
hoisted their rag over us."
George Lasell enlisted February 22, 1ls65, in Seventh
Regirment, Cormpany F; and was musteredl out February 22. 1866.  Pay~son F. Thlompson enlisted Febiruary
15, 1865, in Coinpany B, Eiglhtlh Regiment; mustered
out June 28, 1865. Byron A. Stevens enlisted as Lieu.




43
tenant of the One Hundred and Ninth U. S. Colored
Troops, and was mustered out of service at Port Lavaca, Texas, February 6, 1866.
Cassius M. Booth Horace E. Kelly, Jalnes G. Warner and Rollin S. Sherman, enlisted in the United
States Navy, under Captain Gilbert Morton, and were
placed on board the United States gun-boat General
Thomas, plying on the Tennessee River. They received
the bounty paid by the Town, and the Government
bounty in proportion to the time they were in the service, but did not receive the State monthly stipend. No
provisions, it was alledged, were contained in the act
granting State pay to volunteers for the Army, for those
who enlisted into the Navy.
Booth was Paymaster's Assistant, and Sherman was
Steward.  The latter was wounded on the 28th day of
October 1864, near Decatur, Alabama, in  lis right
shoulder, by the explosion of a shell, and died from
the consequences of his wound, December 30, 1864, in
the Hospital at Nashville, Tennessee. Young Sherman
displayed the utmost coolness and bravery in the action
previous to, as well as in that in which he was wounded,
for which he received the personal commendation of
his Captain. His remains were brought home for interment.




44:
In addition to these names, honorable mention should
be made of others, natives of this Town, who honored the
place of their nativity by service fiom other States, and
in other regiments than those immediately raised in
Vermont, and on other battle-fields than tlose made
conspicuous by the particular valor and bravery of the
"Green Mountain Boys."
Among these may be mentioned Edwin and Luther
Wool, who enlisted in New York Regiments. The latter
was honorably discharged at the close of the war.  The
former enlisted in the 4th N. Y. Cavalry, Coinpany L,
which was stationed for a time rt Harrisburgh, Virginia.
While in camp at this place he was detailed, withl others,
as a guard of some signal lights on the heights near. In
returning from one of these duties, during the night, on
or about the 5th of October, 1864, lhe was taken prisoner,
since which he has not been heard fromn. And also
Albert A. Slater, who enlisted August 13, 1862, at
Orwell, Ashtabula Co., Ohio, in the One Hundred and
Fifth Regiment, Comnpany IK, of that State.  He was in
the battles of Perryville, Kentucky, Kenesaw Mountain,
Peach Tree Creek, Atlanta, Jonesboro', Wa.ynestoro'
and Ebenezer Cretk, Georgia, and' was taken prisoner
while on a foraging expedition near Murfreesboro', Tennessee, by General Morgan's command, but was soon
paroled  and exclanged.   His  regimnent fornled a
portion of the Grand Arimy under General W. T. Sherman, on the ever-memorable expedition through the
heart of the Confederacy, in the fiall of 1864 and winter of 1864-5.  Through all these campaigns, thlough




45
almost constantly under the enemy's fire, lie passed
unscathed, and was honorably discharged with his regiment.
Mr. Slater kept a daily diary of events which occurred in his soldier life, especially of the triumphant
march from  Atlanta, Georgia, via Savannah, Charleston, etc., to Ricllnhmond, Virginia, furnishing us a highly
interesting  account of that great expedition.   Our
limits forbid our making but few extracts.  Under date
of November 16, 1864, he writes:  "Our Corps (14th,)
left Atlanta for the Great Expedition to the Sunny
South this morning. Our Division (3d,) left at 9 A. M.,
taking the Augusta Railroad.   We passed through
Decatur-a small town; did not halt for dinner.  Our
march has been through a dry section of country-did
not pass even a stream of water till we had marched
fifteen miles or more, and went into camp at 5."  And
then began the scenes of devastation which always. precede and follow the advance of a large army in any part
dependent upon "foraging" for their daily supplies.
Sometimes " the bursting of shell, falling walls, and the
red glare of fire against the ink-black clouds," denoting
the conflagration ofwhllole cities, would form a scene he
could not forget. Then again, his Regiment were engaged in tearing up the Railroad, so as to cut off retreat
and prevent attacks from the enemy; then, inspired by
the music of the Brigade Band, the negroes of the plantations would join in a "'genuine negro dance" to the
great amusement of the Union army. On the 22d snow
fell and the ground was frozen hard. On the 29th " the




46
frogs were peeping as merrily as they do at home in
April."   One day they were well supplied with sweet
potatoes, sorghum, salt, pea-nuts, chickens, &c., the result
of foraging, and then finding the country thinly inhabited
and forage scarce, their rations were hard tack without
coffee.  On the 15tll December they had nothing but
hulled rice for bread, and drew quarter rations. December 1st they marchled in line of battle for some hours,
in support of the Cavalry; but the enemy.fell back,
after being repulsed in a charge, as the Union lines
advanced;  occasi, nally  there  was skirmishing  but
generally the inhabitants fled for safety. On the 2d of
Decernber he writes:  "Our march to-day has been
tlhrongh a country of light soil of yellow and white sand,
very level, many swamps; timber is mostly pine, which
grows tall and slim and of much larger growth than in
northern Georgia; scarcely any orchards; went into a
-house that had just been deserted; the table was left
with victuals and dishes on it;, beds and bedding; there
was a fine piano and melodian and quite a library of
books."  On the 7tlh the army was in a swampy, desolate
country near the Savannah River, thinly inhabited;'"forage -getting scarce; we expect to draw some hard
tack fur tile first time since leaving Atlanta."   At 10
o'clock P. M. orders came to march.  "In a clear star
and moon lighlt, over swampy, bad roads, marched some
eight niles, and camped between one and two of the 8th.
While at dinner were ordered into line; skirmisl1ing in
our rear and on right and left." 9th-" short of rations
-all we have had for two days was a few potatoes and




47
some coffee; hard marching on empty stomachs." 10th
-" We are now in a land where the palm-leaf grows;
found roads badly obstructed; destroyed portion of Savannah and Charleston Railroad. 11th —" Camp within
nine miles of Savannah; boys got a few potatoes and
sotnerice; saw several rice swamps; on picket had a
pretty cold time."  17th-" Came at last where there is
forage; just before we went to station, our cook overtook
us with some nice boiled potatoes, and butter in a gourd,
which relished well.". Quite in unison with the pleasureable feelings produced by the increase in quantity and
improvement in quality of the rations, he writes on the
18th: " This mor)ing was ushered in by the songs of the
robin, the chicken-llawk and other spring birds; the
musqnitoes and frogs kept up their songs all last night,
reminding me of a September night at home."  19th" Passed Midway Cllnrcl," a fine building which has an
ancient church-yard, with a fine brick wall around it,
shaded by trees peculiar to this clime. In this yard there
are monuments and slabs bearing dates as early as 179.."
The Division to which Mr. Slater belonged seems to
have been more troubled to find and keep in sight of
the retreating enemy, than to repel any attacks.  Their
march was interrupted more by the bridges destroyedd
and the nature of the country, than by the appearance
of any formidable array of bayonets and artillery. The
First and Second Divisions wvere several tines in battle and
lost somewhat heavily.  The Third Division supported
Kilpatrick's Cavalry, and seldom  were required to
do more than form in line of battle.  On the 20th they
"ran the gauntlet" of several "rebel batteries and




48
works," each man of the regiment leing a rod from his
fellow, so that none were hurt.  On the 21st the news
came of the evacuation of Savannah the evening previous
which created great rejoicings in the army; and on the 27th
the armiy was reviewed in that city by Gen. Sherman, and
marched through the principal streets with drums beating and flags flying.
28th —" Our detail returned with a wagon-load of
oysters, whicl with rice went well."  For some considerable time his division was encamped near Savannah,
and in his journal he writes of frequent visits to that
city; of hearing the church-bells ringing on the pleasant
Sabbath morning; of visiting the room of the Christian
Commniission where he was welcomed, and received some
papers and magazines; of visiting Pulaski monument,
located in the south part of the city, which was inscribed
to the memory of " the heroic Pole who fell mortally
wounded at the siege of Savannah, Oct. 9, 1779 "; also
an ancient grave-yard in which were monuments dating
as far back as 1762.  On the 20th of January, 1865,
tents were struck and blankets packed, and the Division
moved out on the Louisville and Savannah Pike, passing
by " the famous Jasper Springs spoken of in'Marion
and his men,"' and "' encamped on a slight rise of ground
called Cherokee Hill, where was fought a famous battle
by Gen. Wayne against the Indians, in 1782."  So
undeviating was the loyalty of the entire army, in this
long campaign, and so complete its discipline, that they
had'' roll-call for the first time, February 4, 1865, since
we were in Atlanta, last Fall. This order would not




have been enforced by the Colonel had some few acted
the part of good soldiers."  Can the annals of history
furnish an instance like that?  February 5-" iHad a
bountiful supply of rations of corned and fresh beef,
sugar and hard bread; crossed the river, (Savannah we
suppose); had a hard march through a swanmp along a
corduroy road; camped three-fourths of a mile from the
river, on a dry and sandy piece of ground, covered with
scrub oak and bushes, which has just been burnt over
with fire."  10th —" Passed through some fine rolling
country, well cultivated; passed two lines of rebel works
and forts (minus the enemy), and the town of Barnwell
Court House, S. C.; foragers came in loaded with meat,
potatoes, sorghum, &c."  13th —" Marched over a dry,
sandy country, where there is no water, except in wells
eighty to one hundred feet deep; use telegraph wire
instead of rope to draw water; where we camped last
night cook went two miles for coffee water-suffered
very much for want of it."  On the 18th the Division
passed the Saluda River, and marched ten miles after
dark, which was one continuous line of fire on both
sides of the road-fences, buildings and underbrush were
a mass of flames, making a complete illumination along
the whole route. On the 20th they were encamped near
Monticello, where the foragers brought in not only eatables in abundance, but some fine-wool blankets, silks,
china-ware, and some beautiful shells.  SMarch 4th, he
writes: " Our march till this time has been the hardest
we ever had-through the clay mud, up and down hill,
across fields covered with water, through brush and
4




so50
bushes; then halt and fix roads, and so on; till at length
we struck the sand; crossed the North Carolina line at
noon."  On the 11th the army entered Fayetteville,
North Carolina, and took possession of the town, establishing a military government over the place.
On the 16th the army left Fayetteville, at midnight,
during a heavy rain storm, which continued till 10 next
day, passing through a very sandy country, crossing
sundry creeks and low sandy bottoms covered with water,
in many places single file. On the 19th, the first and
second Divisions engaged in battle, in which over one
thousand were killed and wounded. On the 25th the
army was at Goldsboro, N. C., near which it remained
for some days, foraging, and warding off the feeble attacks
of the enemy. On the 6th of April the order announcing
that " Richmond is ours, with 23,000 prisoners and five
hundred guns," was read to the army, and three hearty
cheers were given in response.  On the 10th, "after
leaving camp, struck into a portion of country where
apple trees were in bloom. and large wheat fields well up
which afforded good feed for our cattle."  During this
and the next day there was considerable sharp skirmishing, which resulted in the capture of Smithfield, N. C.,
of which our troops took possession about noon of the
11th. On the 12th came the news that " Gen. Lee had
surrendered his entire army; three hearty cheers were
given, the Major [Sherman] throwing up his hat and the
rest following suit; the boys were never in better spirits."
During the evening a " flag of truce came from Raleigh,
N. C., bringing the Governor, [Vance] Lieut. Governor




and two Majors, with proposals to surrender the city."
At 12 M. the army marched in review through its streets
and camped about a mile from it, close by the Insane
Asylum. Gen. Sherman now turned his attention towards
Gen. Johnston's army, which was said to be lying near
Hillsboro, N. C., with a view to compel him to fight or
to surrender.  On the 20th the order announcing a cessation of hostilities between the two contending armies,
was read to the army, in which the General commanding
expressed the hope " that in a few days he would be able
to send us to our homes." The announcement was received with hearty cheers.  During the suspension of hostilities, all foraging was stopped, and no one was permitted to leave camp without permission from the Colonel.
In a few days, however, portions of the army were again
on the march,-the armistice agreed upon between Gen,
Sherman and Gen. Johnston not having been approved at
Washington, —and on the 28th the army and the nation
were again electrified by the news " of Johnston's surrender of all this side of the Chatahoochie river."  On
the 30th the army began its homeward march, with light
hearts and bounding step. At a point three miles beyond
Tar river the Brigade halted for a half hour, when
" nearly all the ladies and citizens of the county collected
together to celebrate the raising of the old flag, the first
instance of the kind by citizens of the rebel States. The
band enlivened the scene by playing some national airs."
After a hard march of nearly 180 miles in eight days the
army reached Richmond, and went into camp some two
or three miles from it.  On the 24th of May, after a




52
brief period spent in recruiting its exhausted energies,
the army crossed Long Bridge, and formed in column at
the foot of Maryland Avenue, preparatory to the grand
review which took place on that day in Washington, in
the presence of the dignitaries of State and admiring
thousands.
Mr. Slater gives a brief but graphic description of the
country through which the army passed-its surface;
its beautiful rivers; the swamps and corduroy roads;
its cities and villages; and shows his familiarity with
the history of the country, by frequent reference to
former battle-grounds over or near which the army
passed, and to historic localities of churches and monuments which came under his observation.
Nor would this Memorial be complete without allusion
to the patriotic efforts of the Ladies of the Town to supply
those delicate necessities to the sick and wounded soldier
which the gentle hand and tender heart of woman alone
can supply. The Medical Department of the army was
taxed to its utmost in the earlier periods of the war, to supply the more common wants of the thousands of sick and
wounded thrown upon its hands. The tender delicacies
of the sick room or the well-regulated hospital it did not
attempt to provide. These were sent in great part from the
homes of the soldier, and were all the more grateful and
acceptable because coming from warm and sympathizing
hearts far away, around the family fire-side.  In procuring, preparing and sending these, the Ladies of the




53
Town took the lead. Before any organization was made
sundry boxes of lint, bandages and various delicacies
were sent, in some instances direct to the soldiers themselves, in others through the Sanitary Commission.
Some time during 1863 the Ladies Soldier's Aid Society
was organized, and the sympathies of the Ladies generally
in Town were enlisted in the object.  Collectors were
appointed in each School District, and contributions
solicited in money or in such necessaries as any chose to
give.  Meetings were held from time to time-social
gatherings at which all these contributions were prepared in the manner thought to be most convenient and
useful.  In this way one or more album quilts were
made, several bed-quilts, numerous cotton and flannel
drawers and shirts, pillows, towels, socks, handkerchiefs,
pin-cushions, slippers, napkins, bandages in rolls, wine of
home manufacture, dried fruit, maple sugar-in fine,
every thing which the ingenuity and sympathy of the
ladies could devise, as being conducive to the comfort or
necessities of the soldier wounded on the battle-field or
sick in the hospital. These articles were mostly forwarded to the Christian Commission, through which organization they found their way speedily to their intended
destination. The whole amount of these benefactions it
is impossible now to determine, as little pains were taken
to preserve any record of them, further than to know
that they were duly received. Probably they amounted
to several hundred dollars.




To some of the men whose names we have last recorded, larger proportionate bounties were paid by the
Selectmen than were authorized by the Town, and a
larger number had been enlisted, (including the re-enlistment of nine veterans, and the substitutes furnished by
Russel H. Davis and Stephen G. Butler,) than sufficed to
fill the quota of the Town under all the calls yet made.
These officers had thus nominally exceeded the limits of
their authority, though not considering themselves as
having transcended the line of their duty in the premises,
but as having kept in view the best interests of the Town,
in respect to any future requisitions for men. At a Town
Meeting held November 11, 1864, the Town was asked
to indemnify them for the money thus expended.  The
motion to raise a tax of forty cents on the dollar for that
purpose was lost on a division of the House. At a subsequent meeting, held on the 22d of November, the
Selectmen were magnanimously relieved of the responsibility they had assumed, and fully indemnified for all
the expenditures they had made in filling the quota of
the Town, as well as the surplus of enlistments. A tax of
fifty-seven cents on the dollar was voted to make up the
deficiency. It is hardly necessary to add that these votes
met with a strong and determined opposition from men
belonging to both political parties,-not from a desire to
repudiate any just obligation, but from a feeling that
the people were burdened almost beyond endurance,
with taxation. Taxes had accumulated rapidly-piling
up like mountain upon mountain, and still larger bounties were constantly demanded. When and where would
the end be?  Yet no exertions must be relaxed. The




Government must be sustained.  The rebellion must bd
crushed. As a loyal people we have put our hands to
the plow and must not look back. Men and means must
be furnished.
The wisdom and foresight of the Selectmen in enlisting
more men than were required under former calls, and
many of them for three years instead of one, were fully
vindicated by the events which followed in quick succession.  On the 19th day of December, 1864, the last
requisition was made by the President-a call for three
hundred thousand men, for one, two or three years.
The quota of the Town was seventeen, but by the
enlistments already mentioned, it was reduced to four,
so that the task was easily accomplished.  At a Town
Meeting, held February 7th, 1865, a tax of seventy cents
on the dollar was voted, to pay bounties; but the whole
amount was not required, and the tax was made up at
sixty cents.
The Selectmen of this year (1865,) were George Gates,
J. K. Drury and E. J. Buttolph, and to the untiring,
persistent, patriotic efforts of these men, (especially of
the first named,) aided by a people thoroughly awake to
duty in the premises, may be attributed the fact that the
quota of the Town was always promptly filled, and its
citizens saved from the oft-impending draft.




56
To the eye of the careful observer light had already
begun to dawn. The bloody march through the wilderness, where the greater portion of the brave boys from
this Town had shed their blood or laid down their lives
in defence of our nationality, had been succeeded by the
investment as with an iron.grasp, of Richmond, the capital of the so-called Confederate States. The most gratifying success had crowned the movements of our western armies. Bragg's raid had been turned into a defeat
and an utter rout. General Sherman had taken Atlanta,
the key of the western portion of the Confederacy, and
leaving that important place in ruins, and cutting off all
communications with his superiors in command, the
Government or with the world, had severed the "' Confederacy " in twain by a triumphant, devastating march
through its very centre, opening his communications
with the Union fleet by the capture of Fort McAllister,
on the Ogeechee River, on the 13th of December, 1864.
The fall of Savannah, Georgia, followed as a " Christmas
present" to an electrified, admiring nation.  Sweeping
northward in his triumphal march, at once the wonder
and admiration of the world, the capital of South Carolina and Charleston-that infamous hot-bed of secession
and rebellion-had both been evacuated, and on the 28th
of February 1865, the Union army entered the grassgrown streets of that city, and the Stars and Stripes
again floated over Fort Sumter, whence four years previously they had been traitorously torn down.  These
striking events pressing upon each other in quick succession, betokened the speedy collapse of the Confederate
bubble.  The expectations thus raised were not disap



pointed. The evacuation of Richmond soon followed,
and on the 9th day of April, 1865, the surrender of
General Lee with his whole army, closed the bloodiest
civil war that history has ever recorded.
Peace, with her Olive branches crowned, has once
more gladdened the hearts of the entire nation, and with
the brightness of her coming has passed away that unmitigated curse to any nation, human slavery. Well
may an emancipated nation rejoice at the result.
The whole number of men furnished by the Town
during the continuance of the war was one hundred and
forty.  Of this number twenty-six died —mostly from
diseases incident to camp life; seven were Billed in battle;
nine were taken prisoners; eight deserted; and thirteen
were wounded. One was elected Captain at the organization of a Company; two received that honor by promotion; several were made Lieutenants and Sergeants
in the same manner; many of them held minor positions;
most of them were privates, and the large majority were
never subject to a draft on account of age.  The young
men of the Town have borne the burden and heat —the
suffering and hardship of the four long years of bloody
war. To them belongs the glory and the honor; whilst




58
the middle aged —those liable to enrollment and draft,
have quietly sat down around the family hearth-stone,
to hoard up and enjoy the rich accumulations which the
war has thrown into their laps.
The amount expended by the Town for bounties and
attending expenses was thirty-seven thousand five hundred and sixty-seven dollars; equivalent to nineteen
dollars for each man, woman and child in Town,
according to the Census of 1860; and more than one
hundred dollars to each voter; or nearly eight hundred per cent. of the Grand List of 1865.  These
bounties were distributed as follows:  To the First
Regiment $120; the Second Regiment $1,300; Fifth
Regiment $1,050; Sixth Regiment $8,600; Seventh
Regiment $500; Eighth Regiment $1,540; Ninth
Regiment $1,205; Eleventh Regiment $1,764; Seventeenth Regiment $2,000; Cavalry $3,350; U. S. Sharp
Shooters $700; Second Vermont Battery $350; U. S.
Navy $3,624; First Corps $,1000; One Hundred and
Ninety-ninth Regiment Colored Infantry $600; Colored
Recruits $400; which with nearly one thousand dollars
expenses makes the sum just mentioned.
This enormous expenditure of money has been made
promptly and cheerfully, in the midst of prosperity unparalleled in our history, and the Town is this day free
from any lasting incumbrance upon the future industry
of its people.




59
With emotions of gratitude and pride, therefore, we
record the bravery and gallantry of those who have
fought the battles of the past four years, and carried the
Stars and Stripes-the proud emblem of our national
Union-through all to victory and peace.  Gratitude
that the fierce and bloody contest shall end in cementing
more strongly than ever the bonds of fraternal union
between these United States, and pride that we are citizens of a State and of a Town that on so many battlefields has so noble a record.  Gratitude, that through
the preserving mercy of a kind Heavenly Father, that
notes even the fall of a sparrow, so many of our brave
young men have returned from war to the ordinary pursuits of life;-pride, that on every page of our eventful
history during this war, shall be spread out. emblazoned
in characters of living light, the brilliant achievements
of the "Vermont Cavalry," "' The Sixth Corps," "The
Vermont Brigade,"-the synonyms for thorough discipline, unflinching bravery and heroic daring.
NOTE. James Ryan, mentioned among the dead, was severely wounded in the leg at the battle of Fredericksburg Station on the 11th of May,
1863.  He was left onr the field in that disastrous defeat of the Union
army, and died from the effects of his wound. He begged to have his
leg amputated, but no surgeon would do it.  He received no town
bounty, being among the first that enlisted from this town, and only a
small Government bounty.  His death cut off the main dependence of
parents somewhat advanced in life, and in indigent circumstances,




"How sleep the brave who sink to rest,
By all their Country's wishes blest!
When Spring with dewy fingers cold,
Returns to deck their hallowed mould,
She there shall dress a sweeter sod
Than Fancy's feet have ever trod."
WILLIAM J. DOfAG, Killed, Battle of Wilderness, May  5, 1864.
AMos GREmELY,*        Killed, Battle of Wilderness, May  5, 1864.'HENRY T. MOSELEY, Killed at Spottsylvania C. H., May 12, 1864,
JAMES B. NICHOLS, Killed, Battle of Wilderness, May  5, 1864.
LEANDER POQUETT, Killed at Charleston, Va.
OSCAR A. SCRIBNER, Killed, Battle of Wilderness, May  5, 1864.
EDWARD D. SANDS, Killed, Battle of Wilderness, May  5, 1864.
* Some say Mr. Greeley died in one of the Southern prisons.




"By fairy hands their knell is rung;
By forms unseen their dirge is sung;
There Honor comes, a pilgrim gray,
To bless the turf that wraps their clay,
And Freedom shall awhile repair,
To dwell a weeping hermit there." —CoLLIxS,
ALPHA M. AUSTIN, Died at Foxville, Virginia,  Aug. 17, 1863.
TRUMAN W. BLOOD, Drowned in N. York Harbor, Aug. 18, 1863.
HENRY S. BRADLEY, Died                          Oct.  1, 1862.
MAGNA CAMPBELL,  "   near Vicksburg, Miss., July  4, 1862.
THOMAS CALVERT,   "                             May 17, 1863.
HARRISON CISCO,                                 July 17, 1864.
JOSHUA L. DAY,       "  in Andersonville Prison, Oct. 7, 1864.
JOHN FLEMING,        "                          OCt.  2, 1863.
JIOSEA M. GORTON,   "  near Gainesville, Va.,   Nov. 29, 1862.
MORTIMER LISTER,  "  in Salisbury Prison, N.C., Dec. 11, 1864.
RUEL B. MELLEN,   "                             July  5, 1862.
JOHN B. PAGE,        " at New Orleans,          July 21, 1862.
GEORGE W. PAGE,   "  at New Orleans,            Sept. 16, 1862.
WILLIAM PRIOR,                                  Dec. 26, 1862.
BRANSCOM PERRIGO, "  in Hospital, New Orleans, Oct.  3, 1862.
GEORGE E. PARKER, "  at New Orleans,            May 24, 1864.
ALEXANDER RENOUF,"                              Dec. 10, 1861.
JAMES RYAN,           "  near Fredericksburgh,  May 12, 1863.
ALBERT F. SAWYER,    in Richmond, Va.,          Sept.   1863.
ALFRED F. SAWYER, "                             Aug. 30, 1862.
ROLLIN S. SHERMAN, "  at Nashville, Tenn.,    Dec. 30, 1864.
HANNIBAL TICHOUT, "                             Sept. 26, 1863
N'ORMAN WOODWORTH,"  at Philadelphia, Pa.,    May 24, 1864
HALL WOODwoRTH,  "  at Fairfax C. H., Va.,  Jan. 9, 1863.
ALBERT WHITCOMB,  "near Spottsylvania C. H., May 15, 1864.
WARREN B.WHITCOMB," at Alexandria Hospital,  July 30, 1864.
Killed......7; Died......26.  Total,.....33.