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HARVARD
COLLEGE
LIBRARY
EARLY HISTORY
-OF-
VERMONT.
BY La FAYETTE WILBUR,
OP JERICHO, VT.
VOLUME IV.
"Oh ! give mc liberty !
For were Paradise my prison,
Still I shoo Id long to leap ttoe crystal wall*."
— Dryden.
JERICHO. TT.
ROSCOE PRINTING HOUSE.
'903-
/ir
1936
Entered ^ooorfing to aot k Congress, 19US, by
La FAYETTE WILBUR
In the omoe of the Librarian of Congress at
Washington, V. 0.
/
The bodies of men, munitions, and money,
May lastly be termed the sinews of war.
y J -Sir Walter BaUigh.
'♦Peace is the bounteous goddess who bestows
Weddings, and holidays, and joyous feasts,
Relations, f riends, health, plenty, social comfort*
And pleasures which alone make life a blessing."
PREFACE.
The unique place that Vermont held in the
country in its early days, the difference in senti-
ment of her people and their clashing political in-
terests caused them to be exceedingly watchful
while several parties claimed her territory. When
New Hampshire withdrew her claim to the Grants
and protection of the people dwelling there, the
Green Mountain Boys, the inhabitants of the
Grants, declared themselves independent ot all
other earthly power or jurisdiction. This decla-
ration seemed to whet the appetites of all the sur-
rounding powers. New York redoubled her ener-
gy to subdue the people of the Grants; Massachu-
setts would absorb her; New Hampshire would
resume her jurisdiction that she had so timidly
surrendered to New York or would divide Ver-
mont between her and New York, while the Brit-
ish attempted, by her army and persuasion, to re-
tain her jurisdiction over this land. Vermont'
seemed to have no friends on either side, and re-
lied on the strength and courage of her people to
maintain the independent stand she had taken.
To add to what would seem an overwhelming odds
against Vermont, her own people were divided.
For a time Tories were numerous and did what
they could to prevent the people of Vermont main-
taining their independence. Not only was New
(8)
4 EARLY HISTORY
York aided in the scheme to subjugate Vermont
by a strong party of York sympathizers in Ver-
mont, but Congress gave New York aid to the
same end. Under these surroundings, party lines
were strongly drawn. Loyal Vermonters were
•determined against all opposition to root out all
Tory influence and eradicate all sentiment that
appeared in favor of submitting to New York.
This required every loyal Vermonter to ferret out
and learn the sentiment and intentions of every
neighbor. The selection of every delegate to po-
litical conventions was attended to, and every
convention controlled by true Vermonters, and
every town organization was under the same
power. And all Tory and York influence had to
be stamped out. Is it any wonder that this same
spirit of political activity, loyalty and independ-
ence have been kept alive among Vermont people?
It seemed opportune to devote the I. and II. Chap-
ters of this volume to Vermont politics. The III.
Chapter is devoted to Banks, and especially to
what is known as "Vermont State Bank" and the
management of the currency. The Chapters from
IV. to VIII. inclusive are devoted to the sketches
of the lives and administrations of the first fit-
teen Governors of the State. The IX. Chapter
states the causes of the war of the Rebellion, and
the services of the 1st Vermont Regiment in that
war!
The Chapters from X. to the XVI. inclu-
sive are devoted to the part that Vermont sol-
diers took in that same war. To avoid a too vol-
uminous description of the services of the Vcr-
OF VERMONT. 5
motit soldiers in the war, I have been limited
to the main facts. To learn the details of their
service in the war the reader will have to resort to
the history that is wholly devoted to that war.
In the XVII. Chapter some of the leading Ver-
mont industries have been considered. The
sketches of the lives of the Green Mountain Boys
and the Pioneers of Vermont, that were com-
nienced in Volumes II. and III , are continued in
Chapters XVIII. and XIX., while the XX. Chap-
ter gives the changes of the names and jurisdiction
of many of the towns and gores in Vermont. This
Volume brings the history of Vermont down on-
ly to the close of the War of the Rebellion, ex-
cept in a few instances where it was necessary to
treat the topic under consideration down to a
more recent date. There is material enough for
another volume of great interest, and it is hoped
that some one will undertake its writing.
La Fayette "Wilbur.
Jtrlc/io. January !>f A, VKM.
Mail who their duties know.
Bat know their rights, end knowing, dare maintain,
Prevent the long-aimed blow,
And crush the tyrant, while thej rend the ohaln :—
These constitute a gtate.— Sir William Jones.
GONTENTS.
CHAPTER I. (Page 1.)
POLITICS AND POLITICAL PARTIES IN VERMONT.
CHAPTER II. (Page 23.)
POLITICS AND POLITICAL PARTIES IN VERMONT.
—CONTINUED.
CHAPTER HI. (Page 46.)
BANKS.
CHAPTER IV. (Page 68.)
THOMAS CHITTENDEN AND MOSES ROBINSON AND
THEIR ADMINISTRATIONS AS GOVERNORS. PAUL
BRIGHAM, ACTING GOVERNOR.
CHAPTER V. (Page 96.)
ISAAC TICHBNOR, ISRAEL SMITH, JONAS GALU-
SHA, AND RICHARD SKINNER, AND THEIR ADMINIS-
TRATIONS AS GOVERNORS.
CHAPTER VI. (Page 124.)
CORNELIUS PETER VAN NESS, EZRA BUTLER,
SAMUEL C. CRAFTS, WILLIAM ADAMS PALMER, AND
SILAS HEMENWAY JENISON AND THEIR ADMINIS-
TRATIONS.
(7)
8 EARLY HISTORY
CHAPTER VII. (Page 156.)
CHARLES PAINE, JOHN MATTOCKS, AND WILL-
IAM SLADE, AND THEIR ADMINISTRATIONS AS GOV-
ERNORS.
CHAPTER VIII. (Page 173.)
THE CAUSE OP THE WAR OP THE REBELLION
OF 1861— THE ATTITUDE OF VERMONT TOWARDS
THE ACTION OF THE SOUTH—THE FIRST VERMONT
REGIMENT AND ITS SERVICE.
CHAPTER IX. (Page 192.)
THE ORGANIZATION AND SERVICES OF THE SEC-
OND VERMONT REGIMENT IN THE CIVIL WAR OF
1861.
CHAPTER X. (Page 207.)
THE ORGANIZATION AND SERVICES OF THETHIRD,
FOURTH, FIFTH AND SIXTH REGIMENTS IN THE CIV-
IL WAR OF 1861.
CHAPTER XI. (Page 234.)
THE ORGANIZATION AND SERVICES OF THE SEV-
ENTH, EIGHTH AND NINTH REGIMENTS IN THE CIV-
IL WAR OF 1861.
CHAPTER XII. (Page 261.)
THE ORGANIZATION AND SERVICES OF THE
TENTH, ELEVENTH, AND SBVBNTBENH REGIMENTS
IN THE CIVIL WAR OF 1861.
CHAPTER XIII. (Page 275.)
THE FIRST VERMONT BRIGADE.
CHAPTER XIV. (Page 288.)
THE FIRST VERMONT BRIGADE — CONTINUED.
OF VERMONT. 9
CHAPTER XV. (Page 307.)
THE TWELFTH, THIRTEENTH, FOURTEENTH,
FIFTEENTH AND SIXTEENTH VERMONT REGIMENTS
AND THE SECOND VERMONT BRIGADE.
CHAPTER XVI. (Page 322.)
VERMONT CAVALRY, BATTERIES, SHARPSHOOT-
ERS, AND BRIGADE BAND.
CHAPTER XVII. (Page 351.)
SOME LEADING INDUSTRIES OF VERMONT.
CHAPTER XVIII. (Page 368.)
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF PlOfofrtRS OF THE
NEW HAMPSHIRE GRANTS AND VERMONT.
CHAPTER XIX. (Page 406.)
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF PIONEERS OF THE
NEW HAMPSHIRE GRANTS AND VERMONT— CON-
TINUED.
CHAPTER XX. (Page 439.)
TABLE SHOWING THE CHANGE OF NAMES OF
TOWNS, AND THE DATE OF GRANT OR CHARTER OF
SUCH TOWNS IN THE SEVERAL COUNTIES OF THE
STATE.
THE HEROES THAT CAPTURED FORT
TICONDEROGA. (Page 447.)
NOTE. (Page 448.)
JUDGES. U. S. SENATORS AND CONGRESSMEN.
ERRATA.
On page 10, third line from bottom, the name 'Truman" should read
-Martini
On page 44, In llth line from bottom, the word "of" should read -by.,'
On page 67, the figures $11,664.86 should read $11,644.26.
On page 78 In llth line from top the word "resigned" should read, "de-
clined to be a candidate for."
On page 86 In 6th line from top the word "our" should read "their."
On page 140 In llth line from bottom the word "practicing" should
read "praotloe."
On page 146 In top line the word "polity" should read "policy."
On page 167 In 9th line from bottom "Monment" should read "Monu-
ment"
On page 807, in the heading, the word "Twelfth" should follow the
word "The** ; and In 8d line from top the word "Fifth" should read ''five,"
and In the same line the word "Regiment" should read "Regiments."
On page 806 In first line the word "five" should read "four."
The fate of a battle is the result of a moment— of a thought: hos-
tile forces advance with various combinations, they attack each other and
light for a time; the critical moment arrives, a mental flash decides, and
the least reserve accomplishes the object —Napoleon l.
If to preserve political independence and olvil freedom to
nations was a Just ground of war. a war to preserve national in-
dependence, property, liberty, life, honor from certain universal
havoc is a war just, necessary, manly, pious; and we are bound
to persevere in it by every principle, divine and human, as long
as the system that menaces them all, and all equally, has an ex-
istence In the world r- Burke.
Oar country cannot well subsist without liberty, nor lib-
erty without virtue.— Mouutau.
CHAPTER I.
POLITICS AND POLITICAL PARTIES IN
VERMONT.
The disturbed condition of the people of Ver-
mont in its early history, and the determined ef-
forts that were made by New York, especially to
destroy her political existence and prevent this
territory from having a separate or independent
government, compelled her inhabitants to be
active and watchful against the machinations of
the authorities of New York on the West, and
of the British on the North. These dangers
caused her people to become interested in each
other against her foreign foes. They were com-
pelled to keep themselves well informed as to every
warlike demonstration and every political move.
Eternal vigilance became their habit by force of
circumstances. There was another cause that
required the inhabitants of the State, in its early
days, to be on the alert and to know the disposi-
tion and political sentiments of all their neighbors.
At the time Vermont territory began to be set-
tled, 129 towns were granted by Benning Went-
worth, then governor of the Province of New
Hampshire, and at the same time New York also
claimed the same territory as far east as the
Connecticut River, and the authority of that State
2 EARLY HISTORY
assumed jurisdiction to that river and granted
lands to all who would take grants from them,
and to all who would become adherents to that
State. Hence there became a clash of interests as
well as of political sentiments between the ad-
herents of the the two jurisdictions. When the dif-
ferent grants began to be organized, there at once
began the contention as to which authority or
party should control, and what influence should
dominate in social life and in political divisions.
The questions involved so far as jurisdiction was
concerned, were vital. If the Tory party won, this
territory would remain a colony of Great Britain;
. if the Yorkers succeeded in their designs, these lands
would be a part of New York, and those who had
bought and paid for their lands granted by Gov-
ernor Wentworth would be compelled to give up
their lands with all the improvements made there-
on and lose what they had paid lor them, or pay
for them a second time to New York. So it be-
came important to know whether their neighbors
were friends or foes. Every loyal person to the
New Hampshire Grants was active in promo-
ting her interests. As the majority of the people
became firm adherents of the Grants, the friends of
New York were required to keep silence or leave
the territory under the penalty of receiving an ap-
plication of the "beech seal/' or be dealt with in
some severe manner. This practice of becoming
familiar with the political sentiments of every man
in the community was a necessity to completely
eradicate the New York and Tory sentiments.
That practice of the New Hampshire Grants and
OF VERMONT. 3
the Pioneers of Vermont of interviewing and
learning the political sentiments of the people in
the community and working actively in controll-
ing the aftairs of the town became a fixed habit
that has been retained to a considerable extent
ever since. When New Hampshire withdrew her
claims to all lands west of the Connecticut River
and left New Hampshire Grants to cope with New
York alone, and the people declared the Grants an
independent State in 1777, which was finally
named Vermont, the people of the State who
did not sympathize with New York nor with
England in her war to subdue the American Colo-
nies, were more determined than ever to root out
all sentiment in favor of allowing New York to
exercise jurisdiction over Vermont territory, and
not to tolerate Tory sentiment. When meetings
were called or conventions held by loyal Vermont-
ers, the towns were canvassed and the people were
required to declare their sentiments and give their
influence and vote in favor of the independency
of Vermont, and no adverse sentiment was toler-
ated. The people generally, soon became not only
interested for the welfare of the new independent
State, but took willingly an active, bold and cour-
ageous stand against all disloyal persons. At
that early day the people were not separated into
Federalists and Republicans or Whigs and Demo-
crats, but the test was loyalty to Vermont as an
independent State and the American Revolution-
ary cause.
In those exacting times, and later in the history
of the State, a pernicious and corrupting practice
4 EARLY HISTORY
of influencing voters by treating and undue per-
suasion, came into vogue.
In about the year of 1790, a gentleman from
Virginia, visited the State, who formed a very
favorable opinion of the State and its people, but
there was one thing that fell under his observation
with which he was not favorably impressed, and
which if not remedied, he thought, would prove
fatal to the rights and liberties of the people,
which had been purchased at so dear a rate— and
that was the manner of electioneering. He said
that:—
"This is an evil under which Great Britain
groans to this day, who are compelled to submit
to the domination of those elected to office by
bribery and corruption, and afterward taxed to
pay the expense. And though it sometimes hap-
pens that gentlemen of real worth are brought
forward in this way, who honor their appoint-
ments, and are a blessing to society of which they
are members: yet in how many instances are men
promoted, who are altogether unqualified for the
higher walks of government into which they are
introduced, and steal into office through the mis-
take of mankind. Had they continued in the
more obscure paths of life, they might have proved
good citizens as well as useful members of society;
but their being placed in a sphere for public action,
the business of which they are unacquainted with,
proves a real injury to themselves, and entirely
frustrates the end of their appointment.
"There are some who thrust themselves for-
ward by the mere dint of a brazen front, and
OF VERMONT. 5
those low intriguing arts despised by men of sense
and honesty, by which they intimidate some and
allure others of the lower class; whereas if such de-
signing men were stripped of their property, and
presented in their true light, they would soon sink
into their original nothingness, and become ob-
jects of ridicule and contempt.
"But I shall remark no farther; but conclude
with the words of the poet,
"In times of general agitation,
Some rise like scum in fermentation :
Who push and kick the world up-
Side down to get themselves a-top :
And when they've gained their favorite point,
For want of strength can't move a jdlnt.
As useless as a leaky cask,
Or like % furnace out of blast ;
Who shortly must be laid aside,
Like horse, unfit to draw or ride."
The emphasis on the word "furnace" indi-
cated that Matthew Lyon was the object of this
censure. Lyon at that time was running both
a furnace at Fatrhaven, and in the Western
district for Congress against Israel Smith and
Isaac Tichenor, and he was publicly charged as an
adept [in two arts,-— "the art of making politics
malleable, and the other art of selling civil offices
for proxies."
It often happens in turbulent times, and when
affairs of State or nation are unsettled and
the contest between opposing parties is close and
uncertain, bad and unfit men force themselves to
the front and by a vigorous use of the party whip,
win, and are placed in positions of influence and
6 EARLY HISTORY
power. The situation of such times is expressed
by the following lines viz:
'•For In the ferment of the stream,
The drugs have worked up to the brim,
And by the rule of topsy — turvies,
The scum stands foaming on the surface.**
The pernicious practice of treating voters in
Vermont as a mode of electioneering, was former-
ly more prevalent than at the present time, but
the practice has not wholly disappeared. This
mode of electioneering not only existed in the
early history of the State, but the practice was
kept up within the memory of the middle aged
man of to-day. A politician of wide acquaintance
would be selected by the candidate or his party
managers to pass around among the voters of the
State, district or county of the residence of the
candidate, and by the use of persuasive arguments
and by the still more persuasive means, with some,
with money and treating, create short lived en-
thusiasm and draw the voters to the polls by these
means. With such voters the qualifications for the
office are of a secondary consideration.
The election of the two first Governors of the
State were singularly free from political jobbery.
Thomas Chittenden was first elected governor in
perilous times. The main thing in the minds of
the people was to get a man that could lead them
through the great peril and maintain the independ-
ence of the State against the persistent efforts of
New York to subject the State to her jurisdiction
and power. Such a man was Thomas Chitten-
di<:n — the people were substantially united on him
OF VERMONT. 7
for such a leader. He has been justly called the
"Washington of Vermont."
During the last term of George Washington, as
President of the United States, when it was gen-
erally understood that he would decline being a
candidate for President of the United States for
another term, and that John Adams and Thomas
Jefferson would be aspirants for that office, party
lines began to distinctly appear. The members of
one party were called Federalists and of the other
Republicans. The Federalists supported John
Adams for President in 1797, and the Republicans
were of the Jeffersonian type. Matthew Lyon, who
deserves to be ranked as one of the remarkable
men of Vermont in his day, was an active Republi-
can, and was a terse and vigorous writer and an
able debater, and, at times, intemperate in his lan-
guage. In 1798 his political enemies had him in-
dicted and tried under the Sedition act of July
4, 1798, for seditious language used in a letter
written by him that appeared in the "Vermont
Journal" published at Windsor. He was convicted
in October following and fined one thousand dol-
lars and sentenced to imprisonment for four
months. Party spirit ran high and his friends were
active in his support, and while in prison he was
elected a member of Congress. This showed that
politics of the Jeffersonian type had a strong hold
of the voters of Vermont at that time. His politi-
cal enemies intended to havejhim re-arrested at the
end of his term of imprisonment so as to prevent
him taking his seat in the House, but at the end
of his term of imprisonment in Feb. of 1799, he an-
8 EARLY HISTORY
nounced that he was on his way to attend Con-
gress at Philadelphia, and thus escaped a re-arrest,
as no member on their way to take their seat
could be arrested. He took his seat as a member
of the National House of Representatives on Feb.
20, 1799, and on that day Mr. Bayard of Dela-
ware, a Federalist, introduced a resolution to ex-
pel Lyon from the House, setting forth that he
had been convicted of being a notorious and sedi-
tious person and of a depraved mind, and wicked
and diabolical disposition, and maliciously con-
triving to defame the Government and John
Adams, the President of the United States, and
bring the Government and the President into con-
tempt and disrepute and stir up sedition in
the United States, wrote and published certain
scandalous and seditious writings. It is quite
doubtful whether Lyon's writings were seditious
under the present measure of the liberty of the
press.
The object of the resolution was to deprive the
Republican party of Lyon's vote if the election of
President should be thrown into the House in the
then next Congress. If Lyon could be expelled, the
Federalists would have a chance to electa Federal-
ist on a special election. The resolution failed for
want of a two-thirds vote,— the vote stood yeas 49
to nays 45. The election was thrown into the
House, and on the thirty-sixth ballot Thomas Jef-
ferson was elected President by one majority.
Lewis R. Morris, the Federalist representative
from Vermont, voted for Aaron Burr the first
thirty-five ballots, and Lyon for Thomas Jefferson.
OF VERMONT. 9
On the thirty-sixth ballot Morris withheld his vote
and Lyon voted for Jefferson, thus giving the vote
ot Vermont to Jefferson which was Sufficient to
elect him. In the light of subsequent events, the
choice made for President was fortunate. As bear-
ing on the animus of Bayard's resolution, and as a
specimen of Lyon's style, I here quote the seditious
article, viz:
"As to the Executive, when I shall see the ef-
forts of that power bent on the promotion of the
comfort, the happiness, and the accommodation of
the people, that executive shall have my zealous
and uniform support. But whenever I shall, on
the part of the executive, see every consideration
of publick welfare swallowed up in a continual
grasp, for power, in an unbounded thirst for ridic-
ulous pomp, foolish adulation, or selfish avarice;
when I shall behold men of real merit daily turned
out of office for no other cause but independency of
spirit; when I shall see men of firmness, merit t
years, abilities, and experience, discarded, in their
applications for office, for fear they possess that
independence, and men of meanness preferred, for
the ease with which they can take up and advo-
cate opinions, the consequences of which they
know but little of; when I shall see the sacred
name of religion employed as a State engine to
make mankind hate and persecute each other, I
shall not be their humble advocate."
The organ of the Republican party of that day
was entitled:
" A Republican Magazine: or Repository of Po-
10 EARLY HISTORY
litical Truths. By James Lyon of Fairhaven, Ver-
mont,
"Nature has left this Tincture in the Blood,
That all men would btTy rants if they cou'd—
If they forbear their neighbors to devour,
•Tis tiot for want of Will, but want of Powtr."
One of Lyon's fulminations in verse was on the
expulsion of Col. Isaac Clark, a zealous Republi-
can, from the General Assembly of Vermont, for an
alleged misdeirieanor as a member of the Com-
mittee to canvass votes for State officers. Lyon
claimed that Col. Clark was one of the victims of
the so-called, "Vergennes Slaughter House." The
lines were as follows:
"When party zeal in public good shall end,
And show the world who is his country's friend ;
When Democrats shall rise and reign,
And Freedom bless the earth again ;
When Tories shall sink down to hell,
Where Pandemonium Harpies dwell ;
Millennial Love shall then prevail ;
Aristocrats lament and wail ;
Republicans rejoice to see
The blest return of Liberty ;
Vtrgtnnes fever will harmless prove,
Or rage a stimulous to Love."
These lines were written when Lyon was in jail
at Vergennes, suffering the penalty of the Alien
and Sedition act.
After the formation of the Federal and Repub-
lican or Jeffersonian parties the control of the State
down to 1804, had been in the hands of the Fed-
eralists. But in the year 1804, although Isaac
Tichenor the Federal candidate for Governor, on
OF VERMONT. 11
account of his popularity was elected over Jona-
than Robinson, the Republican candidate, Paul
Brigham, the candidate for Lieutenant-Governor
on the Republican ticket, was elected, as well as
William Hunter, for State Treasurer, on the same
ticket. Paul Brigham's majority for Lieut.-Gov-
ernor was nearly 4000. A large majority of the
representatives, chosen at the same election, were
JefFersonians. The Jeffersonian majority on the
ballot in joint committee for Presidential Electors
was 81. Jonas Galusha, a Republican, at that
election ran for Councillor and received 3010 votes
more than the highest candidate on the Jefferson-
ian or Republican ticket. It was evident that the
people at that election, did not consider themselves
bound by party considerations. At that time the
Republicans were rapidly increasing in the State,
as is seen by contrasting previous votes cast for
Governors. In 1800 Isaac Tichenor received 6444
votes for Governor, against 3239 for Israel gmith,
the Republican candidate.
In 1806, the House was Jeftersonian by a very
large majority, as indicated by the election of
Stephen R. Bradley as United States Senator, he
having received 120 votes to 60 for all other per-
sons—Bradley being a Republican— but Isaac Tich-
enor, the Federal candidate, was elected gover-
nor against Isarel Smith the candidate of the Re-
publicans. In the year 1807 Israel Smith was
elected Governor over Isaac Tichenor and Paul
Brigham Lieutenant-Governor, but in 1808 the
tables were turned, and Tichenor was again elect-
ed Governor. Paul Brigham was one of the most
12 EARLY HISTORY
trusted, reliable and popular men of Vermont, as
appears from the fact that whichever political
party was dominant or won at the general elec-
tion, he was elected Lieutenant-Governor, yearly,
from 1796 until 1813, and from 181 5 to 1820.
In 1809, Jonas Galusha of Shaftsbury, the Re-
publican candidate for Governor, was elected over
Isaac Tichenor by a vote 14583 to 13467, and the
Republicans elected were inducted into office with
great military demonstrations. The Governor,
Lieutenant-Governor and Treasurer, were saluted
each of them by a gun, as well as the Council, af-
ter which a gun was fired for each State in the
Union. The Military Company that served at
this and other elections was called the Governor's
guard. This Company's first appearance was in
1809, and was a "fine artillery company, uni-
formed throughout with plumed Bonaparte hats
and the dress of field officers in all except the
epaulette on the privates; it was organized from
among the first citizens of this and the neighbor-
ing towns, to serve as the Governor's Guard, and
be in special attendance on Election days. Of this
company Isaac Putman, a man nearly six-feet-six
high, weighing over two hundred pounds, well
proportioned, and as noble in soul as in body, had
the honor of being chosen the first captain, and no
one of those present now living can fail to recall
his fine and commanding military appearance on
those occasions as he stood up between bis soldiers
and the encircling crowd, like Saul among the
people."
During the administration of John Adams, the
OF VERMONT. 13
voters of the two great parties had adopted the
terms Federal and Republican as the names of
their respective parties, and the line between them
was distinctly drawn, and as the administration
of Adams was drawing to a close, no means were
left unemployed that was supposed to increase
their respective influence and numbers; the Repub-
lican party claimed to be desirous of rendering the
government of the Union more democratic and
were believed to favor the principles of the French
Revolution, while the Federalists were accused of a
desire to make the government of the United
States more independent of the people and mo-
narchal in its principles. There was one matter
during Adams' administration that seemed to
unite the feelings of the parties and abate party
spirit in Vermont as well as through the United
States— that was the conduct of the French nation.
The whole community was agitated with the
revolutionary excitement of the French. It seemed
to the people of this government that the vilest
depravity and guilt were concealed under the mask
of liberty. Violent depredations had been commit-
ted upon American commerce, our ambassadors
were refused admission to the performance of their
appointed service, and under the name of a loan,
the French government was demanding a tribute.
These claims and proceedings received the resent-
ment of the American people. The stand of Amer-
ica was "Millions for defense, not a cent for trib-
ute." Governor Tichenor in his speech to the Leg-
islature in 1798, expressed the strongest disappro-
bation of tl*e French policy and proceedings, and
14 EARLY HISTORY
the House returned an answer imbued with the
same spirit. Both the spirit of the sj>eech and of
the answer was in tone what was called federal-
ism t and the Legislature declared their willingness
to take up arms against the rapacity of the French.
At this time the Federal sentiment was so strong
they allowed their action to sweep republicans
from office simply on partizan grounds. Israel
Smith who had held the office of the Chief Justice
of the State, and who was a man of integrity and
virtue, was dropped on account of his attachment
to the Republican party, and for all important of-
fices, selections were made from those of decided
federal principles and with designs of encouraging
the supporters of John Adams and checking the
progress of Republicanism, but after the appoint-
ments were made, party spirit subsided.
At the October session of the Legislature of
1799, the spirit of opposition to the French prin-
ciples and measures in both parties ran high.
At this session resolutions from Virginia and
Kentucky, that declared that it belonged to the
State Legislatures to decide on the constitutional-
ity of the laws made by the general government
and not to the national judiciary, were strongly
condemned by the Federal members of the Legisla-
ture. Soon after the election of Jefferson as Pres-
ident of the United States in 1801, he disclaimed
the purpose of carrying out the principles of polit-
ical intolerance and said, "we are all Federalists,
we are all Republicans.*' This frank avowal led
the candid people to believe that party factions
and animosities were about to be a thing of the
OF VERMONT. 15
past. But only a short time elapsed before the
United States Attorney and Marshal for the
district of Vermont, were removed from office
and their places filled by persons of decided Repub-
lican sentiments. It was now believed that the
Republicans, who were now in the majority in
Vermont, would exercise their power in, making
partisan appointments, but the Legislature of
1801 took a considerate course and the appoint-
ments were made not on account of political
opinions but from their supposed qualifications for
the office.
In 1808, Isaac Tichenor was again elected gov-
ernor in opposition to Israel Smith, who had held
the office during the preceding year. In his speech
he expressed his decided disapprobation of the lead-
ing measures of Jefferson's administration. The
Republicans having a majority in the Assembly,
returned an answer, in which they expressed the
fullest confidence in the President, and a hearty
approval of his measures.
In 1808, the strained relations between the
United States and Prance and England growing
out of the Berlin and Milan decrees and the dom.
ineering course of Great Britain towards the
United States, served to moderate party spirit in
the United States, and unite them against foreign
aggression. When Bonaparte announced his de-
sign of enforcing with rigor the Berlin decree, and
the British asserted the right of search and im-
pressment, the President of the United States
recommended to Congress the detention of the
American seamen, ships and merchandise in port,
16 EARLY HISTORY
to preserve them from the danger of cruisers, which
was effected by the restrictions of an indefinite
embargo. This was designed to coerce the bel-
ligerent powers, to return to the observance of the
laws of nations, by withholding from them the
advantages of the American trade. Following
this, and within a few days, information was re-
ceived that neutrals, comprising almost every
maritime nation of Europe, were compelled to pay
tribute if they traded with France or her allies.
This was immediately succeeded by the Milan de-
cree, declaring that every neutral which submitted
to the British restrictions, should be confiscated if
they were afterwards found in their ports, or tak-
en by the French cruisers. These orders and de-
crees subjected nearly all the vessels sailing on the
ocean to capture. The highly prosperous com-
merce of New England was by these regulations
swept from the sea. While all the people were
united against the course of France and England,
the people became restive under the United States
Embargo act, as it became burdensome to the
people, especially of Vermont lying on the North-
ern borders, where their trade with Canada
was destroyed. The Embargo act was a Repub-
lican measure and was enforced by the adminis-
tration of President Jefferson. The Federalists of
Vermont opposed the enforcement of the act with
a great deal of feeling and earnestness. The suffer-
ing which the people endured changed public senti-
ment so rapidly that a majority of the people
were soon opposed to the Embargo act and the
measures of government, and pronounced them as
OF VERMONT. 17
unwise. The Berlin and Milan decrees were re-
voked by France in 1810, but England continued
her insolent and overbearing course resulting in
the destruction of American commerce. Before
1811 nine hundred American vessels had been taken
by the English since 1803. Great Britain persist-
ed in enforcing her orders establishing a kind of
a blockading system through the principal harbors
of the United States and continued to impress
American seamen, and no satisfactory arrange-
ment could be made with that power. In 1808,
during the term of Governor Tichenor, the Feder-
alists opposed the measures of the administration
of President Jefferson, especially the embargo act
and its enforcement; but aside from that act, the
sentiment of the people was setting in favor of his
administration. In 1809, Jonas Galusha, a Re-
publican, one of the former judges of the Supreme
Court, was elected governor to succeed Gov.
Tichenor. James Madison was elected President
of the United States, and Galusha had four success,
ive elections as Governor of the State and proved
to be an able and popular Governor. The con-
duct and obnoxious measures of Great Britain
were such that a declaration of war was resorted
to, and war by act of Congress was declared with
England on the 18th day of June, 1812. A consid-
erable portion of the citizens of the United States
were decidedly opposed to resorting to war, and
the Federalists in Vermont asserted that the declar-
ation of war was unnecessary, partial, and unwise,
and claimed that in their opinion a satisfactory
adjustment of all disputes might have been effected
18 EARLY HISTORY
by further negotiations. They said it was partial
because it had given greater provocation in pro-
portion to her means of annoyance, than Great
Britain; that it was unwise, because the nation
was not prepared for war; that by declaring war
against the only remaining enemy of Prance, the
United States indirectly but powerfully aided the
Emperor of Prance in his attempt at the subjuga-
tion of the world; and the advantages sought to
be obtained, would be more than counterbalanced
by the expense and sufferings of the nation. The
consideration of the subject by the parties exceeded
the bounds of temperate and candid discussion.
The Federalists examined with the severest scruti-
ny the measures and motives of the government.
Mr. Galusha was elected for his fourth term as
Governor in 1812, and in his speech at the open-
ing of the session in October, he took strong
ground in favor of the administration of Madison
and the measures of the government for the pros-
ecution of the war, and commented with great
severity on the course of the opposition. Party
resentment was wrought to the highest pitch of
irritation. The parties denounced each other as
enemies to their common country, and under the
influence and domination of foreign powers. The
answer to his speech was kindled to a blaze of re-
sentment.
The majority of the General Assembly stood by
the Governor and the measures of the national
government and adopted the following resolutions:
"We therefore pledge ourselves to each other
and the government, that with our individual ex-
OF VERMONT. 19
ertions, our example and influence, we will support
our government and country in the present con-
test, and rely on the great Arbiter of events for a
favorable result." This resolution was adopted by
a vote of 128 in the affirmative, and 79 in the neg-
ative. Those who voted in the negative drew up
a protest and entered it upon* the journal of the
House, setting forth, in substance, that although
they felt themselves under obligation to yield faith-
ful obedience to the laws of the general goveniment,
and to support with their lives the independence of
their country, theyfelt it their duty to express their
decided disapprobation of any law measures of the
government, which on candid consideration they
regarded injurious to the public, and declared that
they would endeavor to remove the evil by effect-
ing a change in the measures of the administra-
tion or by changing the administration itself. The
dissenting members expressed their disapproba-
tion of the declaration of war, and declared the
war unjust and destitute of advantage to any ex-
cept Bonaparte and the French government; that
the restraint on commerce, was calculated to in-
crease crimes rather than starve the enemy. These
representations had a powerful effect on the people
at the election of 1813. Governor Galusha was
not a successful candidate for re-election. There
was no election by the people, and the election
was thrown into the House, and the parties there
were equally divided. Finally the Federalist party
succeeded and they elected Truman Chittenden
for Governor, and William Chamberlin for Lieu-
tenant-Governor. An attempt was made to set
20 EARLY HISTORY
aside his election on the ground that the vote of
one, Carpus Clark, the representative from Wor-
cester, who was a Republican, was purchased to
insure the election of Mr. Chittenden to the office
of Governor. Clark was expelled from the House,
but the movement against the Governor-elect was
not successful; and the Governor appeared in the
House and qualified, and among other matters of
business he expressed his views upon the subject
of the militia as follows:—
"I have always considered this force peculiarly
adapted, and exclusively assigned for the service
and protection of the respective States, except in
the cases provided for by the national Constitu-
tion." In attempting to carry out this view during
his administration, in refusing to officially order the
militia out of the State to the vicinity of Platts.
burgh to aid in repelling the British invasion of
New York, his orders as Commander-in-Chief of the
Vermont militia were disobeyed, and he was sub-
ject to the sharpest criticism. Governor Chitten-
den believed that he had no power to send them
out of the State, but he was willing any might go
to repel the invasion of the British that were
marching on Plattsburgh, and even urged them to
do so.
In 1814, after a warm contest, there was no
election again by the people for Governor, and the
election again was taken before the House and
Mr. Chittenden was chosen to preside over the
State, and the same Lieutenant-Governor, Secre-
tary of State and Executive Council were re-
elected, all of whom professed the principles of
OF VERMONT. 21
Federalism. The Governor spoke in the highest
terms of the officers and men employed in repell-
ing and defeating the enemy on the Lake and at
Pittsburgh arid in teaching the foe the mortifying
lesson that the soil of freedom will not bear the
tread of hostile feet with impunity, but he declared
that his opinion of the propriety of the war was
unchanged. As the war continued, the people saw
the necessity of being better united in the prosecu-
tion of the war, and a more harmonious feeling
prevailed throughout the country, and many who
were, at first, opposed to the war were convinced,
that the good of their country demanded united
and vigorous efforts in its prosecution to an hon-
orable and successful termination. It was brought
to a close by the treaty of Ghent signed December
24,1814.
On October 25, 1814, Governor Chittenden
transmitted to the General Assembly letters from
the Governor and presiding officers of the Senate
and House of Massachusetts, covering the resolu-
tions of the Legislature of that State, which in-
vited Vermont with other New England States to
send delegates to the Convention to be held at
Hartford, Conn., in the succeeding December, since
styled the "Hartford Convention," to take in-
to consideration the state of the Union. The
documents were referred to a select committee of
six from the House and three from the Council.
Both Houses were controlled by the Federalists,
but six of the Committee were Federalists and
three were Republicans. The committee were
unanimous in the opinion that it was inexpedient
22 EARLY HISTORY
to comply with the invitation of Massachusetts.
Although the State declined to send delegates to
the Hartford Convention, William Hall, Jr., who
was chairman of the said committee, attended the
Convention in his private capacity, did sit and act
in the Convention. The seven amendments to the
Federal Constitution proposed by the Convention
were rejected by the Vermont Legislature at the
session of 1815.
CHAPTER II.
POLITICS AND POLITICAL PARTIES IN VER-
MONT.— continued.
In 1815, Jonas Galusha was elected Governor
over Martin Chittenden by a vote of 18,055 to
16,632, and again in 1816, over Samuel Strong by
a vote of 17,262 to 13,888. In 1817, Galusha was
elected Governor by a majority of 6,326 over
Isaac Tichenor. In 1818, the Federalists had no
party ticket in the field and Galusha received
15,243 votes, scattering 749. In canvassing the
votes for Governor that year it was found that a
considerable number of the votes were printed, and
a question arose whether they should be counted.
By the Constitution, the freemen were required to
bring in their votes for Governor "with his name
fairly written" Considerable debate arose on
the question, and the printed votes were rejected.
At Galusha's last election as Governor in 1819,
he received 12,628 votes, William C. Bradley
1,035, Dudley Chase 658 and scattering 1,085.
During the several years that Galusha had re-
mained at the head of affairs as governor, the
asperity of party feelings were mitigated as social
intercourse took on a friendly character. The
people discovered that their true interest consist-
ed in the cultivation of friendly sentiments and the
(28)
24 EARLY HISTORY
pursuit of peaceable occupations. During the time
of the administration of James Monroe, it was
called an Era of Good Feeling. The year of 1816
was a cold, hard, and unprosperous year for the
people, but in 1817, the internal affairs of the State
assumed a more healchy and prosperous condi-
tion, and a bountiful harvest supplied the wants
of the people. With the last term of Galusha as
Governor of the State, terminated the practice of
returning an answer to the Governor's speech
that had been followed ever since the first election
of Governor Tichenor. The returning an answer
consumed much time and frequently gave rise to
violent party contention.
Richard Skinner of Manchester was elected
Governor in 1820, and in 1821, with William
Cahoon of Lyndon as Lieutenant-Governor for
both terms. In 1822 Governor Skinner was re-
elected with Aaron Leland of Chester as Lieuten-
ant-Governor.
In 1823, Cornelius P. Van Ness of Burlington .
was elected Governor, he was also elected Gover-
nor in 1824 and 1825. Aaron Leland was elected
Lieutenant-Governor for the three terms that
Van Ness served as governor. In 1826, Van Ness
was a candidate for the United States senatorship,
and, in the most memorable contest for that of-
fice in Vermont, he was defeated by a small major-
ity for Horatio Seymour of Middlebury. Stung by
that defeat, which he attributed to the interference
of confidential friends of the then President, John
Quincy Adams, whose administration Van Ness
had supported until that event. Mr. Van Ness
OF VERMONT. 25
then issued a manifesto to the public, declaring
hostility to Adams and a preference for Gen. Jack-
son, and shortly after the inauguration of Match,
1829, President Jackson appointed Van Ness En-
voy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary
to Spain. Soon after the induction of John Quincy
Adams into office as President, a vigilant opposi-
tion to his administration commenced, and in the
political ferment of the next Presidential contest,
Gen. Jackson was elected to the Presidency. His
friends declared his election was due to his inflexi-
ble stand and not being corrupted with political
chicanery; they said he was the saviour of the
county, and the only person who would dare cor-
rect the abuses of executive patronage. During
the political campaign when Adams and Jackson
were running as candidates for the Presidency, the
former as the Federal or National Republican can-
didate, and the latter as the Democratic candi-
date, nothing that could be effected by argument,
misstatement or ridicule was left unimproved in
the heat of party zeal. The qualifications, talents
and character of the favorite of each party was
extolled and represented as the most perfect stand-
ard of human excellence. This mode of conduct-
ing the campaign extended to the political parti-
sans in Vermont.
In 1824, the candidates before the General As-
sembly for a United States Senator were Dudley
Chase of Randolph and Samuel Prentiss of Mont-
pelier, both of whom were members of the General
Assembly, and sat side by side in one of the desks
for two members during the election. This was
26 EARLY HISTORY
thought to be significant evidence that the contest
for the Senatorship was a friendly one. At that
session, the House sent up to the Governor and
Council for concurrence a resolution, that that
part of the Governor's speech relating to certain
resolutions from the States of Ohio, Tennessee,
Alabama, and Mississippi, be referred to a commit-
tee of four members to join one from the Council.
The committee was appointed. The resolutions re-
lated to emancipation, the Monroe doctrine, and
Congressional caucus nominations. Ohio was for
the emancipation of slaves by colonization, Tenn-
essee was for the "Monroe Doctrine/' against the
Holy Alliance— in both of which propositions Ver-
mont sympathized; Tennessee condemned Con-
gressional caucus nominations for President and
Vice-President, and Alabama recommended Gen.
Andrew Jackson for President, on which Vermont
declined to express any opinion, and the committee
was discharged from any further consideration of
these matters.
In 1826, Ezra Butler of Waterbury was elected
Governor by the Democrats and received 8,966
votes for that position, against 3,157 for Joel
Doolittle. Mr. Butler was the successful candi-
date again in 1828 by a vote of 13,699 to 1,951
for Joel Doolittle.
At the session of the Legislature during the
administration of John Quincy Adams, while the
political campaign was in progress that resulted
in the election of Andrew Jackson as President of
the United States, the House on Nov. 2, 1827,
sent to the Governor and Council for concur-
OF VERMONT. 27
rence the following: "Resolved, That in the
opinion of this House the policy adopted by the
present administration of the General Government
is well calculated to promote the permanent pros-
perity of the nation, and is approved by the peo-
ple of Vermont; and that the re-election of John
Quincy Adams to the Presidency of the United
States is an object highly desirable." This resolu-
tion was passed in concurrence. In the General
Assembly the resolution was adopted by a vote of
yeas 165 to nays 35. Politically the State has
been controlled by the Whigs and Republicans
from that time to this, with the exception of the
intervention of Anti-Masonry, and the extraordi-
nary election of 1853, when the Free. Soil Party
united with the Democrats and defeated the
Whigs. On account of this steady political course
Vermont has been styled "The Star that never
sets."
To this resolution the Democrats presented and
had put on file a carefully drawn- document ex-
pressing their dissent to the sentiments expressed
in the resolution and to the practice of the Legis-
lature interfering with elections. They expressed
their dissent to the resolution because they
claimed the design of its movers was to call in the
aid of the Legislature, in a legislative capacity, to
attempt to give direction to the freemen relative
to an election submitted to the people or by them
retained— that it was an improper interference
with elections. The votes cast in Vermont in that
Presidential election showed that Vermont ap-
proved of the administration of John Quincy Ad-
28 EARLY HISTORY
ams, notwithstanding his defeat; and all of the
four members of the Council, except one, who
signed the document of dissent, at the election of
1828, were dropped from the Council. In 1828
the House sent to the Governor and Council for
concurrence resolutions "that the policy atnd
measures, adopted and pursued by the adminis-
tration, are calculated and designed to promote
and perpetuate the happiness and prosperity of
the nation, and that the talents, integrity and ex-
perience of John Quincy Adams, eminently qualify
him to discharge the Jiigh and responsible duties
of the President of the United States, and that this
Legislature approve of the nomination of Richard
Rush as a candidate tor the office of Vice-Presi-
dent, 9 ' and the resolutions were passed by the
Council without a dissenting vote. The close of
the year 1827, ended the "era of good feeling" in
in Vermont, politically. The people were sharply
divided into two parties— the predominant one
soon took the name of "National Republicans,"
but subsequently was called the "Whig Party."
The other was the "Jackson Party," but was
soon changed to "Democratic Party." In Septem-
ber, 1828, Samuel C. Crafts of Craftsbury, a Na-
tional Republican, was elected without much oppo-
sition, having 16,285 votes to 916 for Joel Doolit-
tle, and was re-elected in 1829 by a vote of 14,325
to 7,346 for Heman Allen of Burlington, and 3,
972 for Joel Doolittle. The Anti-Masons for the
first time placed a ticket in the field, voting for
Mr. Allen, although he declined to identify himself
with that party.
OF VERMONT. 29
In 1829, the Governor and Council appointed a
commission consisting of Robert Pierpoint, John
Smith, and John S. Pettibone, in the case of Jo-
seph Bum ham, who had been convicted of a crime
and sentenced 1 to State prison in Woodstock for
ten years. He died in prison and was buried at
Woodstock. One Toshua Cobb subsequently went
to New York City, and there met a man that he
called Joseph Burnham, and wrote to his friends in
Woodstock that he had seen Joseph Burnham and
that he must have escaped or been released from
State prison. It happened to be that Burnham's
son, who had visited his father Who was sick in
prison, was a Mason, as was Hon. John Cotton,
the Superintendent of the prison. The Anti-Ma-
sonic portion of the people of Windham County
became excited and were quite ready to suspect
and charge that Burnham had been released by
the Mason, Cotton. The legislature, therefore, in-
stituted an investigation; the remains of Burn-
ham were exhumed and identified by his wife, and
his resemblance in New York proved to be another
person. Out of this affair came a political pam-
phlet entitled, "The Doleful Tragedy of the raising
of Jo. Burnham, or the Cat Let Out of the Bag,"
which was printed at Woodstock in 1832, its pur-
pose being to satirize Anti-Masonry as a scheme
for political preferment.
In 1830, there was no election by the people for
Governor. There were three parties in the Legis-
lature, the National Republicans, the Anti-Masons,
and the Jackson men, or Democrats. Samuel C.
Crafts, the National Republican and Masonic can-
30 EARLY HISTORY
didate, was reelected Governor on the thirty-sec-
ond ballot by a vote of six majority. William A.
Palmer was the candidate of the Anti-Masons,
and William C. Bradley the candidate of the Jack-
sonians. *
In 1831, the choice for Governor again devolved
upon the Legislature, as there was no election by
the people, Willliam A. Palmer, the Anti-Masonic
candidate, was elected on the ninth ballot by one
majority. At the polls Palmer received 15,258
votes, Heman Allen, the National Republican cam
didate, received 12.990, and Ezra Meech, Demo-
crat, received 6fl58, votes. No election was made
by the people for Governor in 1832, but Gov. Pal-
mer was elected by the Legislature on the 43d
ballot, over Crafts and Meech. In 1833, Gover-
nor Palmer was elected Governor by the people.
January 6, 1836, by an amendment to the con-
stitution, a Senate was substituted for the Coun-
cil. Down to January 2, 1850, County officers
were elected by the Legislature, but at that time
County officers were made elective by the people
of the respective Counties. When County officers
were elected or appointed by the Legislature, it
made the Legislature a place of great excitement
and political manoeuvring until those elections
and appointments were disposed of.
In 1834, no choice was made for Governor by
the people. William A. Palmer, Anti-Mason, re-
received 17,131 votes, William C. Bradley, Demo-
crat, received 10,365, and Horatio Seymour,
Whig, received 10,159; but Palmer, before the
Legislature, was the successful candidate.
OF VERMONT. 31
In 1833, Charles K. Williams, Stephen Royce,
Samuel S. Phelps, Jacob Collamer, and John Mat-
tocks were elected Judges of the Supreme Court. It
is noticeable that three of these judges, Mattocks,
Williams and Royce, were subsequently elected
Governors, and the remaining two were among
the most distinguished members of the United
States Senate.
There was no election of Governor by the peo-
ple in 1835, but Silas H. Jenison of Shoreham was
elected Lieutenant-Governor. William A. Palmer,
the Anti-Mason candidate for Governor, received
16,210 votes, William C. Bradley, Democrat, re-
ceived 13,254 votes, and Charles Paine, Whig,
5,435 votes. The Joint Assembly balloted un-
successfully for Governor from October 9 un-
til Nov. 2; there were 63 ballots taken and
the highest vote that Palmer received was 112
out of a total of 226. The Joint Assembly was
dissolved, without the election of Governor,
by a vote of 113 to 100, and Lieu tenant-Go ver.
nor Jenison became acting Governor. E. P. Wal-
ton says in a political note in the "Governor and
Council," that the defeat of Palmer was accom-
plished in Washington County, in which both An-
ti-Masons and Whigs took part, and was based
upon the special ground that the Governor's posi-
tion in respect to Martin Van Buren, the then ex-
pected Democratic candidate for President, was
doubted, and generally upon the policy of uniting
in one party in view of the then coming Presiden-
tial election, both the Whigs and Anti-Masons of
whig proclivities. For this purpose a County
32 EARLY HISTORY
Convention, composed of Whigs and Anti-Masons,
met at Montpelier on the 25th of June, 1835, and
ratified the nomination of the Anti-Masonic State
Convention, Gov. Palmer alone excepted, for
whose name that of Charles Paine was substi-
tuted. This scheme was supported in other Coun-
ties sufficiently to defeat Gov. Palmer. In 1836,
the union was completed, and the distinctive Anti-
Masonic party disappeared and the Whi^ senti-
ment prevailed throughout the State in both the
State and Presidential elections. Prom that date
till the organization of the Republican party in
1854, the Whig party succeeded at every election,
except in 1853, when there was no election of
State officers by the people, and the State officers
were elected in Joint Assembly, when the Whigs
were defeated by the coalition of the Democrats
and Free Soilers.
The general sentiment of Vermont was opposed
to slavery, but the credit of the first Anti-Slavery
movement in the State belongs to the Society of
Friends, and it was in response to their petitions
in 1835, that the committee reported a resolution
of instructions to the Congressional delegation
for the abolition of slavery in the District of
Columbia. The politicians were afraid of it,
and it was dismissed by a vote of 86 to 34.
Among those voting against dismissing it were
David M. Camp, William Hebard, William Henry
and Alvah Sabin, who were afterwards prominent
anti-slavery Whigs.
The Whigs of Vermont were always strongly
in favor of the American system of protection to
OF VERMONT. 33
domestic industries and internal improvements of
a national character and opposed a reduction of
tariff duties, and believed that a United States
Bank was indispensably necessary as the fiscal
agent of the government and of great utility in
promoting and sustaining a sound currency in the
country. In 1832, the Democrats were in favor of
areduction of the tariff and opposed to a re-charter
of the United States Bank, but the Legislature of
Vermont at the session of that year, passed reso-
lutions instructing their Senators and Representa-
tives in Congress to oppose any modification of
the tariff laws that would have a tendency to
weaken or destroy their efficiency as a system of
protection to domestic manufactures; and to aid
in procuring appropriations for works of internal
improvements ; and to use their endeavors to pro-
cure a re-charter of the United States Bank.
Silas H. Jenison received five successive elec-
tions by the people for Governor from 1836 to
1840 inclusive. He was a man of rare judgment
and solid worth, and conducted the affairs of
State with wise discretion. In 1836, resolutions
were passed by the Legislature declaring "that
neither Congress nor the State governments have
any constitutional right to abridge the free ex-
pression of opinions or the transmission of them
through the mails; and that Congress do pos-
sess the power to abolish Slavery and the slave
trade in the District of Columbia."
In the year 1837, occurred one of the most dis-
astrous and distressing financial panics ever ex-
perienced ; the causes for it were attributed to the
34 EARLY HISTORY
increase of trade upon borrowed capital, the spec-
ulation in public lands, the failure of the wheat
crop, which rendered the importation of bread
stuffs necessary, the removal of the deposits of
public money from the United States Bank, and
the efforts of that Bank to close its concerns.
Whatever the cause, the currency was deranged,
confidence destroyed, business paralyzed, and
the banks obliged to suspend specie payments, and
distress and ruin prevailed. The Governor advised
economy in public concerns and industry and fru-
gality in private affairs. Resolutions were adopt-
ed solemnly protesting against the admission of
Texas, or any other State, into the Union, whose
constitution tolerated domestic slavery. During
this year a rebellion in Lower Canada broke out,
and many of the people of Vermont had their sym-
pathies aroused in behalf of those in Canada,
whom, they supposed, were struggling like our fa-
thers in the Revolution, to free themselves from
British tyranny and oppression. A disposition of a
large number of Vermonters to encourage the in-
surgents was manifested by public meetings and
inflammatory addresses and in collecting arms
and men and conveying them near to Canada
line to aid the cause of the patriot war.
In this state of affairs Gov. Jenison issued his
proclamation warning them against violating the
treaty between the United States and Great Brit-
ain and the peril of violating the laws of neutral-
ity established by Congress. The excitement was
so great that nearly the entire press of the State
censured the Governor's course; this showed how
OF VERMONT. 35
easily feelings may triumph over reason. The in-
surgents who escaped into the United States after
their defeat in Canada, made unwearied efforts to
collect forces and supplies along the line, and in
February, of 1838, resolved to advance into Can-
ada from Alburgh. They were prevented from
forming on the Vermont side of the line by Gen.
Wool, who had command of a body of militia, but
five or six hundred insurgents crossed and organ-
ized in Canada. Gen. Wool sent word to them (in-
formation that he had received) that 1600 or
1700 British troops were on the march to attack
them. Gen. Wool gave them permission to return
if they would surrender their arms to him, but it
they attempted to retreat into Vermont when at-
tacked by the British, he should order the militia
to fire upon them. The rank and file passed nearly
a unanimous vote to stand their ground and trust
the consequences, but their officers advised differ-
ently, and the little army recrossed the line* laid
down their arms and dispersed.
The year of 1840, witnessed the most tremen-
dous political battles to change the administra-
tion that had been witnessed since the organiza-
tion of the Government. A convention of delegates
of the Whig party assembled at Harrisburgh, in
Pennsylvania, Dec. 4, 1839, and nominated Gen.
William H. Harrison a candidate for President
and John Tyler a candidate for Vice-President, in
opposition to the Democratic incumbents. Martin
Van Buren, then President, was seeking a re-elec-
tion. The din of preparation for the combat was
sounded from one extremity of the Union to the
36 EARLY HISTORY
other. State, County, town and school district
committees were everywhere organized and set
vigorously at work to favor the object of the re-
spective parties; conventions of the people assem-
bled by thousands and tens of thousands to hear
inflammatory speeches, and patriotic songs sung,
and to display flags and mottoes. The indifferent
were aroused, the wavering made to take a decid-
ed stand, the sick and superannuated brought to
the polls, and all were marshalled for the great
battle at the ballot box. Harrison and Tyler were
elected by a great majority. Gov. Jenison's ma-
jority for Governor this year was 10,798 over the
administration candidate.
In 1841, the Anti-Slavery party made its ap-
pearance. Charles Paine was put in nomination
by the Whigs for Governor, Nathan Smilie of Cam-
bridge by the Democrats, and Titus Hutchinson
by the Anti-Slavery party; the result was no elec-
tion for Governor by the people, but in the Legis.
lature Paine was elected Governor, and re-elected
in 1842. The next six Governors of the State, John
Mattocks, William Slade, Horace Eaton, Carlos
Coolidge, Charles K. Williams, and Erastus Fair-
banks, were elected by the Whig party in the order
named; the first five held the office for two terms
each. Fairbanks, who was elected in 1852, was
defeated in 1853. In 1853 there was no election
by the people, and John S. Robinson was elected
in Joint Assembly over Fairbanks, by a combina-
tion of the Democrats with the Free Soilers.
From 1850 to 1854, the Whig party was rap-
idly on the wane. The Liberty and Free Soil par-
OF VERMONT. 37
ties had increased their numbers by drawing from
the Whig ranks; the Southern Whigs were strongly
pro-slavery in sentiment; many of the Northern
Democrats were opposed to the extension of Slav-
ery, and it was evident to the political managers
of all parties that there was soon to come a
breaking up of the old parties, and new ones
formed with different aims and policy to keep pace
with the advanced thought towards freedom and
a higher state of civilization. This will appear by
looking back a little.
Previous to 1849, many of the influential mem-
bers of the Whig party had taken a wavering
course on the question of Slavery. Had the Whig
party, while in power from 1849 to 1 853, dur-
ing the administrations of Presidents Tyler and
Fillmore, been brave enough boldly to assume
a rational anti-slavery attitude, it would have
had a future, and a new party would not have
been needed— the Abolitionists, Free Soilers and
many Northern Democrats, would have flocked to
the standard, but the chance passed unimproved.
The temporizing attitude of the party's then
leaders, and the known pro-slavery feeling of most
of the Southern members worked death to the
party; in the South its members went over to the
Democrats, and generally in the North to the new
Republican party. Some of the Whigs took a cir-
cuitous route to the Republican party : first con-
nected themselves to the short-lived "Know-Noth-
ing" party, the leading idea of which was "Amer-
ica for Americans, "and were against allowing emi-
grants becoming voting citizens on short residence,
38 EARLY HISTORY
and opposed to the Roman Catholic Church. The
Know-Nothings were a secret organization and
they proposed to "put none but Americans on
guard." Americanism had its greatest run after
1850, when the Whigs saw their organization go-
ing to pieces, and in 1854 they swung out as a
third party, and in 1855, it assumed national
proportions; but there was but little in it to com-
mend it to the people.
The origin of the Republican party that became
fully organized in 1854, may be more fully stated.
The Mexican War, the Whig and Liberty parties
opposed. In 1848 the Democratic party had be-
come strongly pro-slavery. The Whigs as a party,
as well as the Abolition or Liberty party, were op-
posed to the acquisition of territory that would
likely become Slave States. So the burning ques-
tion was, should the territory which the vyar
was made to acquire, remain free or be surren-
dered to the domination of the slave power? It
had been hoped that it had been settled by the
Wilmot Proviso, which declared that neither slav-
ery nor involuntary servitude, except for crime,
should ever exist there. The Pro-Slavery party re-
sorted to two or three schemes to do away with
that restriction, so they plead for "Squatter Sov-
ereignty," which involved the repeal of the Mis-
souri Compromise of 1820, which declared that
slavery should not exist north of latitude 36° 30';
that compromise measure was repealed, and then
followed the Dred Scott Decision from the Supreme
Court of the United States. Chief Judge Roger B.
Taney announced the decision in that case, that
OF VERMONT. 39
held in substance, that slave holders could take
their slaves into any territory of the United States
and hold them there as slaves, and strongly hinted
that a master might take his slave property into
a free State and there own and hold them on the
same principle that he could take and hold his
horse there. These claims and principles did not
meet with favor with the people of Vermont, nor
through the North generally. The majority of the
Northern people declared that no territory then
free should ever be darkened by the pall of slavery
with their consent, nor without overcoming all
lawful resistance they could interpose. Slavery it-
self was cordially detested by the people of the
Green Mountain State. They inherited their love
of freedom from their ancestors. No person has
ever been held as a slave in Vermont, nor has
any slave ever been taken away from Vermont
against his will. No slave that ever passed through
Vermont to the land of freedom was ever denied
rest, food and clothing. It was about this time
that the Democratic party * n Vermont split in
twain. The greater part of them at first were
willing to make concessions which the Southern
wing of the party demanded : viz., the rejection of
the Wilmot Proviso, and the acceptance of the
doctrine of "Squatter Sovereignty," that would
give any Territory or State the right to adopt the
system of slavery. It was at this time that the
Democratic State Convention was called to meet
at Montpelier. There were a few of the Democrats
who declared they would never consent that there
should ever go into the platform or resolutions of
40 EARLY HISTORY
the Convention concessions that the South de-
manded. Six delegates to that Convention met
at the Pavilion at Montpelier on the evening be-
fore the Convention and agreed that if the Con-
vention committed itself in favor of Squatter Sov-
ereignty and against the Wilmot Proviso, they
would leave the Convention and raise the stan-
dard of Free Soil, These six men were Lucius E.
Chittenden and Charles D. Kasson of Burlington,
Edward D. Barber of Middlebury, Charles I. Wal-
ker and Charles K. Field of Windham, and A. J.
Rowell of Orleans County. They notified the State
Committee of their purpose to withdraw from the
Convention if the new planks to the platform were
persisted in. The objectionable resolutions were
pressed upon the Convention. Mr. Chittenden
who spoke against the resolutions, said, among
other things, to the Convention, "Your resolu-
tions prostitute the Democratic party to the serv-
ice of the Slave power. Our ancestors fought two
States and a Kingdom, through cold, poverty and
hunger, for almost twenty years, to secure a place
where Vermont was thi equal of any State in the
Federal Union. Your resolutions are unworthy ol
their descendants. Pass them, and with my asso-
ciates, I leave this hall for the time being and the
Democratic party forever, unless it is redeemed
from its present vassalage, and restored to its for-
mer principles and dignity." The resolutions were
passed, and the six walked out of the Convention,
returned to their hotel and organized the Free Soil
Party, and the same day drew up an address to
the people of Vermont. The party grew rapidly
OF VERMONT. 41
and soon became a power in the State. That was
the first organization of a Free Soil party in New
England. This organization was effected some six
weeks before the Buffalo Convention of 1848 was
held, at which Martin Van Bnren was selected as
a candidate for President on the Free Soil Ticket,
By 1856, Northern Democrats, in large num-
bers, Anti-Slavery men, Free Soilers, Northern
Whigs, and Know-Nothings, united and formed a
strong, progressive organization called the "Re-
publican Party." The old Liberty Party in 1840,
and in 1844, ran Birney as its candidate for Presi-
dent. The Free Soilers of New York in 1848, were
led by Martin Van Buren— his partisans in New
York were called "Barn-Burners." These several
elements united and made Martin Van Buren and
Charles Francis Adams their candidates for Presi-
dent and Vice-President. Their platform declared
against any further extension of Slavery; the mem-
bers of the party were thereafter known as Free
Soilers. This party had the hearty co-operation of
the Abolitionists. The Republican party in Ver-
mont was formed in 1854. It became the leading
political party of the State at once, and entered
into the campaign in 1856, in favor of the candi-
dacy of Fremont and Daton, for President and
Vice-President, with great enthusiasm, and re-
joiced in the election of Abraham Lincoln in 1860, •
as the President of the United States. The Repub-
lican party has been the dominant party of the
State ever since 1854. The next four Governors
elected by the freemen of Vermont after the forma-
tion of the Republican party in Vermont, were, Ste-
42 EARLY HISTORY
phen Royce, Ryland Fletcher, Hiland Hall, and
Erastus Fairbanks; the first three held the office
two terms each, and Gov. Fairbanks but one year,
from 1860 to 1861. This brought the history of
the State down to the great Rebellion of 1861.
The early days of 1861, were anxious days for
the people, and the public men of Vermont appre-
ciated, to some extent, the national emergency.
When it became evident that the South were bent
on the treasonable act of secession, the people of
Vermont, without distinction of party, awoke from
the dreams of peace, and rose with general and
grand uprising of the North, anxious to do the most
possible to aid the Government in preserving the
Union by subduing the Southern Rebellion. The
firing upon Sumpter by the Southern traitors and
the surrender of that fort to them was all that
was necessary to fire the Vermonter, and the
Northern heart generally, with intense indignation
against treason and the traitors. There was a
small party at the North that clung to and sym-
pathized with the South in their attempt at Seces-
sion—this class were regarded by the people gener-
ally of the North with contempt, and were called
"copper-heads." It is not the purpose of the
writer in this chapter to consider the action of the
State and the measures adopted to aid in the pros-
• ecution of the war for the suppression of the Re-
bellion; that subject is reserved for future chapters.
In 1867, there was one of the most remarkable
and exciting political campaigns that ever took
place in Vermont for a member of Congress. This
campaign was in what was then the Third Con-
OF VERMONT. . 43
gressional District. Portus Baxter of Derby had
served as Representative from that district ever
since 1861, and was serving his third term in Con-
gress and sought to be his own successor for a
fourth term. There were many in the District
' that desired a change and brought forward Ro-
meo H. Hoy t of St. Albans as a candidate in op-
position to Baxter. Baxter was atn active politi-
cian and was quite popular with the people on
account of the interest he had taken for the wel-
fare of the Vermont soldiers in hospital and field in
the war of the great Rebellion that was then on.
A Republican District Mass Convention was
called to meet at Hyde Park in the County of La-
moille to nominate a candidate for Congress.
Much active work had been done by the friends of
the respective candidates, by personal appeals, so-
licitation, and by the use of money to arouse the
people to personally appear at the Convention
and support by their influence and vote the candi-
date they were inclined to favor. On the day ap-
pointed for holding the Convention, as well as the
day before, the roads from all parts of the District
were lined with carriages and double teams loaded
with voters on their way to the Convention at
Hyde Park. Even Democrats were not excluded.
Any one who gave the party managers encourage-
ment that they would support the candidate
that the manager favored, was furnished a free
ride to and from the Convention. All roads
seemed to lead to Hyde Park for a short time be-
fore the Convention. More than ten thousand
people found their way to the streets of Hyde
44 JEARLY HISTORY
Park to attend the Convention; no building there
could accommodate them, and the Convention
was held in the open air on the Common in front
of the Court House, and the space between the
Court House and the Hotel on the opposite side ol
the street some twenty rods away, was literally
packed with those who came to attend the Con-
vention. There was an endeavor made to take a
vote for a nomination of a candidate for Con-
gress, by having the voters counted as they passed
through gates in the fence that surrounded the
Common. It was difficult to prevent repeating,
and an accurate vote was impossible. This man-
ner of voting turned out unsatisfactory. Parti-
san spirit ran high, but it was evident that the
supporters of Baxter were the most numerous.
Before any result of the count was announced, a
motion was made, at the stand on the Common
where the officers of the Convention were gath-
ered, to adjourn without day. The motion was
carried and the result was announced of the Pres-
ident of the Convention. This action by the Con-
vention took the Baxter party by surprise as they
expected an announcement of a large majority for
their candidate. The crowd that day and the fol.
lowing day dispersed and wended their way to
their several homes wearied from their long jour-
ney and excitement, after having had considerable
political experience.
This left the matter as to who should be the
next member of Congress from the Third District
to be fought out at the polls unless a compromise
should be effected. In a few days a compromise
OF VERMONT. 45
was reached. It was agreed that both candidates
should withdraw from the canvass, and that Wor-
thingtota C. Smith of St. Albans should be the can-
didate of both factions. Smith was elected with-
out opposition.
It must be said that, generally, the elections for
political offices in Vermont have been conducted
with decorum and fairness and without political
corruption. The voters have gone to the polls and
have elected men of integrity and ability, who con-
ducted the affairs entrusted to them with credit to
themselves and for the best interests of the State.
When one looks over the list of the Governors
and other State officials, members of Congress
and United States Senators, they are few indeed,
who have not done credit to themselves and the
State they have represented.
Since the War of the Rebellion the men who
served the State in the war as soldiers have been
held in much favor and have been elected to many
political positions. Seven of the Governors of the
State elected since the War of the Rebellion have
been taken from those who served as soldiers, in
some capacity, in that war.
CHAPTER III.
BANKS.
It was stated in Volume One of this history,
on page 205, that an act was passed by the Gen-
eral Assembly June 5, 1785, granting to Reuben
Harmon, Jr., the right of coining copper. Noth-
ing but gold, silver and copper coin, was used as
money, that was recognized by the State, until
1781. The State issued bills of credit in 1781, to
the amount of 25,155 pounds which were after-
wards faithfully redeemed. No other paper money
was authorized by Vermont until 1806, when an
act was passed establishing the Vermont State
Bank.
The first issue of paper money in America was
made by the Provincial government of Massachu-
setts in 1690, known as bills of credit, for the pur.
pose of defraying the expenses of an expedition
against Canada. New issues were made from time
to time, and in 1712, and again in 1722, acts
were passed making bills of credit legal tender,
without adequate specie basis, and they soon rap-
idly depreciated. Those issues were denominated
"Old Tenor/' meaning old tender. The bills of
credit issued by Congress, called Continental
money, that first possessed the value of specie,
which circulated to some extent in Vermont, soon
OF VERMONT. 47
depreciated and became nearly worthless. In Sep-
tember, 1780, $100 of specie was worth $7,200 of
"Continental Money."
For many years after the organization of the
State government in 1778, a large majority of the
people of the State were decidedly opposed to the
issue of paper money. The bills of credit that
were issued by the State in 1781, were declared in
the preamble to be for the carrying on the war* the
payment of the State debt, and the enlargement of
the circulating medium. Matthew Lyon, Edward
Harris and Ezra Styles were appointed a commit-
tee to make a form and device for the bills. Those
bills that were for "twenty shillings" were headed
with the words "Vermont Currency," and it was
stated on their face "The possessor of this Bill
shall be paid by the Treasurer of the State of Ver-
mont, Twenty Shillings in Spanish milled Dollars
at Six Shillings each, or Gold or Silver Coins equiv-
alent, by the first day of June, A. D. 1782. By or-
der of Assembly Windsor, February, 1781.
T. Porter, Jno. Fasset." On the face of the Bills
for One Pound were the words "Death to Coun-
terfeit." For the purpose of raising the means for
the redemption of the bills, a tax was laid, by the
same act that authorized the issue of the bills,
of one shilling three pence on the pound on the
grand list of the State, to be paid in gold or silver
or the aforesaid bills. In 1787, and also in 1803,
there were efforts made in the Legislature to es-
tablish Banks in Vermont, but they were not suc-
cessful. Governor Tichenor and the Council gave
their reasons in 1803, for non-concurring in a bill
48 EARLY HISTORY
to incorporate a Bank at Windsor. Their reasons
were as follows: viz.,
"1. Because bank bills being regarded as money,
and money like water always seeking its level, the
bills put into circulation within this State must
displace nearly the same sum of money now in cir-
culation among us, and by driving it into the sea-
ports, facilitate its exportation to foreign coun-
tries; which, as bank bills cannot be made a legal
tender, must prove a calamity to the citizens gen-
ererally, and especially to those who dwell at a
distance from the proposed bank.
"2. Because, by introducing a more extensive
credit, the tendency of banks would be to palsy
the vigor of industry and to stupefy the vigilance
of economy, the only two honest, general and sure
sources of wealth. In this view, banks would
tend to divert the attention of the speculator, the
inexperienced youth, the indolent and incautious,
from those honest, honorable and sure sources of
mediocrity and independence, and to fix it upon
imaginary and unjustifiable methods of suddenly
accumulating an overgrown property; in pursuit
of which, a large proportion of the adventurers
would probably at the same time sacrifice the
property with which they began their specula-
tions, and imbibe an ungovernable disgust for
wholesome industry and economy, now become
more necessary than ever.
"3. Because banks by facilitating enterprises
both hazardous and unjustifiable, are natural
sources of all that class of vices, which arise from
the gambling system, and which cannot fail to
OF VERMONT. 49
act as sure and fatal, though slow poisons to the
republic in which they exist.
"4. Because banks tend stronglj- to draw off
the dependence of debtors from their own exer-
tions, as means of payment, and to place it on the
facility of increasing new debts to discharge the
old, which cannot but be detrimental, both to the
debtor, and through bis example to society at
large.
"5. Because banks have a violent tendency, in
their natural operation, to draw into the hands of
the few a large proportion of the property at pres-
ent fortunately diffused among the many ; and, in
this way, straiten the circumstances of the many,
and thus to render them still more dependent on
the few; and, of course, to make them, through
necessity, yet more subservient to their aspiring
views; and by these means, the tendency of banks
seems to be, to weaken the great pillars of a re-
publican government, and at the same time to in-
crease the forces employed for its overthrow.
"6. Because, as banks will credit none but per-
sons of affluence, those who are in the greatest
need of help cannot expect to be directly accom-
modated by them; and as the banks would enable
those who have credit with them to loan money
at an exorbitant interest to the necessitous, there
is reason to fear lest they should operate as means
of an increased usury and oppression.
"7. Because, should the bill pass into a law,
we apprehend it would be found necessary at
least, to render the bank granted thereby perpet-
ual; a measure which appears to us too impor-
60 EARLY HISTORY
tant to be adopted without a more thorough in-
vestigation than the novelty ol the question and
the shortness of the time will allow.
"8. Because by the establishment of banks
government would, in our opinion, go farther
than could have been contemplated in its original
institution. Government, we apprehend, was not
designed to open fields of speculation, nor to di-
rect the efforts of individuals, but merely to pro-
tect them in respect of property, and such of their
pursuits as are not inconsistent with the general
good of the citizens at large; much less was it de-
signed as a means of drawing property out of the
hands of the less wealthy, to place it in the hands
of the more wealthy."
Notwithstanding these arguments, the clamor
for banks continued, and in 1805 the House of
Representatives passed a bill to establish a bank
at Windsor and one at Burlington, but it was
non-concurred in.
On the 10th day of November, 1806, an act
was passed establishing "The Vermont State
Bank." The act provided that the bank should
consist of two branches, one at Woodstock and
the other at Middlebury, and such other branches
might be established from time to time, and all of
its stock and profits should be the property of the
State and be under the direction and disposal of
the Legislature, forever; and there should be chos-
en annually, by ballot of both branches of the Leg-
islature, a joint committee of thirteen persons for
directors of the bank and who should have power
to choose one of their number for President of the
OF VERMONT. 51
bank; that the directors and President, by the
name and style of "The President and Directors of
the Vermont State Bank/ 9 should have the power
to prosecute any action upon contract or for any
cause which should concern the bank; that six of
the directors should reside in the two eastern, and
six in the two western districts, and should be
commissioned by the Governor, and a majority of
them should constitute a quorum to transact bus-
iness; the directors who reside in the eastern dis-
tricts should be directors of the bank established
at Woodstock, and the remainder should be di-
rectors of the bank established at Middlebury; the
President might sit as director of either branch.
The majority of all the directors might appoint
the cashier and clerks, and make and establish
rules for the bank; and the directors of each
branch should have discretionary power to bor-
row money on the credit of such bank, but not to
give a greater rate of interest than six per cent per
annum. The bills issued should be signed by the
president and countersigned by the cashier of
that branch at which the bills should be made
payable. Neither branch should issue bills to a
greater amount than the actual sum of the depos-
it of silver, gold and copper coins in the vault of
such branch until the deposit amounted to $25,
000, after which they might put in circulation
bills, to three times the amount of such deposit,
but the deposit should not at any time exceed
$300,000.
Provision was made by the act for procuring
plates and paper for the use of the bank; that the
52 EARLY HISTORY
Legislature might appropriate money to fill the
vaults of said branch or any other branches of the
bank that the Legislature might establish; that the
directors and officers of the bank should give
bonds for the faithful discharge of their respective
duties and receive for their compensation for serv-
ices such sum as the Legislature might direct, not
to exceed the whole profits of the bank for the
first year, nor exceeding one-half of the profits for
any succeeding year; that the president and di-
rectors had power to purchase, hold and dispose
of any property as the banking interest might dic-
tate, and the directors should yearly report to the
Legislature the situation of the bank, the amount
oi deposits and of the bills in circulation.
The Legislature on November 9, 1807, estab-
lished two additional branches of said State bank;
Burlington and Westminster were designated as
the places for the two additional branches. It
was provided that the directors should assign
three of their number to each branch, two of
whom should constitute a quorum to manage the
prudential concerns of the branch.
By an act of the General Assembly, passed Nov.
11, 1807, it was provided that the directors that
should be chosen thereafter should commence to
exercise their respective offices on the 5th day of
December next following their election; the com-
pensation of the first directors up to the 30th day
of September, 1807, was fixed, varying % from
ten dollars to one hundred and thirty dollars.
The first President of the bank was Titus Hutch-
inson, whose compensation was $450; that of Job
OF VERMONT. 53
Lyman, cashier, Charles Dana, clerk of the Wood-
stock branch, at $450; and that of William G*
Hooker, cashier, and Adonijah Schuyler, clerk
of the Middlebury branch, $450.
The act provided that the Treasurer of the
State should deposit in the bank for the benefit of
the State, all the revenues of the State that should
come into his custody, subject to be drawn out as
the exigencies of the State required; the board of
directors had the power to fill any vacancies that
should happen among their number, and such ap-
pointee should be commissioned by the Governor;
the directors by the last named act were given the
power to agree with cashiers and clerks of each
branch on a sum for their compensation for serv-
ices.
On Nov. 6, 1807, an act was passed forbidding,
under heavy penalties, any person irom bringing
into the State any foreign bank bills, or any bills
issued by directors of any bank out of this State
with the intent of leaving the same, or any funds
thereby created, as money or bills current within •
this State, or from loaning the same within
this State, or aiding or assisting in so doing.
The reasons given in the preamble to the act
for the enactment of the law were that sundry
persons had combined together and formed
companies for the purpose of bringing bills of
banks, in other States, into Vermont for loaning
purposes; and considering the great, distances of
the banks from which they were issued, and the
uncertainty of securing the specie on the bills, and
that the tendency would be to injure the banking
institutions of this State.
54 EARLY HISTORY
The bank began to issue bills on the 23d day of
February, 1807. The first report of the directors
showed the total expenses of the bank to Septem-
ber 30, 1807, were $4,031.35; that the income of
the bank by interest on loans was $2,753.27; and
debts due $139,757.23. They said in their report:
4 'The high credit and extensive circulation of our
bills, we trust are sufficient to inspire the public
confidence and insure a continuance of their pat.
ronage. Under the fostering care of the Legisla-
ture, we are induced to believe that this institu-
tion may become highly inducive to the conven-
ience of the citizens and a productive source of
revenue to the State."
The directors from time to time were changed
and redistributed over the State, and in 1812,
the number was reduced to four. The anticipa-
tions of the people as to the usefulness and success
of this scheme were not realized, and the affairs of
the bank were soon found to be in inexplicable
confusion and the institution insolvent. In 1812
the number of directors were reduced to three,
whose functions were to close the business of the
bank, collect the debts due it, and take care of the
property, but the closing of the bank affairs took
about twenty-five years. Governor Galusha in
his speech to the Legislature in 1809, said:—
"The State bank is a subject which will deserve
your attention. The failure of private banks in
the vicinity of this State; the rejecting our bills by
the law of one State; and the policy or caprice of
others, has embarrassed our mercantile inter-
course with the adjoining States. The measures
OF VERMONT. 55
to be pursued to meet or remove the impediments
to a friendly trading intercourse with our sister
States, which certainly is to be greatly desired, I
leave to your consideration. The subject is too
important for me to hazard a sudden and undi-
gested opinion upon. It will be remembered by
many that I was not among those that favored
the instituting of country banks; but it is appar-
ent that the establishment of a public bank in this
State, has saved many of our citizens from great
losses and probably some from total ruin : for it
is obvious that but for this establishment, in lieu
of our Vermont bank bills, our citizens would, on
the late bankruptcies, have been possessed of large
sums of the depreciated paper of the failing pri-
vate banks. If the president and directors of the
State bank have the 3'ear past encountered some
difficulties, occasioned by the intrigues of some un-
principled speculators, and the alarm occasioned
by the failure of so many private banks, I think
no apprehensions can be justly entertained that
any holders of our bills will eventually suffer from
an institution which is, and, I trust, will be sup-
ported by the honor, and guaranteed by the
wealth of the State. For my own part, I con-
sider the holders of our bills perfectly secure; and
as every person in the State has an interest in the
avails of the bank, they will the more cheerfully
acquiesce in any prudent measure you may devise,
to give it support."
Acts were passed from 1809 to 1812, making
the bills of the bank receivable for land taxes, and
by acts of 1812, for State taxes also. In 1809,
56 EARLY HISTORY
summary collection of debts that were due to
the bank was authorized, the cashiers being em-
powered to issue an extent which had all the force
of an execution, for the payment oi any note three
days past due. In 1 810, the bank was restrained
from issuing bills to an amount exceeding twice
the specie in bank, and from making any one loan
exceeding $1000; in 1811, all State and County
officers were prohibited from receiving the bills of
any private banks in the United States. In 1808,
less than a year after the branch at Westminster
had been put in operation, serious complaints
concerning it were made to the Legislature; its
officers were investigated, and that branch was
moved to Woodstock to be managed by the of-
ficers of that branch, and to put in suit the bonds
of any of the officers of either branch. At the Oc-
tober session a committee made a detailed report
showing the failure of the Middlebury branch to
redeem its checks and bills.
On November 9, 1812, an act was passed
empowering and directing a committee, consisting
of Samuel C. Crafts, Elihu Luce, and Robert Tem-
ple, to remove the two branches at Burlington
and Middlebury to the bank at Woodstock, and
directing the committee with one or more of the
directors of the bank to burn all the bills of the
Vermont State Bank, except what was necessary
to pay the checks due from said bank; and direct-
ing the President and Directors of the Vermont
State Bank to collect, in the most safe and speedy
manner, all debts due said bank, and to sell its
property and to close up the concerns of said bank
OF VERMONT. 57
as soon as it could be done with advantage to the
State; and making it the duty of the Treasurer of
the State to issue notes of the State signed by him
as Treasurer to persons holding bills of the bank,
in exchange for the bills, if the persons holding the
bills elected to make the change. Such notes were
to be made payable one-half in one year and the
other half in two years, with interest at the rate
of six per cent per annum. The committee dis-
charged the duties enjoined upon them by the act,
and reported at the next session that they had re-
moved the Burlington and Middlebury branches,
and had prosecuted the directors, and had ob-
tained judgment in favor of the State, and taken
out an execution for the sum of $22,826.13.
This execution was against the three directors,
Daniel Chipman, John Willard and Horatio Sey-
mour, the directors of the Middlebury branch.
They were by an act of Nov. 17, 1813, relieved
from the judgment, except for the sum of $1238.84.
The committee further reported as to the bills of
the bank as follows:
BRANCHES. BILLS SIGHED. BILLS DESTROYED. NOT DESTROYED, '
Burlington, $166,505.25 $154,861.00 $11,654.25
Middlebury, 295,313.25 252,019.25 43.294.00
Westminster, 200,773.00 191,714.00 9,059.00
Woodstock, 234,280.50 228,159.50 6,121.00
Total, $896,872.00 $826,743.75 $70,128.25
The sum of $3,606 of the bills not destroyed
were in bank, leaving $66,552.25 as unredeemed.'
From year to year the redemption proceeded until
all the bills presented for payment were redeemed.
The loss to individuals in consequence of the fail-
58 EARLY HISTORY
tire of the institution was trifling, but the loss to
the State was very considerable ; it was claimed
that the loss was more than compensated in fur-
nishing to the people a currency that was superior
to that which they would otherwise have had ;
they suffered but little in the depreciation of the
bills of the State Bank, whereas by the failure of
private banks and bankers in adjoining States
their losses were considerable. The State Bank
was succeeded by private banks chartered by the
Legislature from 1818 until the advent of the na-
tional banks in 1863.
The people of Vermont in the early days of the
State were reluctant to establish banks. They
said it would encourage speculation ; that if bills
were put into circulation it would drive specie out
of the State to seaport towns and to foreign coun-
tries; that it would tend to introduce a more ex-
tensive credit system, and palsy and stupefy in-
dustry and economy ; that they would be natural
sources of vices that arise from gambling, and
they imagined a long list of evils that would re-
sult from the incorporation of banks and the put-
ting in circulation of bank bills. In 1803 the
House passed a bill to establish a bank at Windsor,
but the Governor and Council did not concur, and
through their committee gave their reasons to the
House for the noncurrence, as follows:
"1. Because Bank bills being regarded as money,
and money, like water, always seeking its level,
the bills put into circulation within this State
must displace nearly the same sum of money now
in circulation among us, and by driving it into the
OF VERMONT. 59
seaports, facilitate its exportation to foreign
countries ; which, as bank bills cannot be made a
legal tender, must prove a calamity to the citizens
generally, and especially to those who dwell at # a
distance from the proposed banks.
•'2. Because by introducing a more extensive
credit, the tendency of banks would be to palsy
the vigor of industry, and to stupefy the vigilance
of economy, the only two honest, general and sure
sources of wealth. In this view, banks would tend
to divert the attention of the speculator, the inex-
perienced youth, the indolent and the incautious,
from those honest, honorable and sure sources of
mediocrity and independence, and to fix it upon
imaginary and unjustifiable methods of suddenly
accumulating an overgrown property ; in pursuit
of which a large proportion of the adventurers
would probably at the same time sacrifice the
property with which they began their specula-
tions and imbibe an ungovernable disgust for
wholesome industry and economy, now become
more necessary than ever.
"3. Because banks, by facilitating enterprises,
both hazardous and unjustifiable, are natural
sources of all that class of vices, which arise from
the gambling system, and which cannot fail to act
as sure and fatal tho' slow poisons, to the republic
in which they exist.
"4. Because Banks tend strongly to draw off
the dependence of debtors from their own exertions
as means of payment, and to place it on the facility
of increasing new debts to discharge the old ;
which cannot but be detrimental, both to the
60 EARLY HISTORY
debtor, and through his example, to society at
large.
* '5. Because Banks have a violent tendency, in
their natural operation, to draw into the hands
of the few, a large proportion of the property, at
present, fortunately diffused among the many;
and in this way, straiten the circumstances of the
many, and thus render them still more dependent
on the few, and of course to make them, through
necessity, yet more subservient to their aspiring
views ; and by these means, the tendency of banks
seems to be, to weaken the great pillars of a re-
publican government, and at the same time, to in-
crease the forces employed for its overthrow.
"6. Because as banks will credit none, but per-
sons of affluence ; those who are in the greatest
need of help, cannot expect to be directly accom-
modated by them. And as the banks would enable
those who have credit with them, to loan money
at an exorbitant interest to the necessitous, there
is reason to fear lest they should operate as means
of increased usury and oppression.
"7. Because should the bill pass into a law, we
apprehend it would be found necessary at least to
render the bank granted thereby perpetual. A
measure which appears to us too important to be
adopted without a more thorough investigation
than the novelty of the question, its extent and
the shortness of the time will allow.
"8. Because, by the establishment government
will, in our opinion, go further than could have
been contemplated in its original institution.
Government, we apprehend, was not designed to
OF VERMONT. 61
open new fields of speculation, nor to direct the
efforts of individuals, but merely to protect them
in respect of property and such of their pursuits as
are not inconsistent with the general good of the
citizens at large; much less was it designed as a
means of drawing property out of the hands of
the less wealthy, to place it in the hands of the
more wealthy. "
After the failure of the Vermont State Bank,
compelling the people to depend upon a very limit-
ed amount of specie circulated in the State or the
bills of banks of other States of uncertain value,
as a circulating medium, the sentiment of the
State, in view of their experience in banking, was
averse to the incorporation of banks, but they
were soon compelled in self defence to consent to
the incorporation of banks in consequence of the
great multiplication of them in neighboring States.
While bank bills were the circulating medium in
other States, it was found impossible to prevent
their introduction here, and the consequence was
the people of Vermont suffered by being imposed
upon by counterfeit bills and bank failures, and
neither the State nor any of her people shared any
of the profits accruing from banking opperations.
On petition the Bank of Burlington was incorpor-
ated in 1818, and the Bank of Brattleboro in
1821, but the people were slow to perceive their
utility. Gov. Richard Skinner, in his speech to the
Legislature in 1822, said :
"The natural effect produced by the success,
which of late has attended the petitions for the es-
tablishment of banks, is to encourage others in
62 EARLY HISTORY
the pursuit ; and the difficulty of resisting applica-
tions, supported by arguments which have hereto-
fore been urged, with so much skill and efficacy,
. is probably not diminished. The commercial con-
cerns of the State cannot require extensive banking
institutions. The resources of our husbandmen,
and their course of business, are illy calculated
to meet the demand, and comply with the neces-
sary regulations. An opportunity will be afforded
for investing that money, which would otherwise
remain in the hands of many wealthy honorable
citizens, accessible to those who will then become
the prey of such as are thereby enabled to increase
1 the means of usurious depredations. The advant-
age ordinarily derived to the State at large, from
the augmentation of a circulating medium, which
is not the representative of real wealth, is not dis-
cerned. The ruinous effect of multiplying banks
in the interior of our country has been felt, and is,
I believe, generally acknowledged ; and I can but
hope that the legislature will concur in the opin-
ion, that enough has already been done to satisfy
every requisition, emanating from an ingenious
desire for the public good."
But notwithstanding this, banks in the State
continued to multiply, and in 1840 the Legislature
passed a general act for the regulation of banks
to be chartered or re-chartered within the State,
designed to secure the public against losses by the
mismanagement of these institutions, and pro-
vided for the appointment of a bank commissioner
who was authorized to examine the condition of
the banks and institute proceedings against them
OF VERMONT. 63
in the Court of Chancery, if found in a condition
to warrant them. Several banks in the State
have forfeited their charter or failed, and others
have been re-chartered.
The banks that were in operation in 1841 are
exhibited in the following table:
VANS OP BARK. INCORPORATED. CAPITAL. PAID lit.
Bank of Burlington, Nov. 9, 1818, $150,000, $150,000
Bank of Brattleboro, Nov. 5, 1821, 100,000, 75,000
Bank of Rutland, Nov. 1, 1824, 1 00,000, 100,000
Bank of Caledonia, Nov. 1, 1825", 100,000, 50,000
Bank of St. Albans, Oct. 29, 1825, 100,000, 50,000
Bank of Vergennes, Oct. 27, 1826, 100,000, 8o,oco
Bank of Orange Co., Nov. 3, 1827, 100,000, 70,000
Bank of Woodstock, Nov. 3, 183 1, 100,000, 50,000
Bank of Middlebury, Nov. 9, 183 1, 100,000, 60,000
Bank of Bellows Falln, Nov. 9, 1831, 100,000, 50,000
Bank of Manchester, Nov. 7, 1832, 100,000, 70,000
Bank of Newbury, Nov. 7, 1832, 100,000, 50,000
Bank of Orleans, Nov. 8, 1832, 60,000, 30,000
Farmers* Bank (Orwell), Nov. 7, 1833, 100,000, 60,000
Farmers' & Merchants'
Bank, Burlington, Nov. 4, 1834, 150,000, 105,000
Bank of Montpelier, Oct. 29, 1840, 75,000, 37,500
Bank of Poultney, Oct. 29, 1840, 100,000 50,000
Total, $i,735*ooo $i,i37»5<x>
There were 41 banks in Vermont in 1864, be-
fore any of the Vermont banks had been trans-
ferred into the National system, with a total capi-
tal of $3,916,000; and at that time there were
also ten Savings Banks in Vermont, which were
located at Burlington, Bellows Palls, Brattleboro,
Newfane, Rutland, St. Johnsbury, Springfield,
Windsor, Wilmington and Woodstock. In the
year 1899 there were 49 National Banks located
in Vermont with a total capital of $6,860,000,
64 EARLY HISTORY
and also 40 Sayings Banks and Trust Campanies,
with a total amount of deposits of $36,526,759.73,
and with a surplus of $1,844,745.97. No banks
in the country are regarded in a more sound or
healthy condition than those of Vermont.
The writer must refer the reader to the several
revisions of the Vermont statutes of the State for
the provisions for the organization of banks since
1818, and for the detailed provisions for banking.
The present statutes upon the subject provides for
their organization, the deposit of stocks with, and
an issue of the circulation by the treasurer, how
the capital stock shall be paid, and provision
made for the reduction of the capital stock, and
providing for the regulation and liabilities for
banking associations, providing for their inspec-
tion and what proceeding shall be taken upon the
failure of banks to redeem their bills. The statute
provides for there-organization of National Banks
and the manner of proceeding to wind up their
affairs.
The private banking system, that was in vogue
from 1818 until 1863, was generally acceptable to
the people and profitable to the stockholders— re-
sults due not only to the prudence and integrity
of the managers of the banks, but because for
many years, by reason of a requisition of the
State that their bills should be redeemed in Bos-
ton, thus giving them a credit equal to that of the
best banks in New England. In 1830 a branch of
the United States bank was established at Burling-
ton, which continued in operation until the expir-
ation of the charter of that institution. Undoubt-
OF VERMONT. 65
edly the circulation of the United States Bank was
a great aid in supplying the people of the State
with a sufficient amount of money for business
purposes. The establishment of a United States
Bank was first proposed by Alexander Hamilton
during the second session of the first Congress.
He designed it to act as the financial agent of the
United States. The Anti-Federalists denied the
power of Congress, under the constitution to cre-
ate such a corporation, and claimed that there
was no necessity for such an institution; they
said it would subject the government to the
money power. In 1815 A. J. Dallas, Secretary of
the Treasury, recommended the creation of a Na-
tional Bank to relieve the country of the terrible
condition to which its finances had been reduced
by the war with Great Britain and with the In-
dians, and a bill chartering the bank was passed
Jan. 20, 1815, but it was vetoed by President
Madison on the ground that it would not afford
the necessary relief. In 1816, a bill was passed in-
corporating the bank, and it was then signed by
President Madison. The charter gave the bank a
twenty 3*ears lease of life, and authorized a capital
of $35,000,000 of which the United States Govern-
ment was to subscribe $7,000,000 ; and the bank
was to commence business when $8,400,000 of
additional capital should be paid in. In 1830, the
charter of the bank was soon to expire, and when
Congress assembled it was evident that there
would be a struggle oyer the extension of its char-
ter. President Jackson in his message violently at-
tacked the National Bank; he believed that the im-
6
66 EARLY HISTORY
mense power which the bank had acquired had
been grossly abused, and was a great and grow-
ing menace to the Republic. Philadelphia was its
headquarters, but it had 25 branches scattered
through the country. It had $7,000,000 on de-
posit, in addition to $6,000,000 of other deposi-
tors; with a note circulation of $12,000,000, and
a line of discounts amounting to $40,000,000
which in a few months ran up to $70,000,000.
Jackson recommended that Congress should direct
the removal from the bank of the government's
deposit. This Congress refused to do, and at the
next session he also recommended that the stock in
the bank belonging to the United States should be
sold, but both propositions were voted down, and
a bill to renew the bank charter was passed. This
was vetoed by the President July 10, 1832, and he
instructed the Secretary in the spring of 1833, that
no more government money should be deposited
in the bank. The Secretary refused to obey the in-
struction, and off came his official head, and Roger
B. Taney was appointed, who obeyed the Presi-
dent's order. This has been called a "removal of
the deposits ;" but in point of fact there was no
removal ; it vyas merely a cessation of making any
further deposit and leaving the government bal-
ance in the bank to be withdrawn to pay current
expenses as they should arise. Failing to get a
renewal of its charter from the Federal govern-
nieut, the bank applied to and was granted a
charter by the Pennsylvania Legislature in 1836.
In 1837 it suspended, and closed its affairs finally
in 1839.
OF VERMONT. 67
Under the banking system in Vermont that was
in operation down to the present national system,
owing to the numerous private banks in the several
States of the Union, and the wide circulation of
their respective bills, the people were greatly an-
noyed from the great amount of counterfeit bank
bills in circulation, and from the numerous failures
of banks resulting in great and frequent losses to
holders of the bills. It became necessary for every
business man handling considerable amount of
bills to have a "bank detecter" at his side that
would describe all counterfeit bills and that would
give the names of the unsound banks and those
that had failed. These bank detecters were issued
often and sent to merchants and other business
men throughout the country, and were deemed a
useful publication. Since the creation of the Na-
tional banks the people havesuffered but few losses
from counterfeiting, and the people have no dispo-
sition to return to the old svstem.
GHflPTER IV.
THOMAS CHITTENDEN AND MOSES ROBIN-
SON AND THEIR ADMINISTRATION, AS
GOVERNORS. PAUL BRIGHAM
ACTING GOVERNOR.
In almost every age of the world there have
been produced persons who seemed to be particu-
larly fitted for the exigences ot the times in which
they lived— master spirits who were enabled to
control public opinion and give it direction in a
way that it would redound to the happiness and
welfare of the people. Washington and Lincoln
were conspicuous examples. The happy results of
the action of the leaders, of course, are material-
ly affected by the amount of virtue and intelli-
gence of the people, but virtue and intelligence are
not alone sufficient in troublesome times. It needs
tact and native energy that but few have possess-
ed. There has been no one in our State that has
manifested a wiser discretion and a capacity
adapted to the trying ordeal through which the
State has passed, in a more eminent degree than
Thomas Chittenden. His lineage has been traced
back to a noted and brave ancestry, to Moses
Chittenden, an officer in Cromwell's own regi-
ment, a solid Puritan, and was a brave soldier,
and left his spirit to his descendants.
(68)
OF VERMONT. 69
Thomas Chittenden was born at East Guilford,
Connecticut, and lived with his father until Oct. 4,
1749, and at about the age of 20 years he married
Miss Elizabeth Meigs, and soon moved to Salis-
bury, Conn., where by his industry and economy he
acquired considerable landed property. He repre-
sented Salisbury in the Legislature of Connecticut
from 1766 to 1769, and again in 1772. He was
colonel of the militia and a justice of the peace of
that State. Early in the spring of 1774, he re-
moved with his family to the New Hampshire
Grants, as Vermont was then called, and settled
in the valley of the Winooski, or Onion river in the
township of Williston, where he had purchased a
tract of land. He arrived there without having
any habitation provided for himself and family.
At that time there were but few inhabitants of the
State to the north of Rutland, and none within
the limits of the county of Chittenden, excepting
those who had come that year and located at
Burlington and Colchester, and a few other places.
On the banks of the beautiful Winooski he com-
mcnced the clearing and cultivation of his new
farm, and by his well-directed efforts soon procured
the necessary provisions for the comfortable sup-
port of his family and opened to him the prospect
of many of the conveniences of life. There were
opened to him flattering prospects of rural wealth,
abundance and independence, the natural and cer-
tain consequence of the labor of his hands and the
fertility of the soil. It was in the midst of these
pleasant scenes and anticipations that the war of
the Revolution commenced, and the frontier set-
70 EARLY HISTORY
tlements became exposed to the depredations of
the enemy, and to the merciless warfare of the In-
dians, the allies to the British. Under these circum-
stances something must be done for the protection
of the people on the Grants, and especially those
situated on the frontier. Chittenden, with four
others in 1775, wasemplo3'ed as a committee to re-
pair to Philadelphia to obtain information and
receive advice respecting the political measures to
be adopted bj' the people in the New Hampshire
Grants. In the Spring of 1776 the Americans re-
treated from Canada, and the advance of the
British upon Lake Champlain rendered it no longer
safe for the few settlers scattered along the west-
ern border of Vermont north of Rutland to remain
upon their lands, and the people were compelled
to abandon that section of the country and retire
to the Southern part of the district, or into the
States of Massachusetts and Connecticut until the
imminent danger should be past. Chittenden re-
moved with his family to Arlington in June, 1776,
and he resided in Danby, Pownal and Arlington
(mainly at Arlington) until he returned to his home-
stead in Williston in 1787, but during the time of
his absence he was not inactive. He was a lead-
ing member in the Vermont conventions and Pres-
ident of the Council of Safety, an organization
that did more for the good order of the State in its
early existence, and to prevent the territory from
being absorbed by neighboring States, than any
other organization. He entered with deep interest
into the controversy with New York respecting
the titles of the lands in the New Hampshire
OF VERMONT. 71
Grants. He was regarded as the most suitable
person to be placed at the head of their operations
against New York. Mr. Chittenden was quick to
see that the general struggle, that the colonies in
which they were engaged with Great Britain, for
their independence, was a favorable opportunity
to terminate the controversy with New York, and
for setting up an independent government in the
disputed territory; this plan now was adopted by
the Green Mountain Boys, and Chittenden steadi-
ly pursued it till he saw the independence of Ver-
mont recognized by the neighboring States and by
the general government.
Thompson says of him that "He was a member
of the first convention of delegates from the sever-
al townships, which met at Dorset, September 25,
1776, for the purpose of taking into consideration
the expediency of declaring Vermont an independ-
ent State, and at the subsequent meeting of the
convention at Westminster, January 15, 1777, he
was one of the committee who draughted the dec-
laration of independence, which was there adopted,
and also a member of another committee, who at
that time, petitioned Congress, pra3*ing that body
to acknowledge Vermont a free and independent
State. He assisted in forming the first constitu-
tion of Vermont, which was adopted by the con-
vention, July 2, 1777, and in 1778 he was elected
the first governor of Vermont, which office he held
with the exception of one year till his death. He
was one of the eight persons who secretly man-,
aged the negotiations with the British in Canada
in 1780, and the three following years, with such
72 EARLY HISTORY
consummate adroitness and skill as to deceive alike
the British and the people of the United States,
and effectually to secure Vermont from the hostili-
ties of the enemy, whose forces were all this time
in possession of Lake Champlain, and Vermont
without any other means of defence. After the
close of the war, Governor Chittenden again re-
moved his family to Williston, where he spent the
remainder of his active and useful life. Advanced
in years and declining in health, in the Summer of
1797 he resigned the office of governor, which he
had held for 18 years, and died the same season,
August the 25th, in the 69th year of his age, be-
loved by his family and friends and sincerely es-
teemed and lamented by the people of Vermont."
In 1789, there being no election of governor by
the people, the council and representatives in joint
ballot made choice of Moses Robinson, whereupon
a committee was appointed to prepare an address
of thanks to Gov. Chittenden for his past services,
and on the 17th of October, the following address
was adopted by the general assembly :
"To the Hon. Thomas Chittenden, Esquire:—
Sir— On your exit from the important office of
governor, which you have so long held by the
united suffrages of the people of this State, the
representatives in general assembly met, beg leave
to address you, and publicly demonstrate the sat-
isfaction they feel in your late administration.
The citizens of Vermont must contemplate with
pleasure, your early and reiterated endeavors to
establish and maintain the existence and welfare
of this government—and at the same time feel a
OF VERMONT. 73
grateful sense of the many and good services you
have rendered them as the supporter, guardian
and protector of their civil liberties.
"The representatives of the people of Vermont,
upon this occasion, request your Hoqor, to ac-
cept, for your past services, all that a noble and
generous mind can give, or wish to receive,— their
gratitude and warmest thanks; and it is their
earnest wish that in your advanced age, and re-
tirement from the arduous task of public life, you
may enjoy all the blessings of domestic ease. I am,
may it please your Honor, (by order and in behalf
of the House), with the greatest respect, your most
obedient, humble servant."
The next year Mr. Chittenden was elected Gov-
ernor by the people and continued to hold the
office till his resignation a little before his death.
The predominent traits of Gov. Chittenden's
character were of the most substantial excellence.
He possessed to an eminent degree, precisely those
qualifications, which fitted him for the sphere in
which he was called upon to act. He did not
claim to be an orator, nor to have a scholastic
education, but he was educated to habits of indus-
try and economy, and had but little to do with
the artificial forms of society. A common school
education completed his early advantages; and,
indeed, the little time he had to spare from labor
was not devoted to books and study so much as
to his favorite athletic sports. At the time he
emigrated to Vermont he possessed a strong and
active mind that was matured by age, practiced
to business, and enriched bv a careful observance
74 EARLY HISTORY
of men and things. His knowledge was practical ;
he was regular in his habits, plain and simple in
his manners — averse to ostentation of equipage or
dress, and he cared little for luxuries, the blandish-
ment of etiquette and refined society, and was far
better fitted to be the leader and governor of the
independent, dauntless and hardy but uncultivated
settlers of Vermont, than would have been a man
of more theoretic knowledge, or polite accomplish-
ments. He seemed to have an intuitive insight
into all men with whom he came in contact, and
into all questions which he had to decide. Ethan
Allen said of him, "That he was the only man that
he ever knew, who was sure to be right in all,
even the most difficult and complex cases, and yet
could not tell or seem to know why it was so."
Many of his letters and official documents were
written by Jonas or Joseph Fay, Ethan or Ira
Allen, Moses Robinson and Nathaniel Chipman, but
undoubtedly were dictated by Chittenden as no
Vermonter was superior to him in judgment. By
reason of his unflinching patriotism and sound
judgment, or his official position, he was the mas-
ter in every community in Vermont in which he
dwelt, but " his government was rather patriarch-
al than constitutional." It has been stated in
this history that he became a resident of Arling-
ton to quell the Tory power there, as he rigorously
did, until nearly every royalist was driven out or
persuaded to remain in submission. Chittenden
was a man over six feet in height, of fair propor-
tions, though not portl>", had fine teeth, but for a
portion of his life he lost the use of one eye. He
OF VERMONT. 75
was eminently an able and good governor, a wise
ruler and father to his people.
He was a delegate from Williston to the Dorset
Convention of July 24, 1776, and at the adjourned
session thereof held at Westminster, Jan. 15, 1777,
and also at the Windsor Convention that met
June 4, 1777. At the adjourned session held Jan.
15, 1777, the district of land commonly called by
the name of the New Hampshire Grants was de-
clared to be a "free and independent State, capable
of regulating their own internal police in all and
every respect whatever, and that it should be
thereafter known by the name of New Connecti-
cut." In the Convention held at Windsor July 2-8,
1777, Chittenden appeared as a delegate for Dan-
by with William Gage.
The Convention that met at Windsor in Decem-
ber, 1777, to revise the Constitution appointed
the first election to be on the 12th day of March,
1778. Representatives were elected and attended
the Assembly on the 12th of March, 1778, when
and where the votes of the freeman for a Gover-
nor, a Lieutenant Governor, and 12 Counsellors
and a Treasurer were sorted and counted, and the
persons who had the majority of votes for the re-
spective offices, were declared duly elected. The
cause of the hasty course of this election has been
given in a previous volume. Thomas Chittenden
was declared the Governor elected. The powers
of the Governor were defined in the Constitution
that had been adopted ; for a time the Governor
and Council were the Board of War, of which
Thomas Chittenden was President. He was quite
76 EARLY HISTORY
free from ostentation and modest and conserva-
tive in bis views, in addressing the Council and
Assembly. On his election as Governor in October,
1779, he said " The honor conferred on me by the
freemen of this State, in appointing me their chief
magistrate, demands a return of my warmest
thanks ; at the same time I regret my inabilities
to support the character of so important a sta-
tion. Notwithstanding, as my appointment ap-
pears so unanimous, it affords me the highest sat-
isfaction and is to me a confirmation of their gen-
eral approbation of my conduct; theiefore, I shall
consider it my duty to serve the ensuing year, and
by Divine assistance, shall labor to continue an eq-
ual, steady firmness, an impartial administration oi
Justice, which has hitherto governed my conduct;
relying on the candor and assistance of my Coun-
cil and the Legislature for my support.' 1 His
main address to the Legislature will be found in
volume two of this history on page 153. After his
re-election as Governor in 1780, he did what is
quite unusual with persons that have been elected
to high office: he requested the House verbally to
accept his resignation of the office of Governor,
but after repeated requests of a number of the
members of Council and Assembly he withdrew his
request for resignation and took the oath of office.
In the most gloomy period of Vermont in her
struggle against New Hampshire and New York,
with Congress, and with the common enemy, Gov-
ernor Chittenden, on Nov. 14, 1781, addressed a
letter to General Washington which was able, can-
did and of the most convincing character, justifying
OF VERMONT. 77
the course of Vermont in the struggle, and the jus-
tice of her claim to become a separate State. ' After
stating that he placed the highest confidence in
Washington, his patriotism in the cause of liberty,
and a disposition to do equal right and justice to
every part of America, and that he did not doubt
but that Washington was well satisfied of the
real attachment of Vermont to the common cause,
poceeded in his letter and said:
•'It is the misfortune of this State to join on the
Province of Quebec and the waters of the Lake
Champlain which affords an easy passage for the
enemy to make a descent with a formidable army
on its frontiers, and into the neighborhood of the
several States of New York, New Hampshire, and
Massachusetts, who have severally laid claims in
part or in whole, to this State, and who have used
every art which they could devise to divide her cit-
izens, to set Congress against her, and finally to
overturn the government and share its territory
among them. The repeated applications of this
State to the Congress of the United States to be
admitted into the Federal Union with them, upon
the liberal principles of paying a just proportion
of the expenses of the war with Great Britain,
have been rejected, and resolutions passed ex parte
tending to create schisms in the State, and thereby
embarrass its efforts in raising men and money for
the defense of her frontiers, and discountenancing
the very existence of the State. Every article be-
longing to the United States, even to pickaxes and
spades, has been by continental commissaries or-
dered out of this State, at a time when she was
78 EARLY HISTORY
erecting a line of forts on her frontiers. At the
same time the State of New York evncunted the
post of Skenesborough for the avowed purpose
of exposing this State to the ravages of the com-
mon enemy.
"The British officers in New York, being ac-
quainted with the public disputes between this
and the claiming States, and between Congress
and this State, made overtures to Gen. Allen, in a
letter, projecting that Vermont should be a colony
under the Crown of England, endeavoring, at the
same time, to draw the people of Vermont into
their interest. The same day Gen. Allen received
this letter (which was in August [or last of July]
1780), he laid it before me and my council, who,
under the critical circumstances of the State, ad-
vised that no answer, either oral or written,
should be returned, and that the letter should be
safely deposited till further consideration, to
which Gen. Allen consented. A few months after,
he received a second letter from the enemy, and the
same council advised that Gen. Allen should send
both letters to Congress inclosed in a letter under
his signature; which he did, in hopes that Con-
gress would admit Vermont into the Union; but
they had not the desired effect.
In the fall of the year 1780, the British made a
descent up the Lake Champlain, and captured the
Ports George and Anne, and appeared in force on
the Lake. This occasioned the militia oi this State,
most generally, to go forth to defend it. Thus the
militia were encamped against the enemy near
six weeks, when Gen. Allen received a flag from
OF VERMONT. 79
them, with an answer to my letter dated the pre-
ceding July to Gen. Haldimand, on the subject of
an exchange of prisoners. The flag delivered a
letter to Gen. Allen, from the commanding officer
of the enemy, who were then at Crown Point,
with proposals for a truce with the State of Ver-
mont, during the negotiating the exchange of pris-
oners. General Allen sent hack a flag of his to the
commanding officer of the British, agreeing to the
truce, provided he would extend the same to the
frontier posts of the State of New York, which
was complied with, and a truce took place which
lasted about three weeks. It was chiefly owing
to the military prowess of the militia of this State,
and the including the State of New York in the
truce, that Albany and Schenectady did not fall a
sacrifice to the ambition of the enemy, that cam-
paign.
Previous to the retiring of the enemy into win-
ter quarters, Col. Allen and Major Fay were com-
missioned to negotiate the proposed exchange of
prisoners. They proceeded so far as to treat with
the British commissioners on the subject of their
mission, during which time they were interchange-
ably entertained with politics, which they treated
in an affable manner, as I have been told. But no
cartel was settled, and the campaign ended with-
out the effusion of blood.
The cabinet Council, in the course of the suc-
ceeding Winter, finding that the enemy in Canada
were about seven thousand strong, and that Ver-
mont must needs be their object the ensuing cam-
paign, circular letters were therefore sent from the
80 EARLY HISTORY
supreme executive authority of this State to the
claiming States before mentioned, demanding of
them to relinquish their claims to this State, and
inviting them to join in a solid union and confeder-
ation against the common enemy. Letters were
also sent to your excellency and to the States of
Connecticut and Rhode Island. Each of these let-
ters stated the extreme circumstances of this State,
and implored their aid and alliance, giving them
withal to understand that it was out of the pow-
er of this State to lay in magazines and support a
body of men, sufficient to defend this State against
the force of the enemy. But to these letters there
has been no manner of answer returned.
From all which it appeared this State was de-
voted to destruction by the sword of the common
enemy. It appeared to be the more unjustifiable
that the State of Vermont should be thus forsaken,
inasmuch as her citizens struck the first offensive
blow against British usurpation, by putting the
continent in possession of Ticonderoga, and more
than two hundred pieces of cannon; with Crown
Point, St. Johns, and all Lake Champlain ; their
exertions in defeating Gen. Carleton in his attempt
to raise the seige of St. John ; their assisting in
penetrating Canada ; their valor in the battles of
Hubbardton, Bennington, and at the landing near
Ticonderoga; assisting in the capture of Gen. Bur-
goyne; and by being a principal barrier against
the power of the enemy in Canada ever since.
That the citizens of this State have by nature
an equal right to liberty and independency with
the citizens of America in general, cannot be dis-
OF VERMONT. 81
pa ted. And that they have merited it from the
United States by their exertions with them in
bringing about the present glorious revolution, is
as evident a truth as any other, which respects
the acquired right of any community.
Generosity, merit, and gratitude all conspire in
vindicating the independence of Vermont. But
notwithstanding the arguments, which have been
exhibited in sundry pamphlets in favor of Vermont,
and which have been abundantly satisfactory to
the impartial part of mankind, it has been in the
power of her external enemies to deprive her of
union, confederation, or any equal advantage in
defending themselves against the common enemy.
The winter was thus spent in fruitless attempts
to form alliances, but no advantages were pro-
cured in favor of this State, except that Massa-
chusetts withdrew her claim, on condition that
the United States would concede the independence
of Vermont ; but if they would not, they would
have their snack at the south end of its territory.
Still New York and New Hampshire are strenu-
ously opposed to the independence of Vermont :
and every strategem in their power, to divide and
subdivide her citizens, are exerted, imagining that
their influence in Congress and the certain destruc-
tion as they supposed, of the inhabitants of this
State by the common enemy, could not fail of fi-
nally accomplishing their wishes.
In this juncture of affairs, the cabinet of Ver-
mont projected the extension of their claim of ju-
risdiction upon the States of New Hampshire and
New York, as well to quiet some of her own inter-
7
82 EARLY HISTORY
nal divisions occasioned by the machinations of
those two governments, as to make them experi-
ence the evils of intestine broils, and strengthen
this State against insult. The Legislature, accord-
ingly, extended their jurisdiction to the eastward
of Connecticut river to the old Mason line, and to
the westward to Hudson river ; but, in the articles
of Union, referred the determination of the bound-
ary lines of Vermont, and the respective claiming
States, to the final decision of Congress, or such
other tribunal as might be mutually agreed on by
the contending governments. These were the
principal political movements of the last winter.
The last campaign opening with a gloomy
aspect to discerning citizens of this State, being
destitute of adequate resources, and without any
alliance, and from its local situation to Canada,
obliged to encounter the whole force of that prov-
ince, or give up its claim to independence and run
away, Yermont being thus driven to desperation
by the injustice of those who should have been her
friends, was obliged to adopt policy in room of
power. And on the first day of May last, Col. Ira
Allen was sent to Canada to further negotiate the
business oi exchange of the prisoners, who agreed
on a time, place, and other particulars relating to
an exchange. While he was transacting that busi-
ness, he was treated with great politeness and
entertained with political matters, which necessity
obliged him to humor in that easy manner that
might save the interest of this State in its extreme
critical situation, and that its consequences might
not be injurious to the United States. The plan
OF VERMONT. 83
succeeded, the frontiers of this State were not in-
vaded; and Lord George Germaine's letter
wrought upon Congress and procured that from
them, which the public virtue of this people could
not.
In the month of July last, Maj. Joseph Fay was
sent to the British shipping, on Lake Champlain,
who completed an exchange of a number of prison-
ers, who were delivered at Skenesborough in Sep-
tember last; at which time and place Col. Allen
and Maj. Fay had a conference with the British
commissioners. And no damage had, as yet, ac-
crued to this, or the United States from this quar-
ter. And in the month of October last, the enemy
appeared in force at Crown Point and Ticonder-
oga ; but were manoeuvred out of their expedition,
and are returned into winter quarters, in Canada,
with great safety, that it might be fulfilled which
was spoken by the prophet, 'I will put my hook in
their nose and turn them back by the way which
they came, and they shall not come into this city
(alias Vermont), saith the Lord.'
It remains that I congratulate your excellency,
and participate with you in the joy of your cap-
turing the haughty Cornwallis and his army; and
assure your excellency that there are no gentlemen
in America, who enjoy the glorious victory more
than the gentlemen of this State, and him who has
the honor to subscribe himself your excellency's
devoted and most humble servant.
Thomas Chittenden."
In 1786 an address was made by Gov. Chitten-
den to the Freemen of Vermont, which forcibly
84 EARLY HISTORY
showed the cause and cure of the distresses of the
people of the State as follows :
"The distresses so much complained of in this
State for want of a circulating medium, is partly
occasioned by the devastations and distresses of
the late war. Being a frontier, disowned and un-
protected by the States in the Union, and having
no credit to enable us to borrow money, we were
necessitated to pay our proportion of the great ex-
pense of the war as it arose, and while it has left
on the United States a debt of 42,000,375 dollars,
exclusive of their own respective State debts, we
have but a trifle to pay.
"It appears that the State tax of the town of
Stockbridge, in the county of Berkshire, Mass.,
for the present year, is £746 more than that of
the town of Bennington, which is near or quite as
large as Stockbridge, £303 of which must be paid
in hard money.
"In the time of the war we were obliged to fol-
low the example of Joshua of old, who commanded
the sun to stand still while he fought his battle ;
we commanded our creditors to stand still while
we fought our enemies. Tho' we had no power to
borrow money, we had power to retain what we
had, and improve it for the safety of the whole;
consequently some of our people were left in debt
and behind hand, and many were so harrassed
and distressed by the war that at the close of it,
they were destitute of a supply of provisions,
though by the blessing of heaven on their industry
they have obtained a plenty now.
"Another reason of our present distress is, that
OF VERMONT. 85
since the close of the war, in lieu of exerting our-
selves to the uttermost, to raise flax and wool and
clothe ourselves, we have purchased on credit too
many articles of the growth and manufacture of
foreign countries, by which means we have drained
the State of nearly all the cash we had and a great
part of our cattle, meantime we have been paying
the taxes of other States, accumulating new debts,
and flinging ourselves into the hands of the trad-
ers, lawyers and pettifoggers.
"Law suits are become so numerous that there
is hardly money sufficient to pay for entering the
actions, not to mention the debts or lawyers and
officers' fees, yet as we have but few disputable
causes, most of the time of the court is taken up
in hearing what the lawyers call shun age y to
avoid for the present, what is so much dreaded,
executions; and many persons, to prevent their
estates being sold at vendue, are necessitated to
subject themselves to the extraordinary expense
of two or three executions for one debt before it
can be settled. I have reason to believe that the
expense of law suits for two years past, has been
nearly equal to that of any two years of the war,
and for a remedy one cries a Tender Act, another a
bank of money, and others, kill the lawyers and
deputy sheriffs.
"A remedy arising from either of these methods,
without other exertions, will be but temporary ;
it might afford some respite at present, but would
not remove the cause, and I know of no certain
effectual method that can be taken to afford sub-
stantial relief, but by prudence, industry and
86 EARLY HISTORY
economy, and these must be encouraged by Gov-
ernment.
•'As this is an inland country, it is of course very
expensive transporting our produce to market
from many parts of the State, and when we arrive
there we must take and give our own price. It
must therefore be for our interest to raise and
manufacture every article this country will pro-
duce, and that may be in value nineteen-twentieths
of our necessaries, and purchase no more foreign
goods than real necessity requires, until we have
more articles for export than the value of what we
want to purchase. Then, and not till then, can
we have specie for a circulating medium.
"I agree with the Hon. Council of Censors in
rejecting the present mode of taxation ; I view it
neither just nor political ; it is not only unequal,
but being laid on the necessaries of life tends to
discourage industry, while the idle and litigious
are preying upon us with impunity. I therefore
most earnestly recommend it to you to consider
whether it would not be wise and greatly tend to
encourage prudence, industry, agriculture and
manufacture to lay our taxes in future on lawsuits
and such commodities as are imported into this
State, excepting only such as are absolutely nec-
essary, and that this State will not be apt to
make too free use of, and out of the avails of these
taxes give a bounty for the encouragement of rais-
ing sheep and flax, and where there are lands in
new townships, that are not settled in proper
time, either tax them or take the forfeiture.
"It may be said this, or something like it might
OP VERMONT. 87
have answered our purpose had we set about it
three oi four years ago, and it may be of service
now and help us by degrees, but it will not afford
present relief: something must be done to prevent
paying so much cost. Interest we can bear but
the costs will ruin us. If we would sell our farms
to pay our debts, the distresses are so great in
other States there are no purchasers. I sincerely
wish some method might be adopted to ease and
quiet the people, without either a tender act or
making paper money; but if either must take
place, I prefer the latter for the following reasons :
The fact is there are many who have good inter-
ests in land that have not wherewith to turn out
to satisfy the demands on them, without distress-
ing their families, or even with, therefore would be
obliged to ward off their debts as long as possible,
and still continue to pay costs ; this would pre-
vent but few suits, and be attended with great
loss in different appraisals, driving cattle &c.
"It a small bank of money should be struck and
loaned by the State to those that would take it
on interest, to be paid annually, on such security
and for such term as the Assembly shall think
proper, and make it a tender on all debts on which
a prosecution is or shall be commenced : the inter-
est of the money and the money arising from the
tax above mentioned would pay the annual ex-
penses of government in times of peace, and soon
redeem the notes and orders that are out; it would
prevent four-fifths of the law suits, and some part
of the sheriffs, their deputies, part of the consta-
bles, and all the pettifoggers might go to work.
88 EARLY HISTORY
"If a bank must be made let it be small, make no
other law to support its credit, let it solely depend
on the foundation it is issued on, and the virtue of
the people, and if we follow the example of some
of our neighboring States, all agree that it shall
be good, it will be so ; and if those who by the
scarcity of money have tlie advantage of others,
and wish to keep it, should be disposed to depre-
ciate it, they will be the greatest sufferers."
The Legislature met in October, 1791, at Wind-
sor, and the Governor, Lieutenant-Governor and
some of the Councillors were escorted into town
by a troop of horse commanded by Capt. Hawley.
Election day was ushered in by beat of drum; and
when His Excellency Thomas Chittenden was de-
clared duly elected Governor for another year, the
same was announced by the discharge of fifteen
cannon from the parade by Capt. Hodgeman's
Artillery Company; a sermon was delivered by
the Rev. Mr. Shuttleworth, and in the evening an
elegant ball was given by a number of gentlemen
of Windsor to a most brilliant assembly of gentle-
men and ladies of this and the neighboring States.
Gov. Chittenden was again elected Governor in
1793. The canvass of the vote for that office
stood as follows : For Thomas Chittenden, 3184;
for Isaac Tichenor, 2712; for Noah Smith, 174;
scattering, 85 votes.
Thomas Chittenden received his last election as
Governor in 1796. He was Governor of Vermont
from 1778 until his death in 1797, except the year
1789, when there was no election by the people,
and the Legislature elected Moses Robinson.
OF VERMONT. 89
Governor Chittenden did not attend the adjourned
session of the Legislature in February, 1 797, and
in July, 1797, he gave notice to the freemen of
Vermont, that he would not be a candidate for re-
election. He died in office on the 25th day of
August, 1797. At the October session of 1.794 the
Assembly voted him 150 pounds, lawful money
for his salary for the year ensuing, and the same
amount was voted at the session in October, 1795,
for the year ensuing; this session was held at
Windsor and His Excellency was escorted to the
town by Captain Stone's company of Cavalry,
and on the next day the Governor, Council and
House of Representatives formed a procession and
attended by Captain Leonard's company of Light
Infantry, proceeded to the Court House, where a
sermon was delivered by Rev. Asa Burton, from
Psalms viii: 5, "Thou hast made him a little low-
er than the Angels. 9 ' His election and other offi-
cers was then announced. The whole ceremony
was concluded by a discharge of fifteen cannon.
Thomas Chittenden's last speech as Governor
was made at the session of the Legislature of
1796, and is as follows :
"Gentlemen of the Council and Assembly:— You
are so well knowing to the manifold favors and
blessings bestowed upon us, as a people, by the
great Ruler of the universe, that it would be unnec-
essary for me to recapitulate them. I would there-
fore only observe, that but a few years since we
were without constitution, law or government,
in a state of anarchy and confusion, at war with
a potent foreign power, opposed by a powerful
90 E^RLY HISTORY
neighboring State, discountenanced by the Con-
gress, distressed by internal dissensions, all our
landed property in imminent danger, and without
the means of defence.
"Now j r our eyes behold the happy day, when
we are in the full and uninterrupted enjoyment of a
well regulated government, suited to the situation
and genius of the people, acknowledged by all the
powers of the earth, supported by the Congress,
at peace with our sister States, among ourselves
and all the world.
"From whence did these great blessings come?
From God. Are they not /worth enjoying? They
surely are. Does it not become us as a people, to
improve them, that we may have reason to hope
they may be continued to us, and transmitted to
posterity? It certainly does.
"What are the most likely measures to be taken
by us, as a people, to obtain this great end? To
be a faithful, virtuous and industrious, and a
moral people.
"Does it not become us as the Legislature, to
take every method in our power to encourage vir-
tue, industry, morality, religion, and learning? I
think it does.
"Is there any better method that can be taken
by us, to answer this purpose, than by our own
example, and having a sacred regard to virtue, in-
dustry, integrity, and morality, in all our appoint-
ments of executive and judicial officers. This is
the day we have appointed to nominate all our
subordinate, executive, and judicial officers,
through the Slate for the present year.
OF VERMONT. 91
"The people by their free suffrages, have given
us the power, and in us they have placed their con-
fidence, and to God, to them, and our own con-
sciences, we are accountable.
"Suffer me, sir, as a leader, as a father, as a
friend and a lover of this people, and as one whose
voice cannot be much longer heard here, to in-
struct you in all your appointments, to have re-
gard to none, but those who maintain a good
moral character, men of integrity, and distin-
guished for wisdom and abilities; in doing this
you will encourage virtue which is the glory of a
people, and discountenance and discourage vice and
profaneness, which is a reproach to any people."
In this sketch of his life and of his administra-
tion as Governor it has not been the purpose of
the writer to go into details of his life or a com-
plete history of all his acts of administration, for
the reason that his habits and unblemished char-
acter as a citizen and a description of his services
for the State, and his unselfish devotion to the in-
terests of the people have been quite fully presented
in the course of this history, and it would be but
a repetition to set them forth here. Indeed, no
true history of Vermont can be written that does
not give a full account of Thomas Chittenden's
public acts and life, because his services and life
were so completely interwoven with the adminis-
tration of the affairs of the State. In an obituary
notice written of him in September, 1797, it was
said of him that "During the troubles occasioned
by the claims of New York on the New Hampshire
Grants, Governor Chittenden was a faithful ad-
92 EARLY HISTORY
viser, and a strong supporter of the feeble settlers.
During the American Revolution, while Warner,
Allen, and many others were in the field, he was
assiduously engaged in the Council of Safety at
home, where he rendered essential service to his
country. In the year 1778, when the State of
Vermont assumed the powers of government and
established a constitution, the eyes of the freemen
were immediately fixed on Mr. Chittenden as their
first magistrate. He was accordingly elected to
that arduous and difficult office, and continued
therein, one year only excepted, until his death.
To presume to say how well he conducted in the
most trying times would be arrogance in an indi-
vidual; let the felicity of his constituents evince,
let the history of Vermont declare it. From a lit-
tle band of associates, he saw his government sur-
pass a hundred thousand souls in number; he saw
them rise superior to oppression, brave the hor-
rors of a foreign war, and finally taking her op-
pressor by the hand, receive her embrace as a sis-
ter State, and rise a constellation in the federal
dome.
"That Governor Chittenden was possessed of
great talents and a keen discernment in affairs
relative to men and things, no one can deny. His
conversation was easy, simple and instructive,
«and although his enemies sometimes abused his
open frankness, yet it is a truth that no person
knew better how to eompass great designs with
secrecy than himself. His particular address and
negotiations during the late war, were master-
strokes of policy. His talents at reconciling jar-
OF VERMONT. 93
ring interests among the people were peculiar.
His many and useful services to his country, to
the State of Vermont, and the vicinity wherein he
dwelt, will be long remembered by a grateful pub-
lic, and entitle him to be named with the Wash-
ington, the Hancock*, and Adamses of his day.
Nor were his private virtues less conspicuous. In
times of scarcity and distress, too common in new
settlements, never did a man display more ration-
al or more noble benevolence. His granary was
open to all the needy. He was a professor of re-
ligion, a worshipper of God, believing in the Son
to the glory of the Father. Such was the man,
and such the citizen Vermont has lost. Superior
to a Prince, a great man here has fallen."
-Take him for all In all"
"We ne'er shall look upon his like again."
Moses Robinson was the second Governor of
Vermont. His grandfather, Samuel Robinson,
was born in Bristol, England, in 1668, and
claimed descent from Rev. John Robinson, the fa-
ther of the independents, who was pastor of the
Pilgrims before they sailed from Holland in the
May Flower in August, 1620. The father of Mo-
ses Robinson was born in Cambridge, Mass., in
1705, was the pioneer settler of Bennington, Vt.,
and who went in December, 1765, as agent of the
New Hampshire Grants to petition the King for
relief against the government of New York, and
died in London, October 27, 1767. Moses Robin-
son was born in Hard wick, Mass., March 26,
1744, and came to Bennington with his father in
1761. He was the first town clerk of Bennington,
94 EARLY HISTORY
chosen in March, 1762, which office he held 19
years. As colonel of militia, he was with his regi-
ment at the evacuation of Ticonderoga and Mount
Independence in July, 1777. He was a member of
the Council of Safety in 1777-8, and Councillor
eight years, to October, 1785. In 1778, he was ap-
pointed as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of
Vermont and served in that capacity from 1778
to 1783-4, and again from 1785 to 1788-9, in all
ten years. On the admission of the State to the
Union in 1791, Mr. Robinson was one of the first
two U. S. Senators, serving till June 1, 1796; he
was a man of piety of a marked type. He was re-
garded as wealthy and liberal to the cause of re-
ligion corresponding to his ability; he was elected
deacon May 22, 1789, which office he held until
his death, May 26, 1813. Dr. Samuel Peters wrote
of him that 'Moses Robinson, A.M., of Verdmont
has bpen a Governor of that State, and a Senator
in Congress; he is head of a family of Robinsons, de-
scendants of the Rev. John Robinson, the father of
the Puritans in England in 1620, in whom the
Methodists and the Puritans place confidence."
In 1789 there was no election for Governor by
the people— the vote stood 1263 for Thomas Chit-
tenden, 746 for Moses Robinson, 478 for Samuel
Safford, and 378 for all others. Robinson was
elected in joint Assembly at Westminster, October
9, and Governor Chittenden, as presiding 'officer,
was requested to inform him of his election. On
October 13, 1789, a committee consisting of two
members from each county was appointed to es-
cort the Governor-elect into town, and he appeared
OF VERMONT. 95
the same day and assumed the duties q{ his office,
but his opening speech was not preserved. He
held the office but one year, when Thomas Chit-
tenden was chosen as his successor. Governor
Robinson's admirable address on retiring from the
Chief Magistracy of the State, and the answer of
the House to it will be found in volume second of
this history on pages 144 to 146. At the close of
the session of 1789, he thanked the members for
their attention to the public business, and "en-
joined on them a strict observance and attention
to the laws of the State, that by their respectable
examples, others might be induced to a similar
line of conduct." His service rendered in the in-
terest of the people of the State has been recorded
in the course of these volumes. His services and
influence were regarded of great value on commis-
sions, and as agent at the seat of government in
negotiating for the admission of the State into the
Federal Union.
Paul Brigham, who was elected Lieutenant-
Governor in 1796 became acting Governor on the
death of Governor Chittenden on the 25th day
of August, 1797. Brigham was Lieutenant-Gov-
ernor from 1796 to 1813, and again from 1815 to
1820, a sketch of whose life will be found in vol-
ume three on page 348 of this history.
CHAPTER V.
ISAAC TICHENOR, ISRAEL SMITH, JONAS
GALUSHA, AND RICHARD SKINNER,
AND THEIR ADMINISTRATIONS
AS GOVERNORS.
Isaac Tichbnor of Bennington was the third
man that was elected by the people as the Gover-
nor of the State of Vermont. After the death of
Thomas Chittenden on the 25th day of August,
1797, Lieutenant-Gov. Paul Brigham became act-
ing Governor and served as such the remainder of
Governor Chittenden's term. A short sketch of
his public services for Vermont will be found in the
first volume of this History on page 167. In the
year 1797, there was no election of Governor by
the people and Isaac Tichenor was elected Gover-
nor in Joint Assembly; and he accepted and took
the oath of office. In his speech to the Legislature,
he said he relied upon the candor, friendship and
support of that body in the discharge of his duties,
and that no endeavor should be wanting on his
part to discharge his duty with fidelity to the
public and satisfaction to his own conscience. He
declared his confidence in the national govern-
ment, and in the experience, firmness and integ-
rity of those who had been placed at the head of
OF VERMONT. 97
the administration; he paid a high tribute to the
services and character of his predecessor, Thomas
Chittenden, under whose administration the gov-
ernment had flourished and obtained a respectable
character among her sister States; he enjoined
economy in the affairs of the State, and to guard
against the creation of public debt ; he observed
that it is from among men of principle, virtue and
integrity that they would find the best public
officers, and that he would be happy to co-oper-
ate with them in adopting measures which would
tend to the promotion of education and progress
of useful knowledge in the State, and encourage
industry and frugality, so necessary to the happi.
ness and prosperity of the people.
In 1798, he was elected Governor bj f the people,
receiving 6,211 votes to Moses Robinson 2,805,
and 332 scattering; and was again elected in 1799.
In the year of 1800 in the vote for Governor he
received 6,444 votes, Israel Smith, 3,239 votes, and
380 scattering. The popularity of Governor
Tichenor was seen in his re-election in 1803. At
that time the State was in the hands of the Jeffer-
son Republicans, when the lowest Republican can-
didate had a majority of 500 over the highest
Federal, and still Governor Tichenor, a Federalist,
was elected Governor. Sometime before 1798, the
administration proclaimed its policy of neutrality
in the controversy and war between Great Britain
and France. A treaty had existed that ordained
that neutral ships could carry what goods they
pleased. But because the United States would
not side with France in her war with England,
98 EARLY HISTORY
provisions owned by Americans and enroute to
England, were declared by France forfeited as con-
traband. French officials seemed bent on treat-
ing America as a dependency of France. Genet,
the French envoy to America, even before our neu-
trality had been proclaimed, set about putting
out privateers, manning them with Americans,
and serfding them to prey upon British ships,
some of which they captured in American waters ;
he instated Washington, challenging his motives
and authority for his acts. At length Washing-
ton effected his removal. France, upon learning
that the United States had ratified the Jay treaty
with England, went insane with rage. Barras
dismissed Mr. Monroe, our minister, in a contempt-
uous speech, denouncing the American govern-
ment as condescending to the suggestions of her
former tyrants, and called upon the American
people, ''always proud of their liberty," never to
forget that they owe it to France. President
Adams, to make a last effort for peace, sent John
Marshall and El bridge Gerry to aid Pinckney for
a becoming admission to their courts, but all in
vain. Under this state of things, Governor Tiche-
nor,in his special speech to the Council and House,
said, "though we cannot with propriety be called
a commercial State, yet as the sale of the produce
of our larms intimately depend upon its exporta-
tion from the seaports of our sister States, when
their commerce is destroyed, the tiller of the soil is
involved in its ruin; and the enemy who captures
the cargo of the merchant, gives a mortal blow to
the harvest of the husbandman. The return of
OF VERMONT. 99
Mr. Gerry, the last of our insulted messengers of
peace to France, although without effecting the
object of their mission, must be considered by
every discerning man, as a fortunate event; an
event which must confound the advocates of
French amity, dissolve the last ligaments which
bind us to that aspiring, perfidious nation, and
convince the most obdurately incredulous, that
friendly and sincere proffers of amicable accom-
modation can have no avail with men whose am*
bition is gain, and whose policy is plunder. * * *
As a respectable member of the Union, it behoves
us at this momentous period, wlien the sovereign-
ty of our nation is threatened, to express in the
most decided manner, by our official acts, our con-
fidence in, and our adherence to our national gov-
ernment, and to convince France that notwith-
standing the liberal efforts of some deluded and
designing men among us, we are not a divided
people, and that she may no longer presume that
intestine division of political sentiments, which
has so long invited her indults, and to which so
many European Republics have fallen a sacrifice.
* * * America must now, under God, look to
her own resources, and the valor and patriotism
of her own citizens, for that justice which she has
in vain sought from French uprightness, or French
friendship" The committee of the House of Rep-
resentatives, in reply to the Governor's speech on
this subject, fully endorsed his views, and in re-
ferring to the duplicity and insults to our govern-
ment by France, said, "the veil is removed— I^et
ns adopt an old motto, Liberty or Death!"
100 EARLY HISTORY
At the October session of the Legislature of
1798, he presented before that body a resolve of
the Legislature of Massachusetts proposing
amendment of the constitution of the United
States, declaring that no person shall be eligible
as President, or Vice-President of the United States
or Senator or Representative in Congress, except
a natural born citizen. On this subject the Gov-
ernor said, "Think it is obvious that a gov-
ernment can be best administered by its own citi-
zens/ 1 and favored the proposed amendment.
At the session of October 1799, the Governor
laid before the House the resolutions of the
States of Virginia and Kentucky, which are re-
ferred to in volume three of this history, and
which embodied the seeds of nullification and dis-
union. The Governor said, "For my own part I
have not the smallest hesitation in predicting that
they will meet your decided disapprobation, be-
cause they contain principles hostile to your best
interests, and because I know you love your coun-
try, and are rationally attached to the principles
of our excellent Federal Constitution."
In his speech to the Council and House at the
session of 1802, on the harmful influence of violent
party spirit, said, "One of the greatest misfortunes
that attend Republican governments, is the prog-
ress and violence of party spirit. In a govern-
ment where the honors and emoluments of public
offices are alike open to all the citizens, it will be
natural for many to appear as candidates for pub-
lic approbation and employment ; and mam* good
effects will result from a spirit of emulation, enter-
OF VERMONT. 101
prise and ambition : let them be well directed, and
under proper regulations, and they will give rise
to the most necessary and useful public exertions.
But when ambitious men become inflamed so as
to produce a violation of the laws of virtue, the
destruction of private character, the propagation
of falsehood and slander and an established ran-
corous spirit of party, they introduce into civil
society some of the worst evils. One part of the
community become inflamed against the other;
different parties are ranked under different leaders;
they have different views and aims, and forgetful
of the public good, are most of all active and vio-
lent to accomplish their own particular purposes.
It cannot be, in such a state of things, but that
the public interest will be sacrificed to private
views. It requires the abilities and exertions of
the wisest and most virtuous, in every country to
direct the public affairs, to restrain the vicious, to
give the laws the proper direction and energy, and
to keep up those civil and moral institutions on
which the existence and safety of civil society es-
sentially depend. Those, therefore, who from a
spirit of party, or personal aggrandizement, labor
to divide and inflame one part of the community
against the other, whatever motives and princi-
ples they may avow, are the greatest enemies to
our republican institutions and form of govern-
ment. A remedy of these evils, so pernicious to
society, is not within reach of legislative acts ; it
is only on the virtue and information of the great
body of the people that we can rely to stop their
progress, or do away with their fatal effects ; and
102 EARLY HISTORY
when aided by the precepts and examples of virtu-
ous representatives and upright magistrates,
these will, I presume, be effectual." In his message
to the Legislature in 1803, he thought it not un-
profitable to look back, to trace the measures
pursued by their venerable fathers, to whose wis-
dom and firmness they were indebted for the rank
and privileges of an independent State ; that their
appointments to office were fixed on men whose
disinterested zeal for the public good were mani-
fested more by their acts than their professions ; a
patriotic spirit of union, in Council and measures
animated their administrations; they subdued
the wilderness, they sowed the seeds of science and
the arts, and it was wisdom to adhere to those
rules and maxims by which they regulated their
conduct.
He told the Legislature that it was important
that a Stpte prison should be erected ; that means
should be provided for punishing by hard labor
those who should be convicted of crimes not capi-
tal, whereby the criminal shall be employed for
the benefit of the public.
In 1804 he said, "from recent events in Europe
it would seem that our country is the only place
on the globe in which there is a prospect that the
Republican system can succeed. Should that sys-
tem here fail, in a time and under circumstances so
favorable to its continuance, future generations
must pronounce it impracticable. To preserve it
among ourselves, we must guard against all in-
tolerance, intrigue, party spirit and party meas-
ures."
OF VERMONT. 103
In 1805, in his message he expressed himself in
favor of schools and other seminaries of learning,
the improvement of our militia establishment and
agricultural and manufacturing interests.
In 1805 it was claimed by many that the gov-
ernment of the Province of Lower Canada claimed
jurisdiction of a strip of land several miles in width
south of the true northern line of Vermont, and
the Legislature took action to have the matter
investigated, and Governor Ticbenor, in his mes-
sage of 1806, stated that, he, conformably to the
act of the Legislature of 1805, appointed Dr. Sam-
uel Williams to ascertain the true divisional line
between the State and said Province; which by a
course of astronomical observations, made near
the ancient monument at Connecticut River, he
found to be nearly fourteen miles south of the lati-
tude of forty-fi ve degrees. At the Lake Memphre-
magog, the present divisional line was found to
be more than seven miles south of what it ought
to be. From these observations he said, "the re-
sult is, that the State has been out of possession,
owing to the error in establishing the divisional
line, of a tract of land equal to eighteen town-
ships." The matter was referred to the national
government. Substantially the present northern
line of the State was run and marked in 1772-3-4
by Collins and Valentine, and under the treaty of
Washington of 1842, the Collins and Valentine
line was agreed upon. This matter will be found
further considered in the second volume of this
History on page 52. After an intermission of one
yepr Isaac Tichenor was elected Governor for the
104 EARLY HISTORY
last time in 1808. At that time the national em-
bargo was the law of the land which the national
government was endeavoring to enforce. Smug-
glers were constantly violating its provisions.
Undoubtedly the act was a great hardship upon
the people, especially those living in the northern
part of the State. Canada had been a great mar-
ket for most of the articles that the people had to
export, and this act forbade all trade with the
people of the Province. The people were against
the enforcement of the act. The object of the act
and the enforcement of it by the national govern-
ment was to bring Prance and England to terms
which were pursuing an oppressive policy against
the United States. Out of the enforcement of the
act grew the "Black Snake" affair and other
troubles that have been considered in previous
volumes. Governor Tichenor, while feeling the
evils in common with his fellow citizens resulting
from that law, and desiring its repeal, enjoined
the necessity of a quiet submission to the hard-
ship it caused until they could be relieved from it
in a constitutional way. That nothing could be
more dangerous and inconsistent with Republican
principles than a forcible hostile opposition to the
law.
He had been governor ever since 1797 to 1809,
except the year 1808. In 1806 he was elected
Governor by the people by a vote of 5,065 against
a vote of 4,250 for Israel Smith of Rutland. This
was not a little surprising as the Governor was a
Federalist and the House that year was Jeffef-
sonian by a very large majority, as indicated )>y
OF VERMONT. 105
the election of Stephen R. Bradley, a Republican,
as United States Senator, he having received 120
votes against 60 for all other persons. But in
October of 1807, on the receiving and counting
the votes by the committee appointed for that
purpose, he was found to be defeated and Israel
Smith elected Governor. In 1808 Tichenor was
again elected by a vote of 13,634 against 12,775
for Israel Smith, and 4127 scattering.
Israel Smith of Rutland, who was elected
Governor of Vermont in 1807, was born in Suf-
field, Conn., April 4, 1759, and graduated at Yale
College in 1781, and became a resident of Rupert
in 1783, when he was admitted to the bar in this
State. He represented Rupert in the General As-
sembly in 1785, 1788, 1789, and 1790, and was a
member of the Constitutional Convention in 1791,
in which year he removed to Rutland. He was one
of the Commissioners named in the act of 1789, to
settle the controversy with New York. He repre-
sented the Sou th-Wes tern District of Vermont in
Congress from 1791 to 1797, when he was elected
Chief Judge of the Supreme Court and served one
year. It was said he was the chief victim of the
"Vergennes Slaughter-house" in 1798, when the
Federalists, for party reasons, refused to re-elect
him. He, however, was again elected Chief Justice
of the Supreme Court in 1801, but declined the of-
fice. He was United States Senator from 1803 to
1807, when he resigned that office to accept the
office of Governor. His talents were good and
he was a noble looking man, and he got the name
106 EARLY HISTORY
of the "Handsome Judge." He was distinguished
for amiable candor and inflexible integrity.
la bis speech to the General Assembly he said
on the subject of the modes of punishment for
crime that he would substitute generally for cor-
poral punishments confinement for the purpose of
initiating the culprit into a habit of useful indus-
try—confinement to hard labor. He said, "it will
not be denied that corporal punishment may have
had a good effect in the prevention of crimes, but
this concession does not admit the inference that
no other mode of punishment would be preferable.
That mode of punishment which is worse than
none must be vile indeed. Confinement and hard
labor is a mode of punishment peculiarly suited to
an advanced state of society, and where the arts
abound. By substituting the punishment pro-
posed, a government may not only prevent the
expense to which other modes of punishment must
subject it, but may make it, if thought advisable,
a source of revenue to the State." And he urged
the Legislature to make the necessary provisions
for carrying out such a policy.
He was a statesman of intelligent and broad
views. In his message he called the attention of
the legislators to the fact that it was their duty
to provide wholesome laws for the promotion of
virtue, happiness, and prosperity among the peo-
ple over whom the laws are to operate ; that the
end of all government is to teach each individual
of the community the necessity of self-government;
that the influence of the laws of the State in
moulding and forming the manners, the habits and
OF VERMONT. 107
virtues of the people, extended over little less than
two hundred thousand people; that the business
of legislation swells to a prodigious magnitude,
and creates in our minds enthusiastic expectations
from its good effects. Other nations, he said,
have, by their corruption, venality, and abuse of
power, sunk into the vortex of despotism, but
these evils have arisen in a great measure from the
circumstances of irresponsibility with which the
powers of government have heretofore been in-
trusted to men. Our government is happily or-
ganized in a manner in which the duty and inter-
est of the law-giver is very intimately connected
and blended with the spirit and interests of the
community ; and under such circumstances of re-
sponsibility for the exercise of his power, as com-
pels him to feel less the sympathies of the rulers
than the sympathies of the ruled, and he hoped we
might be instrumental in promoting the blessings
of government, and keep up that watchfulness
over the conduct of rulers, which is calculated to
teach them a just responsibilitv in their stations,
and for the people to exercise all that indulgence
towards honest difference of opinion which the full
and complete enjoyment of all the blessings of a
free government renders necessary. The answer
of the Assembly to the speech was highly compli-
mentary to the Governor.
At his death all united in deploring the loss of a
dignified statesman and much esteemed man. He
died at Rutland Dec. 2, 1810, in the fifty-second
year of his age.
Jonas Galusha of Shaftsbury was the fifth per-
108 EARLY HISTORY
son who was elected by the people to fill the office
of Governor in Verm on t . He was born in Norwich ,
Conn., February 11, 1753, and came to Shafts-
bury in 1775, and was captain of a military com-
pany from 1777 to 1780. There were two com-
panies in that town, of one of which Amos Hun-
tington was its captain ; the latter company was
in the battle of Hubbardton, where Huntington
was taken prisoner by the British. Soon after
Captain Galusha was assigned to the command
of both companies and he led them in the battle
of Bennington. He represented Shaftsbury in the
Legislature of 1800 ; was Councillor from Octo-
ber, 1793, to October, 1799, and also October,
1801, until 1806. Sheriff of Bennington County
from 1781, to 1787; judge of the County Court
from 1795 until 1798, and again 1801 until 1807;
judge of the Supreme Court in 1807 and 1808;
Governor from. 1809 until 1813, and from 1815 to
1820; he was elector of President and Vice-Presi-
dent in 1808, 1820 and 1824; one ot the Council
of Censors in 1 792, and a member of the Constitu-
tional Conventions of 1814 and 1822, and Presi-
dent of both Conventions. He possessed a mild,
benevolent, and philosophic turn of mind, and
comprehensive understanding; he was not a man
of many words and came direct to his conclusions.
Aside from being engaged in his public duties, like
many excellent and notable men in the early days
of Vermont, he was both farmer and inn-keeper.
Though he was not a member of any church he
lived a true Christian life. It was said of him he
was modest, amiable, upright and faithful to every
OF VERMONT. 109
obligation ; he was a decided and unwavering R&.
publican of those days, and a veteran of the Revo-
lution. For his first wife he married Mary, the
daughter of Governor Thomas Chittenden, by
whom he had five sons and four daughters. He
died September 24, 1834.
In his first speech as Governor to the Legisla-
ture in 1809, he said he was educated a plain
farmer and consequently destitute of those literary
attainments which by many are esteemed so requi-
site to the due discharge of official duties, but he
relied upon honest intentions, on a habitual zeal
for the public good, upon the wisdom of the Legis-
lature in the great business of legislation.
Referring to the division among the people in
the State and nation arising from the measures
taken by the genet al government to maintain our
national and commercial rights against the insults
and wanton aggressions of Great Britain and
France, said, "I hope the period is not far distant,
when the citizens of the Union will lay aside all
party feelings and become united like a band of
brothers in support of the best government on
earth." While he recommended a cheerful submis-
sion to the laws of the United States for the pres-
ervation and defence of our national rights, he
would remind the members that they were the
guardian of the rights and powers that were not
delegated by the constitution of the United States
but reserved to the respective States and to the
people; he spoke favorably of the operations and
usefulness of the State bank that then was in
operation; he spoke encouraginely for the future
110 EARLY HISTORY
of the country, and said the manufactures in vari-
ous parts of the country were increasing with a
rapidity unparalleled, and the pride of Ameiicans
begins to be gratified with a dress of our own
manufacturing, and the time not far distant when
the citizens of these United States, instead of rely-
ing on foreign countries for their clothing, will be
able, not only to supply their own wants, but to
export every kind of cotton, if not woolen goods,
and restore to the Union that portion of specie
that was drawn from us by the exclusive use of
foreign manufactured goods ; and no people could
profit by commerce, when the balance of trade is
against them. He expressed himself strongly in
favor of the improvement of the State militia;
that the militia had a common interest with their
fellow citizens, their property, their wives, their
children, and they, all equally depend upon the
laws and fate of their common country, and can
never be made to surrender the blessings of free-
dom and the rights of independence to any foreign
ot domestic usurper. Speaking of the educational
interests of the State, he said, "the means of
knowledge should not be restricted to one class of
the people, but liberally imparted to all. Every
citizen ought to be so far instructed in the sciences
as to be able to participate in the blessings of so-
ciety, comprehend the nature of government and
the benediction of liberty."
At the time the Governor made his speech to
the Council and House of Representatives in 1811,
France had mitigated the rigor of her hostile
measures against our commerce, and had so modi-
OF VERMONT. Ill
fled her Berlin and Milan decrees that they had
ceased to operate against the United States, but
Great Britain would not relinquish her offensive
orders nor surrender up our oppressed seamen or
permit us to enjoy the common legal rights of a
neutral nation. In view of this state of things he
advised to be prepared for any event that might
occur, but to be united was indispensably neces-
sary to be prepared either for a state of war or
for the full enjoyment of peace. And he said, "A
people well agreed in the principles of their social
compact and firmly united in the support of their
government, can surmount almost any obstacle
which may oppose their prosperity and independ-
ence." As to the enactment of laws, he said, the
frequent changes in our general statutes render
them perplexing to magistrates and jurors, tend
to increase litigation, or promote what is by some
styled the "glorious uncertainty of the law," and
frequently subjects the honest citizen to expense
and loss before the laws are fully promulgated or
their operations rightly understood. He therefore
recommended alterations only in cases where ex-
perience has discovered a material defect. When
the Governor delivered his speech to the Legisla-
ture in 1812, war had been declared by the nation-
al government against Great Britain; although
some doubted the propriety of the declaration, he
advised all to lay aside all party prejudice and
unite in the common cause against the common
enemy. And said, "is it possible to conceive that
any citizen living under such a mild and equal gov-
ernment, can be so destitute of a principle, of
112 EARLY HISTORY
patriotism, and so lost to their own true inter-
est as through a fond passion for a foreign power,
the violence of party zeal or the sordid passion of
avarice to betray the just cause of their suffering
country, prolong the horrors of war, invoke the
vengeance of heaven, and be guilty of the blood of
thousands, by devoting their talents and yielding
their support to a nation whose pledged faith has
been so often violated, and whose tender mercies
by experience have been proved to consist in cruel-
ty ?" After the war was declared pressing calls
from nearly all the towns in the northern part of
the State were made for protection or to be fur-
nished with means of defence, and he did what he
could to supply them with arms and other muni-
tions of war. In 1809 he was elected by a vote of
14,583 against a vote of 13,467 for Isaac Tiche-
nor and 498 scattering votes, and his induction
into the office of Governor was accompanied with
considerable military parade consisting of a fine
artillery company that had just been formed, and
uniformed throughout with plumed Bonaparte
hats and the dress of field officers, to serve as the
Governor's Guard, and to be in especial attend-
ance on election day.
After an intermission of two years, while the
Governor's chair had been filled by Martin Chit-
tenden, Galusha was again elected by a vote of
18,055 against a vote of 1 6,632 for Martin Chit-
tenden and 571 scattering. And in 1816, he was
re-elected by a vote of 17,262 against a vote of
13,888 for Samuel Strong, and scattering 102;
and again elected in 1817, by a vote of 13,756
OF VERMONT. 113
against a vote of 7430 for Isaac Tichenor. In
1818 he was elected by a vote of 15,243 against
a scattering vote of 749. In 1819 he was elected
Governor for the last time by a vote of 12,628
against a vote for William C. Bradley of 1035,
and for Dudley Chase, a vote of 658, and scatter-
ing 1085.
At the time that Governor Galusha was elected
in 1815, the war spirit of Europe had subsided,
and the war in which the United States had been
engaged had terminated, and the blessings of
peace had come. The Governor thought that al-
though tranquility had settled down on the na-
tions of Europe we ought, by an indissoluble
union, to be prepared for any storm that might
arise. He contrasted the nations of Europe with
the United States and claimed that we emerged
from the war that left us in a far better situation
than the nation with which we had been at war.
He said, "the nations of Europe, after suffering
an almost incalculable destruction of property,
after drenching the earth with blood, and clothing
their fields with carnage, have sunk down under
governments no less despotic, with immense addi-
tional burthens ; Spain was again groaning under
the terrors of the Inquisition, and France degraded
to a state of wretchedness ; and if from beholding
the unhappy state of Europe we turn our eyes to
ill-fated Asia, there we behold despotism and mis-
ery reigning triumphant ;" and from this survey
he enjoined the people to more carefully guard the
rights, and firmly support the principles of a free,
equal and happy government; he said, "of all the
9
114 EARLY HISTORY
nations of the earth, the United States, alone, are
left to support a government whose basis is equal
liberty, and whose sovereignty is the will of the
people." He said there was to some extent a rest-
less ambition rankling in the very bosom of our
country, and therefore we ought carefully to watch
over our own hearts, check every inordinate de-
sire, and be vigilant and active to prevent the
overturn of the fair temple of liberty.
In his speech of 1816 to the Council and House,
he said our country was at peace with all nations
and with our savage neighbors ; that virtue is the
basis of a Republican government; and where
vice predominates, tyranny in some shape, ensues.
Virtue, therefore ought to be the pole star to guide
us iii all of our deliberations; and the whole sys-
tem of law should be adopted to promote that
vital principle ; that the constant emigration to
this country from under the governments of Eu-
rope, was an evidence that we possessed privileges
and blessings, superior to the other nations of the
earth. The year of 1816 was so cold that there
was a scarcity of provisions for man and beasts,
and great destitution. The Governor, therefore,
recommended to the people that they exercise the
most rigid economy in the early expenditure of
those articles of provision most deficient.
In his speech in 1817, he thought the deficiency
of a circulating medium was owing to an increased
immigration of our inhabitants to the West, who
converted their property into cash for transporta-
tion, and the unfruitfulness of the then past sea-
sons, in addition to the common causes which
OF VERMONT. 115
uniformly produce a scarcity of money at the
close of a war; that the scarcity of money had
caused serious embarrassments, but the industry
and economy it has excited has nearly counter-
balanced the evil experienced. He regretted that
the wars and the unsettled affairs in Europe
had not terminated more favorably to the rights
and liberties of the people ; he said the result ot a
want of a better state of things there had awak-
ened many to a sense of their sufferings, and as-
piring for liberty were resorting to the United
States, an asylum for oppressed and afflicted
humanity. He urged upon the Legislature to en-
courage improvement in manufacturing; he
thought it should be the policy of a State so re-
mote from the great marts of the world, and not
adjacent to the sea-board, to adopt every prudent
measure to supply her wants by her own manu-
facture; that such a course would prevent the
emigration of many of her valuable citizens to
other parts of the country to find employment
and make a neat saving of expense of transport-
ing that .portion of provision consumed by the
manufacturers, and turn the balance of exports
and imports in her own favor.
In his speech of 1818, he urged the importance
of keeping up the vital spark of patriotism, and
against lapsing into a state of inattention to our
political concerns, as a people negligent of their
rights will not long retain their liberties; and
warned them to carefully guard against any en-
croachments on the sovereignties of the individual
States, or infringements on the privileges reserved
116 EARLY HISTORY
to them, or to the people; that favors ought only
to be granted by the Legislature when they do not
interfere with the public good, or the interest and
happiness of other individuals; and in passing
laws it would be well to keep in view that excel-
lent maxim contained in our bill of rights, that
< 'government is, or ought to be, instituted for the
common benefit, protection, and security of the
people, nation, or community, and not for the par-
ticular emolument or advantage of any single
man, family, or set of men, who are a part only of
that community."
On the improvement in agriculture, he said,
although we ought to rely as much as possible on
home manufactures for a supply of manufactured
articles, yet the main source of our wealth and the
subsistence of every class of citizens, must depend
on the cultivation of the soil; when the farms
were new and unimpaired by tillage, it was profit-
able to extend our labors and to cast our seed
over a large portion of our soil, but as our lands
become less productive by frequency of crops, it is
necessary that new modes of husbandry should be
resorted to, in order to keep them in a fertile state ;
he recommended the formation of societies, with
corporate privileges for the beneficial puposes of
advancing agricultural interests, encouraging
manufactures, and improving the breed of domestic
animals; that an agricultural society existed in
1806, but it extended over the whole State, the
members being so remote from each other and
the field for examination so extensive it proved
ineffectual.
OF VERMONT. 117
In 1819 he made his last speech as Governor to
the Legislature. He said there was a great scarci-
ty of circulating medium resulting in the distress
of individuals, in discharging their private debts,
and in managing their own concerns, and that
state of things existed to the greatest extent where
banks were the most numerous, and he was confi-
dent that a multiplicity of incorporated banks in
the State would prove injurious to the community.
He said, "For a people possessing a rich and exten-
sive territory, abounding with the fruits and pro-
ductions of almost every clime; with an unshackled
commerce throughout the habitable world ; pos-
sessing genius and enterprise exceeded by no other
people on earth, to be in distress for a want of a
sufficient portion of the circulating medium, is a
subject that calls loudly for investigation and re-
form. Among the various causes, the want of
economy is the most prominent; The unlimited
credit given in this country, in almost every branch
of business, proves the ruin of too many valuable
citizens of every class and profession in society.
The frequent bankruptcies, suspensions and com-
mitments to county jails, sufficiently prove the
fact ; and the evil cannot be wholly remedied by
acts of legislation." He was also in favor of pass-
ing a law freeing the body of the debtors from ar-
rest and imprisonment for small debts that should
be contracted after a given time in the then future.
He thought that such a law would discourage
credit where it ought not to be given, and produce
punctuality in those who obtain it; and heclaimed
that the onlv safe remedy against embarrassment
118 EARLY HISTORY
or poverty is a retrenchment of family excuses,
and lessening the consumption of articles of for-
eign growth and manufacture; general informa-
tion is indispensably necessary to the preservation
of a free republican government, but this cannot
be retained if the great body of the people, through
want of economy, indulge their propensities in the
use of superfluities, and )>ecome poor and unable
to educate their children. He concluded his mes-
sage by saying he had a great desire to spend the
residue of his life in domestic retirement, and
recommended to the freemen of the State to unite
on some other person to perform the duties of
chief magistrate after the expiration of his then
term of office, but he assured them that his zeal
for the public good would never cease but with his
reason or his life. On retiring from the office of
Governor October 13, 1820, he briefly verbally
addressed the jornt Assembly, and in response the
committee of the Assembly said in part, "On a re-
view of the events of the memorable struggle of
our fathers for Independence, we find you, in early
life, on the banks of the Walloomsack, with your
patriotic band, teaching their hands to war and
their fingers to fight. Most of us recollect with
satisfaction, the period when, by suffrages of your
fellow citizens, you were called to assist in the
Council of this State. In the discharge of the
duties of a member of Council, of a Judge, and of a
Chief Magistrate of the State, you have ever mer-
ited, and often received, in language unequivocal,
the approbation of your fellow citizens."
Richard Skinner, LL. D., of Manchester was the
OF VERMONT. 119
sixth Governor of Vermont, who was elected by the
people, and was born in Litchfield, Conn., May 30,
1778, and was son of Gen. Timothy Skinner; he
was educated for his profession at the Litchfield
Law School, and admitted to the bar of Litchfield
County in 1800. He came immediately to Ver-
mont and settled in Manchester, where he spent
the remainder of his life. He commenced his pub-
lic service in 1801, and was almost constantly
in office until he voluntarily retired in 1829. He
was State's Attorney for Bennington County from
1801 until 1813, and in 1819; Judge of Probate
from 1806 until 1813; Representative of Manches-
ter in the General Assembly in 1815 and 1818, and
speaker of the House in 1818; Member of Con-
gress from 1813 until 1815 ; Assistant Judge of
the Supreme Court in 1815, and Chief Judge in
1816, and also Chief Judge from 1823 to 1829,
inclusive. Intellectually his qualities were of that
kind which gained the respect and confidence of
mankind rather than the immediate admiration;
as a lawyer and a judge he was noted for the clear*
ness and force with which he presented his cases.
He filled the highest places in the State with abili-
ty and dignity, and left a reputation of which his
town and State may well be proud.
He died May 23, 1833, from injuries received by
being thrown from his carriage.
In 1820 he was elected Governor of the State
by a vote of 13,152 against a scattering vote of
934. He stated in his first speech that frequent
alterations of public statutes is justly considered
an evil seldom counterbalanced bv the benefits re
120 EARLY HISTORY
suiting therefrom, and warned against innovation
unless the public good demanded it. He advised
not allowing a party against whom a verdict and
judgment had been rendered, the right to review
his case again by a new trial as a matter of legal
right, without good reason therefor. He said
"There can be no presumption that a second panel
will be more capable, or more disposed to impar-
tiality." He said "The act of the (then) last ses-
sion of Congress, authorizing the inhabitants of a
portion of the territory of the United States (now
forming the State of Missouri) to form a State
government without a provision in its constitu-
tion, restricting the power of enslaving a part of
the human family, has caused great surprise
through the State, and excited feelings of sincere
regret." On the general subject of instructing our
Senators and Representatives in Congress upon
important subjects that interest the people, he
said, "Justice to ourselves dictates, and a long
course of practice sanctions the propriety of the
Legislature's expressing the sentiments they en-
tertain on subjects which essentially concern the
nation; and more especially of instructing their
Senators and advising the Representatives in Con-
gress as to the course they ought to pursue."
In his speech in 1821 he advocated the pass-
age of a law that would limit the demand of
money-lenders to six per cent; and he thought
that the general diffusion of useful knowledge, and
improved state of science, offered the best security
to civil and religious liberty; that a diligent and
persevering attention to the education of our chil-
OF VERMONT. 121
dren, is that without which, we cannot expect the
people will long retain a republican form of gov-
ernment; he reminded the Legislature of the neces-
sity of a practical and careful attention to economy
in public expenditures ; and it would give him the
highest satisfaction to aid in every measure calcu-
lated to advance the great interest of agriculture ;
that the success of our manufacturers had become
an object of deep interest to the great body of the
citizens. He said that "if the measures of the na-
tional government should give encouragement to
manufacturers and they should have the effect
greatly to increase, not the profits, but the num-
ber of manufacturers and manufacturing estab-
lishments, and thereby produce a competition
which does not now exist — to measurably change
the course of agricultural products, now so un-
profitable, by inviting the growth of, and furnish-
ing a home market for raw materials, and also a
market for that surplus produce which has here
tofore been exported, and secure amongst us a
specie currency, there can be no doubt of its wis-
dom and justice."
There had been resolutions sent to the Governor
by the States of Maryland and New Hampshire
for him to lay before the Legislature for their co-
operation, upon the subject of appropriating pub-
lic lands for the purposes of education. The Gov-
ernor said if they should approve of the principle,
"they will, it is believed, feel no delicacy in making
the claim on behalf of the people of Vermont, for
perhaps none in the United States, in proportion to
their ability, contributed more to the acquisition
122 EARLY HISTORY
of those rights which were purchased by the toils,
distresses and sacrifices of the Revolutionary war.
Situated upon the frontier, they constituted a bar-
rier between the enemy and the Confederated
States. Not having then been acknowledged as a
member of the Confederation, no part of the ex-
pense they incurred in the war, has been assumed
by the general government, while they have par-
ticipated in the burden of the funded debt."
In his last annual speech to the Legislature in
1822, he urged upon them the improvement of the
means of transportation for the various commodi-
ties with which the State abounded, and to facili-
tate access to the most favorable markets ; and
called their attention especially to the improve-
ment of the roads; he suggested the propriety of
enacting a law making all contracts or security in
which usury is reserved, void. He thought that
the then existing penalty for taking usury was
inadequate; that private prosecutions by the ag-
grieved, or others, are discouraged by the consid-
eration, that in most cases the cost and expense
incurred, and the uncertainty of the final issue
of the prosecution, will counterbalance the offered
reward for prosecuting the usurer. Public prose-
cutions for the act of taking usurious interest,
were rare; and few would at the expense of the
displeasure of a powerful class of citizens, volun-
tarily exercise the reputedly invidious office of in-
former.
Upon the subject of Banks he said, "the com-
mercial concerns of the State cannot require ex-
tensive banking institutions. The resources of our
OF VERMONT. 123
husbandmen and their course of business, are illy
calculated to meet the demand, and comply with
the necessary regulations. An opportunity will be
afforded for investing the money which would
otherwise remain in the hands of many wealthy,
honorable citizens, accessible to those who will
then become the prey of such as are thereby en-
abled to increase the means of usurious depreda-
tions. The advantages ordinarily derived to the
State at large, from the augmentation of a circu-
lating medium, which is not the representative of
real wealth, is not discerned. The ruinous effects
of multiplying banks in the interior of our country,
have indeed been felt, and is, I believe, generally ac-
knowledged." He requested that he might not
again be a candidate for the office of Governor.
CHAPTER VI.
CORNELIUS PETER VAN NESS, EZRA BUT-
LER, SAMUEL C. CRAFTS, WILLIAM
ADAMS PALMER, AND SILAS
HEMENWAY JENNISON AND
THEIR ADMINISTRATIONS.
Cornelius Peter Van Nbss was the youngest
of three highly distinguished brothers, sons of
Peter Van Ness of Columbia County, New York.
He was born in Kinderhook, Jan. 26, 1782, and
was fitted for college at the age of fifteen, but de-
clined a collegiate course, and at the age of
eighteen entered the law office of his brother,
William P. Van Ness, where he was a fellow stu-
dent with Martin Van Buren who became Presi-
dent of the United States. He was admitted to
the bar of New York in 1804. Mr. Van Ness re-
moved to St. Albans, Vermont, in 1806, and from
thence to Burlington in 1809. In 1810 he entered
upon a long line of eminently successful official
services, which covered a period of more than
thirty years. He was United States Attorney for
the District of Vermoht from 1810 to 1813, and
was then transferred to the Collectorship which
office he held until the close of the war. He was
next appointed United States Commissioner, under
the fifth article of the treaty of Gent, to ascertain
(124)
OF VERMONT. 125
the boundary line between the United States and
the British possessions, from the highlands north
from the source of the river St. Croix to the inter-
section of the forty-fifth degree of north latitude
with the St. Lawrence River; a business in which
he was unable to agree with the British Commis-
sioner. He represented Burlington in the General
Assembly from 1818 until 1822; he was Chief Jus-
tice of the Supreme Court in 1821 and 1822, and
was elected Governor of the State for three suc-
cessive terms, commencing in 1823. In 1826 he
was a candidate for the United States Senator-
ship and in a most memorable contest he was de-
feated by a small majority by Horatio Seymour of
Middlebury. His defeat he attributed t;o the in-
terference of the confidential friends of the then
President John Quincy Adams, whose administra-
tion he had supported until that event. On his
defeat he issued a manifesto to the people, declar-
ing hostility to Adams and a preference for Gen.
Jackson. This was the origin of the Jackson party
in Vermont, that soon thereafter styled itself the
Democratic part}'. Shortly after the inaugura-
tion of President Jackson in March 29, President
Jackson appointed Mr. Van Ness Envoy Extraordi-
nary, and Minister Plenipotentiary to Spain, from
which country he returned in 1840, to give his
time and talents to secure the presidential vote of
Vermont for the friend of his youth, Martin Van
Buren.
In 1841, Mr. Van Ness removed from Vermont
to New York city, where he served as collector of
that port in 1844-5, under President Tyler. He
126 EARLY HISTORY
fell heir to a large estate of his brother, John P.
Van Ness of Washington City. The Governor was
often called there, and on his last journey thither
was stopped by sickness at Philadelphia, where he
died Dec. 15, 1852, in the seventy-first year of his
% age. His remains were deposited in the tomb of
his brother in Washington, D. C.
He was elected Governor in 1823, by a vote of
11,479 against a vote of 1,088 for Dudley Chase
and 843 scattering. On October 10th the Gover-
nor elect and Council attended in the House of
Representatives, when the Governor took and sub-
scribed the oath of office. In his speech he alluded
to the fact that it was but forty-seven years since
the United States first claimed the rank of an in-
dependent nation, and that during that period the
improvement of the country, and the increase of
her population and her wealth had been without
parallel ; that the government had been erected by
the sages of the revolution, upon the broad and
durable foundation of equal rights, and stood as
the loftiest monument of human wisdom, and the
most humbling spectacle to tyrants, and then en-
joyed a liberty unknown to any people on the face
of the earth; and was favored with every oppor-
tunity to attend to the internal improvement of
the country ; he regretted that the country was
dependent on foreign nations for the supply of
much that the people consumed, and that the
manufacturing interests of the United States had
been left to struggle with obstacles which it could
never overpower, until the encouragement afforded
to the importation of foreign goods shall be with-
OP VERMONT. 127
drawn, by a sufficient increase of duties or by di-
rect prohibitory regulations; that the. success of
our manufacturing industry depended essentially
on the prosperity of agriculture; by the establish-
ment of manufactories is created a market for the
articles necessary for manufacturing and for sub-
sistence.
He expressed sympathy for some of the nations
of the earth who were struggling for greater liber-
ty. The Greeks, he said, "are bravely struggling
to break the iron fetters of their slavery and to re-
sume a rank among the nations/'
On the subject of Legislation, he said, altera-
tions in the laws "should be resorted to only in
cases of pressing and manifest necessity. The
stability of laws is next in importance to their
wisdom. Yet so great is the desire of mankind for
change, and so predominant their ambition for the
character of reformers that they are seldom at a
loss for subjects to act upon, and even after start-
ing upon slight and apparently judicious amend-
ments, their zeal will frequently urge them to over-
leap the bounds prescribed by themselves in the
outset, and in their progress sweep all before
them, until they have prostrated the fairest insti-
tutions and most valuable systems."
He commended the progress that had been
made in the line of education in the establishment
of Grammar Schools, Academies and Colleges, but
it was of the highest importance that the Common
Schools of the State should be guarded and cher-
ished, as they were of the greatest importance
to the people at large, to fit people for the com-
128 EARLY HISTORY
moo business of life, and enable them to attain a
knowledge of the higher branches which are ac-
quired at the higher institutions of learning. To
raise additional funds for school purposes he re-
garded it expedient to increase the tax to be as-
sessed for this object, on the polls and estate of the
people; he thought there would be no injustice in
compelling the rich to contribute to the education
of the poor; that improving and elevating
society around them renders more safe and valua-
able that which they retain, and enables them to
enjoy it with a greater degree of comfort and
pleasure. He commended the industry of families
in the manufacture of articles of clothing from
materials produced on their own farms; he deemed
it important to afford every facility to manufact-
uring establishments by acts of incorporation, by
reasonable exemption from taxes; he would pro-
mote settlements by immigration from other
States ; he would favor the improvement of the
roads of the State and opening new ones; and
that the militia should be regarded with interest
as they must be the reliance of the Country in
times of trouble and danger until a sufficient regu-
lar army can be raised. He said that under the
law passed in 1817, the Secretary of the State had
ascertained that there were seventy deaf and
dumb persons in the State, and he hoped the Leg-
islature would devise some means for their relief.
In closing his speech to the Legislature, he said,
"as faithful depositories of the public interest, we
should use our utmost endeavors to divest our-
selves of all political and personal prejudices and
OF VERMONT. 129
animosities, and to cultivate in their stead
kind and elevating feelings of mutual confidence
and good will ; to allay all jealousies and dissen-
sions of whatever kind, among the people at large
and between the different classes, trades and pro-
fessions, and to inculcate a general spirit of union
and harmony; to promote industry, economy,
temperance, morality and religion ; to keep steadi-
ly in view that we are not raised to office for our
own advantages or aggrandizement, but to serve
with our best faculties the interest of those whose
agents we are and to whom we haye to account."
These are words from which there can be no dis-
sent.
In 1824, he strongly urged the Legislature to
exempt females from imprisonment on matters of
contract, and said, "The spectacle of an honest
and unfortunate female confined in a common jail,
with persons of all descriptions, or even at all re-
strained of her liberty, because she may be unable
to fulfill a contract, must create the most painful
sensations in the mind of every feeling and honor-
able man/'
The manner of choosing electors of President
and Vice-President came before the Legislature.
The practice had been for the two houses by joint
ballot to appoint the electors, in pursuance of a
concurrent resolution, previously adopted for that
purpose. The Constitution of the United States
provides that "Each State shall appoint, in such
manner as the Legislature thereof may direct, a
number of electors, equal to the whole number of
Senators and Representatives to which the State
to
130 EARLY HISTORY
may be entitled in the Congress." He argued
that it was clear that the people of the State, and
not the Legislature, should choose the electors;
that there was no other way in which the prefer-
ence of the people could be expressed; that the sen-
timents of a majority of the Legislature may or
may not accord with those of a majority of the
people. He recommended that a law be passed,
providing for the appointment of electors by
the people; and he thought they should be elected
on a general ticket and not by districts, as
the electors were to be appointed by the State,
and not some by one portion of the State, and
some by another. In accordance with these rec-
ommendations, the Legislature, on October 25,
1824, passed an act for the election of the electors
by the people, and the substance of the act has
been retained ever since.
The Governor called to the notice of the Legis-
lature the fact that General La Payette was then
on a visit to the United States, and of the pro-
priety of extending to him an invitation to visit
Vermont. The Governor said, "This respected
and venerable patriot, at an early age, left his
country and his family, and for purposes the most
noble and benevolent, sought his way to these
troubled shores. He found the people in a
state of bondage, and placing himself by the side
of their first chief, assisted to lead them through
the wilderness, to the enjoyment of freedom and
independence. He returned to his own country,
and after an absence of forty years, has come once
more to visit that which he gloriously served in
OF VERMONT. 131
his youth. He finds, indeed, that comparatively
few, like himself, have survived the wreck of time,
and remain to greet his arrival, and to talk over
the perils and the glories of their former days.
Yet he finds the children of those who have de-
scended to the tomb; and the hearts of these
swell with affection and reverence for the friend
and companion of their departed fathers. But
above all, he finds himself owned by the whole
nation, as one of the earliest and most distin-
guished benefactors, and is cheered by a universal
burst of gratitude and love from one extreme of
the union to the other." The Legislature requested
the Governor to invite General La Fayette to visit
Vermont. His letter of invitation, and General
LaFayette's reply will be fonnd in Vol. three on
page 41 and 42 of this history.
In 1825 there was great interest manifested in
the State for the improvement of the navigation
of Connecticut River, and in the construction of a
canal to connect the waters of that river with
Lake Memphremagog. These improvements the
Governor favored, and would recommend measures
to forward their accomplishment if the scheme
should be found to be practicable. Orders were
given by the authorities of the United States gov-
ernment to cause an examination and a survey to
to be made of the country between Lake Memphre-
magog and the Connecticut River at Barnet with
a view to ascertain the practicability of con-
structing a canal to unite those waters, and an
examination of Connecticut River from Lake Con-
necticut to the tide waters of Long Island Sound,
132 EARLY HISTORY
but these projects were not carried out. The Gov-
ernor also favored a project to construct a canal
across the center of the State from Connecticut
River by way of Onion River to Lake Cham plain.
The work was not undertaken, undoubtedly, on
account of the impracticability of its construction
or an expense disproportionate to its utility.
Cornelius P. Van Ness took great interest in the
measures of the national government, and was a
statesman of no mean ability.
Ezra Butler was born in Lancaster, Mass.,
Sept. 24, 1763. He came from Weathersfield to
Waterbury in 1785 to prepare a place of residence,
which was occupied by the family in 1786. He
was the second settler in Waterbury, and was
the first Town Clerk of that town, appointed
March 31, 1790, and from that date until 1832 he
was almost constantly in public service; he was
elected town representative for eleven years, and
in the last year of that service— the year of 1807,
he was elected Councillor, and after two days'
service in the House he took his seat in the Council.
He served in the Council sixteen years, when he
was elected Governor in 1826, by a vote of 8966
against a vote of 3157 for Joel Doolittle, and scat-
tering 2037, and re-elected in 1827 by a vote of
13,699 against a vote ot 1951 for Joel Doolittle.
He served one term in Congress in 1813 to March
1815, and in Sept.. 1815, he was again elected to
the Council. He was judge of the County Court for
twenty years, and was in that office when he was
elected Governor; he was one of the Council of
Censors in 1806, and a delegate in the Constitu-
OF VERMONT. 133
tional Convention of 1822. Governor Butler was
a Democrat of the school of Jefferson, for whom he
voted in 1804; he was subsequently elector for
three terms and voted in 1820 for Monroe, in
1828, for John Quincy Adams, and in 1832, for
William Wirt, candidate for President ; he served
in more than one office at the same time, and his
public service covered a period of more than sixty-
five years. In 1800 he was ordained an elder in
the Baptist church, and in that capacity was a
teacher of religion until his death July 12, 1838.
He was a modest mannered man, of grave counte-
nance and moderate in speech, apparently con-
scientious in the discharge of every duty, and firm
in his convictions. His integrity and sound judg-
ment secured for him the extraordinary measure
of public confidence which was accorded him from
first to last, but not by the arts of the politician,
brilliant talents, and graceful manners. His last
speech was delivered in person from the desk of the
Speaker of the House, in a style like that of a ser-
mon. B. P. Walton, who heard him deliver one of
his executive speeches, said there is tradition that
on the occasion of the delivery of one of his
speeches, a man in the gallery invited the joint as-
sembly to "sing Mear." Whether this be true or
not, the suggestion, he said, was truly indicative of
the ministerial manner of the excellent Governor.
In his speech to the Legislature in 1826, he said
that his election as Governor was a favor he never
sought, never expected, but had been freely be-
stowed, and he received it with the deepest grati-
tude. He said, "Ever since the adoption of our
134 EARLY HISTORY
Constitution, with the exception of three or four
years, I have constantly had a direct concern in
the Legislation of this State, or that of the general
government. Neither was the freedom of our
country obtained without my participating in her
sufferings." He said, "Our Country has strug-
gled through trying scenes. They have all termi-
nated in our political prosperity, and resulted in
the stability and permanency of our institutions.
We see her rapidly advancing to the high eminence
of national importance to which she is evidently
destined. The people in every part of the Union
are in the full enjoyment of all that liberty which
the honest can desire, both civil and religious;
with the exception only of that unfortunate class
of the human species, held in servitude in some of
our sister States, but he hoped for their complete
emancipation in such a way as should be consist-
ent with the safety and peace of the community.
His recommendation that in the commitment of
debtors for debt that the creditor be made liable
for all expenses chargeable on the town, where the
indigent debtor has settlement or happens to re-
side, was of doubtful policy, and has never been
adopted by the State.
He expressed himself strongly against any Leg-
islation that would encourage lotteries, and was
opposed to raising money in that way, and said
that "the principles of morality in Vermont must
suffer a sad decline before this species of gambling
will be sanctioned by the government and ap-
proved by the people." He enjoined economy in
both private and public concerns, and said "Econ-
OF VERMONT. 135
omy is of importance in all the concerns of private
life; without it no individual can long be prosper-
ous or happy. It is essential in the affairs of
government. It has marked the general course of
former legislation in Vermont," and he enjoined
frugality in the expenditure of the public treasure.
In his speech of 1827, he seemed to favor some
legislation that would ensure the wise expenditure
of the public money raised for the support of
schools; that a proper board should be appointed
in each county or town, for the examination of
those who were to be emploj'ed as instructors;
and that every town should appoint suitable per-
sons to visit the schools.
One of the propositions that was widely dis-
cussed in the United States at that period was
whether the election of am* one person as Presi-
dent of the United States should not be limited to
one term of Tour years. He took strong ground
against limiting the right of the Presidential office
to one term, and a large part of his speech was
taken up with the expression of his views on that
question. He said, "there can be no better guide
in politics than past experience. Look at the
present prosperous condition of the United States
—three successive administrations continued eight
years each ; one after another steadily progressing
in prosperity and credit, at home and abroad. Is
all this to be forgotten in our future march? Or
shall this instructive lesson be improved as a lamp
to our path? It is true, no one can say what
would have been the consequence if Jefferson had
not received his second election; and Madison, and
136 EARLY HISTORY
Monroe had shared the same fate; and all three,
one after another, had been dismissed from public
service at the end of their first term. * * * There
is no other way in which the great body of the
freemen can express their approbation of the first
four years 9 administration, but by the second
election. Should that take place, and should the
same course be pursued the last four, the Pesident
leaves the chair of state with the sealed approba-
tion of the nation— his reputation is secure forever,
as it ought to be. * * * The doctrine against
which I protest, in its practical operation, would
in all cases deprive the State of the services of the
ablest statesmen, at a time when they would be
most capable of being useful, and perhaps at a
time when their services would be indispensably
necessary to preserve the country from destruc-
tion, and the government from dissolution. If it
has been so difficult to concentrate the public
opinion once in eight years, will it not be much
more so, to unite on a new candidate once in every
four? There is some risk in placing the power of
the nation in inexperienced hands every four
years."
Samuel Chandler Crafts was a son of Col.
Ebenezer Crafts, and was born in Woodstock,
Conn., Oct. 6, 1768; he graduated at Harvard
University in 1790, and in 1791, settled in Crafts-
bury. He was clerk of that town in 1799, and
until March 1829, a term of thirty years; he was
a delegate to the Constitutional Convention in
1793, being the youngest member in that body,
and again a delegate in 1829, and was its Presi-
OF VERMONT. 137
dent; he represented Craftsbury in the General
Assembly in 1796, 1800, 1801, 1803 and 1805;
Clerk of the House in 1798 and 1799; Counselor
in 1809 and until 1813, and again in 1825 and
until 1828 ; he was Clerk of the Courts in 1836
and until 1838 ; Register of Probate in 1796 until
1815; he was Member of Congress in 1817 until
March 1825, and Governor of the State in 1828,
until 1831. He was United States Senator from
Dec. 1842 until March 3, 1843; Presidential
Elector in 1840. In June 1802, while there were
but few log huts on the site of the present city of
Cincinnati, Ohio, he commenced a tour of observa-
tion to the lower Mississippi, and in company
with Michaux, the younger, made a botanical re-
connaissance of the Valley of the Great West in
canoes and "arks." He had the confidence of the
people of Vermont to as large a measure as any
other public man ; he was modest and unassum-
ing in deportment, active in every good work,
and serving for many years as an officer of State
Benevolent Societies. He died November 19, 1853.
In his first speech as Governor to the Legisla-
ture in 1828, while commenting upon the subject
of the incorporation of Banks he expressed his
conviction that while Banks were necessary for
carrying on the various operations of commercial
transactions requiring the frequent use and inter-
change of large sums of money, yet he said) "in
an inland country, almost exclusively agricultur-
al, the necessity of banks is considered much more
questionable. That a certain number might be
sustained without any material injury to the in-
138 EARLY HISTORY
terests of the people ; or that in some respects,
they may prove beneficial, but this number has its
limits, beyond which any increase will prove injuri-
ous. * * * The motives which influence monied
men to apply for these incorporations, partake
less of patriotism and a desire to benefit the com-
munity than to procure a profitable investment
of their money." On the subject of taxation for
the benefit of roads he said in substance, that the
mode of taxation in the early days of our govern-
ment when the townships were sparsely settled,
and not divided into severalties, lands were taxed
without reference to their value, to render them
more accessible to settlers; for those times that
mode of taxation may have been fair. But the
time had come when the mode of taxation should
be changed; some lands, by their proximity to
settlements and to public roads, or from improve-
ments made upon them had become very valuable,
while other lands lying on mountains, destitute of
roads, and often unfit for cultivation, were of little
value; that taxation should be according to the
value of the land.
He put his seal of disapprobation upon nullifi-
cation and all nullifiers. He said "there were rest-
less and aspiring characters, some of whom have
stood high in the estimation, and have partaken
largely of the confidence, of their fellow citizens,
who from disappointed ambition, sectional preju-
dices, or from other motives as little patriotic, and
as regardless of the peace and prosperity of their
country as of their own political reputation,
have publicly advanced doctrines, and recom-
OF VERMONT. 139
mended measures, hostile to the fundamental prin-
ciples of our government, and, in their tendency,
subversive of the integrity of our Union. That
these doctrines instead of receiving the prompt
and decided disapprobation of the public, have on
the contrarj', acquired numerous proselytes, must,
to the patriot, be matter for astonishment and re-
gret. It is however to be hoped that the sober
and reflecting portion of tiie population of that
section have nothing to gain but much to lose, by
a dissolution of the Union, will be found so great
as to render these treasonable and seditious pro-
ceedings abortive." He referred especially to the
course that John C. Calhoun of South Carolina
had taken in the advocacy of the doctrine of State
rights.
He also condemned the bitterness and acrimony
with which the contests for the highest offices in
our government were conducted, and the mis-
representations, slanders and abuse that were so
unsparingly bestowed upon the first characters of
our country. He said "If the highest officers in
our government— men of great experience, ac-
knowledged talents, of the directest integrity,
whose measures after being subjected to the se-
verest scrutiny, and found to be wise, prudent and
promotive of the honor and best interests of our
country, are to be vilified— their characters tra-
duced—their motives questioned, and their acts
misrepresented, the time cannot be distant when
the wise, the prudent, and the friends of peace and
order will retire from the. contest; and our offices
will be filled with the ambitious, the unprincipled,
and the designing."
140 EARLY HISTORY
He evidently was convinced of the pernicious
effects of the use of intoxicating drinks among the
militia, for in his speech to the Legislature in 1829,
he said, "The demoralizing effects of the practice
so general with officers of the militia, of treating
their companies with spirits on training days,
has been witnessed by many with regret. Thi3
practice has been of so long standing that few
officers are disposed to risk their popularity by
adopting a different course. It imposes a heavy
burden npon the. officers without any adequate
benefit to the companies, but often the reverse-
causing frequent instances of intemperance, pro-
fanity and strife. It is believed that a law prohib-
iting this practice would be very acceptable to the
orderly portion of our citizens. 1 ' In his time it
had become evident as shown by observation and
experience of many, that any practice not forbid-
den by law and public sentiment, that tends to
undue excitement among a large number of per-
sons assembled, will become demoralizing to socie-
ty and harmful to the individual participating;
and if the practicing is long continued, it becomes
an evil hard to be eradicated ; this is especially so
in the use of intoxicating drinks and in the use of
morphine and other narcotics.
He recommended improvement in the State Pris-
on for the better accommodation of the prison-
ers, having in view their reformation, a larger
number of cells should be furnished; as it was,
it was necessary to confine two prisoners in
one cell—and often the hardened villain with the
youthful offender were put together in the same
OF VERMONT. 141
cell, giving them an opportunity for conversation
through the night, to recount over their deeds of
wickednes, the means used to circumvent the un-
suspecting, and to form plans for future depreda-
tions on society. He said, "It has been found by
experience, that by confining the convicts in sepa-
rate cells, so that when they leave their work shop
they can hold no communication with each other,
and kept in silence and solitude, under a never-
ceasing supervision and inspection, these evils
have been prevented. In the solitude of their cells,
they have much time for reflection, and are ren-
dered peculiarly susceptible to instruction in moral
and religious principles." He appointed Joshua Y.
Vail, Esq., as an agent of Vermont to aid the Unit-
ed States Topographical Engineers to make exam-
ination and surveys, with a view to connect the
waters of Lake Champlain and the River Connec-
ticut by a canal, by the way of the Valley of On-
ion River.
It was evident by his last annual Speech to the
Legislature in 1830, that the education of the
youth of the State lie very near his heart; he
thought that in republican form of government,
where the people elected their own rulers, and dic-
tated and controlled the general policy, measures
and laws of government, a more general diffusion
of information, and correct knowledge of their
rights and duties, are required than under other
forms of government; to qualify the youth to per-
form the high responsible duties of freeman, they
should, in addition to the usual course of instruc-
tion, be instructed in the principles of our free in-
142 EARLY HISTORY
stitutions, in the social relations, in a love of coun-
try, of order, morality, religion, and in whatever
shall tend to establish correct habits and princi-
ples; with a population thus educated, the liber-
ties of our countries will be safe; and that means
should be provided that this end thould he at-
attained.
He had a high opinion of the State, of its capa-
bilities and resources, for he said it possessed "a
salubrious climate, a productive soil, much min-
eral wealth, an immense amount of water power,
and an industrious, enterprising and intelligent
population, and it seemed destined to become,
when her natural resources shall be developed, a
very important member of our great family of
States, but situated at a distance from the sea-
board, she can have no participation in the com-
merce with foreign nations; her attention must
necessarily be turned to the improvement of her
internal resources." He foresaw the great disad-
vantages the people of the State would labor un-
der in getting the products of the State, whether
obtained from the soil or from manufacturing, to
a distant market; he was aware that some cheap-
er mode of communication should be effected, by
the construction of canals or railroads or by the
improvements of the waterways of the State be-
fore any considerable amount of capital would be
invested in manufactures. Undoubtedly at that
time he did not anticipate that the State would
ever have the numerous railroads with which it is
provided at this present writing, amply supply-
ing the people with facilities of communication
OF VERMONT. 143
and commercial advantages in taking the prod-
ucts of their labors to the markets of the world at
reasonable prices.
During his administration he negotiated with
the authorities of Lower Canada to cause the ob-
struction across the river at the outlet of Lake
Memphremagog to be removed so that the water
in said lake might be reduced to its former height.
The obstruction in the river had caused the water
in the lake to rise so as to flood and render a
large area of farming lands in Vermont valueless.
Governor Crafts was a man of sterling worth, and
in whom the people of the State had great confi-
dence.
William Adams Palmer of Danville was the .
son of Stephen and Susannah Palmer, who came
to this country from England previous to the Rev-
olutionary war. William A. Palmer was born in
Hebron, Conn., Sept. 12, 1781; he having in his
youth lost a part of one hand by an accident, he
was induced to choose a professional life; he
studied law in the office of John Thompson Peters
of Hebron. About the time Mr. Palmer became
of age he came to Chelsea, Vermont, and after
studying in the office of Hon. Daniel Buck a while
he was admitted to the bar of Orange County.
Seeking a place of settlement, he visited Browning-
ton, and spent a short time in the law office of
Hon. William Baxter; then went to Derby, and
not liking the people there, he settled in St. Johns-
bury about the year 1805. In 1807 he was ap-
pointed Judge of Probate for Caledonia County,
and also County Clerk, and removed to Danville.
144 EARLY HISTORY
His public offices were numerous. He was County
Clerk in 1807 until 1815; Judge of Probate in
1807 and 1811 until 1817 ; represented Danville in
the General Assembly of 1811, 1812, 1818, 1825
and 1829; State Senator in 1836 and 1837; Dele-
gate in the Constitutional Convention of 1827,
1836 and 1850; Judge of the Supreme Court in
1816, and was re-elected in 1817, but declined the
office ; he was United States Senator from October
1818 until March 4, 1825, having been elected
October 20, 1818, both to fill the unexpired term
of James Fisk and the full succeeding term. He
voted for the Missouri compromise, which ren-
dered him for a time unpopular, but he became
Governor in 1831. There was no election of Gov-
ernor that year by the people. The popular vote
stood 15,258 for William A. Palmer, 12,990 for
Heman Allen, 6158 for Ezra Meach, scattering
270; William A. Palmer was elected Governor on
the ninth ballot in joint Assembly. On the ninth
ballot the vote stood 114 for William A. Palmer,
Anti-Mason, 36 for Heman Allen, National Repub-
lican, 42 for Ezra Meach, Democrat, 35 for Samuel
C. Crafts, National Republican, which gave
William A. Palmer one majority. He held the
office until 1835, when there was no election by
the people for that office nor by the Legislature,
and Silas H. Jenison became Governor by virtue of
his election as Lieutenant Governor. In 1832
there again was no election of Governor by the
people, the vote standing 17,318 for William A.
Palmer, Anti-Mason, 15.499 for Samuel C. Crafts,
National Republican, and 8,210 for Ezra Meach,
OF VERMONT. 145
but Governor Palmer was elected in joint Assem-
bly on the forty-third ballot, receiving 111 votes
against 72 for Crafts, 37 for Meach and one scat
-ering. In 1833 Governor Palmer was re-elected
by the people, but in 1834 there was no election
by the people, the votes standing 17,131 for Gov-
ernor Palmer, Anti-Mason, 10,365 for William C.
Bradley, Democrat, 10,159 for Horatio Seymour,
Whig and 84 scattering, but Governor Palmer was
re-elected in joint Assembly by 12G votes out of
168 votes cast.
In his speech on taking the chair as Governor
of the State in 1831, he declared that the condi-
tion of our common country was that of peace,
prosperity and happiness; that the evils to which
we were subject were light and transient in their
character; the conflicts of opinion incident to a
free government produce sometimes, contentions
and divisions which for a time are alarming and
portentious in their aspect; but thej* are generally
of short duration, and when they have passed
away, like the commotion of the elements, leave a
clear sky and a purer atmosphere. They present
no serious obstructions in our march to national
happiness; and the Old World is profiting by our
example. He said, "a special regard should be paid
to that great principle incorporated in our Bill of
Rights, which declares, 'that government is, or
ought to be instituted for the common benefit,
protection and security of the people, nation or
community, and not for the particular emolument
or advantage of any single man, family or set of
men who are a part of the community.' "
146 EARLY HISTORY
i
He expressed himself in favor of the polity of a
protective tariff, and giving encouragement to
works of internal improvement— the improve-
ment of the various channels of communication
between the different parts of the State and with
other States, the promotion of trade, agriculture,
and manufactures.
He expressed himself in favor of changing the
law so that the person of the debtor, where there
was not strong presumption of fraud, should not
be continued in prison after delivering up all his
estate for the use of his creditor. He was in favor
of enacting a statute to prohibit the administering
of oaths except when necessary to secure the faith-
ful discharge of official trusts, and to elicit the
truth in the administration of justice. He further
said/ 1 ! submit also to your consideration whether
the cause of morality, and the general good, do
not demand your interposition to diminish the
frequency of their imposition even for the above
purposes." The writer would submit to the read-
er whether it would not be quite as well to discon-
tinue the practice of administering the oath to all
witnesses testifying in Court, and make the wit-
ness by law liable to prosecution for wilfully falsi-
fying in his testimony given in Court on a material
point. It would seem that the Governor was
right in suggesting that the general good would
be subserved in requiring the oath to be adminis-
tered with diminishing frequency.
In his speech of 1832 he insisted that the only
permanent basis upon which republican govern-
ment could rest was knowledge and virtue; and
OF VERMONT. 147
declared that the venerable founders of otir gov-
ernment were well aware of this great truth, and
therefore declared in our constitution that "a com-
petent number of schools ought to be maintained
in each town for the convenient instruction of
youth, and one or more grammar schools be in-
corporated and properly supported in each county
in this State;" and that it become the duty of the
guardians of the public welfare to inquire whether
the good intentions and wise policy of our fore-
fathers have been carried into effect in the various
parts of the State. He was strongly in favor of an
efficient organization of the militia, upon whom we
must depend in case of sudden invasion and imme-
diate attacks, before more elaborate preparations
could be made, and internal commotions prevented;
but history warns us in language too plain to be
misunderstood, to beware of the danger of a large
standing army.
He thought it unwise in President Jackson to
refuse his assent to the bill passed by Congress for
a re-charter of the United States Bank; he !>e-
lieved that a great majority of the people of this
State were in favor of its re-charter, from the con-
sideration that the Bank had exercised a salutary
influence in equalizing the currency of the country,
and in preventing many of the State Banks from
suspending specie payments.
As to the opposition to the law regulating the
tariff of duties by the Southern section of the
Union, he said, 'from recent manifestations of pub-
lic feeling in that quarter, we have much reason to
fear that the party claiming the extraordinan*
148 EARLY HISTORY
right to nullify any law of Congress, which in
their opinion has not been passed in strict con-
formity to the provisions of the constitution ot
the United States, will result in immediate civil
commotion, or a separation ftom the other mem-
bers of the Confederacy." He declared that in the
Union alone is there any adequate security for our
liberty.
In his speech of 1833 he regarded the great
improvement in Agriculture, the increase of Com-
merce, and the progress and encouragement of the
Arts, in our Country, as furnishing the most satis-
factory proof of the excellence of our political in-
stitutions; to maintain them demanded great
intelligence in the body of the people, and great re-
liance must be placed on our Common Schools,
Academies and Colleges.
In 1834, in his last speech as Governor, he
claimed that "the sentiment in regard to public
worship, religion and morality, interwoven with
our constitution, as far as our limited knowledge
can extend, have had great influence on the people.
These circumstances, under our established form
of government, excluding as it does all persecu-
tions and intolerance in matters of religion and
modes of worship, give to our State an honorable
station in the view of the enlightened part of the
world."
He alluded again to the militia, and said, "It is
the great depository of our liberty and independ-
ence—it is the first and last hope of our Country."
He said, in substance, that previous to the revolu-
tion the greatest care was taken to keep the mili-
OF VERMONT. 149
tia in an unorganized and inefficient state, bat
when the war with England became inevitable, a
re-organization of the whole body of the militia
took place ; that the material composing the mili-
tia were independent and aspiring citizens, whose
fearless spirit never was, and never will be, subdued
by foreign domination. They will sooner nobly
perish on the field of battle, than surrender their
beloved Country to an inexorable and haughty
invader, and it was not proper to let them remain
unimproved.
The Governor informed the Legislature that he,
pursuant to a resolution of the General Assembly
at their previous session, had endeavored to re-
new the correspondence with the Governor General
of the British Province upon the subject of ob-
structions at the outlet of the waters of Lake
Champlain, and in his letter to the Governor of
Lower Canada, he requested that government to
appoint commissioners, to meet such as were ap-
pointed on the part of Vermont, for the purpose of
ascertaining the true cause or causes of the over-
flowing of the lands in this State on the margin of
Lake Champlain and its tributary streams, and
the extent of the evils complained of, but he had
not received an answer from any of the authorities
of that government.
He closed his speech by saying that, *'At a
period of uncommon agitation and embarrass-
ment, it is among the important duties required
of us to soar above local and partial views— to
cherish and inculcate a disinterested spirit, and to
secure, by every possible means, the blessings of
liberty to ourselves and our posterity."
150 EARLY HISTORY
Silas Heminway Jenison, son of Levi and
Ruth Jenison, was born in Shoreham May 17,
1791, ami was the first native of the State to be-
come its Governor. His father was a farmer, who
died when Silas was only about one year old, and
his life was spent for many years on a farm man-
aged by his mother. He obtained his education
at the common district school ; he acquired a taste
for reading, which abided with him through life.
After his regular school days were over, he en-
gaged the services of Gideon Sissons, an old school
master of Shoreham, who was skilled in Latin and
French languages, arithmetic, algebra and survey-
ing, and from him the young man acquired a hand
writing round and free, and the skill of an accurate
surveyor, in which his services were often em-
ployed to the close of his life. It has been claimed
that he possessed many of the qualities of the first
Governor Chittenden, sound common sense, fideli-
ty in the discharge of every duty, an earnest re-
gard for the interest of the State, and fearless in
the discharge of every duty which devolved upon
him as the Chief Magistrate of the State. It was
during his administration that "the Patriot Re-
bellion" in Lower Canada occurred, in which the
sympathies of the people of Vermont were largely
with the rebels. The Governor saw that neutrali-
ty was the duty of the nation, and of Vermont as a
part of it, be therefore issued a proclamation warn-
ing the people against taking part in the rebellion,
and called out the militia to aid the officers of the
United States in repressing those bodies of armed
men who were moving to aid the rebellion in Can-
OK VERMONT. 151
acla ; while by this course he forfeited the good
will of some voters, he was sustained by a majori-
ty of the people, for in 1840 he received the largest
majority of votes for Governor which had ever
before l>een cast. He was a member of the General
Assembly in 1826 and until 1831 ; Judge of Addi-
son County Court in 1829 and until 1835, and
was elected Lieutenant Governor in 1835, and be-
came the Acting Governor on the failure of the elec-
tion of "Governor, and was elected Governor by the
people in 1836, and held that office until 1841,
when he declined a re-election. He died October
30, 1 849.
In his message to the House and Senate in 1836,
he seemed to foresee that there would be a drain
of wealth and of the best citizens *of the State un-
less means of communication were improved in
the State. He said, "to one who has attentively
marked the march of improvements among our
sister States, who has seen canals and railroads
made and built as by magic, while no attempt has
been made to improve the facilities of communica-
tion in our own State, the cause of our daily drain
of wealth, and what is of incalculably greater im-
portance to any community, the unprecedented
emigration of our best enterprising citizens is not
problematical. "
The year of 1837 was marked as one of a pecu-
liarly disastrous character as it related to the de-
rangement of the currency. Many of the Banks
had been rendered liable to a forfeiture of their
charters by their suspension of specie payments.
The Governor was inclined not to recommend a
152 EARLY HISTORY
rigid enforcement of the penalties provided in the
act relating to the chartering of Banks, he thought
that course would increase the difficulty of a suf-
fering people, and invited the Legislature to con-
sider the question of legalizing this act of the
Banks, and treat their delinquency, as he thought
the Banks were doing the best they could to re-
sume specie payment. He placed great reliance
on the forbearance of the patriotic citizens of the
State. But the next year he stated that confi-
dence was reviving with astonishing rapidity, and
business was returning to its accustomed channels,
evincing that the energies of a free people, cannot
for any length of time, be restrained by the most
untoward circumstances, and that our people can
accommodate themselves to any circumstances*
and surmount any difficulties.
He would have the law changed so that there
would not be any imprisonment for debt; that
the misfortune of poverty should not be punished
as crime, and that punishment should not be left
to be meted out by the creditor. He thought the
law as it then was, put it in the power of a vindic-
tive creditor to fix a distant day for trial, and in
the meantime imprison the poor debtor if he failed
to obtain the aid of friends.
As to the punishment for crime he seemed to
favor the abolishment of capital punishment. He
said the only sound reasons for the infliction of
punishment are based upon the reformation of the
criminal and the security of the people. The right
to inflict capital punishment was doubted by
many of our intelligent and philanthropic fellow
OF VERMONT. 153
citizens, and that number was constantly increas-
ing; that the right to destroy, it was argued, does
not belong to an individual, and consequently
could not be transferred to government; that
juries were liable to be influenced to clear the
guilty by the consideration that a verdict of guilty
would result in the death of a fellow being. He
recommended that when capita! punishment was
inflicted there should be no public execution, but
that it be done within the walls of the prison.
He favored a geological survey of the State,
and said, in substance, that it was our true policy
to adopt such measures as would foster the indus-
try of our citizens, and encourage the commence-
ment of new branches of profitable employment
by developing the natural mineral and agricult-
ural resources of the Country, and place within
the reach of the young and ardent, a reasonable
prospect of competence and wealth, and thereby
check the tide of emigration, which was draining
us of a desirable portion of our population.
In his annual message he again expressed him-
self in favor of modifying the law as to the collec-
tion of debts so as to put the poor debtor out of
the power of a vindictive creditor and give him a
right of immediate trial when arrested for debt
and unable to procure bail.
He informed the Legislature that disturbances
that had then recently taken place in the Province
of Canada had caused much excitement among
the citizens of Vermont. Men of the best feeling
and much moral worth participated largely in
their sympathies with those whom thev deemed
154 KARLY HISTORY
oppressed, and that their habits and education
led to that result, but he had taken measures to
prevent the inhabitants of the State from engaging
in an unlawful interference with a neighboring
power. And in his message in 1839, he said the
political disturbances, referred to continued, and
the contest had been carried on with cruelty, "re-
sulting in a system of incendiarism of the most
reckless and desperate character on the frontier/'
the object of which was to provoke and exasper-
ate the public mind, and bring on a state of feeling
between the inhabitants of the two countries
which would result in war. A number of citizens
of Vermont were subject to heavy losses by the
destruction of their buildings and other property
by fire. He called out some portion of the militia
of the State to suppress such disturbance; that
the militia after a few days of service were relieved
by regular troops mustered into the service of the
United States.
During that year an application was made by
the authorities of Canada, to the Governor for the
surrender of one Holmes for crime committed
there, and he made an order for the delivery of
Holmes to the Canadian government, but the exe-
cution of it was prevented by a writ of Habeas
Corpus from the Supreme Court of the State. This
led the Governor to say that if the laws of nations
and the courtesies which are supposed to subsist
between countries at peace, whose territories are
contiguous, do not warrant the exercise of the
power necessary to make the surrender of atro-
cious criminals escaping from one country to the
OF VERMONT. 155
other, if the foreign felon can force himself upon us,
claiming protection under our law from merited
punishment, and all laws emanating from State
Legislatures on the subject are unconstitutional
and inoperative, it becomes our immediate duty, as
a measure of self-protection, promptly to make
such representations to the general government,
that proper measures be taken to enable the prop-
er authorities to mutually demand and surrender
persons charged with great crimes in one gov-
ernment and escaping into the territories of an-
other.
In 1840 in his message to the Senate and House
of Representatives he said that "Under our happy
form of government, the rights of the humblest
citizens are as sacredly secured as those of the
most favored ; and every act, which shall necessa-
rily limit or abridge those rights is a positive con-
travention of the letter of our Constitution, and
in direct violation of the spirit of our Civil Consti-
tution. To encourage the practice of virtue, to
prevent the commission of crime, to foster the in-
terest of education, to promote the industries and
improvement'of the Country, and to protect the
personal liberty and rights of our citizens, are
among our legitimate and proper duties. In pop-
ular governments, the law depends for its efficien-
cy mainly upon the convictions of the people of its
necessity and expediency."
CHAPTER VII.
CHARLES PAINE, JOHN MATTOCKS, AND
WILLIAM SLADE, AND THEIR AD-
MINISTRATIONS AS GOVERNORS.
Charles Paine was a son of Elijah Paine, a
distinguished Judge of the District Court of the
United States for Vermont. The son, the subject
of this sketch, was born at Williamstown, Ver-
mont, on April 15, 1799. He became a member of
Harvard College at the age of seventeen; he was
greatly distinguished for his services in manufac-
tures and especially in the construction of the Ver-
mont Central Railroad and of railroads in Texas.
He became financially embarrassed by reason of
his connection with railroad matters. He died at
Waco, Texas, July 6, 1853, at the age of 54 years.
The town of Northfield is greatly indebted to
to him for their beautiful village. The railroad
shops were located there through his influence; he
was Northfield 's great benefactor; he donated the
land on which was built the Academy, and five
hundred dollars in money and an excellent ap-
paratus for the institution; He gave the land for
Elmwood Cemetery, the deed of which was exe-
cuted by his administrators after his death, pursu-
ant to his wishes previously expressed; the church
in the Depot Village was built by his funds, and
was occupied by the Congregational Society.
"(166)
OP VERMONT. 157
On Jan. 8, 1847,, he was the first to break
ground near the depot in building the Vermont
Central Railroad,— the spade with which he did it
was preserved by the railroad officials.. The first
train came into the new depot on October 11,
1848, at 20 minutes past nine o'clock, p.m. He
made the first excursion on the new railroad Nov.
4, 1848; and during the ride on that excursion he
composed a song of 13 verses, the first of which
was as follows: viz.,
'•We took an earlj start to-dajr
And braved a rough old ride,
To i each the place where Paine, they s.ij\
The iron horse, was breathing gas
In the sequestered vale.
And every one ambitious was
To ride upon a rail !
Hurrah! Hurrah!
For Governor Paine, the raller !
He builds hi* roads o'er rocks and hills
And goes for General Taylor!
Hon. Heman Carpenter said in his eulogy on
him, "By his influence and his energy, the Charter
of the Vermont Central Rrilroad was obtained,
and to him we are indebted for the accomplish-
ment of this stupendous vtork ! This is his Afon-
ment! And when we are dead and forgotten, then
fresh in the memory of the future will be his name
— as long as the Iron Horse shall traverse our
State his name will be cherished by the honest,
hardy sons of the Green Mountain State."
He was Governor of Vermont from 1841 to
1843.
In his Message to the legislature in 1841, he
158 EARLY HISTORY
recommended scrutiny and vigilance respecting
our common school system as well a« to our high-
er seminaries of learning. The latter, he said, are
nurseries of our professional men, and they conse-
quently exert as great an influence on society as
our common schools. If it is important that our
farmers and mechanics should be well qualified for
usefulness and responsibility in their callings, it is
equally essential that our clergymen, our states-
men and physicians, and our school masters,
should be so in theirs.
He expressed himself in favor of a geological
survey of the State, and an examination into the
botony of the State.
He showed a deep interest in the matter ot in-
ternal improvements. He said that "at no distant
period we may expect that public attention will
l>e actively directed towards the subject. When
the enterprise of other States shall have brought,
as they soon will bring their railroads to our bor-
ders, the means will not be wanting of continuing
them through our own State." This prophecy
and his expectations were soon realized— they have
been more than fulfilled as is evidenced by the
many railroads traversing our State at this writ-
ing.
He expressed himself strongly in favor of a dis-
criminative system of revenue from duties on im-
ports, and said that under that system the
country had emerged from embarrassment to
wealth, power and natural greatness, and he
had no doubt of the Constitutional power of Con-
gress to impose duties for the purpose of prohibi-
OF VERMONT. 159
tion, anil thought it wise to urge upon our delega-
tion in Congress the neeessity of shielding, by an
adequate tariff, the domestic industries of the
country, against competition with the pauper
labor and solid capital of Europe.
He expressed himself against a second term
for President, and in favor of taking away from
him the veto power.
In his annual message of 1842, he suggested a
way to overcome the competition of the great
West. He said "the rich and almost boundless
plains of the great West are become covered with
flocks of sheep, which will soon furnish supplies
of wool in such abundance as may seriously affect
the sale of our own. But as the West also can
produce everything else cheaper than the Atlantic
States, it would l)e in vain to attempt to comi>ete
with them in any other product designed for the
general market. Our constant study should,
therefore, be directed to creating and building a
market, among ourselves, and to establish the
means of such communication with the markets
on the sea boards as would enable us to dispose
of our products without fear of competition from
the distant west ; and the most obvious means to
accomplish this desirable object is the introduc-
tion of railroads, and the encouragement of man-
ufactures aiid the mechanic arts."
He congratulated the country in having lx»cn
rescued from the destruction which then seemed,
to him, as impending over them by the wise efforts
of Congress to secure a tariff of duties adequate
to protect them, and that the people had every
160 EARLY HISTORY
reason to hope that the prosperity of the countrj'
would begin to revive.
John Mattocks lived at Peacham when the
Academy in that town was having its prosperous
days. It has been said of him that he was cham-
pion of the Academy boys. He read law at Mid-
dlebury, with his brother-in-law, Miller, a distin-
guished member of the bar. As early as 1827, he
had become one of the first lawyers of the State.
After studying law, he removed to Peacham.,
where be spent the remainder of his life, mainly in
the practice of his chosen profession. Judge Isaac
P.Redfield said that it "might not unjustly be said
of him that he wielded a wider and more controll-
ing influence than any man of his j r ears had ever
done before, or ever done since, in the State." He
was a Federalist in politics and one of the most
influential members of that party in the State, and
in influence was classed with such men as Isaac*
Tichenor, Nathaniel and Daniel Chipmao, Chaun-
cey Langdon, Charles H. Williams, Samuel and
Benjamin Swift, Samuel Miller, Daniel Farrand,
Daniel Buck, Elijah Paine and Samuel Prentiss.
He represented his town in the Legislature as
often as he desired ; he was a member of Congress
from his district from 1821 to 1823, and from
1825 to 1827, and again from 1841 to 1843 ; he
was a member of the Supreme Court from 1833
to 1835; and Governor of the State one year
from 1843 to 1844. While he was Governor,
Richard M . Johnson visited the State and was re-
ceived by the Governor and General Assembly in
joint session, and at the time the Governor made
OF VERMONT. 161
one of his happy speeches of welcome, and conclud-
ing, in his own inimitable manner, by addressing
Johnson, "How are you, Dick Johnson? I am glad
to welcome you to this State, and to this Cham-
ber." The Vice President afterwards said, "he
was sorry he had not known his Excellency's sou-
briquet that he might have replied, "How are you,
Jack Mattocks? God bless you." In times of re-
laxation, and when no deep sense of responsibility
rested upon him, he was a man of great geniality
and playfulness of character. His witticisms in
the undertone of the bar, were remembered a long
time b\- the members of the legal profession, who
had the opportunity of listening to him, and were
thought worth repeating.
Governor Mattocks' life work was not mainly
accomplished in political positions, although he
secured a large share of the public confidence
throughout the well rounded term of his earthly
existence. Isaac F. Red field, who was one of the
Supreme Judges of the State for many years and
had lxren associated with Mattccks at the bar,
wrote of him from Boston January 6th, 1876,
that "Gov. Mattocks' great field of excellence and
glory was at the bar. There is no shamming,
and no short cuts to eminence there. Stern justice
applies its measuring-rod with unflinching impar-
tiality to all comers there, whether from the walls
of the universities, or from the fields and the flocks,
or the highways and byways of common life in
any department. There is there no favoritism,
and no stinted or grudging recognition of power
or strength in that field. The humblest may there
is
1G2 EARLY HISTORY
expect a patient hearing, and the most highly fa-
vored can demand no more. It was my fortune,
when 1 came to the bar in Orleans county, to find
all the important advocating in the hands of law-
yers from other counties. And of this number,
Gov. Mattock 8 was far the most eminent, al-
though there were many others, such as Fletcher,
Cushman, Paddock and Bell, that it would not be
easy to match anywhere in the State at any time
since. We naturally felt some humiliation at such
a state of things, but we coultf not break it up,
since the clients would control the matter to a
large extent, in spite of the advice of the local bar.
But we could and did seek redress in another way.
Some of the members of that bar attended the
terms in the adjoining counties, and returned the
favor they did us by arguing their causes. This
was always kindly received bv Gov. Mattocks.
His position was too assured to feel any twinges
of envy or jealousy. He said of his old companions
of the bar, that it had something of the sound of
old Roman times, "delendo est Carthago" more
in sport or badinage than in earnest, no doubt.
The most effective and eloquent address I ever
heard from Governor Mattocks, was the closing
address to the jury on behalf of the Information in
the trial of Cleveland for murder in procuring
an abortion. The accused was connected by
affinity with some of the most influential families
in the State, who naturally shrunk from being de-
clared kindred with a murderer, which gave great
interest to the trial in many as|>ects. The court
was composed of the Chief Justice apd one other
OF VERMONT. 163
judge of the Supreme Court, with two lay assist-
ants. The law was discussed at the bar from day
to day, during the trial, and was supposed to l>e def-
initely settled 1x?fore Mr. Mattocks arose to make
his closing argument. The popular sentiment
seemed quietly to have settled down into the expec-
tation of a verdict of manslaughter. But Mr.
Mattocks had not spoken twenty minutes before
we all felt that he was carrying everything before
him with the power of the enchanting wand.
The spectators, the bar, and the court, and espe-
cially the jury comprehended at a glance that
Mattocks would accept nothing less than a ver-
dict of murder in the first degree, and this he
must and would have, in spite of all obstruction
from the public opinion, or the charge of the court.
His manner was cool almost to solemnity, his
diction plain, even to the very verge of the com-
mon places of the vernacular in ordinary con-
versation. His person short and dumpy, and his
eye almost obscured by fixed introversion, gave no
special force to his look, or his manner, which was
indeed that of fixedness, rather than of expression. '
But his words possessed such a power as words
never seemed to me to have on any other occasion.
He arranged the evidence in a manner it had never
l>efore assumed, and the rule of law which he in-
voked from the court as the only security of the life
of the body politic, and of each of its members, was
so simple and natural, as to seem irresistible, and
such it proved for the court at once acceded to it,
withdrawing all its former announcements.
I have listened to Webster, and to most of the
164 EARLY HISTORY
more distinguished American orators, both at the
bar and in Congress, and to the most distinguish-
ed orators of England at the present time, in par-
liament, as well as at the bar, but for real mad-
dened eloquence, I have never heard anything
which seemed to me quite up to this argument of
Governor Mattocks. It is scarcely needful to add
that Cleveland was convicted of murder and sen-
tenced to death, a most salutary example, but
finally his punishment was commuted.
I have listened to a great many of Governor
Mattocks's arguments at the bar, both to court
and jury, sometimes when not myself engaged in
the cause; sometimes when acting as opposing
counsel, and sometimes while sitting as judge, and
in all of them there seemed to me great power and
ability. 19
In Governor Mattocks' message to the Legis-
lature in 1843, he said, "The condition of the in-
habitants of this State is, upon the whole, proba-
bly as good as that of any other people. We are
an intelligent, moral and law-abiding people ; we
. have institutions securing the liberty and rights
of the citizens; and have a fertile soil, a healthful
and invigorating climate, and industrious habits,
which enable us to surpass any other State in the
Union, according to our population, in the value
of our agricultural productions.' 9 He strongly
urged the improvement of the educational ad-
vantages of the State, and especially of the com-
mon schools, and the creation of a Board of
Education. He put himself on record in his mes-
sage against the abolishment of capital punish-
OF VERMONT. 165
ment in case of murder. On the subject of slavery,
he said "the continuance of this ineffable curse in
the District of Columbia, and in the Territories,
should excite our warmest indignation. Three
thousand of human beings are in perpetual bond-
age; and the slave market is openly held at the
seat of the freest government upon the earth.
This is a spectacle fit only for tyrants to be-
hold ; and to make this state of things not only
permanent, but as if also to fasten the awful re-
sponsibility of it upon the citizens of the free
States, there have not been wanting representa-
tives in the Federal government, from those States
(happily none from our own), who have refused,
where Congress has clearly the right to act, to let
the oppressed go free, and abolish a traffic, which
by the spirit of the laws, even of that government,
is ranked with piracy itself." He did not claim
the right to interfere with the system in the States
where it existed by a law of that State, or the
right of the master to reclaim his slaves that had
escaped into a free State, under the laWs of the
United States, but he said, "it is not obligatory
upon any State to suffer its own magistrates to
exercise the same power." And he recommended
the Legislature to enact a law, "prohibiting all
executive officers of the State from arresting and
detaining in jail any person who is claimed as
a fugitive slave. And if the passing of the statute
proposed shall incidentally tend to prevent the re-
capture of fugitive slaves, may we not well exclaim
in its defence, in the language of Monticello—
'shall distressed humanity find no asylum V " He
160 BARKY HISTORY
opposed the then scheme for the annexation of
Texas as a State, as it would tend to create a per-
petual market for slaves, and enable the govern-
ment to carve out of that territory slave States
enough to give preponderance in the Union to
slave power, and said that "if such an attempt
8b all succeed, then woe betide our happy country.
Who then can hope that the wrath of heaven can
be longer restrained." He closed his message on
this topic by saying, "I have spoken perhaps too
freely upon this exciting subject ; but at the capi-
tal of Vermont, unlike that at Washington, there
is liberty of speech upon all public topics." He ex-
pressed himself in favor of a national tariff, not
only sufficient to supply all of the reasonable
wants of the national government, but adequate
to protect home industry and to "embrace the
idea of protection for the sake of protection."
John Mattocks was a typical Vermonter of his
day.
William Slade of Middlebury was the six-
teenth Governor of Vermont and held the office
two successive years; he was declared elected in
October 1844, and his second term of office as
Goveror expired October 1846. The writer has
been unable to learn much' of his early life, but
evidently he was a man of good abilities and of a
ripe scholarship. He held the office of Secretary
of State from 1815 to 1823. In 1823, he com-
piled and published a valuable work entitled, Ver-
mont State Papers, being a collection of records
and documents, connected with the assumption
and establishment of government by the people of
OF VERMONT. 167
Vermont, including the Journal of the Council of
Safety, the first Constitution, the early Journals
of the General Assembly, and the Laws from the
year 1779 to 1786, inclusive; also the proceedings
of the first and second Councils of Censors.
In his message as Governor to the Legislature
of 1844, he called their attention to the necessity
of selecting for office men of upright minds, pure
morals, of tried integrity and sound intelligence;
he said the power of office and personal example
and influence, can never be separated; and he
bears the sword of justice in vain who counteracts
by the one, what he endeavors to enforce by the
other.
On the subject of education,* he said "to educate
a people becomes an indispensible part of legisla-
tion; our children should be learned to think, to
discriminate, to feel the conscious power of culti-
vated intellect, and the purifying and elevating
influence of Christian principle; that education
should be universal, reaching the humble hovel as
well as the spacious mansion, and thus bring the
children of the poor and the rich, to drink together
at the enlarged fountains of knowledge; that we
need a more elevated standard of common school
instruction ; that there was too wide a chasm be-
tween a liberal and a common education; the
higher should not be brought down but the lower
raised. And he said, in substance, that the great
desideration in regard to common education is
improved modes of teaching, whereby great waste
of time may be avoided and the mind stimulated
to activity and the pupils trained to habits of self-
168 EARLY HISTORY
relying efforts and learn to go alone. Teaching
should be made a profession, and there should be
an examination into the condition of the school
houses, in reference to their size, seating, ventila-
tion, warmth, location and the grounds connected
with them. He said, "Vermont has an enviable
name abroad. Let her maintain it by fostering
and improving her schools."
He recommended a geological survey of the
State, that the people might not remain ignorant
of the properties of its soil and of its defects and
the means of supplying them; if we retain our
people at home we must show them what Ver-
mont is, and what it is capable of becoming as an
agi icultural State. He declared himself in favor
of the law limiting the rate of interest to six per
cent, but said there was no adequate remedy
against taking a larger rate, and that the law
providing for the recovery of the sum taken in ex-
cess of that rate was inadequate, as the necessities
of the borrower and the influence of the lender
would compel the former to submit to usurious
rates. He put himself on record as strongly in
favor of the protective system. He said "the true
doctrine is, not discrimination for revenue, with
incidental protection, but a tariff for revenue with
discrimination for protection."
He was in favor of distributing to the States
the proceeds of the sales of public lands, and
against the admission of Texas as one of the
States of the Union. On the latter subject, he
said "It is a question whether by an act of arbi-
trary power, Vermont shall be forced, without her
OF VERMONT. 169
consent, into a Federal Union, with a State or
States, not admissable by the compact into which
she has entered. It is questionable whether his
views were sound as a legal proposition although
they might accord with good policy as things
then were. The Constitution provided that "New
States may be admitted by the Congress into this
Union." But upon the question of policy his argu-
ments against the annexation of Texas were un-
answerable. He said "the purpose of the slavery
holding power was to establish and perpetuate
slavery. The onward progress of freedom, under
its high impulses is rapidly changing the balance of
power, and leaving slavery to perish, and now the
nation is suddenly called on to come to its rescue,
to save it from sinking. To attempt annexation
for the purpose.of sustaining slavery and subject-
ing the tenants of those mountains to its prolong-
ed power, is to be thought of with no dream of
submission to it for an hour. Upon the consum-
mation of the threatened measure, I do not hesi-
tate to say that it would be the duty of Vermont
to declare her unalterable determination to have
no connection with the new Union, thus formed
without her consent and against her will." He
would have the Union remain as of old and take
in no new partners. He claimed that the world
was moving in the work of human emancipation.
To attempt to put down abolition of slavery is
vain. The statesmen of the nation must look the
question square in the face. He said, "Slavery is
an element of politicalpower ; and how long and
to what extent, it shall be suffered to control the
170 EARLY HISTORY
policy and mould the destiny of this nation is a
question the consideration of which cannot be
postponed indefinitely." These sentiments in the
light of subsequent events seem to have been pro-
phetic.
He urged upon the Legislature that upon mat-
ters concerning the material interests of the State
to let party lines become obliterated, and let the
strife of party zeal be lost in a generous emulation
to devise the best means of advancing the best in-
terests of the Commonwealth.
Gov. Slade in his message to the Legislature in
1845, on the subject of education said, "Every
child in the State has a right to be educated— a
right essentially reciprocal to the claims of the
State to allegiance— the right to protection— pro-
tection from the effects of ignorance and vice,
which is, itself, protection in the highest sense,
from all the dangers which can arise within the
limits of the State. All the children in Vermont
—especially the poor— stand iq the attitude of
just claimants, in respect to education, upon the
fostering bounty and guardian care of the State.
He again referred to the lamentable deficiency in
the qualification of teachers; great and manifest
defects in the modes of instruction, and confusion
and want of uniformity in regard to books used
for that purpose. The writer well remembers
while teaching in the common schools the incon-
venience of a want of uniformity of text books;
there would be brought* into the school room as
many as six different kinds of arithmetics, and as
many different kinds of geographies and readers,
OF VERMONT. 171
and many grammars by different authors. Such
a state of things would cause the teacher much
hard and perplexing work and deprive the school
of the best results.
As to matters of crime the Governor thought
the great purpose of criminal law was reforma-
tion which lay at the foundation of the peneten-
tiary system which combines with imprisonment,
hard labor and a course of moral discipline suited
to bring the offender to paths of rectitude and vir-
tue; that reformation was not usually obtained
by confinement in the county jails. He said,
whether the confiement in the county jail was
inflicted as a punishment or results from inability
to pay fines, it had the effect entirely the reverse of
reformation. That it was impossible to vest a
convict thus thrown into a county jail with but
little or no attention paid to any except his mere
animal wants without feeling painfully impressed
with a conviction that it was an unnatural and
monstrous perversion of the power of punishment;
thus situated he is without employment or exer-
cise, and left to the corroding and maddening in-
fluence of reflections that he is an outcast from the
charity and sympathy of the world, and the law
and the executioner are his enemies. The Gover-
nor urged that better treatment should be ad-
ministered that better results might be obtained;
that Houses of Correction should be provided.
Some of these reforms have been brought about.
The reader will remember that the Governor in
his first message took strong ground against £he
annexation of Texas. In his second message on
172 EARLY HISTORY
this subject he said, "But annexation may be con-
summated! Slavery may triumph. It may se-
cure a majority of the Senate of the United
States. It may annul the compromise of the Con-
stitution and destroy the bond that holds the State
together. What then shall Vermont do? What
will be her right to do admits of no question. If
from a regard to peace, she shall forbear to exer-
cise her right, it should be with a solemn declara-
tion to the Union and the world that she thereby
acknowledges no right of annexation and forbears
from no diminished conviction that it will subvert
the Constitution and essentially destroy the Union
of which it is the bond, and that she reserves the
right of such future action as circumstances may
suggest." Mr. Slade did not live to see a realiza-
tion of the improvements that he recommended,
and the blight of human slavery swept from the
American Union, but the march of events thftt
has been brought by evolution and revolution
has ushered in an era that he so much desired.
CHAPTER VIII.
THE CAUSE OF THE WAR OF THE REBELL-
ION OF 1861-THE ATTITUDE OF VER-
MONT TOWARD THE ACTION
OF THE SOUTH-THE FIRST
VERMONT REGIMENT
AND ITS SERVICE.
Before presenting to the reader the share that
Vermont took in civil war for the maintenahce of
the Union, and to put down the great Rebellion of
1861, it will not be out of place to consider what
were the causes that brought about the Southern
Rebellion— and what preparations had been made
and plans laid for the conflict. The war was the
last resort in an "irrepressible conflict" in the
struggle for and against the genius of the world's
advance. Economic, social, and moral evolution,
resulting in two radically different civilizations,
had enforced upon each section different views of
the Constitution and of the morality of the sys-
tem of slavery. The South would have the gov-
ernment the corner stone of which was the sys-
tem of slavery. The views of the North were more
in harmony with the spirit of the age— they fore-
saw that slavery was a blight upon the land.
Each party had been at work for many years to
strengthen their respective positions and to mould
174 EARLY HISTORY
the government to their way of thinking. Slavery
had existed ever since the colonial days, but it
was not regarded as especially profitable or de-
sirable till several years after the government of
the United States was established, and it was ex-
pected that the employment of slave labor would
become less, and the system of slavery would die
out. Slaves were employed in the cotton States
in the raising of cotton. Before the year of 1800
cotton was not to any considerable extent manu-
factured in the United States, and but very little
had been exported. A slave could clean but five
or six pounds of cotton a day; but in 1793, Eli
Whitney invented the cotton gin by which a slave
could' clean 1000 pounds of cotton a day. This
wrought a great change and slave labor became
exceedingly profitable. In 1791 the cotton export
was but 189,316 pounds; in 1804 the export was
38,118,041 pounds, and in 1859 it was nearly
one and four tenth billions pounds and worth
about one hundred and sixty-one and a half mil-
lion dollars. Slavery became profitable. Andrews
says in his history of the United States that, "It
polluted social relations in obvious ways, setting .
at naught among slaves family ties and behests of
virtue, influences that reacted terribly upon the
whites. The entire government oi slaves had a
brutalizing tendency, more pronounced as time
passed. Plantation manners were cultivated,
which, displaying themselves in Congress and
elsewhere, in all discusssions and measures relat-
ing to the execrable institution, made the North
believe that the South was drifting toward bar-
OF VERMONT. 175
barism." Free speech in the South on the subject
of slavery was not tolerated.
The zeal of the slave-masters to capture and re-
turn the runaway slave who was escaping to a
land of freedom, and the attempt of the owner of
the slave to force the northern magistrate to aid
him in capturing and returning the slaves who
had escaped from bondage, the attempt to revive
the foreign slave trade, the barberous practice of
tearing families apart, and driving them many
hundreds of miles in shackles or carried coastwise
in the over-filled holds of vessels, to live or die un-
der unknown skies, and subject to new heartless
masters, stirred the feelings of the northern peo-
ple to a high pitch. Hatred of slavery was gradu-
ally intensified and spread. In 1832 rose the New
England Anti-Slavery Society, and in 1833 the
American Society was organized that declared
slavery a crime. But Slavery had its advocates in
the North. Southern papers and Legislatures de-
manded that Abolition sentiments, and societies,
and their publications be suppressed by law and
abolition agitation made penal. And there were
many Northerners quite ready to grant these de-
mands. Churches, politics and business seemed to
be permeated with Southern sentiment in favor of
slavery. The' destruction of colored people's
houses became of frequent occurrence in many
Northern cities. Schools for colored children were
opposed even in New England and their school
houses destroyed.
As time went on the Southern leaders were
making: every move possible to strengthen their
176 EARLY HISTORY
favorite institution. As early as 1830, Texas a
province of Mexico, had become settled to a large
extent by emigrants from the United States, and
the people of that Province, by the aid of Samuel
Houston gained a complete victory over Santa
Anna, the Mexican President, captured him, and
compelled him to acknowledge Texan independ-
ence. This opened the way for the pro-slavery
party to advocate for its admission into the Un-
ion as a slave State. And as early as 1840, the
Democratic party forced a demand for this into
their national platform. In 1844 the election of
James K. Polk as president was hailed as endors-
ing annexation, and Texas was annexed to the
Union on January 25, 1845, adding to the United
States 376,133 square miles of slave territory.
Then followed the Mexican war, which resulted
in the acquisition of another large Territory which
the Democratic party claimed to be a great vic-
tory for slavery, as most of it lay south of 36° 30',
the Mason and Dixon Missouri Compromise line
of 1820. All of this wide relm under Mexico had
been free, and for slavery to exist under the Terri-
tory acquired by the Mexican war, it must be es-
tablished by Congress, but California asked ad-
mission as a free State, and was so admitted Sep-
tember 9, 1850. This threw another firebrand
into the political caldron. Following this the
Proslavery party, with the aid of Henry Clay and
Daniel Websteri defeated the Wilmot Proviso bill
that provided "except for crime, neither slavery nor
involuntary servitude should ever exist in any of
the territories to be annexed." The Pro-Slavery
OF VERMONT. 177
party succeeded in passing the obnoxious fugitive
slave law of 1850. This law placed the entire
power of the general government at the slave,
hunter's disposal, and ordered rendition without
trial or grant of habeas corpvs, on a certificate to
be had by simple affidavit. Bv-standers, if bidden,
were obliged to help marshals, and tremendous
penalties imposed for aid to fugitives. It power-
fully fanned the abolition flame all over the North,
and new personal liberty laws were enacted by
different States, and the "higher law," was advo-
cated by many who did not hesitate to oppose in
every possible way the operation of this slave-
catching legislation. The cowardly assault upon
Charles Sumner in the United States Senate by
Preston S. Brooks of South Carolina in 1856, and
the Dred Scott decision of the United States Su-
preme Court, that denied the right of citizenship
to persons of African blood, added fuel to the
flame. The slave power sought to have Kansas
admitted as a slave State, and in this they failed.
This seemed to check them in their career and
stung them to the heart. There was increased fe-
rocity toward all who did not pronounce slavery
a blessing. The pro-s1averv party became more
domineering in politics and made continuous
threats of secession in case the slave power should
fail to have its way. The South made the election
of Abraham Lincoln, a Republican, as the Presi-
dent of the United States in a constitutional way,
a pretext for the dissolution of the Union, when in
fact the true cause was, it loved slavery better
than it loved the Constitution, and the equal
is
178 EARLY HISTORY
rights of man. Secession was no new thought at
the South. It lurked behind the Kentucky and
Virginia resolutions of 1798—99, that were sent
to the Vermont General Assembly for adoption at
that time; it was announced again by South
Carolina in the nullification troubles of 1832.
"Texas or disunion" was the cry at the South in
184-3—44. During the presidential campaign of
1856, threats were made that if Fremont, the Re-
publican candidate, should be elected the South
would secede. When Lincoln was elected in 1860
the South began to marshal their hosts to carry
their threats into execution. The Southern States,
one after another, passed ordinances of secession;
and the seizure of the United States property went
hand in hand with secession. By January 15,
1861, the secessionists had taken possession of
arsenals at Augusta, Ga., Mount Vernon, Ala.,
Fayetteville, N. C, Chattahoochee, Fla., and
Baton Rouge, La., and the forts in Alabama and
Georgia, and of the navy yard at Pensacola, Fla.,
and of Forts Jackson and St. Philip, command-
ing the mouth of the Mississippi. At one arsenal
they found 150,000 pounds of powder, at another
22,000 muskets and rifles, besides ammunition
and cannon, and at another 50,000 small arms
and twenty heavy guns. The whole South had
been well supplied with military stores by the
treasonable foresight of J. B. Floyd of Virginia,
President Buchanan's Secretary of War. He had
sent thither 115,000 muskets from the Springfield
arsenal alone. The mint in New Orleans, contain-
ing over half a million in gold and silver, was
seized.
OF VERMONT. 179
In February 1861 more than half of the regular
army was turned over by General Twiggs to the
secession committee. The Southern Confederacy
was formed.
During these treasonable proceedings the people
of the North did not wake up to the realization of
the danger. They said the Southern leaders are
playing at their old game of bluff and threatening
and will be glad enough to come back. The gov-
ernment seemed paralyzed so long as Buchanan
remained in office; he was weak and feared to
exert his right in the use of measures to save the
Union and insisted that the United States had no
power to coerce a State which should secede. The
South took advantage of his inaction to launch
the Confederacy.
Under these circumstances Vermont was called
upon with other Northern States to prepare for
war to save the Union. An attempt at compro-
mise was made at the famous Peace Conference
called by the Legislature of Virginia. Erastus
Fairbanks, the Governor of Vermont, appointed
Ex-Governor Hiland Hall, Levi Underwood, then
Lieutenant-Governor of the State, Hon. L. E.
Chittenden, Adjutant General H. H. Baxter, and
Hon. B. D. Harris, commissioners to represent
Vermont in the Conference. The session lasted 24
days but nothing was accomplished except to de-
lay, on the part of the North, the needed prepara-
tion for the oncoming contest. The attitude of
Virginia, the leading border State, at the Confer-
ence was aptly expressed in the New York Com-
mercial Advertiser in the following lines:
180 EARLY HISTORY
"VIRGINIA TO THE NORTH.
Thus speaks the Sovereign Old Dominion
To Northern States her frank opinion.
First.
Move not a finger; f t is coercion,
The signal for our prompt dispersion.
Second.
Wait till I make my full decision,
Be it for union or division.
Third.
If I declare my ultimatum,
Accept my terms as I shall state 'em.
Fourth.
Then I'll remain while I'm inclined to,
Seceding when I have a mind to. 11
After Lincoln was inaugurated as President of
the United States, though he regarded the Union
unbroken and was willing to treat the South as
friends, he held out the olive branch to the seces-
sionists, and the people of Vermont were willing
to share his hope that reason and patriotism
would yet return to the Southern mind.
When it was known that the OldFlag had been
fired upon, a thrill of passionate rage electrified
the North from Maine to Oregon. Then was wit-
nessed an uprising unparalleled in American his-
tory if not in that of mankind. From all parts of
the loyal States came the earnest words, "The
Union must be preserved ! Away with further at-
tempts to conciliate traitors ! To arms !" was the
OF VERMONT. 181
universal cry. Pulpit, platform, and press echoed
with patriotic sentiment. Through the Northern
States union meetings, speeches and parades were
in order, and the Stars and Stripes were kept un-
furled.
Governor Fairbanks, in the early days of 1861,
appreciated in some degree the need of the imme-
diate preparation for war to maintain the na-
tional government and thwart the traitorous
plans of the South. On January 5th, 1861, be
wrote Governor Buckingham of Connecticut that
"I am desirous to learn your views as to the expe-
diency of legislation in the Free States at the pres-
ent time touching the affairs of the General Gov-
ernment and the action of certain Southern States.
Should the plans of the Secessionists in South
Corolina and other cotton States be persevered in
and culminate in the design to seize upon the Na-
tional capital, will it be prudent to delay a dem-
onstration on the part of the Free States assuring
the general government of their united co-opera-
tion in putting down rebellion and sustaining the
Constitution and the dignity of the United States
Government." About this time Governor Fair-
banks received information from John A. Andrews,
Governor of Massachusetts, that the secessionists
had determined to take Washington before the 4th
of March, and that he was about to put a portion
of the militia of that State in readiness for active
service in defence of the National Capital, and
urged the Governors of the other New England
States to make like preparations. On a sugges-
tion that came through Governor Andrews from
182 EARLY HISTORY
Charles Francis Adams, Governor Fairbanks, who
resided in St. Johnsbury, sent telegrams and mes-
sages to Montpelier, Burlington, St. Albans, Rut-
land, Brattleboro, Bennington, Woodstock, Wind-
sor and other towns, to fire salutes of 100 guns on
the 8th of January in honor of the Union of the
States, and of Major Anderson, the gallant defend-
er of Fort Sumpter in South Carolina, in resisting
the surrender of that Fort. The 8th being the an-
niversary of General Jackson's victory at New Or-
leans in 1815 most of the towns complied with the
request. Governor Fairbanks was ready to call a
special session of the Legislature to take measures
to aid the General Government to resist the trea-
sonable designs of the South, but on advice from
the Representatives from Vermont in Congress, he
thought best to wait till a requisition was made
from Washington for troops. He authorized the
Vermont Senators to inform President Buchanan
that he was ready to furnish troops by calling
into service the uniformed militia of Vermont and
by accepting the service of volunteers.
At the outbreak of the Southern rebellion of
1861 no State in the Union was less prepared for
war than Vermont. While during the Revolution-
ary war and in the controversy with New York in
theearly days of Vermont, an<T through the war of
1812 with England, no State in the Union furnish-
ed more hardy, brave and loyal soldiers than
Vermont, but they had been pursuing the arts of
peace so long that they were illy prepared for war,
and the State was nearly destitute of uniforms,
arms and munitions of war. No one doubted but
OF VERMONT. 183
that the descendants of the Aliens, the Chitten-
dens, the Warners and the Green Mountain Boys
generally would not be found wanting when
called upon to sustain the honor of their country,
and that there would be no shrinking from the dis-
charge of every duty in camp and on the field of
battle. It will be seen that the services, endur-
ance and courage of the Vermont soldiers during
the war justified the high hopes and expectations
entertained of them. But in 1861 they were not
fitted for actual service. The "June training"
that was intended to fit the militia for defensive
war and acquaint them with military arts, bad
long been discontinued. Uniformed companies
had been disbanded and as late as 1856, there was
no military organization, but in that year an
effort was made to revive the militia laws and a
few companies were organized in 1857 and 1858 ;
and in 1860 men and officers numbered about nine
hundred. Although Vermont was unprepared for
war she was loyal to the core ; the leading men of
Vermont publicly expressed themselves decidedly
against treason and traitors. Hon. David A.
Smaller, United States District Judge for Vermont,
sitting in the United States Circuit Court for the
Southern District of New York on the 14th day of
January, 1861, in his charge to the Grand Jury,
declared that "any individual owing allegiance to
the United States, who shall furnish these South-
ern traitors with arms or munitions 'of war, ves-
sels or means of transportation, or materials
which will aid the traitors in carrying on their
traitorous purpose, is clearly liable to be indicted,
184 EARLY HISTORY
tried, convicted and executed as a traitor, for
death is the penalty of treason."
On January 23d, Senator Collamer introduced
in the United States Senate a bill authorizing the
President to close the forts of the seceded States
and suspending the United States mail service in
those States. E. P. Walton, Representative of
Vermont in Congress, declared in a speech on the
floor of the House, that to compromise with se-
cession was to license rebellion for all future time,
and that it would be more dangerous to surrender
to rebellion than to resist it. 11 Hon. Justin S.
Morrill, Senator from Vermont, declared that no
compromise was possible.
On the 26th January, 1861, the Governor is-
sued an order, directing the Adjutant and Inspec-
tor General to issue notices to town clerks and lis-
ters to make return of the number of persons lia-
ble to do service in the militia in their respective
towns; and an order directing the officers of the
uniformed militia to ascertain whether the men
under their command were unable or indisposed
to respond to the orders of the Commander-in-
Chief to aid in the maintenance of the laws. These
orders were generally complied with, and the com-
panies began to drill arid make ready for active
service.
The news of the surrender of Fort Sumpter
stirred the people to a high pitch of indignation,
and this was followed by President Lincoln's first
call for 75,000 troops, to maintain the honor, the
integrity and existence of our National Union.
The response of the State was prompt. Ver-
OF VERMONT. 185
mont's quota under the President's call was one
regiment of 780 men. This first regiment was
soon raised and Captain John W. Phelps of Brat-
tleboro was appointed its Colonel. Phelps was a
graduate of the United States Military Academy
of the class of 1836, and Captain of the 4th Ar-
tillery in Texas, on the Plains and in Mexico,
where he was severely wounded; he was a just
and conscientious man, who knew no fear. Peter
T. Washburn of Woodstock was made Lieutenant
Colonel of the regiment ; he was at the time a
leading lawyer of the State, who afterwards was
Governor of the State and died during his term.
The regiment was ordered to rendezvous at
Rutland on the 2d of May and was mustered into
the United States service on the 8th and left the
State for fortress Monroe, Va., on the 9th, and ar-
rived at the Fort May 13th, 1861. In presenting
the regimental standard and a national flag to the
regiment at Rutland, Governor Fairbanks, address-
ing Colonel Phelps, said, "In your hands, supported
by these troops, I feel that this flag will never l>e
dishonored nor the State of Vermont disgraced.
I charge you to remember thai the flag represents
but one star in that other flag which I now pre-
sent, bearing the national emblem, the stars and
stripes. Vermont claims no separate nationality.
Her citizens are loyal to the Union and the Con-
stitution, will rally in their strength for the
preservation of the National Government and the
honor of our country's flag/'
Colonel Phelps responded, pledging the highest
endeavors of the regiment to retain the stars, the
186 EARLY HISTORY
emblems upon the Union and State flags, in a way
that should meet the approval of the freemen of
Vermont.
When General Scott learned that a regiment of
Green Mountain Boys, commanded by Colonel
Phelps, whom he had known in the Mexican war,
was waiting orders, he at once declared "that
Colonel Phelps was the man and his regiment the
troops that he wanted for responsible duty. I
have not forgotten the Vermont men on the Niag-
ara frontier. " The rank and file of the regiment
were young men, native Vermonters of all profes-
sions and callings. One of the companies was
from Bradford and bad in it twelve men over six
feet in height, and one six* feet and four inches.
Many men in each company were no less than six
feet tall.
In raising men for the service public meetings
were held in most of the towns of the State to
awaken an interest in the raising of troops and to
express encouraging sentiments. As the com-
panies took their departure from the several local-
ities in the State, and when taking their final
leave for the seat ofwar, long processions escorted
them to the railroad stations, and the new soldiers
took the train in the presence of sober-faced men
and tearful friends. It was a time when visions
of mortal conflict and bloodshed were presented
to the thinking mind— scenes that soon came true.
During that year and the four succeeding years
many left Vermont never to return, but gave up
their lives in Southern prisons or on the battle
field. Benjamin Underwood of Bradford, a pri-
OF VERMONT. 187
vate of the first regiment, was the first volunteer
Vermonter to give his life for his country ; he died
of measles on May 20, 1861, and was buried
about a mile from the fort.
General Butler took command of the forces
at Fortress Monroe on the 23d day of May, and
by his direction Colonel Phelps made a reconnois-
sance out three miles from the Fort to Hampton,
a village containing then about 200 inhabitants ;
as he approached the bridge crossing Hampton
river the rebels set fire to the bridge ; Phelps' men
discovered the fire in time to extinguish it before
it did much damage. The rebels made a hasty
exit from the village, and threw their guns into
the river and retreated without firing a shot;
after a short stay Phelps returned to the Fort and
a number of negroes embraced this opportunity to
escape from bondage, and followed the troops to
the Fort. Shortly after this, Major Cary, a Con-
federate officer, came to Fortress Monroe under a
flag of truce, to ask for the return of three colored
men, the slaves of a Colonel Mallory, residing
near Hampton. Major Cary was informed by
General Butler that fugitives were "contraband of
war," and had set them at work within the fort-
ress. Soon the regiment took up its position at
Newport News, as did other regiments about ten
miles from the fort. Gen. Butler placed Colonel
Phelps in command of the post, and the command
of the regiment devolved on Lieut.-Col. Washburn.
The first clash of arms was at Big Bethel situ-
ated on the north branch of Black River where
there were posted about 1000 Confederates and
188 EARLY HISTORY
seven pieces of artillery, and the place fortified. On
June 9th, under Gen. Butler's orders to Brigadier
Gen. E. W. Pierce of Massachusetts and to Col.
Phelps, a small force took up their march early in
the morning of the 10th towards Big Bethel, but
while near Little Bethel before daylight, one por-
tion of the Union troops fired into another por-
tion of them with both muskets and artillery, mis-
taking them for the enemy. Two men were killed
and fifteen men and four officers were wounded
from the Third New York, before the mistake was
discovered. In the morning the troops break-
fasted and at 7 o'clock the column moved on, and
about 9 o'clock it halted in sight of the Confed-
erate works at Big Bethel. A reconnoissance
was made by Captain Kilpatrick, who reported
that he had found the enemy with from three
to five thousand pien, posted in a strong posi-
tion, three earthworks and a masked battery on
the right and left, and a large force of cavalry.
Others estimated the rebel strength as high as
twenty thousand. These reports excited Gen,
Pierce and his trepidation became apparent to
those, about him. But an assault was made on
the enemies' works in which the Vermont troops
were engaged. The only formidable assault made
on the enemies' works was made by Lieut. Colonel
Washburn, but the assault was not successful.
Washburn was making some progress against
the enemy when Gen. Pierce ordered a retreat and
abandoned the attempt to take Big Bethel. Two
of Washburn's men were killed though they were
not Vermonters. Also Major Theodore Winthrop
OF VERMONT. 189
and Lieutenant Greble were killed. The Union loss
in this battle was 16 killed and 34 wounded, and
private Reuben M. Parker was taken prisoner and
soon after was exchanged. It was claimed that he
was the first prisoner that was formally exchanged.
Upon the retreat from Big Bethel three Companies
of Confederate cavalry followed the Union force as
far as New Market Bridge, though at safe dis-
tance. The loss of the enemy in the battle is un-
known. The Confederate General Magruder soon
abandoned his works at Big Bethel and withdrew
his command to Yorktown. Lieutenant Wash-
burn's coolness and courage during the battle was
conspicuous, and his men and those of Massachu-
setts that were in the battle behaved like veterans,
and with Phelps in command of the Union forces
instead of the inexperienced General Pierce, a suc-
cessful result would have been recorded instead of
a defeat.
On June 16th a scouting party made up of three
Vermont companies under Major Worthem, went
back into the country and brought in a drove of
cattle taken from secessionists. Private D. H.
Whitney of the Woodstock company, while out
from camp, was killed by rebel scouts. He was the
only member of the regiment that was killed by
the enemy.
This regiment enlisted but for three months and
their term of service expired on August 2d, and re-
turned immediately to Vermont. The entire regi-
ment numbered 782 officers and men and all but
five returned to Vermont at the expiration of their
term of service in that regiment; six hundred of
190 EARLY HISTORY
them re-enlisted and returned to active service;
two hundred and fifty of them subsequently held
commissions. General Phelps was proud of his
regiment of Vermonters, and declared, after it left,
that he "greatly missed the influence of their ex-
ample on other regiments of his command, and
that it was a regiment, the like of which will not
soon be seen again."
Vermont provided well for her soldiers; the Leg-
islature met in Special Session on the 25th of
April, 1861, and on motion of Stephen Thomas of
West Pairlee, a leading Democrat, the oath of al-
legiance to the United States Government was ad-
ministered to the members in addition to the usual
oath. Ample appropriations for military purposes
were urged by the Governor, and the Legislature
passed a bill to raise a million dollars for war ex-
penses and also passed ap act providing tor the or-
ganizing, arming and equipment of six more regi-
ments for two years service, and giving each pri-
vate seven 'dollars a month of State pay in addi-
tion to the thirteen dollars that the government
paid, thus providing for the relief of the families of
volunteers at the expense of the State The Leg-
islature also voted a war tax of ten cents on the
dollar of the Grand List.
The seven dollars per month provided by the
State was drawn during the war by the Select-
men of the towns where the enlisted soldier lived
and paid over to the soldier's family if he had one,
thus providing for the wants of the family while
the soldiers were in the field. These provisions
made for the soldiers and their families took about
OF VERMONT. 191
four millions of dollars from the State treasury.
The women of the State during the war, were as
patriotic and as interested as the men, and were
busy with the needle in supplying troops with
clothing and furnishing their husbands and sons
at the front and in the hospitals with food and
other articles for their comfort.
CHAPTER IX.
THE ORGANIZATION AND SERVICES OF THE
SECOND REGIMENT IN THE CIVIL
WAR OF 1861.
The second regiment that was mustered into
the national service in the war of the rebellion
was one of the most active and valuable regiments
of the Union army, and was longer in the service
than any other Vermont organization; it took
part in almost every battle of the Army of the Po-
tomac from Bull Run till the close of the war; its
ranks as they became thinned by the casualties of
of war, were filled by recruits ; the list of killed
and wounded was forty per cent of its aggregate
of 1858 officers and men. G. G. Benedict, in his
History of the Civil war said, that the "ratio of
killed and mortally wounded was more than eight
times the general ratio of killed and mortally
wounded in the Union army." The companies that
composed the regiment at its organization were se-
lected by its State Adjutant and Inspector General
Baxter from about sixty companies, which tendered
their services to the State for the war. Many of the
men of the regiment were not less than six feet in
height and they were a strong and healthy body
oi men, and it was expected that the prestige and
honor of Vermont would not suffer in their hands,
OF VERMONT. 193
and the people of Vermont were not disappointed
in their hopes and expectations. The command
of the regiment was tendered by Gov. Fairbanks
to Colonel Israel B. Richardson of Michigan, an
experienced officer and a gallant son of Vermont,
who had won fame in the Mexican war, but he
had accepted the command of the First Michigan
Regiment, and he recommended Henry Whiting of
the Fifth United States Infantry, who had been
his classmate at West Point, and had seen service
on the Northwestern frontier, and in Texas at the
commencement of the Mexican war. The Colo-
nelcy of the regiment was tendered to him by
the Governor and he accepted the appointment,
and George J. Stannard of St. Albans, a brave
man of military taste, became Lieutenant Colonel
and proved to be a gallant soldier and successful
commander; Charles H. Joyce, a lawyer of North-
field, was appointed Major. The uniforms of the
regiment were made in Vermont, of cloth manu-
factured bj* Merrill & Company of Reading, Ver-
mont. The regiment was provided with a band
of 24 brass pieces. The regiment was mustered
into the United States service by Lieutenant Colo-
nel Rains on June 20, 1861, and it broke camp
at Burlington on the 24th and made its way to
Washington; it numbered 868 officers and men.
They were greeted with cheers and offerings of
flowers at railroad stations, and at the cities of
Troy, New Yoik and Philadelphia on their way to
Washington for active service. They had an en-
thusiastic reception at "New York at which Hon.
B. D. Culver, in an eloquent speech presented a
194 EARLY HISTORY
beautiful regimental standard, the gift of the Sons
of Vermont in New York. It will not be the pur-
pose of the writer to particularly describe the
entire service of the Vermont troops in the war,
or minutely describe the part they took in the bat-
tles fought, however interesting it migbt lie. For
the extended and vivid account of their hardy
service, devotion to the best interests of their
country, and brave action on the field, the reader
must Imj referred to the invaluable history of Ver-
mont's part in the Civil War by Hon. G. G. Bene-
dict.
The regiment, after reaching Washington, went
into camp on Capitol Hill. On July 10th they
moved into Virginia, through Alexandria to Bush
Hill about five miles towards Fairfax Court
House. The largest army ever collected on the
American continent began moving to the front to
meet the enemy in battle. The regiment with the
Third, Fourth and Fifth of Maine were formed "
into a brigade under the* command of Col. O. O.
Howard (now Major General) of the Third Maine,
and assigned to the Division of General Heintzle-
man. The Union army under General McDowell
moved to Centerville, but delayed the attack until
the 21st of July. Bull Run in its general course
runs from north to south, and the Warrenton
Turnpike crosses it by the famous stone bridge at
right angles. The rebel army of 22,000 men and
29 guns was disposed along the right bank of that
river. McDowell ordered the attack to 1>e made
on the 21st of July ; the Divisions of Hunter and
Hcintzlcman made a detour to the north and were
OF VERMONT. 195
to cross Bull Run at the unguarded ford of Sudley
Springs, about two miles north of Stone Bridge
and fall upon the enemy's left, and as they should
roll it back, other troops were to cross the stream
lower down, and Tyler was to cross at the Stone
Bridge. For a time this excellent plan worked
well ; the rebel left was turned and driven back
some two miles and south across the Warrenton
Turnpike; other Union forces struck the rebel
center and a complete victory over the enemy
seemed near at hand, and some of the rebel force
lx?gan to hastily retreat; at this period of the
conflict the re1>el forces were strengthened by the
arrival of 12,000 fresh troops from Richmond and
the Shenandoah and opened a deadly fire upon
the Union ranks, and a panic was soon seen
among some of the Union forces, and the army
was compelled to retreat, and the day was lost.
Bull Run has been well called "one of the best
planned and worst fought battles of the war."
Near the close of the battle Howard's brigade
was put into action undoubtedly with the object
of holding the enemy in check while the rest of the
army was being withdrawn. The enemy's line
was visible in front, as were the re-enforcements
under General E. Kirby Smith on the right arriv-
ing on the field and advancing unopposed. The
Second Vermont moved steadily up the slope near
the Turnpike under the fire of the enemy's batter-
ies; at this point Corporal R. H. Benjamin was killed
and Sergeant U. A. Woodbury lost an arm. This
was the first man killed in action, and the first
sleeve emptied by a rebel shot among the Vermont
196 EARLY HISTORY
troops. The same shell that killed Benjamin took
Woodbury's right arm. The Second marched to
within from 200 to 300 yards of the enemy's line,
posted behind a rail fence, and fired from ten to fif-
teen rounds per man. Soon after, however, the en-
emy concentrated the fire of his batteries upon the
ranks of the Second, and Colonel Whiting learning
that the line behind him had retired, they fell back
and found the army in full retreat. The Vermont-
ers gave the last parting shot to the foe. The
Second Vermont lost 2 enlisted men killed, 1 officer
and 34 enlisted men wounded, and 1 officer and .
30 enlisted men missing — all being captured — a
total of 68. Colonel Whiting said in his report
that "officers and men exhibited the utmost cool*
ness and bravery in the presence of the enemy; 99
and Colonel Howard (now Major General) said of
them, they were "cool and steady as regular
troops. You stood on the brow of that hill (re-
ferring to a hill the regiment had passed over just
before they were' withdrawn) and fired your 36
rounds and retired only at the command of your
Colonel." The enemy was not in condition to fol-
low up their success. In this battle there were
481 Union men killed, 1011 wounded and 1216
missing, and 387 Confederates killed, 1582 wound-
ed, and 13 missing. The Second Vermont con-
tinued its retreat to Alexandria and was soon
after moved to Georgetown heights commanding
Chain Bridge where the Third Vermont was sta-
tioned, and in September was moved to the Vir-
ginia side of the Potomac on the Leesburg pike,
about a mile from the bridge to a camp called
"Camp Advance."
OF VERMONT. 197
General George B. McClellan had taken com-
mand of the army and the troops were drilled and
fitted to make an advance on Richmond, the capi-
tal of Va. In the latter part of September the
Fourth and Fifth Vermont regiments arrived from
Vermont and went into camp near by the Second.
The regiment had a' great amount of fatigue
duty in constructing Forts Ethan Allen and Mar-
cy, which were to guard the approaches to
Chain Bridge. In September the condition of the
men was not cheerful as they needed their over-
coats, that they lost at the battle of Bull Run, to
protect them from the autumn fogs, chilly nights
and cold rain storms. The Vermont troops were
now in General W. F. Smith's Division, and he or-
dered an advance, and the Vermont regiments
marched about four miles and camped at what
was named Camp Griffin, and here they remained
five months. During the month of October the 2d,
3d, 4th, 5th and 6th Vermont regiments were or-
ganized into the first Vermont brigade.
Colonel Whiting, in recommending promotions
and appointments to Governor Holbrook, made
it a point to transfer officers from one company to
another, and gave as a reason that officers found
it difficult to secure obedience from men who had
been their neighbors and equals at home, but this
did not meet the approval of Governor Holbrook
who thought that when transfers were made the
officers and privates should beconsulted. Whiting
objected to submitting his recommendations to
his inferiors in rank as utterly without precedent
in military history, and he could not be responsi-
11)8 EARLY HISTORY
ble for the discipline of the regiment, "if the head
was to be in the tail." It was regarded that
Colonel Whiting's objection was well taken, and
thereafter the recommendations of Colonels in the
field for appointments and promotions were as a
rule approved by the Governors.
In the spring of 1862, when General McClellan
had got ready to put the army of the Potomac in
motion towards Richmond, his objective point
was the Peninsula between the York and James
rivers, and the Second regiment was transported
to Fortress Monroe and took its part in the
Peninsula campaign. The other regiments of the
brigade received their first experience in battle at
Lee's Mill, April 16th; the Second lost but two
men. The reconnoisances made by Gen. McClel-
lan on April 30th in preparation for an attack on
Yorktown, was conducted by the Second regi-
ment under the command of Lieutenant Colonel
Stannard. They skirmished with the enemy's
pickets and drove them back a mile to their rifle-
pits. The loss to the regiment was three men
killed. The regiment was with the brigade at the
battle of Williamsburg and did its share of march-
ing, digging and fighting on the Chickahominy on
the army's progress towards Richmond during
the months of May and June. On May 21 Stan-
nard was appointed Colonel of the Ninth regiment.
General McClellan was sharply criticised by
the people and a large portion of the press of the
pountry on account of his slow progress up the
peninsula and the failure to take Richmond. Un-
doubtedly the delay was disastrous to the Union
OF VERMONT. 199
forces. The fighting force of the Union army \va9
greatly weakened by sickness of the men caused
by the unhealthy locality where they were en-
camped in the swamps of the Chickahominy. The
Second suffered with the rest; it had its share of
hardships during the battles of Fair Oaks, Sav-
age's Station, the Seven Days' Retreat and at the
battle of Malvern Hill. At Savage's Station the
regiment lost five men killed and 38 wounded on
June 29th; and had one man killed and several
wounded at the battle of Antietam on Sept. 17th,
and then marched back to Virginia with the Sixth
Corps to Acquia Creek; on Dec. 3d the Second
was detached from the brigade to guard the mili-
tary telegraph line and rejoined the brigade at
Belle Plain, Va., on the 10th of December, and on
the 13th it was engaged in the battle of Freder-
icksburg and held the crest of a hill near the spot
where the Richmond stage road crosses Deep Run;
the regiment lost five men killed and mortally
wounded, and 54 wounded. On February 9th,
1863, Colonel Whiting resigned for the reason
that he had not been justly treated in the matter
of promotion. He was the ranking Colonel of the
brigade, and General Smith, bis junior, had been
rapidly advanced. General Brooks was made
commander of the brigade when he thought he
was entitled to it. His resignation was accepted.
At the battle of Chancelldrsville in May, 1803,
the regiment was distinguished by its gallantry
in storming the Heights of Fredericksburg on
the 3d of May; it was one of the first regiments
which gained the crest of Mary's heights and
200 EARLY HISTORY
drove the enemy from bis works and captured
three guns; the regiment lost 11 men killed and
94 wounded, five of whom mortally; the next
day it was hotly engaged at or near Banks 9
Ford with a loss of 6 killed and 20 wounded. On
the 13th the Confederate army under General R.E.
Lee started on their march to the north, and the
Second with the 6th Corps marched through Cen-
terville,Va.,and through Maryland to Gettysburg,
and took part in the battle there that resulted in
a decisive Union victory. This result caused Lee's
army to return to Virginia. On August 14th, the
regiment went with the brigade to New York to
maintain order during the draft, and after a stay
of two weeks it was taken to Poughkeepsie, N.
Y., where it remained eight days; it won high
praises from both the press and people for its dis-
cipline. The regiment returned to Virginia; and
the 22d of August, 1863, joined the Sixth Corps
at Culpepper Court House. On the 26th the regi-
ment had the misfortune to lose its Quartermas-
ter Stone and supply train of twenty wagons, five
miles northwest of Warrenton on his way to
camp, where he was overtaken by Colonel Mosby
with a hundred men of his irregular cavalry.
On December 18th the regiment had a new and
sad experience, when one of the recruits was shot
for desertion. The sentence was executed in the
presence of the entire regiment.
Before the term of the men had expired under
the orders of the war department, the men were
allowed to re-enlist, and between December 1863,
and the 4th of February, 1864, 181 men of the
OP VERMONT. 201
regiment had re-enlisted, the government paying a
bounty of $402.
On May 4th, 1864, the regiment marched with
the Sixth Corps to share the work and dangers
of the army under General Grant in the battles of
the wilderness ; the 5th and 6th of May were two
bloody days ; Colonel Stone, the commander of
the Second, was wounded early in the action on
the 5th, and went to the rear and had his wound
dressed ; he then called for his horse and rode back
to the front, where he was greeted with cheers by
his command. IJe said to his men "Well, boys,
this is rough work, but I have done as I told you I
wished you to do, not to leave for a slight wound,
but to remain just as long as you can do any
good. I am here to stay just as long as I can do
any good." He was struck by a musket ball and
fell from his horse a corpse. The conduct and
courage of such a soul are more than any words
of praise. The command then devolved on Lieut.-
Col. Tyler, who, the same day, received a mortal
wound ; when his men ran to help him he ordered
them back to the ranks— he said, "every musket
is needed in the line." The next day the regiment
was placed under the command of Lieut. -Col.
S. E. Pingree of the Third Vermont. The loss of
the regiment in this battle was 297 men out of
800 present for duty; 57 were killed or mortally
wounded. The regiment had 12 trying days be-
fore the lines of Spottsylvania; on the 10th it
was a part of the column of twelve picked regi-
ments, under Colonel Upton that charged the
enemy's center and carried the works and cap-
202 EARLY HISTORY
tured a brigade of over 1000 men and a battery;
it fought at the famous "bloody angle" on the
12th of May. Up to this time in the campaign its
casualties were 440 after it crossed the Rapidan.
The regiment distinguished itself again on Tune
1st in a severe engagement at Gold Harbor, Va.,
under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Pingree,
charging the enemy's woris under heavy fire and
making a firm stand near the enemy's line. When
the overland campaign of Gen. Grant ended on
June 12th the aggregate loss of the regiment was
477 men— 82 of them killed, 359 wounded, 50 of
whom died of their wounds. On June 18th the
regiment had two men wounded in a skirmish in
front ot Petersburgh. The term of service of the
original members of the regiment, that had not
re-enlisted expired before October 1st, and 19
officers and 200 men started for home and were
mustered out at Brattleboro. There was gen-
eral regret at their departure from the front
as was expressed in an order of Brig.-Gen. Neill
as follows :
"Headquarters Second Division Sixth Corps,
June 20th, 1864.
General Order No. 36— It is not necessary that
any of the Vermont brigade should have their
deeds recounted, or their praises sung in general
orders. How many well fought and bloody fields
bear witness to their bravery! Least of all do you,
the soldiers of the Second Vermont, the veterans
of the brigade who have shed your blood on al-
most every field, from the first Bull Run, need a
panegyrist. Your deeds speak for themselves, and
OF VERMONT. 203
will keep your memory green, while courage,
steadiness and devotion to duty are honored
among men. But that you may know how your
general and your comrades regret and mourn your
departure, and to bid you farewell and Godspeed,
this order is written. Again fareweU, brave and
noble men. For three years you have borne the.
brunt of battle, and now returning home with
scarce a tithe of your original numbers, with
just pride you can proclaim that you have done
your duty. You have fulfilled your compact. His-
tory will record your services. Let this order ex-
press the feelings ol those you leave behind. "
At the end of the three years* term there were
left but 370 out of 866 original members. Down to
that time the 181 men that had re enlisted were
reduced by death to 150 men. Of those that re-
mained in service, participated with the Fourth
and Eleventh Vermont in the movement against
the Weldon Railroad, where they suffered severely.
The regiment with the Vermont brigade were de-
tached from the army and sent to Washington to
protect that city from capture by General Early.
Then followed the arduous service of the Vermont
troops in Shenandoah Valley, and was engaged on
the 14th of August, 1864, in the skirmish on Fish-
er's Hill, where the Second lost two men wounded
on the skirmish line, and were sharply engaged at
Charlestown, Va., on the 21st under command of
Lieut.-Col. Tracy, where it lost five men killed and
11 wounded. At the battle of Winchester, on Sept.
19th, the regiment lost five men killed and mor-
tally wounded, and 29 wounded. The regiment
204 EARLY HISTORY
on that victorious field was led by Major Enoch
Johnson, whose services were especially recog-
nized by the brigade commander. At Cedar Creek
on the 19th of October, Lieutenant Colonel Tracy
in that battle was temporarily in command of the
brigade and was wounded— his services in that
day's work were specially mentioned in the report
of General L. A. Grant. The regiment in that bat-
tle in which a splendid victory was won, was com-
manded by Captain Elijah Wales. The national
troops in these series of victories in the Shenandoah
were under the command of the brave General
Sheridan.
On Dec. 9, 1864, the regiment with the rest of
the Sixth Corps were at Petersburgh, where it, on
April 2d, 1865, participated in the final victorious
assault on the defences at that place; the regi-
ment lost eight men killed and 33 wounded; it
joined in the pursuit of Lee's army. The regi-
ment was finally mustered out July 1 5, 1865, and
returned to Burlington, Yt., where they were wel-
comed home by Hon. George P. Edmunds in an
appropriate address. The regiment had won im-
perishable glory. The dangers and hardships
through which the regiment had passed are indi-
cated by the following list of battles in which it
participated:
THE BATTLES OP THE SECOND VERMONT.
Bull Run, July 21, 1861
Lee's Mill, April 16, 1862
Williamsburg, May 5, 1862
Gokling's Farm, June 26, 1862
OF VERMONT.
205
Savage's Station,
White Oak Swamp,
Crampton's Gap,
Antietara,
Fredericksburg,
Marye's Heights,
Salem Heights,
Fredericksburg,
Gettysburg,
Funkstown,
Rappahannock Station,
Wilderness,
Spottsylvania,
Cold Harbor,
Petersburg,
Fisher's Hill,
Cliarlestown,
Opequan,
Winchester,
Fisher's Hill,
Mount Jackson,
Cedar Creek,
Petersburg,
Petersburg,
Sailor's Creek,
June 29, 1862
June 30, 1862
Sept. 14, 1862
Sept. 17, 1862
Dec. 13, 1862
May 3, 1863
May 4, 1863
June 5, 1863
July 3, 1863
July 10, 1863
Nov. 7, 1863
May 5 to 10, 1864
May 10 to 18, 1864
June 1 to 12, 1864
June 18, 1864
Aug. 14, 1864
Aug. 21, 1864
Sept. 13, 1864
Sept. 19, 1864
Sept. 21, 1864
Sept. 24, 1864
Oct. 19, 1864
March 25, 1865
April 2, 1865
April 6, 1865
This is a wonderful record. In this regiment
there were
Killed in action 4 officers, and 134 enlisted
men; total 138
Died of wounds, 2 officers and 80 enlisted
men; total 82
Died of disease, enlisted men 139
206
EARLY HISTORY
Died in Confederate prisons, not of wounds 22
Died from accidents, enlisted men, 3; exe-
cuted 1; total 4
Total of deaths,
385
'93
CHAPTER X.
THE ORGANIZATIONS AND SERVICES OF
THE THIRD, FOURTH, FIFTH AND
SIXTH REGIMENTS IN THE
CIVIL WAR OF 1861.
The rendezvous for the Third regiment was
fixed at St. Johnsbttry on the grounds of the Agri-
cultural society — the camp was named Camp Bax-
ter. The regiment was a fine body of troops, the
average height of the men was five feet ten and one-
half inches ; the tallest one measured six feet five
and one-half inches in his stocking feet. During the
six weeks sojourn at the camp, the discipline of
regiment was lax and an unusual amount of
running the guards, and some riotous proceedings
took place. On the evening of July 20, 1861, a
raid by some of the men was made on a refresh-
ment saloon, and one of the guards fired into the
raiders who were battering in the door bf the
saloon and killed Sergeant John Terrill of Co. I,
and wounded another.
Breed N. Hyde of Hyde Park was appointed its
Lieutenant-Colonel. The regiment was mustered
into the United States service on July 16th, and it
left for Washington July 24th ; the regiment then
num1>ered 882 officers and men; it was accom-
panied by a regimental band of 24 pieces. At the
(207)
208 EARLY HISTORY
stations all the way down the Connecticut valley
to New Haven the men were cheered on their way
by throngs of spectators ; at Holyoke, Mass., a
thousand factory girls from the mills formed in
line beside the track and cheered and waved the
men on as the train went by; they arrived at
Washington July 26th, and marched to George-
town Heights, and went into camp at Camp
Lyon ; Captain William P. Smith, U. S. A., after-
wards Major-General, took command_of the regi-
ment as its Colonel. On August 16th Colonel
Smith was appointed Brigadier-General of Volun-
teers, and Lieutenant-Colonel Hyde was made
Colonel, and Major Wheelock G. Veazey was ap-
pointed Lieutenant-Colonel of the regiment, and
Captain Thomas O. Seaver of Co. F, was made
Major. The regiment did its full share of fatigue
duty. About this time an incident occurred that
made a great sensation and created much sympa-
thy for William Scott, a private of Co. K. Scott
was found asleep while on picket duty; for this
offense he was tried, convicted and sentenced to be
shot on Sept. 8th. He was but 22 years of age
and of good character, and had been on picket
duty two nights in succession, the last night hav-
ing taken the place of a sick comrade. An ap-
plication was made, numerously signed for his
pardon and taken to Washington. The facts
came to the knowledge of President Lincoln and
he caused an order to be telegraphed to camp to
stay the execution of the sentence— fearing it had
been miscarried he went himself on the night of
the 7th ten miles to headquarters to see that his
OF VERMONT. 209
order was carried out. In accordance with his
order, the next day, as Scott was taken out to be
shot, deadly pale and in agony in view of his sup-
posed last moments, an order from Major-General
McClellan was read to him and those assembled,
that declared in part, that "the President of the
United States has expressed a wish that as this is
the first condemnation to death in this array for
this crime, mercy may be extended to the criminal.
This fact, viewed in connection with the inexperi-
ence of the condemned as a soldier, his previous
good conduct and general good character, and the
urgent entreaties made in his behalf" had deter-
mined the Major-General commanding to grant
the pardon; and he was released and returned to
duty. Scott did good service thereafter and gave
his life for his country a few months later while
charging the rebel rifle pits at Lee's Mill.
On September 11th the regiment with a part of
the Second and others, had their first experience
under fire near Lewinsville, Va., and drove in the
enemy's skirmishers where Sergeant Farnham was
wounded in the ankle, and on return of the troops
they were attacked by a section of Rosser v s bat-
tery and infantry under command of the rebel
Colonel J. E. B. Stuart, killing one man of the
Third and mortally wounding another, and
wounding four or five others, but the enemy was
driven back. This affair' was characterized by the
Confederate side as routing of a large Union force
by a small Confederate battalion. The fall rains,
frequent fogs and cold nights told severely on the
health of the men. Typhoid fever prevailed that
210 EARLY HISTOKY
occasioned several deaths; on the 8th of October
over 200 men were on the sick list. There was a
serious lack of sufficient clothing; a petition was
made by the commissioned officers to the Legis-
lature and by Geheral Smith to the Governor,
calling attention of the State authorities to the
needs of the men, and by the middle of November
the regiment was comfortably clothed and the
health of the regiment greatly improved. In the
spring of 1862 the regiment was removed with
the brigade and the army to the Peninsula to take
part in the campaign under McClellan. The regi-
ment arrived at Portiess Monroe on March 24th,
and on April 16th they took an important part in
the assault on the enemy's works at Lee's Mill;
four companies of the regiment dashed through
and across Warwick Creek and carried the enemy's
rifle pits— this was regarded as the most daring
exploit of the campaign. Captain Samuel E. Pin-
gree led the assault with the utmost gallantry
and held his men to their work until he was seri-
ously wounded. The loss of the regiment in this
battle was 26 killed and 63 wounded, nine of
whom died of their wounds. At the battle of
Williamsburg the regiment was sent to the right to
re-inforce General Hancock, and did picket and
fatigue duty in front of Richmond, and on the
Seven Days Retreat. In those trying days the
regiment was commanded by Lieut. -Col. Veazey ;
at Savage's Station, June 29th, it lost six killed
and eighteen wounded. Willie Johnson, 14 years of
age, the drummer boy of Co. D, was the only
drummer of the entire division who carried
OF VERMONT. 211
his drum through to Harrison's Landing. Later
Willie was summoned to Washington and received
from Secretary Stanton the star medal of honor,
for his fidelity and pluck.
The regiment took part in the fighting at
Crampton's Gap on the 14th of September and in
the battle at Antietam on the 17th of September,
where it lost one man killed and three wounded,
and at Fredericksburg, Dec. 13th, where it had
two killed and eight wounded. On January 7,
1863 the regiment was at Belle Plain, Va., with
an aggregate of 791 men. Col. Hyde was ordered
before a court martial on a charge of cowardice at
the battle of Fredericksburg of Dec. 13, 1862 ; he
was advised to resign, and did so on the 15th of
January, 1863, and Lieut.-Col. Seaver was made
Colonel.
Seaver was a man that had shown himself cool
and brave in action and faithful to every duty. On .
May 3d, 1863, at the second battle of Fredericks-
burg his regiment formed a part of the third
storming column that carried the crest with the
loss of one killed and six wounded; the next day
at the engagement at Hanks 9 Ford under Lieut.-
Col. Pingree, it rendered gallant service in the
repulse of the Confederate brigades of Hoke and
Hays, where the regiment lost two killed and
mortally wounded, 24 wounded and 13 missing;
it shared the hard march to Gettysburg. In Au-
gust and September 1863, it was held at New York
to maintain order in that city; a part of their
service, before they returned to service in Virginia,
was to guard a New Jersey regiment that was .not
212 EARLY HISTORY
under proper discipline, and to stop desertion
therefrom. On the night of the 7th September
several of the Jerseymen undertook to run past
the guard, and three of them, bounty jumpers,
were killed and four wounded, which stopped any
further attempt to run the guard while Vermont-
ers were on duty.
Six hundred men of the regiment marched into
the Wilderness under General U. S. Grant on the
4th of May, 1864, and more than a third of them
fell in the battles of the 5th and 6th ot May— 40
were killed, 184 wounded, 25 of whom died of
their wounds. The regiment was in the thickest
of the fight at the ''bloody Angle." The loss of
the regiment on the 10th and 12th of May was 19
killed and 75 wounded, of whom 7 died. On June
3d it suffered severely at Cold Harbor, having 13
killed, 17 mortally wounded, and 53 wounded;
the regiment marched with the army and arrived
in front of Petersburg. The regiment was a part
of the sixth corps composed mainly of Vermont
troops under the charge of Lieut.-Col. S. E. Pin-
gree as Division Officer of the Day, and showed
great coolness and bravery at the battle at
Weldon Railroad, where 400 of the brigade were
captured. The regiment went with the brigade to
Washington on July 9th, to repel Early's attempt
to take that city. While the regiment was at Lees-
burg on July 16th, the term oi 104 of the original
members of the regiment, who had not re-enlisted,
expired, and they returned to Vermont, and ar-
rived at Burlington the 21st, where they were wel-
comed in the presence of a large assemblage, in an
OF VERMONT. 213
address by Hon. L. B. Englesby, followed by a
supper tendered the veterans by the citizens of
Burlington at the American Hotel.
In the engagement of the regiment at Charles-
town, Va., August 21st, 1864, it had three men
killed and fifteen wounded, and at Winchester,
Sept. 19th, General Sheridan's opening battle of
the Shenandoah campaign, it had two men killed
and twenty-six wounded., and on the 21st at
the battle of Fisher's Hill it had one killed, and
again at the battle of Cedar Creek on the 19th of
October, the regiment lost three killed and 38
wounded, three of whom died of their wounds.
Major Floyd was mentioned in General Grant's
report, for "truly conspicuous and gallant con-
duct." He received his commission as Lieutenant-
Colonel of the regiment soon after that battle. Af-
ter the close of the Shenandoah campaign the reg-
iment with the Sixth Corps returned to Peters-
burg and took part in the operations of the Army
under General U. S. Grant till the surrender of Lee
at Appomattox. In the last stand made by the en.
eny in front of Petersburg, a portion of the regi-
ment captured a Confederate battery where the
regiment lost four killed and 19 wounded, two of
whom died. The report of the regiment of June
7th, 1865, showed an aggregate of 466 men of
whom 320 were on duty, 128 sick, and 18 absent.
On June 4th Floyd was promoted to the colonelcy
of the regiment. On the 19th about 100 whose
term of service had expired, were mustered out
and returned to Burlington, Vt. f where they were
welcomed by a salute of cannon and an address
214
EARLY HISTORY
by Rev. George B. Safford, and were dined at the
City Hall by the ladies of Burlington.
BATTLES OF THE THIRD REGIMENT.
Lewinsville,
Sept. 11,1861
Lee's Mill,
April 16, 1862
Williamsburg,
May 5, 1862
Golding's Farm,
June 26, 1862
Savage's Station,
June 29, 1862
White Oak Swamp,
June 30, 1862
Crampton's Gap,
Sept. 14, 1862
Antietam,
Sept. 17, 1862
First Fredericksburg,
Dec. 13, 1862
Marye's Heights,
May 3, 1863
Salem Heights,
May 4, 1863
Fredericksburg,
June 5, 1863
Gettysburg,
July 3, 1863
Funkstown,
July 10, 1863
Rappahannock Station,
Nov. 7, 1863
Wilderness,
May 5 to 10, 1864
Spottsylvania,
May 10 to 18, 1864
Cold Harbor,
June 1 to 12, 1864
Petersburg,
June 18, 1864
Reams Station,
June 29, 1864
Washington,
July 11, 1864
Charlestown,
Aug. 21, 1864
Opequan,
Sept. 13, 1864
Winchester,
Sept. 19, 1864
Fisher's Hill,
Sept. 21 and 22, 1864
Cedar Creek,
Oct. 19, 1864
Petersburg,
March 25 and 27, 1865
Petersburg,
April 2, 1865
The original members
of the Third Regiment
OF VERMONT. 215
were 38 commissioned officers and 843 enlisted
men, total 881
It gained by recruits 919 and transfers
from other regiments, 9, total 928
Aggregate, 1809
LOSSES
Killed in action, officers and enlisted men, 130
Died of wounds, 70
Died of disease, 1 44
Died not of wounds in Confederate prisons, 9
Died from accidents, 4
Total of deaths, 357
The Fourth Regiment.— Soon after the first
battle of Bull Run, in a proclamation, the Gover-
nor declared that orders would be issued for en-
listing the Fourth and Fifth Regiments, and in ac-
cordance with that determination and the act of
the Legislature he exercised his discretion, and the
orders were issued, and forty recruiting officers
were commissioned, and he called upon the citi-
zens, and "especially the young men of the State
to enroll their names at the several recruiting sta-
tions for the service of their country." Enough
enlisted before Sept. 1st to fill both regiments.
Lieutenant Edwin H. Stoughton, U. S. A., a grad-
uate of West Point, 23 years of age, was appoint-
ed Colonel of the Fourth. The rendezvous of the
regiment was at Brattleboro at the place called
Camp Holbrook; the standard bearer was six feet
seven and one-half inches tall. The regiment was
216 EARLY HISTORY
sent forward and arrived at Washington Sept.
23d, and went into camp with the Fifth at "Camp
Advance" with other Vermont Regiments and at
once entered upon picket duty, and soon were
moved- with General Smith's division to Lewins-
ville, Va.
Adjutant General Theodore S. Peck, in his Re-
vised Roster of Vermont Volunteers says, that the
long and honorable service of each of the regi-
ments composing the First Vermont Brigade, con-
sisting of the five regiments from the Second to
the Sixth inclusive, was so nearly the common ex-
perience and fame of all, "that the story of one is
the substantial counterpart to the story of all the
others. There was scarcely a fight in the whole
service in which all were not under fire where any
were; and no man could say that the glory which
shed such a wide lustre on our arms, and gave the
great name to the valor of the Vermont troops,
was not the equal property of each of those five
regiments." The Eleventh Regiment that joined
the Brigade later, shared in the arduous service
and the imperishable glory of the achievements of
the brigade.
From the 9th of October 1861, until March 10,
1862, the regiment was encamped at Camp Griffin.
As the period of cold nights and fall rains came on
much sickness prevailed ; on Nov. 9, 1861 the sur-
geon reported 200 men sick, and in December the
number was nearly doubled. The camp was
moved in December on to higher ground and more
ample clothing was furnished, and a change for
the better immediately took place. On March 10,
OF VERMONT. 217
1862, the regiment with the brigade embarked on
transports for Fortress Monroe, and sdon marched
in the grand advance of General McClellan's army
up the Peninsula. On the 7th, Private Madison
M. Myrick was wounded by the enemy's picket —
he was the first man wounded in the regiment.
The regiment was in the engagement at Lee's
Mill above the dam of Warwick Creek. The loss
of the regiment in this engagement was two killed
and ten wounded, one of whom died of his wounds.
It took part in the battle of Williamsburg and
aided in turning the enemy's left, and in the en-
gagements at Golding's Farm, Savage's Station,
White Oak Swamp, and on the Seven Days Re-
treat. In all these battles the regiment took an
honorable part and had one man killed, and five
sick and three wounded men fell into the hands
of the enemy at Savage's Station June 29th. The
regiment remained at Harrison's Landing till
August 16th, when it marched to Fortress Mon-
roe, and from thence transported to Acquia Creek,
and shared in the hardships and triumphs of the
Antietam campaign, and distinguished itself in the
storming of Crampton's Gap Sept. 14, and cap-
tured on the crest of the mountains 121 men and
the colors of the 16th Virginia. The loss of the
regiment the 14th was one killed and 14 wounded;
at the battle of Antietam on the 17th it had six
men wounded, three of whom died of their wounds;
soon after, while at Hagerstown, Md., it received
109 recruits. On Sept. 20th it showed an aggre-
gate of 798 officers and men. On Nov. 6th, 1862,
Colonel S. H. Stoughton was appointed Brigadier
218 EARLY HISTORY
General of volunteers and assigned to command
the Second Vermont brigade, and Charles B.
Stoughton became Colonel of the regiment, and
Major George P. Poster was appointed Lieutenant
Colonel. On Dec. 13th at the battle of Fredericks-
burgh the regiment had 11 killed and 45 wounded.
At the second battle of Fredericksburg, May 3,
1863, the regiment was in the third line of the
assaulting column in the storming of Marye's
Heights, and in the engagement the next day at
Bank's Ford it lost one man killed and 22
wounded. At this battle Sergeant Coffey alone
captured a Captain, a Lieutenant and five pri-
vates— Coffey came on to them suddenly and com-
manded them to surrender, and they immediately
complied, when he threw their muskets into the
stream, and secured the officers' swords before
they discovered he was alone; soon some of
Coffey's company came to his assistance and the
captured men were marched in, to their intense
mortification. The regiment was marched to
Gettysburg, and was on the skirmish line on that
field on the third day. Colonel Stoughton was
severely wounded at Funkstown, July 10th, and
the regiment there lost one man killed and 23
wounded. The regiment with the brigade in Au-
gust went to New York city to maintain order
during the draft. On the 24th September it re-
ceived 200 recruits at Culpepper Court House; it
spent the winter with the Sixth Corps at Brandy
Station, Va. On February 2d Colonel Stoughton
resigned and Lieutenant Fodter became Colonel,
and afterwards for gallant and meritorious con-
OF VERMONT. 219
duct in the Shenandoah Campaign and before
Petersburg won a brevet as brigadier general.
The regiment had its share in the battle of the
Wilderness; on May 4th, I864 f it crossed the
Rapidan with about 600 muskets ; the first three
days it had 16 officers killed and wounded— the
casualties of the regiment were 257, over forty
per cent of its effective force, 34 were killed, 194
wounded, of whom 45 died of their wounds. On
May 7th the regiment was marched to Chancel-
lorsville, where the brigade was detached to guard
the train of the Sixth Corps. At Spottsylvania,
on May 12th, it fought in the front line where
four were killed and 44 wounded, 13 of whom
died of their wounds, and at Cold Harbor it had
one man killed and seven wounded, six of whom
died of their wounds. On the 16th the regiment
crossed James River in the movement of the Divi-
sion to Petersburg. On the 23d, at the Weldon
Railroad, seven officers and 137 men of the regi-
ment, and a battalion of the Eleventh were cap-
tured. Three men of the Fourth were killed and
several wounded. It is sad to note, that of the
men captured no less than 65 of them died in Con-
federate prisons— most of them in Andersonville,
Ga. What was left of the Fourth went with the
Sixth Corps to Washington to stop the progress
of Early's raid in Maryland and prevent him from
making a dash on Washington. The regiment
shared in the marching and fighting in the Shenan-
doah Campaign under General Sheridan. On the
20th Sept. the term of the original three years
men that had not re-enlisted, expired. Ten officers
220 EARLY HISTORY
and 136 men returned to Vermont and were mus-
tered out. The regiment had still an aggregate
of 550 men, of which about 200 were present for
duty, and 144 still in the hands of the enemy and
200 sick. The vote in the field for President in the
regiment stood 74 for McClellan and 64 for Lin-
coln.
On Dec. 9, 1864, the regiment was returned to
the army in front of Petersburg. On February
25, 1865 the regiment was consolidated into eight
companies and 166 sharp shooters were trans-
ferred to it, increasing the aggregate of the regi-
ment to 757, but only 365 were present for duty.
Forty of those captured at the Weldon Railroad
were exchanged and joined the regiment on March
10th.
In the final assault on the 2d of April, resulting
in the fall of Richmond, the regiment was actively
engaged and lost one man killed and 11 mfen
wounded. Soon alter the regiment marched to
Danville, Va., and then to Munson's Hill near
Washington, where it remained till mustered out.
THE BATTLES OF THE FOURTH YERMONT.
Lee's Mill, April 16, 1862
Williamsburg, May 5, 1862
Golding's Farm, June 26, 1862
Savage's Station, June 29, 1862
White Oak Swamp, June 30, 1862
Crampton's Gap, Sept. 14, 1862
Antietam, Sept. 17, 1862
Fredericksburg, Dec. 1 3, 1 862
Marve's Heights,. May 3, 1863
OF VERMONT. 221
Fredericksburg,
June 5, 1863
Gettysburg,
July 3, 1863
Funkstown,
July 10, 1563
Rappahannock Station,
Nov. 7, 1863
Wilderness,
May 5 to 10, 1864
Spottsylvania,
May 10 to 18, 1864
Cold Harbor,
June 1 to 12, 1864
Petersburg,
June 18, 1864
Weldon Railroad,
June 23, 1864
Charlestown,
Aug. 21, 1864
Opequan,
Sept. 13, 1864
Winchester,.
Sept. 19, 1864
Fisher's Hill,
Sept. 21 and 22, 1864
Cedar Creek,
Oct. 19, 1864
Petersburg,
March 25 and 27, 1865
Petersburg,
April 2, 1865
STATEMENT.
Original members, 38 officers, and 1010
enlisted men, total 1048
Gain— recruits 602, transfers from other
regiments 203, total 805
Aggregate # 1853
LOSSES.
Killed in action, 8 officers, and 66 enlisted
men; total 74
Died of wounds, 4 officers and 83 enlisted
men; total 87
Died of disease. 1 95
Died (unwounded) in Confederate prisons 71
Died from accidents 2
Total of deaths,
429
222 EARLY HISTORY
The Fifth Regiment was raised in compli-
ance with Governor Fairbanks' proclamation of
July 21, 1861, as before stated; its place of ren-
dezvous was St. Albans. Lieutenant Henry A.
Smalley, Seeond U. S. Artillery, who graduated
from the United States Military Academy in 1854,
was made its Colonel. The regiment armed and
equipped, left the State for Washington Septem-
ber 21st, and arrived at Washington, September
25th, and soon went into camp at Camp Advance
on Virginia side of the river close by the camps of
the Second, Third and Fourth regiments. On Oc-
tober 9, 1861 the regiment moved out and went
into camp at Camp Griffin, surrounded by the
Second, Third and Fourth regiments, and near by
where Smith's division of twenty thousand men
were. It was a time of year when the men suffered
for want of coats and underwear, but the last of
October proper clothing was received and dis-
tributed and deficiency in arms supplied ; sickness
prevailed to an alarming extent, and on January
2, 1862, sixty men of the Fifth were in hospitals,
but the regiment improved in health. On March
10th the Fifth with the other Vermont regiments
left Camp Griffin and were transported down the
Potomac to Fortress Monroe and marched up the
Peninsula with the army under General McClellan.
Peter Brady was the first man wounded by a hos-
tile bullet ; this was at Young's Mills. At Lee's
Mill a part of the regiment was detailed to act as
sharp-shooters and did good work under a sharp
fire, in picking off the enemy's cannoneers and
keeping the enemy's guns silent for hours; two
OF VERMONT. 223
man of the regiment were killed in this work.
When the enemy evacuated Warwick Creek the
Fifth was the first regiment of General Smith's
division that was sent across the Creek to occupy
the enemy's works.
In March 1862, the staff and line officers ten-
dered Colonel Smalley, as a token of regard, a
sabre, belt and sash, which he declined to receive,
saying, "After any action with the enemy, should
you then preserve the same high opinion of me
you now entertain, I shall be pleased and happy
to accept any evidence of it." After the action at
Lee's Mill the tender of the testimonial was re-
newed, and accepted. He said the officers and
men of the regiment in action had justified his
hopes, and that "I have in the open field added to
your confidence is gratifying." In this campaign
the regiment did their full duty. It was encamped
at Golding's Farm when the seven days' fighting
and retreat to Harrison's Landing commenced.
On June 29th at Savage's Station the regiment ren-
dered signal service ; during a half hour the regi-
ment in that engagement suffered the greatest loss
of men killed and wounded that ever was endured
by any Vermont regiment in a single action. The
regiment was commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel
Grant. The regiment took into action not exceed-
ing 400 men, and lost 45 officers and men killed,
and 143 wounded of whom 27 died of their
wounds. Seventy-five wounded and three sick
men fell into the hands of the enemy. On August
16th the regiment participated in the movement
of the army down the Peninsula and up the Poto-
224 EARLY HISTORY
mac, and in the campaign in Maryland and Vir.
ginia in August and September ot 1862. On Sept.
10th, Col. Smalley retired and Lieut-Col. Grant
succeeded him. On Sept. 14th the regiment partici-
pated in the storming of Crampton'sGap and was
on the field of Antietam. At the battle of Frede-
ricksburg from Dec. 11th to the 14th it was under
fire four days where it suffered by one man killed
and 13 wounded. In February 1863 Colonel Grant
took command of the brigade and Lieut.-Col.
Lewis succeeded to the command of the regiment.
At the storming of Marye's Heights at the Second
battle of Fredericksburg on the 3d of May, it ad-
vanced to the top of the heights without loss, but
on the fourth it lost three killed and 11 wounded.
On the 5th of June in an affair below Fredericks-
burg it captured 90 of the enemy from the Eight-
eenth Mississippi, with a loss of seven men
wounded. The regiment was on the field of
Gettysburg, but was not actively engaged, and
lost but one man ; at the engagement at Funks-
town on July 10th the regiment repulsed repeated
attacks of the Confederate lines with a loss of
three men killed and seven wounded. On August
11th it was sent to Kingston, N. Y., to keep order
during the draft. This was an agreeable vacation
for about three weeks. The regiment's next en-
gagement was on Nov. 7, 1863, at Rappahannock
Station, where three men were wounded by artil-
lery fire. It went into winter quarters ot Brandy
Station, Va. There on the 15th of December 255
officers and men, having re-enlisted, were granted
a furlough for 30 days and left for their homes in
OF VERMONT. 225
Vermont; at the expiration of their furlough they
returned to the field with 40 new recruits.
On May 4, 1864, the regiment crossed the Rapi-
dan to take part in the bloody Wilderness cam-
paign under General U. S. Grant. It went into
the first days* fight with about 500 men. The
loss during the Wilderness battle, aggregated 349.
Lieut.-Col. John R. Lewis, in command of the regi-
ment, fell early in the first day's fight, May the
5th, with his left arm shattered, and his arm was
amputated. He was taken to Fredericksburg,
where he was met by his wife, who cared for him.
He was afterwards on June 5th, made Colonel of
the regiment in consideration of his gallantry —
his commission dating from May 5th,. 1864; he
was afterwards brevetted brigadier-general for
"gallant services in the battle of the Wilderness."
In the battle of Spottsylvania from May 10th to
the 21st inclusive the regiment lost 15 killed and
50 wounded, 12 of whom died of their wounds,
and 20 missing. Major Dudley, who had suc-
ceeded to the command of the regiment upon the
fall of Lieut.-Col. Lewis, was mortally wounded
while cheering on his njen. He was a brave man
and had distinguished himself at Bank's Ford and
at the crossing of the Rappahannock June 5. 1863,
and on other occasions. The regiment was in the
front line at Cold Harbor on the 3d of June, losing
eight killed and 22 wounded ; it moved with the
brigade to James River and took its share of the
dangers and hardships before Petersburg; it went
with the Sixth Corps to drive General Early from
menacing Washington, in July, where it had one
10
226 EARLY HISTORY
man wounded. In the engagement at Charles-
town, Va., August 21, it had two men killed and
four wounded. On Sept. 15th, 1864, 107 of the
men at the expiration of their term of enlistment,
who had not re-enlisted, were mustered out and re-
turned to Vermont. The regiment served with
the brigade in Sheridan's Shenandoah campaign ;
at Winchester Sept. 19th it lost six killed and 22
wounded, and in the battle of Cedar Creek Oct.
19th, under the command of Major Enoch John-
son of the Second Vermont, it lost two killed and
17 wounded. At the close of Sheridan's cam-
paign in the Valley, it returned with the brigade
to the main army under Grant, south of Peters-
burg with 574 men including recruits. It had 148
sick on the 16th of February, 1865, but the men
in the regiment improved in health. At Fort
Fisher, March 25th, the regiment entered the
works with the brigade and took a number of
prisoners. The Fifth lost one man killed and 7
wounded in repulsing an attack on the picket
line. March 27th, seven men were wounded.
In the final attack on April 2, 1865, under the
command of Lieutenant Kennedy the Sixth Corps
had the honor of leading the storming column, and
its colors were the first planted on the enemy's
works. Sergeant Lester G. Hack of Co. F, of the
Fifth, seized a Confederate battle flag, knocked
down the Color-bearer, though surrounded by a
squad of his comrades, and secured the flag. In
that day's work the regiment lost five killed, 34
wounded, and seven missing who were taken pris-
oners, but recaptured. After the surrender of
OF VERMONT.
227
General R. B. Lee, the regiment marched to the vi-
cinity of Washington, where they were mustered
out in June, 1865. The State will ever be proud
of the services of the members of the Fifth, who
met so many dangers and endured so many hard-
ships.
THE HATTLKS OF THE FIFTH VERMONT.
Lee's Mill,
April 16, 1862
Williamsburg,
May 5, 1862
Golding's Farm,
June 26, 1862
Savage's Station,
June 29, 1862
White Oak Swamp,
June 30, 1862
Crampton's Gap,
Sept. 14, 1862
Antietatn,
Sept. 17, 1862
Fredericksburg,
Dec. 13, 1862
Marye's Heights,
May 3, 1863
Salem Heights,
May 4, 1863
Fredericksburg,
June 5, 1863
Gettysburg,
July 3, 1863
Funkstown,
July 10, 1863
Rappahannock Station,
Nov. 7, 1863
Wilderness,
May 6 to 10, 1864
Spottsylvania,
May 10 to 18, 1864
Cold Harbor,
June 1 to 12, 1864
Petersburg,
June 18, 1864
Charlestown,
Aug. 21, 1864
Opequan,
Sept. 13, 1864
Winchester,
Sept. 19, 1864
Fisher's Hill,
Sept. 21 and 22, 1864
Cedar Creek,
Oct. 19, 1864
Petersburg,
March 25 and 27, 1865
Petersburg,
April 2, 1865
228 EARLY HISTORY
STATEMENT.
Original members, commissioned officers,
and men 986
Recruits 588
Transferred from other regiments 43
Aggregate 1617
LOSSES.
Killed in action, 133
Died of wounds, 72
Died of disease, 114
Died (not of wounds) in Confederate prisons 11
Died from accidents 4
Executed 1
Total of deaths, 335
The Sixth Regiment was raised and organized
in response to a call issued by Governor Fairbanks
issued on the 16th day of September, 1861. It
was raised in less than two weeks, and it rendez-
voused at Montpelier, and was mustered into the
United States service on October 15th. for three
years; Nathan Lord, Jr., became its Colonel, and
it reached Washington, the 22d, and marched to
Camp Griffin, where it joined the other Vermont
regiments, completing the Vermont brigade. Dur-
ing the following winter there were more than
fifty deaths in the regiment. There were 278 cases
of typhoid fever, 330 of measles, 90 of diphtheria
and 180 of mumps. The Vermont brigade was
assigned to General William F. Smith's division of
the Fourth Army Corps under the command of
General Keyes. It entered upon its field work in
OF VERMONT. 229
the Peninsula Campaign, and was before the
enemy at Warwick Creek on April 5th, 18G2; it
received its baptism of fire on April 16th at Lee's
Mill. The loss of the regiment in that battle was
23 killed and mortally wounded, and 57 wounded;
the regiment was again in battle at Williamsburg.
On May 16th the regiment became a part of the
Second brigade, Second Division, Sixth Army
Corps. The regiment did much hard service while
the army was laying on the Chickahominy ; it
was in the battle at Savage's Station on the
29th of June, where it lost 21 killed and mor-
tally wounded, and 54 wounded and missing. It
then marched to Harrison's Landing, where it re-
mained more than a month ; it then marched to
Fortress Monroe, where it embarked on trans-
ports and reached Alexandria the 24th of August ;
it participated in the Maryland campaign and
was engaged in the battles of Crampton's Gap, the
bloody battles of Antietam and Fredericksburg.
On Dec. 18th, 1862, Colonel Lord resigned, and
Lieutenant Tuttle was promoted to the Colonelcy*
and in March, 1863, Colonel Tuttle resigned, and
Lieutenant-Colonel Barney was made Colonel, and
he remained Colonel and commanded the regiment
until he fell mortally wounded in the battle of the
Wilderness. The regiment did good service in the
Chancellorsville Campaign of 1863, at Marye's
Heights, and Bank's Ford where it made a gallant
charge and drove back the enemy and captured
250 prisoners.
The following incident shows how sometimes
one good turn serves another. Among the
230 EAttLY HISTORY
wounded men captured by the Confederates at the
battle of Savage's Station was Corporal Alexan-
der W. Davis of Co. D; while confined in Libby
prison he learned that his cousin, Dr. James B.
Davis (a son of Hon. Bliss N. Davis of Danville,
Vt.) v who resided in Louisiana when the war
broke out, was the surgeon of the Seventh Louisi-
ana regiment then stationed near Richmond. He
wrote to Dr. Davis a letter that resulted in getting
some kind offices in procuring his exchange and
furnishing him a horse to ride from Richmond
to Atkins Landing, where the prisoners were
transferred to transports to be taken North.
After the battle of Antietam, Dr. Davis was
left in charge of the Confederate wounded with-
in the Union lines, and there met Colonel George
P. Foster of the Fourth Vermont, and others
of his former schoolmates. General Truman
Seymour gave Dr. Davis a guard at that time
and showed him kindness, which Dr. Davis recip-
rocated when General Seymour afterwards was a
prisoner, after the battle of the Wilderness. The
regiment in the battle of Funkstown, Md., where
the whole brigade was deployed as skirmishers,
suffered severely. During the day it was attacked
three times by heavy lines of battle, but each time
the enemy was repulsed. It served the remainder
of the year with "Meade and Lee's express line be-
tween Alexandria and Culpepper;" and went into
winter quarters at Brandy Station.
In the Wilderness campaign the regiment fought
bravely and suffered greatly in killed and wounded.
Of the 441 that went into battle 69 were killed
OF VERMONT. 231
and 127 wounded. On May 5th Colonel Barney
was mortally wounded, and the command de-
volved on Lieutenant Colonel Oscar A. Hale. On
the 10th at Spottsylvania, it charged with Upton's
forlorn hope, in which were the first six Vermont
regiments that were then in the service. Twelve
regiments were selected, formed in three lines and
charged bayonet; they took the enemy's works
and held them three hours and till they were or-
dered to retire. It was one of the most famous
charges of the war; it made Colonel Upton Briga-
dier General and reflected high honor on every
soldier engaged. The Sixth fought again on the
12th at the Bloodj r Angle, where nothing but a
breast work about six feet thick separated them
from the rebel forces. On the 15th it was re-en-
forced by 150 men. The regiment was engaged at
Cold Harbor for 12 days. On the 16th of June,
1864, it crossed the James, where it remained in
front of Petersburg until it was sent to Washing-
ton with other Vermont regiments to drive Gen.
Early away from that city that he was threat-
ening to capture; and from there it went with
Sheridan to the Shenandoah Valley; it was at
Opequan, Winchester, Fisher's Hill, and Cedar
Creek, and did its work gloriously. On Dec. 9th,
1864, the regiment left the Valley and joined the
army in front of Petersburg the 13th, and in the
final assault on April 2d the regiment was among
the first to enter the enemy's works, and was in
the front line in subsequent movements. It shared
in the pursuit of Lee's army after the fall of Rich-
mond; it soon returned to near Washington,
232 EARLY HISTORY
where those who had not been discharged before,
were mustered out on the 26th of June, 1865, and
those who were able to travel, 297 in number,
left camp next day for Vermont and arrived at
Burlington, Vt., June 29th, 1865, and were
marched to the City Hall, where they were wel-
comed home, and where the ladies of Burlington
served a supper for them, and sang songs of wel-
come, and gave them three cheers and a "tiger."
BATTLES OF THE SIXTH REGIMENT.
Lee's Mill,
April 16, 1862
Williamsburg,
May 5, 1862
Golding's Farm,
June 26, 1862
Savage's Station,
June 29, 1862
White Oak Swamp,
June 30, 1862
Crampton's Gap,
Sept. 14, 1862
Antietam,
Sept. 17, 1862
Fredericksburg,
Dec. 13, 1862
Marye's Heights,
May 3, 1863
Salem Heights,
May 4, 1863
Fredericksburg,
June 5, 1863
Gettysburg,
July 3, 1863
Funkstown,
July 10, 1863
Rappahannock Station,
Nov. 7, 1863
Wilderness,
M
ay 5 to 10, 1864
Spottsylvania,
May 10 to IS, 1864
Cold Harbor,
June 1 to 12, 1864
Petersburg,
June 18, 1864
Charlestown,
Aug. 21, 1864
Opequan,
Sept. 13, 1864
Winchester,
Sept. 19, 1864
Fisher's Hill,
Sept.
21 and 22, 1864
OF VERMONT. 233
Cedar Creek, Oct. 19, 1864
Petersburg, March 25 and 27, 1865
Petersburg, April 2, 1865
STATEMENT.
Original number, officers and men, 966
Recruits, 703
Transfers from other regiments, 7
Total 1680
LOSSES
Killed in action, 103
Died of wounds, 84
Died of disease, 182
Died (unwounded) in Confederate prisons, 22
Died from accidents, 2
Total of deaths, 393
GHflPTER XL
THE ORGANIZATION AND SERVICES OF THE
SEVENTH, EIGHTH AND NINTH
REGIMENTS IN THE CIVIL
WAR OF 1861.
Governor Holbrook announced in his message
to the Legislature in October 1861, that two more
additional regiments would be required to be
raised under the then existing call for troops, and
a law was enacted authorizing the Governor to
raise one regiment to form a part of the division
which Benjamin F. Butler was then organizing for
service in Louisiana, and another to serve in the
army of the United States without designating
where.
The Seventh rendezvoused at Rutland. George
T. Roberts of Rutland was made its Colonel. The
Seventh was not raised as a Butler regiment, and
was dissatisfied when it became known that Gen-
eral Butler had obtained from the war depart-
ment an assignment of it to his division. The
regiment left the State March 10th and was sent
to Ship Island in the Gulf of Mexico; two died
during the passage and were buried at sea. Gen-
eral J. W. Phelps, the old commander of the
First Vermont, had been on the Island four
months. He signalized the event of the arrival of
(284)
OF VERMONT. 235
the Vermont troops, which inaugurated a friction
between him and General Butler and the govern-
ment at Washington. General Phelps issued his
famous proclamation to the loyal citizens of the
Southwest, declaring slavery to be incompatible
with free government, and its overthrow the aim
and object of the government in the prosecution
of the war.
General Butler prepared, in connection with
Farragut, an expedition against New Orleans.
The Seventh and Eighth, and the First and Sec-
ond Vermont batteries were to take part in it, as
a part of the brigade, to be commanded by Gen-
eral Phelps. There was great rejoicing on May
2d, 1861, when the Vermont troops learned that
New Orleans had fallen. A part of the regiment
occupying Fort Pike on May 5th, was employed
to aid in guarding the entrance of Lake Pontchar-
train which had been abandoned by the Confeder-
ates with other defences of New Orleans; soon
after they reported to General Phelps at Carroll-
ton, six miles above New Orleans, where they had
some severe fatigue dut3 r to perform. Malarial
diseases made a large sick list. On June 15th by a
peremptor*- order from General Butler, the regi-
ment under Lieutenant-Colonel Fullam embarked
for Baton Rouge and reported to Brig.-General
Thomas Williams. Company C and a part of
company D were left at Fort Pike.
The regiment accompanied the expedition under
Captain Farragut against Vicksburg ; the expedi-
tion reached that place June 25th, where a long,
fruitless bombardment took place. In this expe-
236 EARLY HISTORY
dition there were but about 3000 men. The rebel
force at this place was 15,000 men. On July 2d
Parragut reported that he was satisfied that it
was not possible to take Vicksburg without an
army of 12,000 or 15,000 men. The men were
put to work digging a canal to change the course
of the Mississippi river so as to leave the town
back from the river. The scheme was a hopeless
one. The soldiers christened the trench "Butler's
Ditch" and "Folly Creek." But sickness in this
malarial region made fearful inroads into the
ranks of the troops. The regiment became so re-
duced that not more than four officers and 100
men were fit for duty. On July 20th they received
the welcome order to return to Baton Rouge.
The Seventh went to Vicksburg, a body of some
700 effective men. It mustered on its return to
Baton Rouge, thirty-six days after, less than one
hundred men fit for duty. The regiment soon im-
proved somewhat in health, but they were soon
called into active service in battle before the regi-
ment had got into a condition for hard service.
As soon as the expedition against Vicksburg had
been abandoned, General Van Dorn, who com-
manded the Confederate forces at Vicksburg, or-
dered Major-General John C. Breckenridge with
5000 men to repair to Camp Moore, 60 miles
from Baton Rouge, there to be joined by the brig-
ade of General Ruggles, and from there make a
dash at Baton Rouge and overwhelm the Federal
forces at that point. It was a good plan if they
could carry it out. Breckenridge with 18 regi-
ments and four batteries appeared before the city
OF YERMONT. 237
ready for a conflict. To meet this formidable force
General Williams bad but about 2000 effective
men. The Seventh with less than 250 men was
among the opposing forces. General Williams,
though a capable officer and had had experi-
ence in the Mexican war, had neglected to fortify
his position which was on the east bank of the
Mississippi, just north of the city. Williams was
warned of the approach of the enemy on the 4th
of August, and prepared for battle on the next
day. The Seventh was formed in the second line
of battle, just in the rear of the Indiana and
Michigan regiments. The battle commenced in
earnest at day-break, and in a dense fog, and
raged for five hours, the Union lines were out-
flanked and forced back, but by nine o'clock the
advance of the enemy was checked, and at ten
o'clock Breckenridge withdrew his forces from
the field. The Union losses were 84 killed and 266
wounded, and 33 missing. The Confederate state-
ment was that they had 84 killed, 313 wounded
and 56 missing. One of Butler's staff was des-
patched to the battlefield the next day and re-
ported that they had already buried 250 rebels.
The Seventh had but 225 bayonets in the line ot
battle. The loss of the regiment was one officer
and nine men wounded. Colonel Roberts was
twice wounded and died on the 7th, of his wounds.
General Williams was killed. Jack Russell, a lad
too young to enlist, who accompanied Major
Holbrook from Vermont as his servant, was
also killed. His body was found the next day.
He had followed Major Holbrook to the picket
238 BARKY HISTORY
line and was shot where bis body was found.
Four days after the battle General Butler is-
sued an order in which he complimented the Union
troops without exception for the bravery and
good behavior in the battle. But soon after a re-
port reached the regiment that he was going to
censure it. Major Holbrook called on General
Butler who notified him that he had been rec-
ommended to the vacant Colonelcy, and that
he had prepared an order censuring the regiment
tor "discreditable behaviour in the face of the
enemy." Major Holbrook denied the statement
on which Butler based his order, and cited him to
eye witnesses of good standing that would testi-
fy to the good conduct of the men and protested
against his condemnation of the regiment, but in
vain, and the order was issued in which he claimed
the Seventh refused to aid the overwhelmed Indi-
anians, and by mistake had fired into it killing and
wounding several, and therefore he "will not per-
mit their colors to be inscribed with a name which
could bring to its officers and men no proud
thought, " and "that the colors be not borne by
them until such time as they shall have earned
the right to them." General Butler also made the
charge that the colors of the regiment were brought
off the field by another regiment. Major Holbrook
wrote to the Adjutant-General at Washington ask-
ing for a court of inquiry. The Governor of Ver-
mont urged the creation of such a court, and be
made up of officers sent from Washington. After
long delay a court of inquiry was appointed from
officers of troops under the command of General
OF VERMONT. 239
Butler. In the findings of the court no failure of
the regiment was found, except in one particular:
viz., that soon after Colonel Roberts fell, under the
sharpest volley that was fired at that battle, "the
regiment fled about one hundred feet to the rear
and to the cover of some gullies in a disorderly
manner, and about two-fifths of the men present
for duty did not return to the position in the lin^
of battle during the day." This finding was ap-
proved by General Butler, and in his order to
the regiment said that "the General is glad to
find that most of the line officers behaved well,
and that the official reports that led him to be-
lieve that the regimental colors were lost by the
regiment were mistakes, and therefore he had pleas-
ure in ordering the colors of the regiment to be re-
stored to the regiment with the privilege to car-
ry them," but did not order them to be inscribed
with the name of the battle, and he doubted not
that "the regiment will in its next action retrieve
its position and earn a proud name for itself and
State." It was thought by many who had the op-
portunity to know the facts that the charges made
against the regiment were hasty and untrue, and
made to gratify a spite or grudge that General But-
ler had against the Seventh. The members of the
court were selected by General Butler and were un-
der his influence, and naturally anxious not to of-
fend him. Colonel Dudley, who was in command of
the regiment during the latter part of the action,
testified "that he saw nothing to censure in the
conduct of the Seventh." The fact of the good con-
duct of the regiment was sustained by the evidence
240 EARLY HISTORY
oi Major Holbrook, Captains Porter, Barber, Dut-
ton and Cronan, and Lieutenants Parker and
Woodman, and also by Color-Sergeant Parkhurst.
Subsequently Major General P. H. Sheridan or-
dered that there be inscribed upon the colors of
the regiment, Siege of Vicksburg, Baton Rouge,
Gonzales Station, Spanish Fort and Whistler.
Major Holbrook was appointed Colonel of the
regiment. Disease contracted in the swamps near
Vicksburg made a fearful havoc in the regiment.
On Nov. 13th, 1862, the regiment embarked for
Pcnsacola, Florida, and there with healthful sur-
roundings the health of the regiment rapidly im-
proved. During the autumn of 1863, many
refugees came into the Union lines to escape Con-
federate conscription, and General Asboth, who
had succeeded Colonel Holbrook in command, di-
rected Adjutant Sheldon of the Seventh to recruit
and drill a light battery from the refugees, and al-
so attempted to organize a cavalry regiment from
them but they were found to be untrustworthy,
and the effort was abandoned. Occasionally the
troops had brushes with Confederate cavalry,
which broke the monotony of camp life. On Feb-
ruary, 1864, Lieut. Frank N. Finney returned to
the regiment from Vermont with 110 recruits, and
335 during that month re-enlisted, and were en-
titled to a furlough, but the furlough was delayed
till August 10th, when they with those whose
term of service had expired on the 1st day of June,
1864, departed from Barrancas and Fort Pickens
for home. On their departure General Asboth ex-
pressed his full appreciation of their good order,
OF VERMONT. 24-1
discipline and efficient service. They arrived at
Brattleboro August 26, and were received by Gov-
ernor Smith and the citizens of the town. They
were glad to meet their kindred and friends, but
their meeting was saddened at the thought of the
350 missing comrades that lay buried on the
banks of the Mississippi and in Florida. At the
expiration of the furlough the regiment returned
to the service and arrived at New Orleans on the
13th of October, 1864, where it remained during
the winter. The regiment took part in the taking
of the Spanish Fort in the Mobile campaign under
General Canby the fore part of April, 1865. The
siege lasted thirteen days, during which time the
Seventh was continually under fire. . On the 23d
of April the Union troops at this place received
the news of the assassination of President Lincoln.
Truce was arranged between General Canby and
General Richard Taylor, and Taylor here surren-
dered his army which ended hostilities east of the
Mississippi. The loss of the regiment in this cam-
paign against Mobile was 18 men wounded and
25 captured. Colonel Holbrook in his report of
the regiment, said ''under all circumstances, both
officers and men have shown courage, obedience
and proficiencj\" The war was over, but not the
services of the Seventh, and it was stationed in
Texas on the Rio Grande at Clarksville and
Brownsville, to await the outcome of the attempt
to establish an empire in Mexico under the pro-
tection of France. The regiment was mustered
out March 14th, 1866, with 22 commissioned
officers and 326 enlisted men.
17
242 EARLY HISTORY
THE BATTLES OF THE SEVENTH REGIMENT.
Siege of Vicksburg, June and July, 1862
Baton Rouge, Aug. 5, 1862
Gonzales Station, July 15, 1864
Mobile campaign and Spanish
Fort, Mar. 17 to April 1 1 , 1865
Whistler, April 13, 1865
STATEMENT.
Original members, 943
Recruits and transfers from other regiments, 628
Total,
1571
LOSSES.
Killed in action,
11
Died of disease,
375
Disabilities,
241
Losses from other causes,
179
Mustered out
765
Total, 1571
The Eighth Regiment was in the outset de-
signed for General Butler's New England division,
and Stephen Thomas of West Fairlee was selected
for its Colonel by General Butler himself. Colonel
Thomas was selected from civil life and was with-
out any military experience, but he was a man of
courage, patriotism and honesty, and retained his
command through the three years term. He was
mustered out January 21, 1865, and appointed
Brigadier-General of Volunteers February 1st,
1865. While the regiment was at Camp Hol-
hrook, before it left the State, Colonel Thomas
OF VERMONT. 243
read to the regiment on dress parade the news
then just received of the capture of Fort Donald-
son with 12,000 prisoners by General U. S. Grant.
Colonel Thomas told his men "that if they did not
start soon for the front, the Western men would
end the war and have all the glory." The regiment
was mustered in February 18th, 1862, and left
the State March 14th, 1060 strong, together with
the First Batterj', and after a long and stormy
voyage anchored at Ship Island April 6th, 1862.
Here they were drilled, and reviewed by General
Butler. A little newspaper was started and
printed by Alfred W. Eastman of Company I. Its
publisher, in truth, claimed "that it was the best
paper ever published on Ship Island." After the
taking of New Orleans the regiment was sent for
by General Butler. On disembarking they found
that the burnt docks and warehouses were still
smouldering; the city was filled with unemployed
workmen and roughs, who with the women of the
city, did not conceal their hatred to Union troops.
General Butler appointed Q. M. Sergeant, J. Elliot
Smith of the Eighth, military superintendent of
the telegraph line, and of the fire alarm telegraph
of the city, and established telegraph lines to the
outlying districts. The regiment seemed to be
General Butler's favorite. The New Orleans Delta
had violated General Butler's proclamation for-
bidding the publication of rebellious articles, and it
was taken possession of by General Butler, who
transformed it into a loyal paper, and in May,
1862, Lieutenant-Colonel Brown of the regiment
was detailed to take the editorial charge. On
244 EARLY HISTORY
Aug. 28th Colonel Thomas was sent with some 200
men into the country near forty miles from Algiers
where it had been learned that cattle were being
collected for the Confederate army east of the Mis-
sissippi; he returned heading a procession three
miles long, comprising 500 negroes, nearly 1000
head of cattle, and a large number of sheep and
mules.
Captain Hall and 139 others in July were cap-
tured above Algiers or near Bayou Des Allemands
by Confederate troops under General Richard Tay-
lor. In this affair the train on which the Union
forces were, ran into an ambush, and out of the
61 men on the train but 25 escaped unhurt, four-
teen were killed or mortally wounded, and 22
others were wounded. One hundred and twenty-
two of the men captured were exchanged in Feb-
ruary, 1863. There was a sad sequel to the cap-
ture of seven Germans, a part of the 139 men
that were captured and surrendered. They had
enlisted in New Orleans; they were held for trial
as deserters from the Confederate army. There
was no proof that they ever had been in the Con-
federate service, but their names were found on the
conscript list, and in spite of their protestations of
innocence they were condemned and executed
October 23d, 1862. They were compelled to dig
their own grave and then ranged along beside it
where they were shot to death. These martyrs
should have a monument erected over their resting
place by the United States government. One of
this number was an only son, scarcely 19 yenrs
old, whose aged father with much reluctance ul-
OF VERMONT. 245
lowed him to enlist in order that he might escape
Confederate conscription, and not be forced to
fight against a government to which both father
and son were loyal. On Dec. 16th, 1862, General
Butler was superseded by General N. P. Banks.
In General Butler's farewell order he had words of
praise for the regiment, and among other things
he said to them "you have deserved well of your
country." After General Banks assumed com-
mand the regiment performed important service
in the region of the Teche under General Weitzel,
who in his report said, "The Eighth Vermont un-
der Colonel Thomas, for the first time in action as
a regiment, reflected the highest honor upon itself
by the splendid manner in which they cleared the
enemy's lifle pits on the east bank, and afterwards
pursued them. This regiment took 41 prisoners,
three wounded, and killed four of the enemy."
Both sides were making preparations for a re-
newal of the contest in the spring of 1863 in the
vicinity of the Teche. Taylor had been reinforced.
At the battle at Brisland the conduct of the regi-
ment was all that could be wished for, encouraged
by the words of Colonel Thomas, as he rode along
the line, saying, "men! stand firm! old Vermont
is looking at you !" When General Taylor learned
that General Grover had landed above him with
4000 men and was moving to Franklin in his rear,
he abandoned this line and fell back to New Iberia
just in time to escape. The Eighth was ordered
forward in pursuit, and Taylor fell back to Ope-
lousas. General Banks claimed as a result of this
expedition the capture of 2000 prisoners, 1000
246 EARLY HISTORY
stand of small arms and 20 heavy guns; the des-
truction of foundries at Franklin and New Iberia,
the capture of two steamers, and the destruction
of three gunboats and ten or twelve transports.
Banks' loss was 40 killed and 184 wounded of
which numbers, there were 12 killed and 58
wounded in Weitzel's brigade. On May 5th
Banks started for Red River and on the night of
the 7th the regiment led the brigade into Alexan-
dria, making 90 miles in three days; they camped
on the bank of Red River. Generals Taylor and
Kirby Smith retreated up the river to Shreveport,
and Banks, to aid General Grant in his campaign
against Vicksburg, moved against Port Hudson, a
strongly fortified place, and was then defended by
the Confederate Major-General Frank Gardner
with 8000 men and fifty pieces of artillery. Gen-
eral Weitzel commanded the Division that manned
the Union lines on the north and northeast of Port
Hudson. Lieutenant-Colonel Dillingham com-
manded the Eighth. General Banks ordered a
general assault on the morning of the 27th of
May, 1863; the assault was gallantly made, but
ineffectual; the loss of the regiment was 88 men
killed and wounded; 51 fell in the first charge.
The assault having failed, General Banks became
undeceived as to the strength of the garrison,
prepared for a long siege and the men were con-
fined for more than a month to the ditches in
which they were compelled to eat, sleep, live and
fight. General Banks ordered another assault,
and on the 13th of June he summoned General
Gardner to surrender, who replied that his duty
OF VERMONT. 247
did not permit him to entertain the proposition.
Due preparations were made for the assault, and
it was commenced before light on the morning of
the 14-th in the face of a murderous fire. The
pickets and skirmishers were driven hack, and the
storming column was ordered forward, the Eighth
Vermont leading the way; in five minutes sixty
Vermonters dropped dead or wounded under the
galling fire which swept the ground in front.
The men were driven back, and although two or
three brigades advanced at other points, no en-
trance to the works was effected. The actual
assault ended at ten o'clock in the forenoon, but
there was no retreat till night fall, as many of the
men were in a position from which they could not
advance or retire till night fall without fatal ex-
posure. In this assault Banks lost 2000 men in
killed, wounded and missing. The siege was con-
tinued. On the 7th of July news came of the fall
of Vicksburg and General Gardner surrendered the
garrison at Port Hudson. In the assaults and
siege the Eighth lost 99 men killed and wounded.
The fall of Port Hudson cleared the Mississippi of
all rebel obstructions. General Weitzel, in his re-
port, commended the Eighth Vermont for its
courage and endurance during the siege, and
Colonel Thomas "for his coolness and gallantry
at all times."
While Banks was at Port Hudson General Tay-
lor had re-occupied the Teche and the Eighth Ver-
mont with WeitzePs brigade was sent into that
region to drive away Taylor and finally went into
camp at Thebodeaux July 31st, where it had the
248 EARLY HISTORY
first period of rest since April 9th. Colonel
Thomas went to Vermont to recruit his health,
but rejoined the regiment in February 1864, with
a body of 304 recruits at Franklin. Colonel
Thomas again visited Vermont to secure for the
men \vho would re-enlist, the bounty offered by
many towns to new recruits. He succeeded in
procuring the bounties for some of the men.
Three hundred and twenty-one of the men re-en-
listed, and thereby, also secured a furlough and
went to their homes in Vermont; the rest of the
regiment remained at Algiers under command of
Major J. L. Barstow, but in May were ordered to
Vermont to be mustered out, being 170 men includ-
ing Major Barstow. The re-enlisted men had re-
turned from Vermont and did inportant service
until June 19th, 1864, when they were ordered
North to reinforce the army of the Potomac. On
July 5th they embarked on a steamer and sailed
for Fortress Monroe; before disembarking Colonel
Thomas found orders awaiting him to proceed to
Washington, and they proceeded thither, and their
Colonel reported to Secretary Stanton. General
Early had been repulsed the day before, and the
Eighth was ordered to join the Sixth Corps in
pursuit of the enemy. The Eighth became a part
of McClellan's brigade. For many days they
were continually on the march. At the battle of
Opequan the regiment came at once under heavy
fire. For a moment the regimental line faltered,
but became firm under Colonel Thomas' shout,
"Steady, men !" Thomas ordered the Eighth Ver-
mont and Twelfth Connecticut to charge with the
OF VERMONT. 249
bayonet, and himself led the way. He made to
his men the following speech : "Boys, if any of you
are in the habit of praying— and I hope you all are
—pray now, and pray quick and hard. Remember
Ethan Allen and Old Vermont ; and we will drive
those fellows to hell, where they belong." The
charge was splendidly and successfully made.
The regiment lost 7 men killed and 33 wounded.
The regiment did its full duty at the battles of
Fisher's Hill and Cedar Creek; in the latter battle
it lost 15 killed and 82 wounded and 27 missing
out of not over 350 men then in the regiment on
the field. In January, 1865, Colonel Thomas was
mustered out, but was appointed brigadier-gen-
eral, hi9 commission bearing date February 1st,
18G5, but the war ended before he was assigned
to further active service, and he did not return to
the field. The regiment was mustered out the
28th day of June, 1865, and left Washington for
home the next day.
THE BATTLES OF THE EIGHTH VERMONT REGIMENT.
Occupation of New Orleans, . May 1802
Boutte Station and Bayou Des Alle-
mands Sept. 4, 1862
Steamer Colton, fan. 14, 1863
Brisland, Apr. 12, 1863
Port Hudson, assault, May 27, 1863
Port Hudson, night engagement, June 10, 1863
Port Hudson, assault, June 14, 1863
Opequan, Sept. 19, 1864
Fisher's Hill, Sept. 21 and 22, 1864
Cedar Creek, Oct. 19, 1864
Newton, Nov. 12, 1864
250 EARLY HISTORY
STATEMENT.
Original number,
1016
Recruits, transfers from other regiments.
756
Aggregate
1772
LOSSES
Killed in action,
71
Died of wounds,
33
Died of disease,
213
Died (un wounded) in Confederate prisons,
20
Died from accidents,
8
Total of deaths,
345
The Ninth Regiment was raised in the sum-
mer of 1862, when the excitement was great in
the countiy, arising from General Banks having
been driven from the Shenandoah Valley by Stone-
wall Jackson and the seven days' fighting before
Richmond, and President Lincoln's call for 300,-
000 more volunteers. On July 9th the regiment
was mustered into the United States service, and
George J. Stannard, an experienced soldier, became
its Colonel. The regiment left for the field July
15th. Vermont was the first State that sent a
regiment to the field under the call of the Presi-
dent for 300,000 men. General Pope then had
been assigned to the command of the army of Vir-
ginia, and the regiment, after considerable delay,
was sent to Winchester to Camp Sigel, where it
spent five weeks working on the fortifications
there and performed much picket duty.
About the middle of August 1862, Lee began to
press Pope, whose headquarters were at Culpepper.
OF VERMONT. 251
On the 30th and 31st Pope fought the second bat-
tle of Bull Run, and withdrew within the defences
of Washington. General White, who then had the
command of the troops of which the Ninth were
a part, was ordered by General Hallock to remove
his artillery and withdraw his' command to Har-
per's Ferry ; this more was hastened by informa-
tion obtained by General White's chief of scouts,
Major Stowell of the Ninth, that a Confederate
column of 20,000 men were within 20 miles of
him. Stonewall Jackson's advance was at Salem.
A forced march was made to Harper's Ferry by
the Union troops; this swelled the Union forces
thereto 11,500 men. Within 24 hours after the
Ninth reached Harper's Ferry, Lee's army was
crossing the Potomac ten miles below; that made
it certain that the garrison was cut off from Wash-
ington. General Miles was in command of the
Union forces at Harper's Ferry, and, although
General White ranked him, he waived his right and
took orders under Miles.
Harper's Ferry is surrounded with high bluffs
or heights. The heights on the Virginia side of
the Potomac north of the Shenandoah are known
as Bolivar Heights, and those on the south of the
Shenandoah as Loudon Heights, and those on the
Maryland side as Maryland Heights. Stonewall
Jackson crossed the Potomac above Harper's
Ferry with his corps of three divisions and came
down on Bolivar Heights from the northwest.
Walker with his division crossed the Potomac be-
low Harper's Ferry and eame up to Loudon
Heights from the southeast. McLaws with his
252 EARLY HISTORY
own and Anderson's division advanced against
Maryland Heights from the east. A combined
cannonading from the encircling forces was terri-
fic. Surrender came. When the word reached the
regiment that the white flag had gone up, Colonel
Stannard jumped up and swore a bitter oath that
he would never surrender without a struggle ; and
at his command, the regiment sprang into line,
and rushed for the pontoon bridge to cross into
Maryland thinking they might cut their way out
to McClellan's army. When the regiment was
missed from the line General White sent one of his
own and one of Confederate General Hill's aids to
intercept and bring the regiment back. Stannard
reluctantly yielded. After the surrender Stone-
wall Jackson sat on his horse among a company
of officers. Lieutenant Quimby of company E,
hot-headed and bold, went down to the side of
Jackson '8 horse and said, "Are you Stonewall
Jackson?" Jackson replied, "Yes." Then Quimby
said, "Then, by God, sir, I want you to drive
those lousy thieves of yours out of my camp and
stop them robbing my men." Jackson quietly re-
plied, "This is all wrong, and I will see it stopped,'*
and sent one of his staff to carry out his order.
This disaster has been attributed largely to the in-
activity of General Miles. The Ninth was the last
regiment to surrender. They were paroled and
sent to Annapolis, Md., with the other paroled
prisoners, and from thence to Chicago. On Janu-
ary 10th, 1863, the regiment was exchanged, but
were kept there to help guard the Confederate
prisoners.
OF VERMONT. 253
On March 28th, 1863, the regiment was or-
dered to escort 2500 Confederate prisoners to City
Point, Va M for exchange. At this time Norfolk
was held by the Union naval and land forces.
General Hooker was preparing for his campaign
against Lee; and Lee sent an expedition against
Suffolk that was about 18 miles southwest of
Norfolk and thereby hoping by threatening Nor-
folk to draw troops from Hooker's army, and the
Ninth was sent to Suffolk. General Peck com-
mantled the Union troops in this locality and the
Ninth was attached to General Getty's division.
General Longstreet with three divisions were de-
tached from Lee and sent down to meet Peck's
forces, and D. H. Hill's corps came up from North
Carolina for the same purpose. On May 1st,
when Hooker's movement to Chancellorsville be-
came developed, Longstreet was recalled; the
Ninth did skirmishing in that region. Early in
June Colonel Andross resigned and Lien t. -Colonel
Ripley was appointed Colonel.
After the departure of Longstreet, 10,000 of
the Union troops were sent to the peninsula; the
Ninth with Wistar's brigade was a part of that
force. The Ninth went to Yorktown and camped
on the ground where General Washington had his
headquarters at the time Cornwallis surrendered
to him. General Getty passed by them up York
river to White House. The Ninth with other
troops under General Wistar were sent to occupy
West Point, ten miles above White House. The
object of the moves was to take Richmond, but
that city was not left undefended. The regiment
254 EARLY HISTORY
spent the rest of the summer at Yorktown. While
in this region they learned of the fall of Vicksburg
and the defeat of Lee at Gettysburg.
About October 25th, 1863, the regiment em-
barked for New Berne, North Carolina. After ar-
riving at Morehead City it was sent to Newport,
N. C. On Dec. 1st, 1863, Major Jarvis was shot
by a rebel he was endeavoring to capture and died
of his wounds the same day. He was the first
man of the Ninth who fell by a rebel bullet. On
Dec. 24th the Ninth with the 158th New York
were sent to Bear Sound, some thirty miles south
of Newport, where they destroyed lour large salt
works and a large quantity of imported salt, and
returned with a large number of blacks. On Janu-
ary 28th the same force with a few cavalry men
captured a Confederate outpost of a Lieutenant
and 27 cavalrymen with thirty horses and their
equipments. About that time the regiment re-
ceived 350 recruits from Vermont, which increased
the regiment to 844.
In the last part of January 1864, the Confeder-
ate General Picket commanding the department of
North Carolina sent General Martin's brigade of
North Carolina troops to break up the railroad
and capture the Union troops at Newport. He
reached the vicinity of Newport the 1st of Febru-
ary with 1700 men; the Ninth were compelled
to retreat, but they kept up a running lire and
kept the main body from being captured.
This work was kept up during the day, and at
night made their way after great suffering and
fatigue to Beaufort, a distance of twenty-seven
OK VERMONT. 255
miles. The loss of the regiment in this affair was
three killed, 14 wounded and 47 missing. The
loss of the enemy was 17 men killed and 32
wounded. The regiment with other troops were
returned to Newport Barracks, where two of the
men killed were found unburied, stripped of their
clothing, together with two wounded Confeder-
ates, who had been stripped by their comrades,
but both were cared for by the Union surgeons
and recovered. Here the regiment received 70
more recruits. On April 27th Lieut. Barney, who
had the command of the Ninth at Newport Bar-
racks, sent a detail of twenty men after a party
that were fishing for the Confederates. They
brought in one sergeant, three men and 500
pounds of sea trout, a seine and three canoes ; he
also on the 29th sent out fifty men and captured
at Swansboro a Lieutenant and seventeen men of
the* Seventh North Carolina cavalry with their
horses and arms, a howitzer and several sailboats,
and destroyed a quantity of Confederate stores.
On August 31th, 1864, orders came to join the
army in front of Richmond, and the regiment bade
adieu to the land of tar and turpentine and arrived
at Bermuda Hundred on the James the 5th Sept.
The Ninth was assigned to the Eighteenth Army
Corps. General Stannard was in command of the
first division of the Eighteenth corps and was a
part of the army of the James under General But-
ler. The Ninth was assigned to the First brigade
commanded by Ames, and a part of the Second
division. Colonel Ripley took command of that
brigade and Lieut.-Colonel Barney took command
256 EAHLY HISTOSY
of the Ninth. The Ninth was transferred to the
Second brigade of that division. On Sept. 17th
170 recruits joined the regiment, making the ag-
gregate up to 1129 and giving the regiment 700
effective men. Here the regiment did a great deal
of active work. On Sept. 29th, 1864, the battle
of Chapin's Farm and the taking of Port Harri-
son took place. The older members of the regi-
ment were eager for a chance to wipe out the dis-
grace at Harper's Perry. General Grant indicated
that General Stannard should lead the attack.
Stannard went to General Grant and protested on
behalf of the poor men of his division, and said to
him, they "have led every assault of the Eighteenth
Corps from Cold Harbor until now, and are
fought down to a skeleton of a division. I have
not a word to say for myself— I will freely go
wherever you send me, but it is inhuman to give
my men so much more than their share of these
forlorn hopes." General Grant quietly replied:
"General Stannard, we must carry Fort Harrison,
and I know you will do it." The regiment crossed
the James to the north. The Ninth took into the
assault 700 bayonets commanded by Major
Brooks. The cannonading was terrific, and the
courage and fighting of the men all that could be
asked for. General Stannard rode at the side of
his Third brigade and entered the Fort with his
men. Colonel Ripley, who was to closely follow
Stannard, was struck from his horse and stunned
by a piece of shell which clipped the hair on his
temple, but he continued with his brigade. '
The loss of the regiment in this day's work was
OF VERMONT. 257
seven killed, 42 wounded, six of whom died of
their wounds, and 13 missing. The next day Lee
undertook to re-take the Fort and superintended
the arrangements for the assault in person The
brigades of Law, Anderson, Bratton, Clingman and
Colquett were selected for the assault. Stannard
prepared to meet the assault. Shortly after noon
the word passed along Stannard's lines, "They
are coming." They came on 6000 or 7000 strong.
Their assault was gallantly made, for they were
fighting under the eye of General Lee, but they
could not withstand the carnage made in their
ranks; they recoiled and fled. Two more assaults
were made, but both were unsuccessful. A pris-
oner, an Alabama Colonel, with blood running
down his face, asked General Stannard if he was
commander of the Fort? Stannard told him
"Yes." He then rejoined that "he letter get out of
this for General Lee is over there, (pointing to
Fort Gilmer) and he will take these works if it
takes half of his army." Stannard replied that 1 e
would l>e "happy to see General Lee whenever he
chose to call." During these exciting hours Gen-
eral Stannard passed the parapet, sword in one
hand and slouched hat in the other, watching the
work and cheering his men. Near the end of the
second assault a bullet struck his right arm, and
he sank back fainting. He carried an empty
sleeve the rest of his life. Stannard's division lost
600 men in killed and wounded. There was an-
other demonstration towards Richmond Oct.
27th that was not successful, in which the Ninth
lost ten men killed and wounded. On Nov. 1st,
18
258 KAKLY HISTORY
1864, upon the occasion of the Presidential elec-
tion, and fearing a renewal of the riots in New
York city, General Butler was ordered to pr<x*eed
to that city and take with him some trusty troops
to maintain order there. He selected the Ninth as
a part of that force. They took transports for
Fortress Monroe. Corporal Charles H. Sweeney
was out on picket at the time, but he did not in-
tend to be left, hailing a tug he was taken on
board and carried to City Point, and reported to
the Provost Marshal. The Marshal did not be-
lieve his story that the regiment had left him, and
treated him and the men he had with him as de-
serters and said he should put them in the guard
house. Sweeney denied the charge and refused to go;
the Marshal ordered him to be hand-cuffed. Sweeney
ordered the men under him to fix bayonets and
posted them as guard over the Provost Marshal's
office with strict orders to let no one pass in or
out, and started for headquarters, and was
ushered in before General U. S. Grant; the General
listened to his story with a twinkle of his eye as
he related how he put the Provost Marshal under
guard, while he came to see what the General com-
manding would say about locking up in the bull-
pen some good Vermont soldiers who were trying
to rejoin their regiment. The General said, "We
will see about that," and wrote a note for the
Coporal to hand to the Provost Marshal. The
Corporal and his men with the rest of the regi-
ment proceeded to New York, and by the 18th of
Nov. they were back to their old camp at Cha-
pin's Farm. On March Gth, 1805, the regiment
OF VERMONT. 259
was insjxx'ted and pronounced by Genera! Devens
the l>est in the brigade inspection ; and b}' a third
general order it was declared the best regiment in
the division.
On April 2d, 1865, news came that Grant had
broken through the defences of Petersburg and
the regiment expected an order to assault the
defences of Richmond. The next morning the Vcr-
monters were the first to enter the city. Densely
packed on either side of the street were thousands
of blacks, till that moment slaves, down upon
their knees, throwing their hands wildly in the air,
while floods of tears poured down their wild faces,
and shouting "Glory to God ! Glory to God ! the
day of jubilee hab come ! Massa Linkum am here!
Massa Linkum am here!*' General Ripley was
selected to command in the city. On June 13th,
1865, the original inemfcrs of the regiment and
recruits whose term of service would expire before
Oct. 1st, numbering 633, were mustered out; the
remainder were formed into a battalion number-
ing 408, and they were mustered out Dec. 1st,
1865, and returned to Burlington, Vermont,
where they were welcomed in an address by Hon.
G. G. Benedict, after which they partook of the
bountiful collation that had 1>een provided for
them.
IIATTLKS OF THE NINTH VERMONT.
Harper's Ferry, Sept. 13 and 15, 1862
Newport Barracks, Feb. 2, 1864
Chapin's Farm, vSept. 29, 1864
Fair Oaks, Oct. 27, 1864
Fall of Richmond, April 3, 1865
260 EARLY HISTORY
STATEMENT.
Original members, officers and men 915
Recruits and transfers from other regiments 956
Aggregate,
1871
LOSSES.
Killed in action,
12
Died of wounds,
12
Died of disease,
232
Died (un wounded)
in Confederate
prisons
36
Died from accidents
8
Total of deaths, 300
CHAPTER XII.
THE ORGANIZATION AND SERVICES OF
THE TENTH, ELEVENTH, AND SEV-
ENTEENTH REGIMENTS IN THE
CIVIL WAR OF 1861.
Governor Holbrook in June, 1862, was notified
by Secretary of War, Stanton, to "organize your
Tenth regimen t." The Governor issued a stirring
proclamation, in which he said "Let no young
man capable of bearing arms in defence of his
country linger at this important period." The reg-
iment was quickly raised and A. B. Jewett of
S wanton 1>eca me its Colonel; it rendezvoused at
Brattleboro, and its camp was named "Camp
Washburn ; ,f it left its camp for Washington Sept.
6th, and arrived at Washington the 8th. At this
time Lee was on his first invasion at Maryland,
and the Army of the Potomac was on the march
to resist him. The regiment did service for some
time along the banks of the Potomac, at Seneca
Lock, Edwards Ferry and Seneca Creek. There
was much sickness in the regiment. On Dec. 21 it
was moved to Poolsville. About June 13th, 1863,
news came that Lee again was north of the Poto-
mac.
On June 30th the Tenth was ordered with
about 7000 other troops under General French to
(MM
262 EARLY HISTORY
Frederick, Md. On July 2d it was sent to Monoc-
acy Junction to guard the railroad bridge, and
then to Crampton's Gap, where after the battle
of Gettysburg it was detailed to guard Confeder-
ate prisoners on their way to Baltimore, and then
returned and marched with the army in following
the Confederate army till Lee crossed the Rapidan
in September 1863. On October 8th Lee assumed
the offensive, aiming for Centerville Heights, and
the Tenth did its part in driving him back behind
the Rapidan. On November 26th the Union army
started on the Mine Run campaign, and the Tenth
started with Morris's brigade and crossed the
Rapidan near Jacob's Ford. The next da} r it was
under fire most of the day, and at 3 o'clock in the
afternoon Morris was ordered to charge. The
Tenth dashed squarely at the enemy's line, and
drove the enemy a considerable distance, when
finding it was not supported, it fell back. The
Third Corps lost about 1000 men in this affair.
General Morris in his report, said, "The enemy
was holding a fence on the crest of the hill in our
front, and I ordered the Tenth Vermont to charge
and take it. The regiment advanced in gallant
style and took the crest." The regiment in this
affair lost 12 killed and 58 wounded, five of whom
died of their wounds. Captain Dillingham, acting
on General Morris's staff, while carrying an order
ran upon a line of the enemy, had his horse shot
under him, and was captured and spent four
months in Libby prison. Lee withdrew to the
west side of Mine Run, and Mead withdrew the
Union army to Brandy Station, where it went
OP VERMONT. 263
into winter quarters. The Tenth had its camp
near the house of John Minor Botts.
In General Grant's preparation for the Wilder-
ness campaign, the Third Corps (to which the Tenth
had been attached) and the Tenth Regiment joined
the Sixth Corps. Colonel Jewett resigned and
Lieutenant-Colonel W. W. Henry succeeded him.
On May 4th the Sixth Corps crossed the Rapidan.
Though the regiment was under fire during the
4th, 5th and 6th, its loss was but two men killed
and nine wounded. On the 7th the regiment
moved with the Sixth Corps towards Spottsyl-
vania, crossing on its way the Chancellorville bat-
tlefield. The Tenth did not suffer any severe loss
till it reached Cold Harbor, where the regiment
did valliant service and lost heavily. Colonel
Henry was wounded and Lieutenant-Colonel
Chandler took command, who on the 7th issued a
complimentary order, in which he thanked the
officers and men for their "brave and soldierly con-
duct in the bloody battles of the past six days,"
and added that "186 of our number have been
made to fill unmarked soldier's graves, or lie
wounded upon the scanty cot of our army field
hospital. Yet, nobly have those died who have
gone. Heroically do our wounded suffer who live."
The regiment crossed the James and arrived at
Bermuda Hundred on the 16th of June, and moved
with the brigade up behind General Butler's forti-
fied line midway between the James and tbe Ap-
pomattox. It participated in the movement
against the Weldon railroad. On July 6th it was
detached from the army to oppose General Early's
2)4 EARLY HISTORY
raid with 15,000 men against Washington. They
welcomed this change. General Wallace was in
command of the small Union force near Frederick
City, Md., and when Colonel Henry arrived with
the Tenth, Wallace disclosed the critical situation
to him, and it was arranged that Colonel Henry
should march and countermarch over various
knolls east of Frederick City so as to make the
re1>el General lx?lieve the Union forces were much
larger than they were, so as to retard Early's
progress towards Washington till troops could be
sent from General Grant to protect Washington.
On 1>eing pressed by Early the Union forces of
only about three or four thousand were with-
drawn across the Monocacy River and posted on
the east bank of the river. Early's right wing,
commanded by General Gordon, forded the river
below the Union forces. The Union forces on the
Union left, commanded by General Rickets, after
some severe fighting, were compelled to retreat to
save capture by the overwhelming force of the
enemy, and the whole of the Union force fell back.
Lieutenant George E. Davis with skirmishers
under his command greatly retarded by active
and brave work, the progress of the rebel force
that were advancing on the Washington Pike.
The rel)el losses hi this battle, in killed and
wounded, were more than 700 and probably ex-
ceeded 1000 men.
The Union losses were 84 killled, 511 wounded
and 1,054 reported missing, of which latter num-
ber about one-half were captured, and the rest
were scattered in the woods and rejoined their
OF VERMONT. 265
commands. The Tenth had three killed, 2(>
wounded and 32 missing, nine of whom died in
Confederate prisons. This battle, though a defeat,
saved Washington, as it gave time to enable the
rest of the Sixth Corps to reach Washington from
Grant's army. Benedict, in his history of Vermont
in the Civil War, relates that Oscar E. Wait of
Company I, who after being captured made his
escape by knocking down a guard. He was re-
captured three days later near Clarksburg, and
while on the way to Richmond with 300 other
prisoners, he picked up a discarded gfay jacket,
slipped it over his blouse, and taking a musket
which one of the guard had left leaning against a
tree for a moment during a halt at night, took
his place among the guard, instead of with the
prisoners. Watching his opportunit}- he made his
escape, accompanied by a comrade, and the two
reached the Union lines in safety, bringing with
them a Confederate officer with his horse and
arms, whom they met and captured. The Tenth
on the 14th with the division, took the cars for
Washington, and then followed the Sixth and
Nineteenth Corps in pursuit of Ear1j\ who now
was in full retreat. At Leesburg it overtook the
Nineteenth Corps, and there found Colonel
Thomas of the Eighth Vermont doing guard duty,
and on the 17th joined the Sixth Corps.
Sheridan's campaign in the Shenandoah Valley
commenced on the 8th of August. The regiment
was in the battle of the Opequon on the 19th of
September, where Major Dillingham, commanding
the Tenth, was mortalty wounded. The regiment
266 EARLY HISTORY
lost 11 killed and 52 wounded. At the battle of
Fisher's Hill on the 21st and 22d it lost one man
killed and six wounded, and in the battle of Cedar
Creek on October 19th, 1864, where the regiment
did so much brave work, it lost 15 killed and 66
wounded, 9 of whom died of their wounds; in the
two last mentioned battles the regiment was at-
tached to the First brigade. On Nov. 8th the reg-
iment voted for President and cast 195 votes for
Lincoln and 12 for McClellan.
In December the regiment with other troops
rejoined the army under Grant near Petersburg.
On April 2d, 1865, the Tenth Vermont took a
brilliant part; it was the first regiment in the
division to plant a stand of colors within the
enemy's works— this act was performed by Cor-
poral Ira F. Varney of Company K, color-
bearer. In this day's work the regiment lost one
killed and 39 wounded, nine of whom died of
wounds. After Lee's surrender it marched to
Danville, Va. After Johnson's surrender the regi-
ment returned to Richmond by rail, and from
thence to Washington, and soon after were mus-
tered out and returned to Vermont, and were
handsomely welcomed home at Burlington.
THE BATTLES OF THE TENTH YERMONT.
Orange Grove, Nov. 27, 1863
Wilderness, May 5 to 8, 1864
Spottsylvania, May 10 to 18, 1864
Tolopotomoy, May 31, 1864
Cold Harbor, June 1 to 12, 1864
Weldon Railroad, June 22 and 23, 1864
OF VERMONT.
Monocacy,
Winchester,
Fisher's Hill, Sept.
Cedar Creek,
Petersburg,
Petersburg,
Sailor's Creek,
STATEMENT.
Original members,
Recruits,
Transfered from other regiments,
267
July 9, 1864
Sept. 19, 1864
21 and 22, 1864
Oct. 19, 1864
March 25, 1865
April 2, 1865
April 6, .1865
1015
286
3
Aggregate,
LOSSES.
Killed in action.
Died of wounds,
Died of disease,
Died (un wounded) in Confederate
Died from accident,
1304
83
58
153
prison 36
2
Total of deaths,
332
The Eleventh Regiment was raised at the
same time of the Tenth, and no better regiment
entered the service. Lieutenant James M. Warner
of the regular army, a Vermonter, was appointed
its Colonel. The regiment left Camp Bradley at
Brattleboro Sept. 7, 1862, and arrived at Wash-
ington the 9th. Lee's army was in Maryland, and
McClellan with the Army of the Potomac was
marching to meet the Confederate army at Antie-
tam. The regiment was kept near Washington till
the 10th of May, 1864. On Dec. 10th, 1862, the
26S EARLY HISTORY
regiment was made, by order of the Secretary of
War, a heavy artillery regiment, called "First Ar-
tillery, Eleventh Vermont Volunteers," and its
numbers were increased to 12 companies of 150
men each. During the critical summer of 1863,
while expecting to be called to active service in
the field, they remained in the forts, strengthen-
ing the works, building batteries and covered
ways, and laying abatis. On May 10th, 1864,
at the request of General John Sedgewick, com-
manding the Sixth Corps, it was assigned to that
Corps, and proceeded at once by way of Belle
Plain, to report to General Sedgewick. They
knew they were needed at the front, and ol)eycd
the summons with cheerfulness, and on the night
of the 14th reported to General Wright, the com-
mander of the Sixth Corps (General Sedgewick
having been killed) and was assigned to Vermont
Second brigade of the Second division. The regi-
ment had its first baptism of fire on May 18th at
the famous "salient" where Colonel Weaver was
wounded. At Spottsylvania it lost two men
killed and fourteen wounded ; at Cold Harbor
from the 31st of May to June 4th it lost 15 men
killed and 121 wounded, and 17 died of their
wounds; from the 4th to the 10th of June it lost
three men killed, 17 wounded, eight of whom died
of their wounds. The regiment crossed the Chick-
ahominy at Jones Bridge and marched to the
James, and on the 17th of June moved to the front
of Petersburg. A part of the regiment was in the
affair at the Weldon railroad of the 23d of June,
1864, and lost nine men killed, 31 wounded and
OF VERMONT. 269
261 missing, taken prisoners. Of the 261 stout,
healthy men of the Eleventh taken that day, 165
died in the enemy's hands. Eighty-nine o f them
perished at Anderson ville. The regiment was sent
to Washington with the Sixth Corps to defend
the eity against Early's raid. On the 23d of July,
after ten days of hard marching in Maryland and
Virginia the brigade returned to Washington,
where the Eleventh was detached from it and as-
signed to the eight forts about Washington, which
it had garrisoned in former days. The regiment
was immediately ordered to report to the Sixth
Corps to serve in Sheridan's campaign. At
Charlestown on the 21st of August the regiment
lost five killed and 27 wounded.
At the battle of O|>equon September 19th the
regiment lost seven killed and 85 wounded ; dur-
ing this battle Colonel Warner commanded the
Vermont brigade, who afterwards became the
permanent commander of the First brigade, and
the regiment was commanded by Major Aldace
F. Walker. In the battl* of Cedar Creek the regi-
ment lost ten killed and 74 wounded, of whom 14
died of their wonnds.
In December the regiment with the brigade
went to the front at Petersburg. In the capture
of the enemy's picket line on March 25, and in de-
fending them from being retaken on the 27th of
March, 1865, the regiment lost one killed and 17
wounded. The regiment took part in the final as-
sault on April 2d ; it took part on June 8th in the
grand review of the Sixth Corps at Washington,
and soon mustered out and returned home. Thev
270 EARLY HISTORY
were welcomed back from the field by the citizens
of Burlington.
THE BATTLES OF THE ELEVENTH VERMONT.
Spottsylvania, May 15 to 18, 1864
Cold Harbor, June 1 to 12, 1864
Petersburg, June 18, 1864
Weldon Railroad, June 23, 1864
Washington July 11, 1864
Charlestown, Aug. 21, 1864
Gilbert's Ford, Sept. 13. 1864
Opequon, Sept. 19, 1864
Fisher's Hill, Sept. 21 and 22, 1864
Cedar Creek, Oct. 19, 1864
Petersburg, , March 25 and 27, 1865
Petersburg, April 2, 1865
STATEMENT.
Original members, 1315
Transfers from other regiments, 29
Recruits, 976
Aggregate* 2320
LOSSES.
Promotions and transfers to other organ-
izations, 124
Killed in action, 69
Died of wounds, 86
Died of disease, 213
Died (unwounded) in Confederate prisons, 174
Total of deaths, 542
The Seventeenth Regiment was of slow
OF VERMONT. 271
growth. The recruiting of it wfis authorized by
the government July 2, 1863, and on Aug, 3,
1863 directed it to be raised. The enlistments
were for three years. The battle of Gettysburg
had just been fought in which the Vermont troops
had covered themselves with glory and made an
enviable record. The term of the nine months
men had expired, and it was thought they would
be eager to re-enlist, but this did not prove to be
the case. On October 17, 1863, President Lincoln
issued a call for 300,000 men to fill the regiments
then in the field. Gov. J. Gregory Smith got the
order relating to recruits, so far as Vermont was
concerned, so modified as to allow them to be put
into the Seventeenth, then being raised. The com-
panies were slowly filled, and on February 10th,
1864, Francis V. Randall, who distinguished him-
self as Colonel of the Thirteenth Vermont, at
Gettysburg, was commissioned Colonel of the
regiment. It left the State for the seat of war be-
fore it was filled. The regiment had had but little
drill. It reached Alexandria, Va., April 22, 1864,
and was assigned to the Second brigade,. Second
Division, Ninth Corps. The regiment went into
active service at the front. . Its first service was
in the battle of the Wilderness. In this battle the
regiment gave evidence of the possession of high
qualities of courage, daring and coolness, which
made the first Vermont Brigade famous. In its
first fight the losses were ten killed and 64
wounded, and ten of which mortally. On May
10th it moved with the Corps towards Spottsyl-
vania Court House; here it gallantly and prompt-
272 EARLY HISTORY
ly responded to every call. The regiment lost
here twelve killed and 58 wounded. At North
Anna it was under fire on the 25th and 26th, and
also on the 30th, where the regiment lost one
killed and 17 wounded; at Cold Harbor the regi-
ment was under constant fire till it moved to
Petersburg. On June 17th the regiment captured
the colors, Adjutant and about 70 men of the
Seventeenth Tennessee. It lost here six killed and
twenty wounded, seven fatally. The Seventeenth
were with the troops that made the assault at
the explosion of the mine on July 30th. Major
Reynolds led the regiment, numbering but eight
officers and 120 men. All that men could do they
did, but in vain, and when all was over,
"They that had fought to well
Came through the jaws of death.
Back from the mouth of hell.
All that was left of them.*'
The loss of the regiment was ten killed, 46
wounded, and 18 missing. Major Reynolds was
, killed \vtfile encouraging his men to beat back the
enemy. The regiment was reduced to about 100
men. On August 13th Company I with 87 men
joined the regiment. Officers and men began to
return to the regiment, and on September 1st there
were 233 present for duty.
At the affair near Peebles's bouse on September
30th, 1864, when Grant was pressing back Lee s
right and swinging in the Union left towards
Petersburg, the loss of the regiment was eight
killed, 40 wounded and 27 missing, nine of whom
died in the hands of the enemv. On October 27
OK VERMONT. 273
Company K, Captain Vale, with 9f> men and Col-
onel Randall joined the regiment. Randall, with
his regiment and the 31st Maine and 56th Massa-
chusetts and two batteries, were placed in com-
mand of Fort Davis, where they remained till
Feb. 11, 1865. During the winter it lost several
men in skirmishes. In the final assault on the
enemy's works on April 2d, the regiment lost ten
killed and 39 wounded, five fatally. On the morn-
ing of the 3d the regiment passed through Peters-
burg in pursuit of Lee and reached Burkesvillc on
the 8th, and on the 9th marched to Farmville,
where they were informed of Lee's surrender, and
then returned to Burkesville. Here Colonel Ran-
dall, who had been absent on a 30 days' leave,
rejoined the regiment and was put in command of
the place, guarding the immense quantity of cap-
tured property and numerous prisoners. On the
20th of April it joined the brigade and marched to
City Point, and was transported to Alexandria,
reaching that place the 30th. It took part in the
grand review at Washington May 23d, and left
for Vermont July 14th, and arrived at Burlington
July 18th, 1865, and were welcomed back by
the people. The service of the Seventeenth passed
into history. General Griffin said, "The Seven-
teenth Vermont bore an active and honorable
part in Grant's campaign through the Wilderness,
in the siege of Petersburg, and in the capture of
Lee."
BATTLES OF THE SEVENTEENTH REGIMENT.
Wilderness, May 6 to 9, 1864
Spottsylvania, May 12 to 15, 1864
19
274 EARLY HISTORY
Spottsylvania, May 18, 1864
North Anna, May 25 and 26, 1864
Tolopotomoy , M ay 3 1 , 1 864
Bethesda Church, June 3, 1864
Cold Harbor, June 7 and 8 1864
Petersburg, June 17, 1864
Petersburg, July 30, 1864
Weldon Railroad, Aug. 21, 1864
Poplar Spring Church, Sept. 30, 1864
Hatcher's Run, Oct. 27 and 28, 1864
Petersburg, April 2, 1865
STATEMENT.
Original numbers. 869
Recruits and transfers from other regiments, 237
Aggregate,
1106
LOSSES.
Killed in action,
72
Died of wounds,
61
Died of disease,
57
Died in Confederate prisons.
33
Died from accident,
3
Total of deaths, 226
Total wounded, 314
Total taken prisoner, 72
CHAPTER XIII.
THE FIRvST VERMONT BRIGADE.
The First Vermont Brigade was formed at the
suggestion of General William F. Smith in the fall
of 1861. General McClellan allowed General
Smith to organize it. It was completed by Octo-
bor 6th, and was composed of the Second, Third,
Fourth, Fifth and Sixth Vermont regiments, and
Brevet-Major W. T. H. Brooks was assigned to
its command ; he was in his forty-second year,
tall and erect of figure and of soldierly bearing,
and he from the first, made a favorable impression
on his command. For five months it remained at
Camp Griffin. During the fall and winter there
was much sickness in the regiment; on Dec.
12th not less than one-fourth of the men were
excused from duty in consequence of sickness.
The work of the winter was drill and picket du-
ty. One night 27 colored fugitives came in and
were fed and sent to Washington. In February
news was received of the capture of Forts Henry
and Donelson, which raised the spirits of all. At
midnight on the 9th of March, i862, order came
to march at three o'clock in the morning. This
order was received with rejoicing. Packing of
knapsacks and the writing of letters to send home
occupied the attention of the men till the time
<275)
276 EARLY HISTORY
came to march. The troops doubted not that
they were to meet the rebels on the field of Manas-
sas, where they expected to wipe out the disgrace
of Bull Run. They got as far as Flint Hill, north
of Fairfax Court House, and there halted, and
learned that no enemy was in front. General Joe
Johnston with his 50,000 men had evacuated
Centerville and retired beyond the Rappahan-
nock. General McCIellan had organized an army
of 175,000 men. Plans were changed and the
army sent to the Peninsula; McCIellan made
slow progress up the Peninsula, and at Warwick
River the enemy blocked his advance. President
Lincoln urged him April 6th, to break the enemy's
line at once, but McCIellan waited, and sat down
to wait for siege guns. The first assault on an
entrenched line made by the army of the Potomac,
where brave action of the Vermont troops showed
itself, was at Lee's Mill. It was a bloody action,
and an unimproved opportunity. A detachment
from the the Third Vermont crossed the Creek be-
low the dam under a heavy fire and took the
enemy's rifle-pits, but not receiving the promised
support, it was compelled to return across the
deep Creek. General Howell Cobb and Colonel
Anderson of Georgia concentrated no less than
seven regiments against the little band of Ver-
monters, which caused their withdrawal amid a
shower of musket balls from the enemy that made
the water boil as in a hail storm. Of the 192
brave men who crossed the stream, about 100
came back unharmed, bearing with them as many
as they could of their wounded comrades. Now
OF VERMONT. 277
the Sixth regiment was ordere 1 across und^r com-
mand of Colonel Lord* Tiny crossed under a
heavy fire of the enemy, but they were compelled
to retreat across the Creek. In this advance the
regiment lost 23 men killed or mortally wounded,
and 57 others wounded. It was now night.
There were many brave and touching incidents in
this bloody affair. Among the men of the Third
who charged the rifle pits was William Scott, the
young man who was sentenced to death for sleep-
ing on his post soon after the regiment went out,
and was pardoned by the President. He fell with
several others mortally wounded. His comrades
raised him up, and heard him with his dying
breath, amid the shouting and din of the fight,
lift a prayer for God's blessing on President Lin-
coln, who had given him a chance to show that
he was no coward or sneak, and not afraid to die.
Julian A. Scott, a drummer boy of the same com-
pany, a lad of 16, went twice across the creek to
rescue wounded men ; he subsequently painted the
large picture of the battle of Cedar Creek now in
the Vermont State House. Captain D. B. Daven-
port of Company H, of the Sixth, was wounded.
His son Henry, a drummer boy, a lad of but 11
years, helped his father out of the water and to a
place of safety, and returning to the stream to get
some water for him, filled his cup and had it
knocked out of his hands by a bullet. The loss of
the brigade at Lee's Mill was 44 killed, 148
wounded and 21 who died of wounds. The rebel
forces were commanded by General Magruder. In
this whole affair McClellan was at fault in his
278 EARLY HISTORY
plans. It was a great mistake that support was
not promptly given to the Third Vermont when
they crossed the Creek and entered the enemy's
rifle-pits. Colonel Levy of the Second Louisiana,
who came to the Union lines with a flag of truce
on a matter relating to the burial of the Union
dead, asked what regiment made that first as-
sault on the rifle pits. He was told that it was a
detachment of the Third Vermont. He replied,
4 'It was lucky for us that you did not send over
many such detachments." Theseriously wounded
Vermonters were sent to Vermont.
When General McClellan got ready to open his
siege batteries the enemy retreated to Williams-
burg, where another battle was fought, and then
the army proceeded up the Peninsula, the Vermont
brigade to the White House at the head oi navi-
gation on York river, and a base of supplies for
the army. On May 19th the Vermont brigade
marched to the left bank of the Chickahominy
near New Bridge, ten miles from Richmond. On
May 22d the Vermont brigade was encamped near
Gains Mill, and among Virginia farmers, who
were holding their slaves and enjoying the protec-
tion of the Union guards stationed around their
houses, and who at the same time were asserting
the right of secession and wishing and predicting
the success of the Confederate army. This course
of protecting rebels was unwise and served the
rebel cause. Some of the houses were used for
Union hospitals, among which was the birthplace
of Patrick Henry. Then came the battle of Fair
Oakes or Seven Pines. The Third and Fourth
OF VERMONT. 27U
Corps had crossed theChickahominy and advanced
within six miles of Richmond when they were at-
tacked by General Joe Johnston by a larger part
of his army. The Union forces- held their ground,
and the next day the rebel army withdrew into
their lines nearer Richmond. This attempt to
crush that part of the Union army that had
crossed the river cost the enemy 6000 men killed
and wounded, and among the latter was General
Johnston. The Union loss was nearly as great.
The Vermont brigade was not in this battle, but
were ready if needed to enter the fight. On June
5th the Vermont brigade with the Sixth Corps
crossed the river at Grapevine Bridge, and moved
upon the right bank to Golding's house, about a
mile north of Fair Oakes. Here it remained 19
days. Digging in the construction of breastworks
and redoubts and doing picket duty -was severe on
the men. General Lee succeeded General Johnston
in command of the Confederate ^rmy.
On the 26th A. P. Hill struck a heavy blow on
parties left north of the river, while Magruder
kept up a demonstration on the Union lines south
of the river. Hill north of the river was met by
McCall's Division, with a loss to the rebel troops
of between three and four thousand, while
McCall's loss was but as many hundreds. The
Vermont troops were not brought into action
that day. That night General McClellan learning
that Jackson was on his right and rear decided to
retreat to the James. The next day the bloody
battle at Gaines's Mill was fought; there were six
hours of desperate fighting. In this battle Gen-
280 EARLY HISTORY
eral Smith took part with his heavy artilleo'.
It is to be noted that two-thirds of the Confed-
erate army assaulted Porter on the north of the
river, while Magruder made, demonstrations
against the Union lines in front of him. In the
afternoon the rebels began to feel the Union lines
south of the river. The pressure came on Han-
cock's brigade supported by the Vermont brigade.
The demonstration of the enemy here was repulsed .
The Fourth Vermont had eight men wounded and
the Sixth one killed and six wounded.
It is (|uite certain that if McClellan had thrown
his left wing forward he could have marched into
Richmond, for Magruder had but 25,000 men
south of the river to oppose him, while McClellan
had 60,000 on that side of the river. Magruder
admitted in his report that McClellan could have
succeeded if he had known of the situation. But
McClellan had made up his mind to retreat. The
retreat l>egan to a great disappointment of the
Union army. General Smith's division moved to
the east along the highlands, then turning to the
southwest marched to Savage's Station, where a
large share of the army stores had been brought
by railroad, and now what could not J>e loaded
into wagons were destro3 r cd. Everyone hcl])cd
himself to what he wanted. A long train of cars
was loaded with powder and shells, the cars set
on fire and started down grade to the river, filling
the air with exploding shells and fragments of
shattered cars, till it crashed through the blazing
railroad bridge, when, with a great explosion the
train, its load and the bridge disap|>carcd. Here
OF VERMONT. 2S1
were also, the large army hospitals in which over
2500 sick and wounded men and several hun-
dred surgeons and nurses fell into the enemy's
hands.
The great White Oak Swamp lie between
McClellan's army and Harrison's Landing, and it
was a difficult task to take an army of 115,000
fighting men and army wagons through it with a
hostile armj r in his rear. To insure ^the success of
this undertaking a stand must be made at Sav-
age's Station to keep the enemy in check till the
retreat was fairly under way through the Swamp.
The battle of Savage's Station was a severe one.
The duty of making a stand in front of the Con-
federate forces on the road leading from Savage's
Station to the Swamp was placed on General
Sumner, who was to be supported by Heintzle-
man, but the latter, instead of rendering him sup-
port, continued his retreat. Sumner, after giving
Magruder a sharp repulse some two miles up the
railroad towards Richmond, fell back to Savage's
Station, supposing Heintzleman was taking posi-
tion there on his left, but learned he had moved off*
to the Swamp, but General Smith by Sumner's
direction took position in front of the Station,
and after Sumner arrived, Smith started for the
Swamp, but was recalled by General Sumner.
The fighting at the Station fell to the Vermont
brigade of Smith's division. The Fifth regiment
suffered the greatest loss in killed and wounded
ever sustained by a Vermont regiment in action.
The Station was held for five hours, which en-
abled McClellan to make good his retreat into the
282 EARLY HISTORY
Swamp. This action saved the army. The Fifth
was the greatest sufferer; in twenty minutes
every other man in the line of the Fifth was killed
or wounded. The men had sixty rounds of cart-
ridges, and many of them used them all, exchang-
ing their guns as fast as they l>ecame heated for
those of their fallen comrades. In that fight the
regiment on the field had not over 400 muskets ;
its loss in killed and wounded was 206. In Com-
pany E there were five brothers, from Manchester,
Henry, Hiram, Silas, William and Edward Cum-
mings, with a cousin, William H. Cummings, and
a brother-in-law, Horace Clayton. Of these seven
men all were killed but one, and he, Henry, was
wounded. The Second and Sixth regiments suf-
fered severely. The loss of the brigade in this bat-
tle was 71 killed, 270 wounded, 17 missing, and
36 died of wounds. The Swamp was passed ;
the Confederates followed and the battle at Mal-
vern Hill was fought, where the enemy were de-
feated, and the army proceeded to Harrison's
Landing. Here McClellan was commanded by
the authorities at Washington to withdraw from
the Peninsula and come up to near Washington 'to
co-operate with General Pope's command. The
brigade disembarked at Alexandria August 24-th,
1862, conscious that they had fought well, both
in advance and in retreat, and that no part of the
reverses could Ihj laid at their door.
On Septeml>er 1st, 1862, affairs did not look
flattering. The situation was as follows: The
siege of Vicksburg had l)een abandoned, the Con-
federates were conducting an offensive campaign
OF VERMONT. 283
in Tennessee and Kentucky, the campaign against
Richmond had failed, the administration, had lost
confidence in McClellan, General Halleek had 1>ecii
brought from the West and made General-in-ehief
of the army to direct operations from his head-
quarters at Washington, to the disgust of the
generals in the field. McDowell, Banks and Sigel's
commands had been consolidated into the army
of Virginia, of which General Pope took command.
Pope announced that he had come to introduce the
ways of the West, where they did not bother their
heads* about lines of retreat or bases of supply,
and that his headquarters were to be in the saddle.
To the Eastern generals this announcement was
regarded a little bombastic, and was disliked by
the subordinate generals. Banks had fought the
battle of Cedar Mountain, but he had failed to
cripple Jackson to prevent him joining Lee.
I>ee now moved to the north to destroy Poj>e
l>efore he was re-enforced from McClellan *s army.
On the 30th of. September the Second battle of
Bull Run was fought and Pope's forces were
pushed back to near the defences of Washington,
which finished Pope's campaign, and Lee moved
north into Maryland. While Pope was fighting
this battle, the troops under Fitz John Porter,
Franklin and Sumner were allowed to remain in-
active by McClellan. These Generals were criticized
for not rendering seasonable aid to Pope, which was
in their power to do. McClellan snid« "leave Pope
to get out of his scrape/' The Vermont brigade
had no part in the battle. The Vermont troops
were ready to go to the aid of Pope, if they had
l>een ordered.
28*4 EARLY HISTORY
Pope resigned, and McClcllan was -re-instated
and started to follow Lee A copy of General
Lee's order was found and placed in McClellan's
hands, which told him that Lee had divided his
army and sent Generals Jackson and McLaws
four divisions to surround and cap' urc the Federal
garrison of 11,000 men at Harper's Ferry.
McClcllan dispatched Franklin to pass over S »uth
Mountain through Cramp ton's Gap north of the
Potomac and cut off McLaws and relieve Miles,
but he was too late. At the Gap the Federals met
General Cobb, with three brigades with the in-
tention of holding the pass. The battle took
place at Burkettsville near the entrance of the
pass, in which the Vermont brigade had a promi-
nent part. The enemy were driven through the
Gap. Franklin lost in this battle 110 killed and
420 wounded. The Vermont regiments lost one
man killed and 22 wounded. General Franklin
states he buried 150 of the enemy, took charge of
over 300 of their wounded, and captured 400
prisoners. The tardiness of Franklin rendered the
relief of Harper's Ferry impossible. Now both
armies concentrated at Antietam. On Septeml)er
17th, 1862, the battle of Antietam was fought.
Lee had about 40,000 and McClcllan 80,000, but
he fought the battle with 50,000 men. Lee fought
a defensive battle, greatly favored by the strength
of his position.
There was desperate fighting. The next day
Lee buried his dead under a flag of truce. McClel-
lan's loss in killed and wounded was 11,500 and
1000 missing, and that of the enemy not less.
OF VERMONT. 285
The Vermont brigade lost 25 killed and wounded.
Arrangements were made to attaek Lee on the
19th at daylight, bat Lee's invasion had come to
an end and he was gone. On the 19th the Sixth
Corps moved forward over the field on which hun-
dreds of the dead still lay. McClellan remained in
the vicinity of Hagerstown a month re-organizing
his army, and Lee was holding the Shenandoah
Valley. The emancipation proclamation that had
l>een issued to take effect Jan. 1st, 1863, was earn-
estly discussed. Here 250 recruits were sent from
Vermont to the brigade. The authorities at Wash-
ington and the people were impatient at McClel-
lan's tardiness to move. At last on the 28th of
()ctol>er the Sixth Corps received marching orders
and recrossed the Potomac at Berlin on Nov. 2d,
and marched south at the base of the Blue Ridge
and rested a week at Warrenton. Here McClel-
lan was relieved of his command, and General A.
E. Burnside succeeded him. The army was divided
into three divisions. Franklin was appointed to
command one division and Sumner and Hooker
the other two, and Major General William F.
Smith succeeded Franklin in command of the
Sixth Corps. This army now was a well equipped
body of 125,000 men. The Vermont regiments
now had about 500 men each, and Colonel Whit-
ing became their brigade commander instead of
the experienced General- Brooks. The army
marched to the Rappahannock near Fredericks-
burg, but was unable to cross for want of pon-
toons; this delay through the fault of General
Halleck or some subordinate, prevented Burnside
286 EARLY HISTORV
occupying Fredericksburg and the Heights unop-
posed. The delays gave Lee full. opportunity to
prepare to meet Ruraside when he should cross
the river. The battle was fought on the 1 3th of
December. Lee having occupied the Heights south
of the river, and made the positiou strong against
any opposing force, gave them great advantage
over any force that Burnside could bring against
him. The conduct and the dauntless courage of
the rank and file was grand. In several parts of
the field the enemy was driven back with great
loss to them, as well as to the assaulting party.
Night put an end to the terrible carnage. The
Union wounded were brought back across the
river and their dead buried. Twelve thousand
men had been sacrificed in a fruitless battle. The
Vermont regiment lost 21 killed, 125 wounded
and three died of wounds.
General Burnside, stung by his defeat, proposed
to renew the battle and head his old Ninth Corps
in person, but his Corps commanders dissuaded
him from making another trial with such odds
against him. Lee did not venture to take the
offensive. The Union troops went into camp.
After the failure at Fredericksburg Burnside
learned from President Lincoln that a number of
his Corps and division commanders considered
him incompetent and had no faith that he could
succeed. Thereupon Burnside made out an order
dismissing from the service Generals Hooker,
Brooks, Newton and Cochrane, and sending away
from the army of the Potomac Generals Franklin,
Smith, Sturgis and Ferrero, took it to Washing-
OF VERMONT. 287
ton and demanded its approval or the acceptance
of his own resignation. His resignation was ac-
cepted and General Joseph Hooker was made
commander of the army.
In the new arrangement the Vermont brigade
remained a part of the Sixth Corps which was
commanded by General Sedgwick. The Sixth
Corps was sorry to lose General Smith, but found
a good successor. Colonel Lewis A. Grant of the
Fifth succeeded Colonel Whiting in command of
the brigade. In the winter there was a snow
storm battle that made as great local excitement
as an actual battle between enemies. The 26th
New Jersey challenged the Third and Fourth Ver-
mont, about equal in numbers. Amid a great
throng of spectators the snow ball battle took
place. It ended in the capture of the Colonel, Ad-
jutant and Quartermaster of the New Jersey regi-
ment, and the utter rout of the New Jersey regi-
ment.
CHAPTER XIV.
THE FIRST VERMONT BRIGADE— Coktikuku.
On March 10th, 1864, the welcome news came
to the army at Brandy Station that there was a
new commander-in-chief in the person of Lieu ten-
ant-General Ulysses S. Grant, and that he was to
take the field with the Army of the Potomac, and
they concluded it meant business. That General
Hal leek's rule had come to an end. The army
was reorganized. It was felt on both sides that
the crisis of the war was at hand. The Army of
the Potomac numbered about 100,000 men of all
arms ; that of Northern Virginia 75,000, but the
Confederates had the advantage of position.
On May 3d Grant began his move. The Sec-
ond Corps crossed the Rapidan at Ely Ford, and
moved to Chancellorsville; the Fifth and Sixth
Corps crossed atGermanna Ford. Most of Grant's
army was across the river that day. On the 5th
and 6th of May the terrible battle of the Wilder-
uess was fought. The purpose of Lee was to di-
vide Grant's army and drive each portion back
across the river as he had Burnside and Hooker.
In this he failed. Grant learned that Lee had de-
termined to fight in the wilderness. The two
most important points to be held were where the
Orange Turnpike crossed the Germanna Road and
where the Orange Plank Road crossed the Brock
OF VERMONT. 2S9
Road as the Union army was marching to the
Wilderness by the Gennanna Road and its paral-
lels. It was important to hold the Germanna
Road to prevent Lee placing his army between the
two wings of the Union arm}' . Grant's best troops
and best generals were placed at these points.
Getty's division, a part of which was the Vermont
brigade, was sent to the junction of the Brock
and Plank roads with instructions to ••hold that
point at all hazards, until relieved." After Getty
had been hotly engaged for some time Hancock's
column came up. Getty had two divisions of the
enemy now in his front. The battle raged all
along the line. In the Vermont regiments the car-
nage was fearful. Darkness fell on the scene and
there was a lull for the night. The position that
Getty took was held, but a thousand Vermontcrs
fell that day. The next morning the battle was
renewed and raged all day. The Vermont regi-
ments in this Battle of the Wilderness lost in killed
191, wounded 94-7, missing 96, died of wounds
151. There were man}' sad hearts in the Vermont
regiments on the night of May Oth, but they did
not lose courage. That night Lee retired within
his intrenched lines. The Battle of the Wilderness
was ended. The at*my of Northern Virginia never
after fought an offensive battle, but always kept
on the defensive.
The next day the Union army moved on to the
South. The next battle was at Spottsylvania. On
the 9th, Gen. John Sedgwick, a brave and trusted
commander, was killed— his loss was mourned by
the whole army and especially by the Vermont
290 KARI.Y HISTORY
brigade, who called him "Uncle John." General
Wright took his place as the Corps commander.
On the 10th the battle was a stubborn one. One
of the hottest places was at the "Salient." The
troops at this point were ordered to fall back, but
some of the Vermonters failed to get the order to
withdraw and refused to go back with the rest,
and stayed there two hours after the rest of the
column had gone back. During this time General
Wright rode up to Lieut. -General Grant, and re-
ported that some of his men were still in the Sa-
lient and would not come away. "What shall
I do?" he asked. Grant replied, "pile in the men
and hold it." Finally the Vermonters by express
command withdrew for the night. The f 2th of
May was the most important of the twelve days
sj>ent at Spottsylvania. Grant proceeded to the
work of taking the "Salient" or "Angle" in which
the Vermont Brigade took an important part.
The carnage was fearful and the dead of both ar-
mies, at this point, literally lay piled in heaps.
General L. A. Grant said "It was literally a hand
to hand fight. Nothing but the piled up logs of
the breast works separated the combatants. Our
men would reach over the logs and fire into the
faces of the enemy, and stab over with their bayon-
ets. Many were shot and stabbed through crev-
ices and holes in the logs. * * * It was there
that the celebrated tree was cut off by bullets, and
that the brush and logs were cut to pieces and
whipped into basket stuff, and that fallen men's
flesh was torn from their bones, and their bones
shattered." The Vermont brigade was engaged
OF VERMONT. 291
for about eight hours. Of all the struggles of the
war, this was the fiercest ancj the most deadly.
The Salient was taken and held by the Union
army against all attempts of Lee to retake it.
The fighting did not cease till three o'clock the
next morning, when Lee gave up the task and
withdrew his men to a new line of works. In this
day's work the Army of the Potomac lost in all
6,820 killed, wounded and missing. Lee's loss
was from 9,000 to 10,000, the larger part at the
Salient. The loss of the Vermont brigade on the
10th and 12th was 48 killed, 252 wounded, 92
missing. On May 15th Colonel Warner with his
Eleventh Vermont of 1,500 men joined the brig-
ade. Also at this time the old regiments received
150 recruits. The Union army moved by the left
flank to the south to the North Anna. General
Grant abandoned Fredericksburg as a base and
shifted to Tort Royal. The losses of the brigade,
in action since they crossed the Rapidan, as re-
ported by Gen. L. A. Grant, were 249 killed, 1,231
wounded, 170 missing, and not less than 190 died
of their wounds. Fredericksburg was a vast hospi-
tal. Many of the sick and wounded were sent to
Vermont to the hospitals at Burlington, Brattle-
boro and Montpelier. The next great battle in
which the Vermont brigade took part was at Cold
Harbor.
On May 31st the Sixth Corps was sent to occu-
py Cold Harbor where Grant intended to cross the
Chickahominy and where Sheridan with the cav-
alry were holding it against great odds. Here
General Wright was joined by General William F.
292 EARLY HISTORY
Smith, who had come up from White House with
10,000 men. As soon as Lee learned that the
Sixth Corps had been sent forward, he sent Early
and Longstreet's Corps to occupy Cold Harbor
and prevent the Union army from crossing the riv-
er, and protect their own army in crossing. Sher-
idan had already occupied Cold Harbor, but the
Confederates intrenched their lines between the
Chickahominy and Cold Harbor and sought to
prevent Grant's crossing. Here on June 1st the
Vermont brigade was placed in the front line; the
firing in front was terrific, and in twenty minutes
about one-fourth of the assaulting force had fallen,
but they moved steadily on. General Ricketts, of
whose division the Tenth Vermont formed a part,
struck the enemy's main line, and took 600 pris-
oners. During the day many of the rifle pits of the
enemy were taken, which Lee, in vain undertook
to regain. During the night Wright and Smith in-
trenched the position they had gained. In this as-
sault the battalion of the Eleventh lost 13 men
killed and 107 wounded. The loss of the Sixth
Corps in killed and wounded was about 1,200,
and of the Eighteenth Corps 900.
On June 3d a terrible battle took place. Han-
cock's Corps lost 1000 men in fifteen minutes. The
Sixth Corps lost 800 men that morning. General
Stannard commanded a brigade of General Smith's
command. His brigade made a desperate unsuc-
cessful assault in which fifty per cent of his men
and every member of his staff had fallen. Stannard
himself was wounded in the thigh, but kept his sad-
dle. There was not much more fighting at Cold Har-
OV YI2RMONT. 293
bor. The loss of the Vermont brigade was 104
men. The two armies remained here ten dny3
watching each other, during which time the Ver-
mont brigade lost 48 men killed and wounded.
General Grant was desirous of holding Lee's army
here till General Hunter moved up the Shenandoah
Valley and against Lynchburg.
On June 12th the army marched down the
Chickahominy twenty-three miles and crossed
that river at Jones's bridge, and from there
marched to the James River, some 55 miles from
Cold Harbor, and soon appeared in front of Pe-
tersburg.
On June 16th, 17 and 18th Grant made an at-
tempt on the works of the enemy in front of Pe-
tersburg and carried a part ol their works. In
these three days' fighting the Union losses exceed-
ed 7,000 killed and wounded. In this battle the
Vermont troops did not take a part, an unusual
circumstance. In the Weldon Railroad affair June
23, 1864, the brigade lost 13 killed, 45 wounded,
401 missing. Most of the 401 afterwards died a
lingering death in the prison pens of Anderson-
ville, and other Southern prisons.
General Hunter proceeded up the Shenandoah
Valley, defeated the Confederate General Vaughn
and had advanced to Lj'nchburg where he was
met by General Early. Hunter withdrew into
Kanawha Valley. Early took advantage of this
and came down the Valley of the Shenandoah and
pushed rapidly into Maryland to threaten Wash-
ington, thereupon General Grant, at President Lin-
coln's request, withdrew the Sixth Corps »from the
294 EARLY HISTORY
lines at Petersburg and sent it to Washington.
Ricketts' division of that Corps was sent to Balti-
more and reported to General Lew Wallace, com-
manding that department. These troops were
thrown between Early and Washington near
Frederick, Md. Here a battle took place between
Early and Wallace; Wallace was defeated, General
Ricketts severely wounded, and 1,500 men of his
division killed, wounded and captured. This bat-
tle, however, delayed Early's advance for two
days, giving time for the rest of the corps to come
up the Potomac to Washington and thwart Ear-
ly's purpose to take the city. As soon as the rest
of the corps had reached Washington they pre-
pared to meet Early. General Getty and his Staff
preceded his troops as they came up the Poto-
mac. It was anxious times in Washington as Ear-
ly was near the city. President Lincoln and Sec-
retary Stanton were standing on the wharf as
Geneial Getty and Staff landed. The President
asked "What troops does this steamer bring?"
Surgeon Allen of the Tenth Vermont replied, "It
brings Major General Getty and his Staff, but no
troops." The President said, "I do not care to see
any Major General : I came here to see the Ver-
mont brigade." The two divisions reached Wash-
ington on the evening of the 11th of July and dis-
embarked the next morning. Early was within
five miles of Washington as was supposed with
30,000 men. The city was near a panic. As the
troops marched up Seventh Street, the sidewalks
were thronged with people who shouted ; "It is
the old Sixth Corps! Hurrah for the men who
OF VERMONT. 295
stormed Marye's Heights! We are all right
now !" The people regarded now the danger over.
Early had halted on the afternoon of the
10th before Fort Stevens standing on Seventh
Street Pike with about 12,000 men and fif-
ty guns. The Second and Third Vermont regi-
ments were posted in rifle pits to the left of the
Fort and the rest of the brigade with other troops
in the woods to the west of the Fort. While the
arrangement for an advance was being made 80
picked men were sent under Captain A. M. Real lie
of the Third Vermont to the skirmish line to drive
away the rebel sharp-shooters whose work was
greatly annoying. These 80 men lost one Ver-
monter killed and six wounded. In the after-
noon the picket line was strengthened by 50 picked
men of the Sixth Vermont. General Wright sent
out a brigade to develop Early's position and re-
lieve the Union line from the enemy's sharp-shoot-
ers. About four o'clock the Third brigade. Colonel
Bid well's, of Getty's division, filed out into the road
in front of the Fort, and deployed in two lines.
The Fort opened a vigorous fire with heavy guns
to clear the way. They advanced and swept
over the ground; although the enemy made a
stout resistance. Every regimental commander of
Bidwell's brigade fell, killed or wounded, but the
advance was not stopped and Early's lines were
drawn back for a mile, and the Vermont brigade
picketed the front for the night. The Union loss
was 280. Early left 30 dead on the field, and 70
men too seriously wounded to be moved.
President Lincoln, Secretary Stanton and oth-
296 EARLY HISTORY
er members of the Cabinet and several ladies,
including Mrs. Lincoln, went during the after-
noon to see some of the fighting. Mr. Lincoln at
the invitation of General Wright remained dur-
ing the action. Lincoln persisted in standing on
the parapet of the Fort, by the side of General
Wright, in spite of earnest remonstrance of
Wright and others, till an officer was wounded
standing within three feet of him, by a rebel bullet.
In the hostile camp beyond stood General Breck-
enridge who four years before was Vice-President
of the United States and President of the Senate,
but now he was not allowed to have a nearer
view.
That night Early returned and halted the next
morning 18 miles away, and the Union forces fol-
lowed in pursuit the next day. Early was fol-
lowed to the banks of the Shenandoah at Snick-
er's Ferry, where the Union forces got a clip at
Early's rear guard, where Early lost 400 killed
and wounded, but Early slipped away up the Val-
ley. General Wright with the Vermont brigade
returned to Tenallytown, expecting to rejoin the
army in front of Petersburg.
When General Early learned that the Sixth
Corps had left the Valley he turned on Crooks and
defeated his small force that remained in the val-
ley, and proceeded to break up the Baltimore and
Ohio railroad, and went on a raid into Maryland
and Pennsylvania; his cavalry under the command
of McCausland proceeded as far north as Cham-
bcrsburg, Penn., burning, robbing and laying con-
tributions on the people. At Chambersburg he
OF VERMONT. 297
demanded $500,000 in currency or $100,000 in
gold from the people under the penalty if not fur-
nished, of having their town burned; it not being
furnished, as it could not be, the torch was applied
and the village of 3,000 inhabitants was laid in
ashes, citizens were plundered and robbed of their
money and valuables. The rebels returned with
their booty; and exchanged lame and worthless
horses for good ones wherever they could find
them. When the news of Crook's defeat came to
Washington the Sixth corps was sent to the as-
sistance of Crook and Hunter. The corps did the
hardest marching that they did during the war;
they marched 75 miles in less than three days, but
it was infantry against rebel Cavalrj\
The enemy were struck by General Averill at
Moorfield, West Virginia, and here the enemy lost
400 horses, 420 men captured and most of his wag-
ons. This was the last Confederate raid into Ma-
ryland. Early still remained in the Shenandoah
Valley with 20,000 men, a continual menace to
the North and to the Capital of the nation.
Now different arrangements were determined
upon. General Sheridan was put in command
of the forces in the Valley. General Grant tele-
graphed to General Halleck at Washington, "I
want Sheridan put in command of all the troops
in the field, with instructions to put himself South
of the enemy, and follow him to the death. Wher-
ever the enemy goes let our troops go also." Hal-
leck proposed to confine Sheridan to the command
of the Cavalry. President Lincoln intimated to
General Grant that his instructions were not being
298 EARLY HISTORY
followed. Immediately Grant appeared in Wash-
ington, saw General Hunter at his headquarters.
His first question was, "Where is the enemy?"
Hunter replied, he "did not know," adding that
he had been so ordered hither and thither by des-
patches from Washington that he had been unable
to determine the position of the rebels, much less
to pursue them." GeneralJ Grant replied, "I will
find out where the enemj' is." He put the army in
motion that night for the Valley. On the 7th of
August 1864, General Philip H. Sheridan assumed
command of till the forces in Washington, Mary-
land and West Virginia. He at once gathered the
scattered troops; the Sixth Corps of about 12,000,
Crook's army and cavalry of about 8,000, with
these and the artillery gave him 30,000 ready for
duty. Early had about the same number, and was
about 20 miles west of Halltown, Va., and Sheri-
dan at Halltown. Early withdrew to the Valley
and took a strong position at Fisher's Hill, and
Mosby with his irregular troops was in Sheridan's
rear and captured 75 wagons loaded with supplies
for Sheridan's army. Early now was reenforced,
and Sheridan withdrew to Berry ville leaving Tor-
bcrt and Penrose at Winchester. They were at-
tacked and driven back with a loss of 700 men
killed, wounded and captured. Sheridan as he re-
treated burned all the wheat and hay south of Ber-
ry ville and drove off all the cattle, much to the
disgust of the owners and of General Early. In
the march down the Valley the Sixth Corps
bivouacked on the banks of the Opequan,
and then retreated to Charlcstown where Sheri-
OF VERMONT. 299
dan met his supply trains and fed his hungry sol-
diers. Here Sheridan faced around and met Early
in a fierce battle in which the Vermont brigade
took a leading part. The Third, Fourth andJSixth
regiments were deployed as skirmishers in a curved
line and advanced rapidly; they were supportedjby
the Second, Fifth and Eleventh, each in line of
battle. The battle ground was owned by John
B. Packett where his wife and family lived. She
was the daughter of Colonel John A. Wash-
ington, the former owner of Mount Vernon,
who had been killed in the Confederate service.
Among the inmates were several ladies. They
were all urged to leave the house and go to the
camp of the Vermont brigade, but instead of
doing so went into the cellar for safety and re-
mained there till it began to be torn to pieces
by rebel balls and shells, when they went weep-
ing and shrieking to the rear. Fifty-six thou-
sand rounds of ammunition were used that day
by the Vermont regiments. In this battle the
Vermont regiments lost 24 killed, 200 wounded,
16 died of wounds. Sheridan, for better position
withdrew his army to Halltown five miles back.
The fore part of September a part of Early's
force had been withdrawn to strengthen Lee's
lines at Fetersburg. Sheridah on September
14th advanced to Charleston. Here Lieuten-
ant General Grant appeared at Sheridan's Head-
quarters. He was impatient at the delay and
came up from Petersburg to confer with Sher-
idan, who satisfied Grant that he was right in
delaying the advance till Early's forces had
300 EARLY HISTORY
been weakened by a withdrawal of a part to sup-
port Lee. He simply told Sheridan to "go in."
On September 19th, the most important battle
that had ever been fought in the Shenandoah took
place at Winchester, sometimes called the battle
of the Opequon, was won by the Union forces,
and Early sent flying up the valley. But it was
won at a terrible sacrifice of life. The Tenth Ver-
mont fought in the third Division of the Sixth Corps
and lost Major Dillingham and about 60 men killed
and wounded. The loss of the First Vermont
brigade, was 22 killed, 224 wounded, 9 missing
and 26 died of their wounds.
On September 22d the battle of Fisher's Hill
was fought. Early had taken a strong position
at that place. Sheridan came up and sent Crook
around to strike Early's left. When Crook made
his appearance and commenced the work of crush-
ing in Early's lelt, Sheridan ordered the Sixth and
the Ninth Corps forward against the Confederate
center and left, then Early's whole army broke for
the rear in utter rout. General Sheridan joined
Getty's division, shouting: "Run boys, run!
Don't wait to form. Don't let them stop. If you
can't run, then cheer! " The Sixth Corps followed
the rebel army that night 12 miles to and through
Woodstock. Sheridan's loss was 400 killed and
wounded. He captured 16 guns and 1,100 prison-
ers. Early claimed his entire loss was but 1400.
The Union army returned to Strasburg. Early
was now reenforced from Lee's army and with
Kosser's brigade ot cavalry. This brigade of cav-
alry attacked Custer who was covering the rear
OF VERMONT. 301
of Sheridan's column. Sheridan gave orders to
Torbert, commander of the cavalry, to whip the
rebel cavalry or get whipped; the former command
was obeyed. Custer and Merritt's command took
11 guns, about 50 wagons, 4 Confederate cavalry
generals and 330 prisoners. As Sheridan was re-
turning to Strasburgh on the march, he destroyed
seventy mills with flour and grain, and over two
thousand barns filled with wheat and hay, were
burned, and 7,000 cattle and sheep were gathered
in and driven along for the use of Sheridan's ar-
my.
On October 10th the Sixth Corps started for
Washington to rejoin Grant's army, but on the
way they had orders to return to Cedar Creek as
Sheridan had learned that Early with a large force
had reoccupied Fisher's Hill. Early intended to
surprise the Union forces where they were en-
camped on the Creek. The Confederate forces
on the evening of the 18th of October started
from Fisher's Hill and attacked the Union forces
at daybreak on the morning of the 19th while
they were unprepared, and the rebels were in the
camps of some of the Union troops before they
could get into line, and it looked for a time as
though it was to be a perfect scoup for Early, but
the Union lines were soon formed and the men be-
gan to do telling work against the foe, but many
of the Union forces were killed or captured and
were compelled to fall back. General Sheridan at
this time was on his way to Washington on im-
portant business and left the army in command of
General Wright, and left word with him "to be
302 EARLY HISTORY
well prepared and if the enemy slioul 1 advance' •
he said, "I know you will defeat him." In a crit
ical part of the battle, Bidwell who commanded a
brigade, was mortally wonnded and there was a
liability of a panic in that brigade that was
placed at the left of the Vermont brigade. Colonel
French, who succeeded Bidwell, shouted to his
men "Don't run, men, till the Vermonters do."
This seemed to inspire his men, and they drove the
Confederates back and took many ot them prison-
ers. Though the Union forces fell back slowly they
made a stubborn resistance. Early's forces had
become considerably broken. His troops had scat-
tered through the Union camps for plunder, and
were more cautious against advancing, and
Early devoted himseif to reorganizing his lines.
General Wright was active in efforts to retrieve
the day. General Sheridan was on his way back
trom Washington. When he reached Winchester
on the morning of the 19th the sound of artillery
told him that a battle was in progress and soon
began to meet troops and trains and he took mea-
sures to stop stragglers, and he started for Cedar
Creek with ari escort of 20 mounted men. The
battle scene changed as he arrived on the field.
Cheer after cheer went up from the Union foices as
Sheridan rode down the lines on his fiery "Black
Hawk." General Custer first stopped him and
kissed him before his men. The next halt was be-
fore his own brigade. The scene was inspiring;
caps were tossed high in the air.
Doubts were gone; every man felt that a Union
victory was assured. Colonel Tracy rode up to
OF VERMONT. 303
him and said, "General, we're glad to see you."
The General exclaimed, "Well, by G— , I am glad
to be here. What troops are these?" "Sixth Corps!
Vermont Brigade^ " was shouted from the ranks.
Sheridan's answer was prompt, "All right! We
are all right. We will have our camps by
night." It was now about noon. At the ap-
pointed time the whole line advanced against the
enemy. That afternoon the enemy was beaten at
every point, all of the cannon that had been taken
were retaken. The enemy's guns had been taken in-
to camp, and prisoners were crowding in by hun-
dreds in front of Sheridan's headquarters, and the
Union soldiers were back in their morning camp.
Twenty-four Confederate guns were captured, and
1,200 prisoners taken and many Confederate bat-
tle flags. In the morning Early took 1,400 pris-
oners and hurried them off to Richmond. Early
admitted he lost 1,860 men killed and wounded.
This battle nearly ended the Valley campaign and
Jubal Early. Sheridan's loss was near 4,000
killed and wounded. Ti;e loss of the Vermont reg-
iments of Sixth brigade were 30 killed, 214
wounded, 41 missing, and 29 died of wounds.
On the 8th of November the Presidential elec-
tion took place in camp. In the Vermont brigade
Lincoln had a majority of 416, out of 1,112 votes.
McClellan had a majority in the Second and
Fourth regiments. There were two cavalry en-
gagements in November. The first on the 12th
where Merritt and Custer had an easy victory
over the rebel Rosser, and in the other Powell
routed McCausland's brigade at Stony Point,
304 EARLY HISTORY
where the latter lost two guns and 250 men. Ear-
ly returned to New Market on the 14th and did
not again visit the lower Shenandoah Valley.
Sheridan and his force was called to join
Grant's array in front of Petersburg and arrived
there about the 14th of December, 1864. On
March 2d, 1865, General Lee addressed a letter to
Grant proposing to meet and adjust the "unhap-
py difficulties" and a method of closing the war,
by means of a ''military convention." This meet-
ing was declined by Grant, under orders from
President Lincoln, to whom the request was re-
ferred, to hold no conference with Lee, except for
surrender. So nothing was left to Lee, but to
fight or surrender. Lee had a consultation with
President Davis in which it was determined as
soon as the condition would permit to leave Rich-
mond and push his army to Danville, Va., and
there unite with Johnson and destroy Sherman's
army, and then turn back upon Grant; and estab-
lish the Confederate government farther south.
Grant anticipating this move, issued orders on
March 25th, to move around Lee's right and com-
pel him to fight or surrender. At the same time
Lee began a sortie against Grant's right to cause
him to draw in his left and leave a way for
the Confederate army to escape. Lee partly suc-
ceeded in storming Fort S ted man, but he was fi-
nally repulsed and the rebel General Gordon left
1949 of his men prisoners, and 120 killed that he
took away under a flag of truce. The rebel rifle
pits in front of the Union Fort Fisher were carried
OF VERMONT. 305
by the Union forces, among whom were the Ver-
mont troops of the Vermont brigade. There were
905 Confederates taken in the rifle pits, and 547
of them surrendered to the Vermonters. The Ver-
mont brigade lost 4 killed,33 wounded, and three
died of their wounds. Lee lost in this day's fight
1,000 killed and wounded, and 3,000 taken pris-
oners. Getty lost 460 killed and wounded, the Sec-
ond Corps 700, and the Ninth 800 men. But it
was a great gain in position for the Union forces.
On the 29th, Sheridan had pushed out to near
Five Forks where Lee's cavalry and Pickett's di-
vision of infantry, in all 12,000 men, had en-
trenched themselves. Sheridan thought he saw an
opportunity to cut off" and capture Pickett, but
for this work needed some infantry, and sent word
to Grant, "I could with the sixth Corps turn the
enemy's right and break through his lines." Grant
replied "It will be impossible to give you the Sixth
Corps. It is the center of our line; besides, Wright
thinks he could go through the lines where he is,
and it is desirable to ha ve troops and a comman-
der there who feel so "
On April 1st the battle at Five Forks was
fought and won by Sheridan and Warren; Pickett
was routed with a loss of six guns and half bis
corps captured; as soon as the news of Sheridan's
success reached Grant he ordered a general bom-
bardment, and a grand assault was ordered for
the next morning, and the Sixth Corps was relied
on to go through Lee's lines. General Wright
had promised General Mead he "would make the
fur fly when he should get the word, go." General
306 EARLY HISTORY
Wright selected Getty's division for the assaulting
column; and General Getty gave the Vermont bri-
gade the honor of guiding and leading the column.
On the morning of April 1st, the brigade showed a
total of 2,209 of officers and men present for duty.
The assault was gallantly made and was a glori-
ous success. The work of the brigade on the 1st
and the 2nd of April, and until Lee surrendered,
was such as received and merited the highest
praise. The piercing of Lee's lines by the Sixth
Corps was the blow which caused the immediate
flight of his army. The Sixth Corps in the charge
lost 1,100 men killed and wounded, but it took
3,000 prisoners before 10 o'clock a. m. The loss of
the brigade on the 2nd of April was 25 killed and
161 wounded. Lee was now in full retreat, but
finding his way to the south blocked, surrendered
to General (J. S. Grant on the 9th of April, 1865.
The brigade and division now moved south to
Danville, Va., to meet General Johnson, but they
learned he had surrendered to General W. T. Sher-
man. They soon returned to Washington. At the
review the Vermont brigade made the best display
and received the highest compliments. When the
orders for the disbandment of the Vermont bri-
gade was received the commander, Brevet Major
General L. A. Grant, in his address said in part,
"Our battles are over, victory is ours, and peace
smiles upon our fair land. The principles of Re-
publicanism are established. The rights of man
are vindicated, and the powers of the federal Gov-
ernment are settled, it is hoped, for all time."
CHAPTER XV.
THE THIRTEENTH, FOURTEENTH, FIF-
TEENTH AND SIXTEENTH VERMONT
REGIMENT AND THE SECOND
VERMONT BRIGADE.
The second Vermont Brigade was made np
from the Fifth Vermont Regiment of nine months
men consisting of the 12th, 13th, 14th, 15th and
16th regiments. Soon after President Lincoln
had issued his call, July 1st, 1862, for 300,000
men for three years, Congress passed an act
authorizing him to call out the entire militia of
the states. Under this act President Lincoln
issued a call for 300,000 militia to serve for nine
months within which time it was supposed the
rebellion would be crushed. Vermont's quota of
this number was 4,898 men. Governor Holbrook
on the 11th of August, 1862, issued an order for a
new enrollment of the militia comprising all able-
bodied men between the ages of 18 and 45 years.
By the 20th of September, fifty companies were
raised and formed into the five regiments. Asa
P. Blunt of St. Johnsbury, who had seen service
in the field, was appointed colonel of the Twelfth,
and the regiment was mustered in on October 4th,
and arrived at Washington the 8th, and on
(907)
308 EARLY HISTORY
October 30th the other five regiments having ar-
rived at Washington were brigaded together.
Francis V. Randall of Montpelier was appointed
colonel of the Thirteenth. Randall had seen ser-
vice as captain in the Second Vermont, and fifteen
months service in the First Vermont Brigade.
The regiment was mustered in October 8th and
reached Washington the 13th and soon became a
part of the Second Brigade. William T. Nichols
of Rutland, who had seen service in the First Ver-
mont regiment, was appointed colonel of the
Fourteenth. The regiment was mustered into the
United States service on October 21st, 1862, and
arrived at Washington the 25th and soon became
a part of the Second Vermont Brigade. Red field
Proctor of Cavendish, who had seen considerable
service in the field as quartermaster of the Third,
and as one of the staff of General Smith and as
major of the Fifth, was appointed colonel of the
Fifteenth.
The regiment was mustered into the United
States service October 22, 1862, and arrived at
Washington the 26th, and soon after was bri-
gaded with the other nine months men of Ver-
mont. Wheelock G. Veazey of Springfield, who
had seen service as captain of Company A of the
Third, and afterwards major and lieutenant-
colonel of the regiment, and also on the staff of
Major General William F. Smith, was appointed
colonel of the Sixteenth. The regiment was
mustered into the United States service on Octo-
ber 23, 1862, and arrived at Washington the
27th, and camped near and became a part of the
OF VERMONT. 309
Second Vermont Brigade. The important part
which these five regiments took will be related in
the farther history of the Second Vermont Bri-
gade.
Desertions were but few in this brigade. The
number of professional men among it was large
and many of them after the war* filled important
positions in civil life: three governors, two lieu-
tenant governors, two judges of the Supreme
Court, one United States territorial judge, a con-
gressman, a secretary of the state, a United States
district attorney, an adjutant general, a quarter-
master general, more than fourteen state senators
and many other minor positons.
The brigade became a part of Major-General
Silaf Casey's division which served in the defense
of Washington. During the winter it picketed a
part of the line encircling Washington and did
fatigue duty on the outer works of Fort Lyon
for which 1500 men were detailed daily from the
brigade. On Nov. 7th came the change in the
command of the Army of the Potomac. Many
had lost confidence in McClcllan, he was so slow
in his movements. Burnside assumed command
and moved to the Rappahannock on the 11th of
December, 1862, and prepared for the disastrous
battle of Fredericksburg. The second Vermont
brigade took the place of Sickles brigade which had
been ordered to join Sigel who had l>ecn ordered
from Centerville to Burnside. The brigade with
the First Virginia (loyal) cavalry now had to
picket a front of five or six miles along Bull Run
and Cub Run and protect Washington. The
310 EARLY HISTORY
enemy, that this force had to guard against, was
guerrillas and Mosby 's irregular force. They also
had to contend wi£h Stuart's cavalry raid of
1800 men from Lee's army, the last of November.
The brigade had to be vigilant against the op-
perations of Mosby. He had been, at his own
request, detailed to harrass the Federal forces
guarding Washington; at first he had but fifteen
men from the First Virginia (Confederate) cav-
alry, which was increased from time to time
from the disloyal inhabitants of the region, who
placed themselves under his command, at his will,
and retiring to their homes when not needed.
In a note in Benedict's history of the war it is
said that Mosby called his force "the conglom-
erates" and said, that like one of the old political
parties, they "were held together by the force of
public plunder."
On February 2nd, 1863, the brigade was made
a part of the Twenty-second Army Corps under
the command of Major-General Hentzleman.
On March 9th General Stoughton, the brigade
commander, was "gobbled up" by Mosby.
Stoughton had his headquarters at the brick
house of a Dr. Gunnell at Fairfax Court House.
He had with him his personal staff and his
mother and two sisters. His exposed position
had caused it to be predicted that he would be
captured. Mosby with 30 picked men, and a
deserter from the Fifth New York cavalry, (who
was familiar with the situation and who was
killed a year later,) divided his men into
three parties, one to capture Colonel Wyndham,
OF VBRMONT. 311
one to collect the horses from the stables, and the
*third with Mosby went to General Stoughton's
headquarters. Rapping at the door, announced
they had dispatches for General Stoughton, and
they were admitted, went to his room, made him
prisoner with Lieut. Samuel F. Prentiss of the
Thirteenth Vermont, a member of Stough ton's
staff, and made their escape with their prisoners*
The raiders spent an hour in the village without
firing a shot and without causing a general
alarm. They took with them two underofficers,
a guest, a telegraph operator, postmaster, a
photographer, and fifteen private soldiers, several
of whom were members of Vermont regiments,
and fifty-five horses, fourteen of which belonged
to General Stoughton and his aides. Prentiss made
his escape. The prisoners were sent to Libby pris-
on. President Lincoln, referring to this affair,
said "lie did not much mind the loss of a briga-
dier general for he could make another in five
minutes, but those horses cost $125 a piece."
This ended General Stoughton's military career.
The command now devolved* upon Colonel Blunt
and on April 20th General George J. Stannard,
who had 1>een promoted brigadier general, was
assigned to the command of the second brigade;
the brigade was assigned to protect the Orange
and Alexander railroad to the Rappahannock that
it might 1)e operated for the use of Hooker's army.
While the battle of . Chancellorsville was in
progress some portion of the brigade was at
Catlett's Station and at Warrenton Junction.
Mosby had been appointed to be a major, and
312 EARLY HISTORY
had a command of 100 men and was intending to
harrass Hooker's rear, but his command soon*
came to grief. He captured three men of the
Twelfth and about fifty men of the First Virginia
Loyal cavalry under command of Major Steele
and were being taken off by Mosby, when the
Fifth New York cavalry and a part of the Fir§t
Vermont cavalry came on the scene and re-
captured all the prisoners but two, and captured
twenty-three of Mosby's men, most of them
wounded, and scattered the rest. The captured
pickets of the Twelfth made their escape during
the fight.
While the Twelfth was stationed near Brandy
Station, three of Hon. John Minor Botts' former
slaves escaped to the camp of the Twelfth. Botts
came and asked for their return on the ground that
he was a union man, and that Lincoln's procla-
mation of freedom affected only slave property
of rebels. Colonel Blunt did not consent to order
their return, but told Mr. Botts he might have an
opportunity to persuade them to return. The
colored men concluded that they rather be free,
and one of them who resembled Mr. Botts argued
the matter with Botts, and said to him that "if
he, Botts, was a rebel he might claim his slaves,
but if he was a truly loyal man, he ought to
respect Mr. Lincoln's proclamation, which declared
all the slaves in any state or part of a state in
rebellion, to be thence forward and forever free."
Mr. Botts appealed to Mr. Lincoln but got no
satisfaction.
About the middle of May the Thirteenth lost a
OF VERMONT. 313
.few men and some army wagons by Mosby and
guerrillas, but the prisoners were released on pa-
role. In the first week of June Lee commenced his
second invasion of the North that ended at
Gettysburg. The Army of the Potomac met the
Army of Northern Virginia on that bloody field.
General Meade had been assigned to the command
of the army. General Stannard on June 23d was
notified that his brigade had been attached to the
First Corps of the Army of the Potomac. On this
march to the North the men had blistered and
bleeding feet and ninety men were left at Fredr
erick City. On June 30th they had reached Em-
metsburg two miles from Pennsylvania line. The
brigade had marched 120 miles in six days.
For the then coming battle Meade had 91,000
effective men. and 327 guns. Many of Meade's
men had never l>een under fire. Lee had 80,000
men, all veterans, and 268 guns. The number
that actually took part in battle were about the
same on each side. Meade held one corps in
reserve, while every brigade of Lee's was in the
fight. On July 1st the Twelfth and Fifteenth
regiments were directed to remain with the trains
and the other three regiments to move forward.
The battle had commenced in earnest and
Stannard established communication with General
Reynolds. About noon word was received that
General Reynolds was killed and that the brigade
was needed as soon as it could get to the field.
They hurried forward, meeting pale women and
frightened children fleeing from scenes of blood
shed. The union forces fell back to Cemetery Hill,
314 EARLY HISTORY
and the Second Vermont Brigade was finally
placed on the right of Birney's division. Two
hundred men of the Sixteenth were posted under
Major Rounds in front to relieve Bufortl.s cavalry.
That day there was fearful carnage along the
line.
Under the order of General Sickles, given without
strict right, the Fifteenth was sent forward to the
battle-field. This order they were glad to receive
as they desired to take a hand in the battle, but
on arriving to the front, hearing that the train
was liable to be taken by the Confederate right
wing, were ordered back to guard the train with
the Twelfth.
During the forenoon of the second day of the
battle, as the brigade lay massed in column by
division, in the rear of Cemetery Hill, General
Doubleday was heard to remark to a member of
his staft as he rode by the brigade, "Here are some
boys that will fight when their time comes."
General Stannard in the afternoon was placed in
charge of the infantry supports of the batteries on
the left brow of Cemetery Hill. The brigade had
but little to do till near the end of the afternoon.
Sickles had been struck on front and flank by Long-
street, and after a prolonged contest and bloody
fighting on both sides the angle of Sickles* lines at
the Peach Orchard had been broken, he had
been wounded and his Corps driven back, and
Longstreet followed up his advantage and under-
took to seige the crest between Cemetery Hill
and Round Tops. If he had succeeded he would
have cut the Union army in two, with fatal
OF VERMONT. 315
results. The Hill was saved by the desperate
fighting of the Twentieth Maine with some Ver-
mont sharp-shooters, together with timely aid
from the Third, Fifth, Twelfth and Sixth Corps.
Here General Hood lost an arm, and at dark
the Union position was secure.
Humphrey's division, after an obstinate resist-
ance, fell back to Cemetery Ridge, closely' pursued
by a heavy force that broke through the lines of
the Second Corps that had been ordered up to
support Humphrey and well nigh cut the Union
army in two. At this point the Second Vermont
Brigade came into action and drove back the
advancing enemy, and filled a large gap and
re-established the Union lines, along Cemetery
Ridge. At the head of the column that did such
important work at this crictical time, in re-estab-
lishing the Union lines, was Stannard's Vermont
Brigade.
General Hancock had been endeavoring to
rally the support of Weir's (Fifth U. S.) Battery
that was in danger of being captured, and he
met Colonel Randall with companies A, B, C, G.
and I. of the Thirteenth on the Crest. The
gunners of the battery had abandoned three of
the guns. Hancock asked Colonel Randall "Can't
you save that battery?" "We can try" was the
reply— "forward, boys!"
Randall's horse was shot under him, and the
colonel went on foot, and reached the battery with
Captain Lonergan by his side, who was in com-
mand of Company A. The Georgians were driven
from the guns and the cannon passed to the rear;*
316 EARLY HISTORY
Randall, with his men, pushed on to the Emraetts-
burg road, stepping dver some Confederates, one
of whom rose and fired at Major Boynton's back,
but the shot did not take effect—the rebel was
sent to the rear as prisoner. While in this ad-
vanced position, the rebels advanced two pieces of
artillery into the road about 100 yards distant to
the south and commenced to throw shells at
Randall's men. The colonel ordered a charge and
seized the guns. Then his men were fired upon
from the Rogers house standing on the same road.
Company A was sent thither. Captain Lonergan
surrounded the house and took their captain and
80 men of an Alabama regiment prisoners, a
larger number of prisoners than in Lonergan's
company.
At the close of the second day of the battle,
July 2nd, the Army of the Potomac held Culp's
Hill on the right, Cemetery Hill and Ridge in the
center and the Round Tops on the left, but the
enemy was dangerously near the Baltimore Pike
on the Union right, and had possession of the
Devil's Den at the bases of the Round Tops.
Although Meade's loss was heavy there was no
thought among the officers and men but to fight
it out.
On the third day the battle opened with
cannonading at daylight by Longstreet from the
rebel left and center to attract attention to that
part of the field while Ewell could gain a foothold
on the Union right so as to get possession of the
Baltimore' Pike. Early had declared he would
•break the Union right if it cost him his last man.
OF VERMONT. 317
Here the contest raged for six hours till eleven
A. m., when Geary drove the enemy back. Early
retired, terribly broken and the battle was over
on the right. The Confederate dead covered the
ground for a long distance. The Union loss here
was small.
On the Union left center, the 16th Vermont under
Colonel Veazey remained on the picket line during
the night, moving late in the forenoon the next
day. The Second Vermont Brigade took its share
of the opening cannonade in the morning of the
third day and lost a few men. The famous charge
known as Pickett's Charge, was in fact composed
of three divisions: Pickett's division of Long-
street's Corps; Heth's division of Hill's Corps
and commanded by Pettigrew, and half of
Pender's division. The charge was made with
17,000 men. The charge was preceded by a
cannonading from 150 guns by Lee. While
Meade had more guns in his position he could not
well use but 90. The cannonade was without a
parallel. Each gun could with ease be discharged
twice every minute. The 240 guns would aggre-
gate 350 discharges a minute. The cannonading
commenced at ten minutes past two p. m. and
lasted for two hours.
It has been compared to "the thundering roar
of all the accumulated battles ever fought upon
the earth rolled into one volume." The sounds
of it were heard 143 miles from Gettysburg.
Colonel Veazey's men who had been out on
picket all night and forenoon lay during this
cannonade in front of the Union batteries which
318 EARLY HISTORY
fired right over them. Veazey said the effect of the
cannonading on his men was most astonishing.
Most of them fell asleep and it was by the greatest
effort he could keep awake himself, notwithstand-
ing the cries of his wounded men and his anxiety
in reference to the more fearful scenes which he
knew would speedily follow. Soon after three
o'clock was the grand charge. The assaulting
forces came in two lines, taking a sweep of about
1000, yards across the open stretch of meadow.
From the crest occupied by Lee it gently de-
scended about half of the way to the crest
occupied. by Meade and rose by a gentle incline to
the Union lines.
The veterans of Pickett came on steadily pre-
ceded by their skirmishers. The pickets of the
Sixteenth Vermont fell back to the main body as
the enemy advanced. The enemy's right seemed
to be aiming at the position of the Fourteenth.
Colonel Stannard ordered them to hold their fire
till the enemy was close upon them, then give
them a volley and then the bayonet. When the
regiment arose the enemy's line changed and
marched by the flank to the north across its
front for some sixty rods, and again fronting came
upon the line of the Second Corps; this move of
the enemy seemed to have been caused by the
sudden appearance of a body of troops nearer
than they expected, but in fact a gap had been
opened in the enemy's line and they obliqued to
the left to close the gap. The Fourteenth and
Thirteenth poured a deadly fire into the enemy's
lines, leaving many dead in front of the Vermont
OF VERMONT. 319
division. The enemy now came in on the charge
with a wild yell that was heard above the sound
of the cannon and musketry. The batteries on
the slope, firing grape and canister, made havoc
in the enemy's lines. An opportunity for a flank
attack by Stannard had come and he improved it.
He ordered the Thirteenth and Sixteenth regi-
ments out upon the enemy's flank. The enemy's
rear line met this force by a sharp fire that
seemed to falter for a mo merit but soon a line
of fire ran down the front pf the Thirteenth on the
crowding mass of the enemy. The Sixteenth now
joined in the work. The three regiments joined in
the front attack at short range. The Thirteenth
fired 10 or 12 rounds, and the Sixteenth about six
into a mass of men on which every bullet took
effect and the progress of the Confederates ceased,
but falling rapidly and many shortly fled in all
directions; a larger part of them dropped their
arms and hurriedly made their way into the
Union lines as prisoners. A large number sur-
rendered to the Thirteenth. One body of about
250 men were sent to the rear in charge of two
companies of the Thirteenth. Many surrendered
to the Sixteenth. At sundown the regiments of
the Vermont brigade were back in the original
line and remained there till ten o'clock p. M. when
they were relieved. The bloodiest battle ever
fought on this continent was ended. General
Stannard was badly wounded in thigh and leg.
To his perfect coolness, close and constant presence
with his men— which was an inspiration to them
—his quickness to seize the great opportunity of
320 EARLY HISTORY
the battle in charging Pickett's men in their right
flank, the glorious success of the battle of Gettys-
burg was in a large measure due.
Major General Hancock, after rallying troops
to meet Pickett's charge fell wounded from his
horse and was caught by Lieut. Hooker and
Benedict of Stannard's staff. General Doubleday
saw the charge of Stannard's brigade, waved his
hat and shouted : "Glory to God, glory to God!
See the Vermonters go it." The next day
Company E of the Sixteenth marched to General
Meade's headquarters and delivered to him the
captured flag of the Second Florida, and received
his thanks, which he accompanied with praise of
the gallant service rendered by Stannard's brigade.
General Lee's loss in the battle as stated by
reliable Confederate historians was 23,000. Over
5,000 of his dead were buried on the field, 7,600
of his severely wounded were left on the field, and
there were 13,621 Confederate prisoners taken.
The Second Vermont brigade lost at the battle
46 killed, 240 wounded and 56 missing; of the
wounded 19 died of their wounds. The term of
service of the brigade was soon to expire, and
after a few days more service they were mustered
out and returned to their homes.
STATEMENT.
TWELFTH REGIMENT.
Original members, 996
Died of disease, 62
THIRTEENTH REGIMENT.
Original members, 955
OF VERMONT. 321
Died, killed in action,
11
Died of wounds.
Died of disease, \ - t , (
61
FOURTEENTH REGIMFNT.
Original members,
959
Killed in action,
19
Died of wounds,
8
Died of disease,
39
Died in Confederate prisons,
2
FIFTEENTH REGIMENT.
Original members,
939
Died of disease,
78
Died from accident,
1
SIXTEENTH REGIMENT.
Original members,
960
Deaths, killed in action,
16
Died from wounds,
8
Died from disease,
48
Taken prisoner,
1
28
CHAPTER XVI.
VERMONT CAVALRY, BATTERIES SHARP-
SHOOTERS, AND BRIGADE BAND.
Vermont sent to the war the first full regiment
of Cavalry from New England. It was raised un-
der the direct authority of the United States, as
Governor Fairbanks in 1861, thought there was
no State law that authorized the raising it. Si-
mon Cameron, the Secretary of War, commis-
sioned Lemuel B. Piatt as Colonel with authority
to raise the regiment. Cameron asked Piatt
what military experience he had had. He told
him he had spent three days at a military muster
when a young man, two of which he spent in a
guard house, but he could raise a regiment, though
he did not consider himself competent to drill and
cammand it; and he would undertake to raise it
in forty days. In forty-two days from that date
the regiment was in camp, the uniforms provided
and the horses on the ground. They were mus-
tered in Nov. 19, 1861. The regiment filled 153
cars. The regiment was sent to Annapolis, Md.,
to be drilled. Colonel Piatt here resigned and
Captain Jonas P. Halliday of the Second United
States cavalry was appointed colonel ; he was 33
years old, tall, slender and grave. On March 9th,
1862, the regime rtt was sent to join the forces
IS*?)
OF VERMONT. 323
guarding the line of the Potonmc above Washing-
ton. They were soon sent to General Banks, who
was pressing his advantage against Stonewall
Jackson up the Shenandoah Valley ; the regiment
moved to Woodstock, where Banks had hi** head-
quarters. At this time their colonel in a state of
despondency committed suicide. The regiment
moved up the Valley and it was near Mount
Jackson that the regiment received their first
fighting order to "make ready for a charge." As
they charged through the village they passed an
Indiana regiment of infantry; the latter called out,
••Let the Green Mountain Boys go at them. They
are all sons of Ethan Allen, and will show the
Michigan boys something new." The Confederate
cavalry made a hasty retreat from the village,
setting the bridge on fire that crossed the creek;
the fire was extinguished by the Vermonters.
Here Chaplain Woodward took a hand in the
fight, showing he could fight as well as pray.
The next morning the regiment reached New
Market that Banks had just taken. The regiment
moved on to Harrisonburg and beyond to the
little hamlet of McGaheysville where they charged
and scattered a small body of Confederates.
Here Corporal John Chase was wounded in his
bowels but kept on, overtook and captured one of
the enemy, and on returning fainted and fell from
his horse and died the next day of his wounds.
Banks learning that Jackson had been reinforced,
withdrew to New Market on May 5th.
In the course of a chase after some of the rebel
cavalry, Chaplain Woodward describes how he
324 EARLY HISTORY
captured two men as follows: The horses of the
captain and chaplain being the fleetest, drew so
near to the retreating foe as to give them several
shots. Two of the rebels leaped from their horses
and fled into a house. Woodward followed them.
On entering the house an elderly lady broke out in
an unearthly screaming. "Oh, dear, dear, the
Yankees have come !" . He opened the door into a
bedroom, aqd seeing two feet protruding from
under the bed, raised it and said: "Jonathan,
come out! I want you." He proved to be the son
of the woman making the outcry. The chaplain
told her that "the terrible Yankees would not
hurt her or her son if they behaved themselves."
He found the other man in the other room. Both
were taken prisoneri and their horses were taken
also. Now Jackson began to press upon the
Union iorees, and attacked Schenck and Mil-
roy; they lost 256 men to Jackson's 461. His
purpose was to drive Banks out of the Valley.
Banks withdrew first to Strasburg. On the 23rd,
Charles H. Tompkins joined the regiment as its
colonel. Jackson had a force now of 20,000 men,
twice the number that Banks had. Jackson
passed to the east of Banks, passing down the
Luray Valley and turned Banks' flank. Now
Banks fell back, but he had a large number of sick
to care for and his supply train that numbered
500 wagons, and other vehicles in all filled seven
miles of highway. He effected his retreat across
the Potomac at Williamsport on the 26th, with a
loss of 200 men killed and wounded and 700 miss-
ing in his running fight of sixty miles. A Mary-
OF VERMONT. 325
land regiment was captured at Front Royal.
Banks also lost two field pieces and 55 wagons.
The retreat was well conducted in the face of a
superior force. The Vermont cavalry had a varied
and trying experience which the writer has not
space to relate in detail. The regiment went into
camp two miles out from Williamsport; tents and
baggage had been lost and the men built sheds
for shelter. They were depressed at the supposed
loss of 300 of their number, but some 200 of the
missing came in in the course of two or three
days— some with their horses ,and some on foot.
In the running fight from New Market to the
Potomac the regiment lost four killed, nineteen
wounded and about sixty captured, of whom
about fifteen were wounded. General Hatch
praised the Vermont cavalry for "steadiness in
ranks." On June 13th, 1862, the re-occupation of
the Valley began. The forces of Generals Free-
mont, Banks and McDowell were placed under the
command of Major-General John Pope. On the
15th the regiment went into camp at Winchester.
On July 12th Hatch, with his brigade, was ordered
to destroy the railroad from Gordonsville to
Charlottsville, but Jackson's advance reached
Gordonsville, before he did ; then Pope ordered
him to strike the road and destroy the track west
ot Gordonsville. Hatch commenced the move-
ment, but abandoned it, and Pope relieved him of
his command and sent General John Bufford to
take his place. The retreat of General McClellan
from the front of Richmond left Lee free to operate
against Pope and push his way north to meet the
326 EARLY HISTORY
Union forces on the field of Antietam. Pope, ow-
ing in part to the fact of the tardiness of McClel-
lan and the officers under him to render him
prompt support, was defeated at the second bat-
tle of Bull Run. The Vermont Cavalry during this
trying time was almost continuously in the sad-
dle. Companies A and I were supposed for a time
to have been captured, but they made their re-
treat with a loss of seven men captured, and re-
joined the regiment on the 6th of September. Pope
resigned and McClellan was re-instated as com-
mander of the army and fought the successful bat-
tle of Antietam on the 17th.
On Sept. 9th Major Edward B. Sawyer was
promoted to be Colonel in place of Tompkins re-
signed. A part of the regiment with other troops
had a sharp contest near Upperville on the 21st of
September with the Sixth Virginia cavalry. They
were sent to cut off a supply train for Lee's army,
where they succeeded in taking five wagons, three
of which were loaded with clothing— they were
burned. In this affair Captain Perkins was killed
and seven men wounded. The reikis had 4 killed,
fourteen wounded and 14 captured. Lieutenant
Colonel Preston had a very narrow escape: he in the
charge had passed through the rear line of the en-
emy, and as they turned and fled they took Pres-
ton, who got wedged in between two of them;
each drew a pistol on him. He knocked one of
their revolvers one side and disabled the holder of
it with his saber. The shot of the other pistol
passed through Preston's right arm, another ball
OF VERMONT. 327
grazed his stomach, but he got away and came up
with the main body.
On October 27th an order came mustering out
Colonel Sawyer for "inefficiency and neglect of the
welfare of his regiment while a Major thereof,"
but on learning the facts fully in the matter the
order was revoked. The regiment lost during the
first year of service 319 men by death, discharge
and dismissal. On January 12, 1863, Company
M, Captain John W. Woodward, recruited mainly
in Chittenden County, joined the regiment, raising
it to 1,034 men. The regiment spent the winter
in picket duty near Washington. On March'2nd,
50 men of Companies H and M, in a fight with
Mosby, lost 14 men by being captured— Captain
Woodward was one of the captured. Mosby
again on March 17th surrounded a picket guard
of 25 men under Lieutenant A. G. Watson of Com-
pany L. They took refuge in the saw mill at or
near Herndon Station six miles from Dranesville.
Mosby gave the men the choice to surrender or be
roasted alive— they chose to surrender. Blinn
Atchinson was seriously wounded. Major Wells,
Captain Scofield of Company F and Lieut. Cheney
of Companj' C had gone to the same station on a
commission investigating a charge of stealing
brought by a citizen against some of the troops;
the}' also were captured. The men were paroled,
but the officers spent two months in Libby
Prison at Richmond. Later a disastrous affair
took place at Dranesville after the Union forces
had been withdrawn from that place. A loyal
citizen brought word that Mosby with 80 men
328 EARLY HISTORY
were at Dranesville 12 miles distant. Captain
Flint with 130 men was sent to capture them.
Mosby's men had picketed their horses inside a
large barnj'ard. Before the yard was reached
Mosby learned of Flint's purpose from Dick
Moran, one of his men who had learned of Flint's
approach. Flint made a charge on the men in the
yard before his whole force came up. The high
yard fence protected Mosby's men and they
used their pistols with effect and Flint fell dead
with six bullets in his body; Grout and about
a dozen men were wounded. The cavalry
became demoralized and Mosby dashed out and
became the aggressive party. The regiment had
seven killed and mortally wounded ; 22 wounded
and 82 captured unwounded.
On May 30, 1863, when Mosby made his at-
tack on a supply train near Catlett's, a part of
the regiment under Preston did very creditable
work. When Mosby made his attack on the train
Preston was six miles away, but when he heard
the sound of Mosby's howitzer, Preston had 125
men in ten minutes in the saddle on the waj r to
meet Mosby, and was at Catlett's in thirty min-
utes; Mosby was on his retreat with the mail
bags and sutlers goods. Preston skirmished with
his rear guard for twQ miles till Mosby made a
stand on a brow of a hill. Here Lieut. Barker
of the Fifth New York, with 30 men, charged up
the hill, losing three men killed and seven
wounded; Mosby then charged and Barker was
driven back. The Vermonters now took their
turn; a hand to hand right followed around
OF VERMONT. 329
Mosby 's howitzer. Captain Haskins, an English
officer who had joined Mosby, was mortally
wounded. Lieut. Chapman of Mosby's party
was wounded and captured with two others of
Mosby's men; Mosby received a sabre wound;
his men scattered . into the woods and escaped.
This was the last encounter that the Vermont
cavalry had with Mosby.
On June 28th, the cavalry division was consoli-
dated into two brigades and came under. the
general command of General Judson Kilpatrick.
The First Vermont, Fifth New York, Eighteenth
Pennsylvania constituted the First Brigade under
General Elon J. Farnsworth. The regiment had
now S40 men present for ditty. Major Wells had
returned from Libby prison. On June 29th the
rebel General Stewart was making his way
through Maryland to join Lee in Pennsylvania,
picking up all the horses he could on his way, but
at Hanover he struck Farnsworth's brigade.
Stewart charged in upon the Pennsylvania regi-
ment which he broke and scattered. Major Ben-
nett with Companies M and D charged the enemy
with the Fifth New York and drove the enemy out
of the village and captured Lieut-Col Payne of a
North Carolina regiment and 20 mert and came
near capturing General Stewart. The victory was
won which rejoiced the hearts of the citizens of the
village. On July 2nd Kilpatrick was ordered by
General Pleasonton to move to Gettysburg. In
arriving on the field the First Vermont supported
the battery that drove Hampton back, who was
attempting to turn the Union right on Cemetery
330 EARLY HISTORY*
Ridge, and then was ordered back to the Balti-
more Pike, southeast of Gettysburg, passing near
E well's corps laying in front of Gulp's Hill near
the Union right. The regiment marched all night
to accomplish this. They there rested till eight a. m ,
and then proceeded to the Union left to demon-
strate against Lee's right to prevent him flanking
the Union army. Kilpa trick moved with Farns-
worth's brigade to the south of Round Top. He
moved up in front of Hood's division; Preston
with the Vermont cavalry being in the advance,
drove the enemy from a knoll with a house on it,
riding up through a volley of musketry. At five
o'clock July 3rd General Kilpatrick ordered a
cavalry attack. General Farnsworth, who had
reconnoitred the ground where the charge on the
enemy was to l>e made, expressed his opinion that
it was a desperate thing for mounted men to be
taken into such a place where the enemy were at
the foot of Round Top. Kilpatrick replied that
the charge must l)e made and at once, and if
General Farnsworth did not want to lead it he
would. Farnsworth rejoined that * % he was not
afraid to go as far as any man. and no man could
take his men any farther than he could," and
wheeling gave his order to charge and placed him-
self by Wells' side at the head of the column.
Preston followed Farnsworth and Wells. Many
saddles were emptied and the contest became a
hand to hand one in which sabres were effectually
used. The enemy was completely cut up and sent
to the rear in squads. Now they were exposed to
the enemies' batteries and were compelled to fall
OF VERMONT. 331
back. Farnsworth's horse was shot under him,
and Corporal Freeman gave him his. The\- dashed
up the hillside and were met by the Fifteenth Ala-
bama. General Famsworth ordered the men to
surrender. The reply was a volley, before which
horse and rider went down, and formation became
lost, and they escaped the best they could. The
Vermont regiment encountered five regiments of
infantry and two batteries. The loss of the regi-
ment was 12 killed, 20 wounded, two of them
mortally and 35 missing. The story that Fams-
worth committed suicide, circulated at the time by
the rebels, was untrue. There were five bullet
holes in his body when his body was taken from
the field. This charge contributed greatly to the
final victory at Gettysburg which soon followed.
The next morning General Kilpatrick received
orders to follow Lee and went on to Hagerstown
taking 100 pris mers, a drove of cattle and several
wagons. In the fight at Hagerstown and in the
retreat the Vermont cavalry lost five men killed,
16 wounded and 65 missing. Captain Wood-
ward, son of Chaplain Woodward, was killed,
pierced through heart and brain. It is stated in a
note in G. G. Benedict's history that a few days
before his death he received the news of the death
of his betrothed. Thereafter he cared little what
happened to him, and evidently welcomed a
soldier's death. His remains were taken to Ver-
mont, and two grave stones, side by side in the
cemetery at Cambridge, record the close of a
mournful romance of real life. The regiment had
continual skirmishing with the enemy's cavalry
332 EARLY HISTORY
until Lee recrossed the river at Williamsport into
Virginia. In the Gettysburg campaign the regi-
ment lost 19 killed, 63 wounded and 101 missing;
five died of their wounds. In a charge at Hagers-
town Major Wells had a hand to hand contest
with two rebels. In the melee Wells crossed sabres
with a Confederate officer and received a glancing
thrust in the side which passed through his clothes
and made a slight wound; at the same time he
was struck a blow across the back by another
trooper, when Sergeant Hatch disabled one of
Wells' assailants by a shot from his revolver and
Wells beat off the other. The regiment was in
constant service till August 20th, when it was
transferred to Custer's brigade and the regiment
soon went into camp four miles north of Palmouth
and picketed the Rappahannock. The regiment
was in the affair at Culpeper Sept. 13th, in which
the Vermont cavalry was under fire for four hours,
and took 40 prisoners. At Pony Mountain, Adju-
tant Gates was wounded and taken prisoner and
taken to Belle Isle where he remained three weeks
and then sent to the hospital. Being a fine pen-
man, he was employed as a clerk in preparing
lists of enlisted men to be paroled and exchanged,
and by slyly inserting his own name in the list,
was sent with other paroled prisoners to City
Point and exchanged.
In Lee's Bristol campaign in October, the
First Vermont. took part in five engagements. In
the fight at Brandy Station nearly the whole cav-
alry force of both armies confronted each other.
The loss of the Vermont regiment was one killed,
OF VERMONT. 333
four wounded and 28 missing. Captain Beeman,
who was taken prisoner, was confined in Libby
Prison, and was taken from thence to Macon, Ga.
While on his way thence he escaped fi om the cars,
was recaptured by means of blood hounds, and
after five months confinement in Charleston and
Columbia, was paroled. Captain Adams, who
was also captured was confined at Charlotte, N.
C, escaped from prison March 1st, 1865, made his
way on foot to the Union lines at Knoxville, Tenn.
The regiment took part in Kilpatrick's famous
raid against Richmond in the fore part of March,
1864. While before Richmond Kilpatrick pro-
posed to Preston to take his regiment and make a
dash into Richmond on the morning of the second
of March. Preston accepted the undertaking but
before he started, Kilpatrick, learning of the
superior force that Preston would have to meet,
abandoned the desperate enterprise and moved on
to Mechanicsville, six miles from Richmond and
destroyed the depot and the railroad track and
had a skirmish with the enemy in which the Ver-
monters took a part, and then moved in direction
of the White House, and near this place united
with Dahlgren who came up and joined the main
body. Dahlgren had been led astray by a guide
representing that the river was fordable at Dover
Mills. No ford was found and the false guide was
hung. Dahlgren undertook to take the city of
Richmond from the North and drove theenemv
inside of the outer lines of their fortifications, and
the cavalry then returned and reached Yorktown
March 4th, and after a week's rest the First Ver-
334 EARLY HISTORY
mont embarked for Alexandria. The loss of the
regiment in this expedition was 12 wounded,
seven of whom were captured, 59 missing. In the
rearrangement under General Grant the First
Vermont became the first regiment of the second
brigade of the third division, and Lieutenant Col-
onel Preston was made colonel, Sawyer having
resigned. George H. Chapman became command-
er of the brigade. The First Vermont did their
share of the fighting in the Wilderness campaign.
At the engagement on June 3, 1864, at Hawes'
Shop Colonel Preston was killed— a great loss to
the regiment. General Custer said, as he turned
away from his corpse, "There lies the best fighting
colonel in the cavalry corps." The command then
devolved on Major Wells, who was soon promoted
to the colonelcy. The regiment was with Wilson's
force on his raid against the Welden railroad south
and sonthwest of Richmond from the 22nd of
June to July 1st, 1864, when he was quite success-
ful in the object of his raid, but on his return was
badly handled by the rebel forces. Wilson was
fiercely attacked by General Mahone when the
Vermont regiment was brought under a very
severe fire. The regiment cut its way through the
enemy, but Captain Grant and Lieutenant Higley
and 60 men were captured. At Ream's Station
Wilson was attacked by a force of 9,000 infantry
and cavalry and lost 1,500 men and 12 guns.
Wilson retreated. In the retreat at the bridge ov-
er the Nottoway a terrible scene took place. Some
1,200 colored fugitives from slavery had accom-
panied the column. General Wilson placed a guard
OF VERMONT. 335
at the bridge and allowed no men on foot to pass
till the mounted men had crossed. Those on foot
had not all crossed over when the enemy rode up
and opened fire on the helpless mass of unarmed
men. The bridge became filled with footmen,
black and white, mingled among the horsemen.
Many were pushed over its sides and fell upon the
rocks or into the stream below. The enemy shot
and sabred the negroes without mercy. Only 200
succeeded in crossing and keeping up with the
cavalry column.
Since June 22nd the regiment had marched 300
miles. It was a hard experience. The regiment
lost three killed and 12 wounded and 75 men
captured, and most of the wounded * were cap-
tured.
On August 8th the regiment with the division
embarked to go into the Shenandoah Valley
under Sheridan, and on August 17th the regiment
arrived at Winchester. General Torbert now was
chief of the cavalry of the Army of the Shenandoah.
On August 25th in the fight at or near Kearney-
ville the regimeut lost eight men wounded and
three mortally. The regiment were engaged at
the battle of the Opequon Sept. 19. Now General
Wells was made commander of the second brigade
and General Chapman resigned. Colonel Wells was
succeeded in the command of the regiment by
Lieutenant Colonel Bennett. At the fight at
Tom's Brook with the rebel General Rosser,
General Custer just before the charge rode out in
advance of his staff, and taking off his hat swept
it to his knees in a knightly salute to his foe.
336 EARLY HISTORY
Rosser. from the crest beyond, pointed him out to
his staff, saying: "That's Custer; and I am going
to give him the best whipping today that he ever
got." But it turned out that Rosser got the
whipping. The enemy lost all his artillery but one
piece, and everything else which was carried on
wheels. In this battle the First Vermont had an
active part. Before this defeat Rosser's men had
been wearing a laurel leaf as a badge. When Gen-
eral Early met the commander of his cavalry, he
said, "Rosser, your brigade had better take the
grape! leaf for a badge; the laurel is not a running
vinei/' Bennett, the commander of the regiment,
said, » "the conduct of the men exceeded my
most sanguine expectations." The regiment lost
one officer mortally mounded and two men
killed and several wounded. . The conduct of the
First Vermont on the battle field of Cedar Creek
on October 19, was heroic. They seemed to be
everywhere on the field. Lieutenant H. O Wheel-
er says, "Our regiment was sent from one part of
the field to another as the needs of the place and
hour required. Now it strengthened the picket
line; now stood as a wall against the advancing
foe, and covered some retreating division as it fell
back; now it dashed down the road and checked
some advancing column; now it kept up a lively
skirmish ; now it charged into the woods to break
or drive back the enemy's line. On whatever er-
rand it was sent it did it's duty." Captain A. G.
Watson fell with a ball through the shoulder and
wounded in the head, and. was taken to the rear.
The captures of the regiment were 161 prisoners
OF VERMONT. 337
among which was one general officer, one colonel,
one lieutenant-colonel, three battle flags, 23 pieces
of artillery, 14 caissons, 17 army wagons, six
spring wagons and ambulances, 83 sets of artillery
harnesses, 75 sets of wagon harnesses, 98 horses and
69 mules. General Sheridan stated that %< no regi-
ment had captured so much since the war com-
menced." The New York Tribune Stated in its
columns that "The First Vermont cavalry has long
been a terror to the rebels." Sheridan having fin-
ished his work in the Valley started with 10,000
men in two divisions on February 27th, 1865,
to join Grant south of Petersburg or Sherman in
South Carolina, intending to pass through Lynch-
burg, crossing the James river above Richmond.
Hiscourse was through Woodstock andCharlotts-
ville, doing all the damage to railroads possible
and struck the James at New Market. On his
way thither he met Early at Waynesboro and
gave him a sound threshing, and captured 1,600
of Early's men, with 11 guns and a great quantity
of military stores in which battle the Vermont
regiment took a prominent part.
Custer followed up this ad vantage by capturing
and destroying materials of war of the value of
over a million dollars. At New Market Sheridan
found that he had not pontoons enough to enable
him to cross the James, and he determined to move
down the north bank of the James and cross the
river below Richmond and join Grant. This was
accomplished and on the 29th of March, Sheridan
was sent out to Lee's right near FiveForks,andon
the 31st he, aided by the Fifth Corps, routed
33
338 EARLY HISTORY
Pickett and Pitzhugh Lee at Five Forks with a
loss to the enemy of 5,000 men. This was the be-
ginning of the end of Lee. In this battle the Ver-
mont men made a grand and successful charge.
On April 8th the First Vermont in the fight at
Appomattox Station took eight guns; here the
regiment had one killed and five wounded. On the
9th, the last day of fighting, when about ready to
charge the enemy at Appomattox Court House,
Lieutenant Colonel Whittaker ot Custer's staff,
accompanied by two Confederate officers, rode
along the line, saying, "Lower your carbines men,
lower your carbines. You will never have to raise
them again in this war." At five p. m. General
Custer rode along the lines and announced that
the terms of surrender had been signed. General
Custer issued the following order, viz :
HKADgUARTBRS TfilKD CAVALRY DIVISION, \
Appomattox Court House, Va , April 9th, 1865./
Soldiers of the Third Cavalry Division :
With profound gratitude to the God of Battles,
by whose blessings our enemies are humbled and
our arms rendered triumphant, your commanding
general avails himself of this his first opportunity
to express to you his admiration for the heroic man-
ner in which you have passed through the series of
battles whici; to-day resulted in the surrender of
the enemy's entire army. The record established
by your indomitable courage is unsurpassed in the
annals of war. Your prowess has won for you
even the respect and admiration of your enemies.
During the past six months, although in most in-
stances confronted by superior numbers, you have
captured from the enemy in open battle, 1 11 pieces
ot field artillery, 65 battle flags, and upwards of
OF VERMONT. 389
10,000 prisoners of war, including several general
officers. Within the past ten davs, and included
in the above, you have captured 46 pieces of field
artillery and 37 battle flags. You have never lost
a gun, never lost a color, and have never been de-
feated; and notwithstanding the numerous en-
gagements, including the memorable battles of the
Shenandoah, \ r ou have captured every piece of
artillery which the enemy have dared to open upon
you. The near approach of peace renders it im-
probable that you will again be called upon to
undergo the fatigues of the toilsome march, or the
exposure of the battle field ; but should the assist-
ance of keen blades, wielded by your sturdy arms,
be required to hasten the coming of the glorious
peace for which we have been so long contending,
the general commanding is proudly confident that
in the future, as in the past, every demand will
meet with a hearty and willing response. Let us
hope that our work is done, and that blessed with
the comforts of peace, we may soon be permitted
to enjoy the pleasures of home and friends. For
our comrades who have fallen let us ever cherish a
grateful remembrance. To the wounded and
those who languish in Southhm prisons, let our
heartfelt sympathy be tendered. And now, speak-
ing for myself alone— when the war is ended, and
the task of the historian begins ; when those deeds
of daring which have rendered the name and fame
of the Third cavalry division imperishable, are
inscribed upon the bright pages of our country's-
history— I only ask that my name be written as
the commander of the Third cavalry division.
George A. Custer
Brev. Major General.
On June 7th, 1865, the regiment took part in
the review of the Vermont troops. The First Ver-
mont cavalry was engaged in 76 battles during
340 EARLY HISTORY
its term of service; eleven in 1862, 24 in 1863,
34 in 1864, and 7 in 1865 ; the first battle was at
Mount Jackson April 16, 1862, and the last one
was at Appomattox Court House April 9, 1865.
STATEMENT.
Original numbers, 1174
Gains by transfers from other regiments, 1 2
Recruits, 1111
Aggregate, 2297
LOSSES.
Killed in action, 63
Died of wounds. 39
Died of disease, 112
Died, unwounded, 182
Died by accident, 1
Total deaths, 397
In the summer of 1863 S. R. Malloy, Secretary
of the Navy of the Confederate States, sent 27
commissioned and 40 non-commissioned officers to
Canada tor the purpose of organizing raids into
the Union along the Northern frontier. Among
those engaged in the movement were C. C. Clay,
Jr., George N. Saunders, Dr. Blackburn, Jacob
Thompson, J. Wilkes Booth and Bennett H.
Young. Acting under the authority of James A.
Sedden, Secretary of War, C. S. A., Bennett II.
Young organized in Canada a company of 20
soldiers who had escaped from the Union prisons
and taken refuge in Canada, and with them made
an attack on St. Albans, Vermont, Oct. 19, 1864.
OF VERMONT. 34-1
This company, a few at a time, left Montreal and
came to St. Albans dressed in citizen's clothes and
registered at the different hotels just before the
1 9th— a part of them came from Canada the very
day of the raid ; they avoided being seen together
so as to have the appearance ot being ordinary
travellers. At an agreed time an attack on the
village began. About three o'clock in the after-
noon on Oct. 19, 1864, Young and his men
appeared on Main street in military array and
took armed possession of the business portion of
the village. Shots were exchanged between
raiders and citizens, and Elias J- Morrison was
fatally wounded and C. H. Huntington and
Lorenzo Bingham were wounded. Three of the
banks were entered and the officers of the banks
put under guard, and the banks robbed of more
than $200,000. Some of the raiders then visited
the livery stables and took forcible possession of
the horses, and others kept guard in the streets to
prevent any demonstrations against the Confed-
erate bank robbers; and as. soon as the money
was obtained from the bank, they mounted the
horses and made off in haste into Canada. The
citizens soon gathered a posse and followed them
to near Canada line, but were unable to overtake
them before they reached Canada, This affair
aroused the people to action to take measures
to protect the northern frontier, and two com-
panies of cavalry of 100 men each were raised
for that purpose; Companv Mj Captain Josi-
ah Grout, Jr., and Company F, Captain George B.
French. They were mustered into the service of
342 EARLY HISTORY
the United States January 10, 1865, and mustered
oat June 27, 1865.
THE LIGHT BATTERIES.
The State sent three batteries of light artillery
to the field. One was raised for General Butler's
New England division for service in the gulf and
it took an active part in the several campaigns in
that department. George W. Duncan was its first
captain, Salmon B. Hibbard its second captain.
It left for home in July on a steamer up the Mis-
sissippi to Cairo and thence by rail via. Chicago to
Brattleboro, Vt., and mustered out Aug. 10,
1864.
BATTLES OP THE FIRST BATTERY.
Plain's Store. May 21. 1863
Siege of Port Hudson, May 25 to July t>, 1863
Pleasant Hill,
April 9,
1864
Monette's Bluff,
April 23,
1864
Yellow Bayou,
May 18,
1864
STATEMENT.
Original members,
156
Recruits,
61
Aggregate,
217
LOSSKS.
Killed in action,
1
Died of wounds,
2
Died of disease,
42
Died from accident,
1
Total deaths, . 46
THE SECOND BATTERY.
The Second Battery, like the first one, enlisted
OF VERMONT. 343
tinder the act of Nov. 21st, 1861, to form a part
of General B. F. Butler's New England division.
It was raised and sent to the gulf; its captain was
L. R. Sayles. It disembarked on May 2nd, 1862,
at New Orleans, it being the first Union batten'
landed in that city. Between 20 and 30 loyal
men of that city enlisted in the battery during the
month of May. It did its duty at the several
points where it was sent in the gulf department.
Upon the surrender of Port Hudson to the Union
forces July 8, 1863, the battery had the honor of
being the first Union artillery to enter that strong-
hold. On August 3rd a serious disaster befell it.
It was ordered to accompany an expedition sent
to Jackson, La., 15 miles north of Port Hudson;
the battery was to be supported by 500 colored
troops. They were surprised by a superior force
of Forest's cavalry. The colored troops failed to
support the battery and fled from the field and
the battery was captured with 16 men. The
colored troops lost 30 meh killed, wounded and
captured. The captured guns were recaptured
about a year after by General Herron, and re-
stored to the battery. They returned to Vermont,
arriving at Burlington July 20, 1865. The artil-
lery was mustered out July 28th, and the battery
was mustered out July 31st, 1865.
BATTLES OF THE SECOND BATTERY.
Plain's Store, near Port Hudson, La., May 21,
[1863
Siege of Port Hudson, May 25 to July 9, 1863
Jackson, La., Aug. 3d* 1863
344 EARLY HISTORY
STATEMENT OP SECOND BATTERY.
Original members, 111
Gains by transfers and recruits, 346
Aggregate, 457
Died of wounds, disease, accidents, and in
Confederate prisons, 54
Transferred, 123
Deserted, 18
STATEMENT OF FIRST COMPANY HEAVY ARTILLERY.
Whole number, 119
LOSSES.
Died in prison and by accident, 5
THE THIRD BATTERY.
The Third Battery was raised under Gov HoU
"brook's general order of August 3, 1863. Romeo
H. Start was appointed captain. It arrived at
Washington on the 18th of January, 1864. It
joined the Army of the Potomac on May 6th, on
the battlefield of the Wilderness, and moved cm to
the lines of Petersburg. It did its full duty in the
trying scenes before Petersburg. At the close of
the war they returned to Burlington and were
mustered out June 13, 1865.
THE BATTLES OF THE THIRD BATTERY.
Petersburg Mine,
July 30, 1864
Petersburg,
Aug. 18, 1864
Petersburg,
March 25, 1865
Petersburg,
April 2, 1865
. STATEMENT.
Died from disease and accident,
21
Deserted,
'7
Wounded,
3
OF VERMONT. 345
THE SHARPSHOOTERS.
Hiram Berdan of New York called the atten-
tion of the government to the importance of
skilled shots to meet the marksmen so numerous
in the Confederate service. He was commissioned
as colonel. Two regiments were raised. Vermont
furnished more than one sixth. Vermont sent into
the ranks of these regiments 620. Their service
was severe, important and extremely dangerous.
They were prepared for their duties by a public
trial, firing from the shoulder and without tele-
scope sights. To be accepted it required the re-
cruit in ten shots to place ten bullets within a ten-
inch ring, at a distance of 200 yards. The uniform
was distinctive, being of green cloth, to harmon-
ize with the colors of nature with leather leggings
and knapsacks of leather tanned with the hair on.
The First company organized at West Randolph
Sept. 13, 1861, with 113 men, Edmund Weston,
Jr., captain; and 100 men were mustered into the
United States service October 31, 1861. In alltjie
battles the Sharpshooters played an important
part. Company F was in 32 battles; the first
one was at Big Bethel March 28th, 1862, and the
last one was at Hatchers' Run Oct. 27, 1864.
STATEMENT.
Original members, 116
Recruits, 74
Aggregate, 190
Died, killed in action, 17
Died of wounds received in action, 13
Died of disease, • ' 12
846 EARLY HISTORY
Deserted, 6
Wounded, 43
COMPANIES B AND H, SECOND UNITED STATES SHARP-
SHOOTERS.
Companies E and H were organized and Homer
R. Stoughton became captain ; they were mus-
tered into the United States service Nov. 9, 1861,
with 91 officers and men an dleft the State for
Washington Nov. 23rd, and there became Com-
pany E of the Second regiment of United States
Sharpshooters.
The Third company of Sharpshooters was re-
cruited in Nov. and Dec., 1861, and rendezvoused
at Brattleboro. Gilbert Hart became its captain;
it was mustered in Dec. 31st and left the same
day for Washington. It became Company H of
the Second regiment. They were in active service
till Feb. 25, 1865, when they were disbanded,
much to the disgust of both officers and men, and
the Second and Third Vermont companies were
transferred to Companies G and H of the Fourth
Vermont.
Companies E and H, Second regiment, United
States Sharpshooters, were in 27 engagements,
the first one was at Rappahannock Station, Aug.
21 to 24, 1862, and the last one at Hatcher's
Run Feb. 5 to 7, 1865.
STATEMENT FOR COMPANY E.
Original members, 91
Gains by transfers and recruits, 148
LOSSES.
Killed in action, 9
OF YERMONT. 347
Died of wounds, 13
Died of disease, 18
Died (tin wounded) in Confederate prisons, 36
Deserted, 8
Whole number wounded, 50
STATEMENT OF COMPANY H.
Original members, 100
Gains by transfers and recruits, 91
LOSSES.
Killed in action, 12
Died from wounds, 6
Died of disease, 18
Deserted, 4
Whole number of wounded, 40
Vermont furnished, as shown on official state-
ment reduced to a three years basis, 32,549 troops
for the war of which number 1,061 were killed in
action, 748 died of wounds. The deaths from all
causes were 5,224. The average number of killed
per thousand were.32.59. The number of deaths
per. thousand from alt causes wete 160.49. It is
stated in Benedict's accurate history that 4< Taken
in connection with facts, shown by the census of
1860, that a larger proportion of natives of Ver-
mont were residents of other States, than of any
other State. That the population of Vermont in
1860, was 315,098. Natives of Vermont residing
in California, Kansas, Iowa, Minnesota, Wiscon-
sin, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Ohio, Pennsylva-
nia, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Rhode
Island, Massachusetts and Maine were 168,781.
That the official records show that the population
348 EAR^Y HISTORY
of native Americans among the Vermont troops
were 82.23 per cent. That the number of Ver-
mont troops killed in action exceeded the general
ratio of killed in the army of 25 men in every
thousand. The deaths from all causes among the
Vermont troops exceeded the general ratio by 24
in every thousand." These figures indicate the
heroic, fighting character of the Vermont troops.
As a general rule, the greatest losses in action will
be found among the troops that are oftenest put
in places of danger and that fight when others
fly.
Vermont being an inland State furnished but
few men for the Navy. The number of Vermonters
enrolled as such, in the Navy and Marine Corps,
during the war was 619. There were Vermonters
in every rank from seaman to commodore.
The whole number of men furnished by the
State were 34,238 as shown by the books of the
Adjutant General of Vermont. The war depart-
ment credited the State 35,242 men. Many of the
Vermonters who enlisted in the regular army and
navy had been reported at Washington which were
not reported to the State authorities. The total
number of men in, Vermont, subject to military
duty was 60,719; more than one-half of her able
bodied men went to fight for their country; and
the State expended $9,887,353 for war purposes;
her soldiers took upon themselves the hardships
and dangers of the war and the State contributed
her share to the expense of the war ungrudging-
ly, tp preserve the Union and make the United
States a land of the free.
OF VERMONT. 349
There were 15 original members of the First
Brigade Band and it reeeived 6 recruits. Nelson
B. Adams was Band Master.
This chapter and the eight preceding ones have
l>een devoted to the part that the people of the
United States have taken in the greatest war that
the world has ever known. It must be retneni-
bered that though women, except in a few in-
stances, have not taken their places in the ranks
as soldiers, they have taken their share of the bur-
dens and paid their share of the expenses of the
war. They \*ere the mothers of the army; they
encouraged their husbands, sons and brothers to
go forth for the maintenance of the government in
which they all lived, and they felt the loss in man3'
ways keenly when their kindred fell on the battle
field, died of wounds and disease or lay sick in hos-
pital and in Southern prisons. They rendered ar-
duous and important service as nurses in hospital
and camp and workers in the sanitary commis-
sion. The burden of doing the work in the home,
on the farm, and in the office and shop, and the
maintaining the little ones at home in the absence
of their dear ones in the army was thrust upon
them; they took the entire burden of maintaining
the family and the family home, when in a vast
numl>er of instances those who joined the army
went out to fight the battles were not permitted
to return. It must l)e remembered, too, that
wives, daughters and sisters were continually at
work preparing and sending articles of food and
clothing to the soldiers in the field and supph-ing
the hospitals with articles of comfort and necessity
350 EARLY HISTORY
for the many thousands laying in hospitals suffer-
ing from wounds and disease contracted in the
service of their country. It must be remembered,
too, that the women in the several loyal States
paid about one- fifth of monies raised by taxation
for carrying on the war— a burden from which
they did not flinch, though they were disfranchised,
with few exceptions, and deprived of the power
to say how the money raised should be expended,
or what laws should be enacted, or how the laws
should l)e administered — a wrong that the voting
population of Vermont and other States, that
deny the right of equal suffrage, will some day
remove and adopt a more just and enlightened
policy.
CHAPTER XVII.
SOME LEADING INDUSTRIES OF VERMONT.
The manufacturing industries of Vermont had
a very meagre beginning. The pioneers to the
wilderness were poor; they were not educated to
establish and carry forward to a successful result
many of the industries that usually accompany
older communities, besides, they were compelled
to clear the land from the primeval forest and
fit it for raising crops for food for the inhabi-
tants and domestic animals. Farming and the
making of pearlash were the principal business.
As the country became cleared, and more thickly
populated, manufacturies and other branches
of business were established and began to flour-
ish. The fact, that on the rivers of Vermont,
that take their rise in the high altitudes of the
Green Mountains, there are numerous waterfalls
furnishing ample power for running the vari-
ous kinds of machinery that greatly facilitated
the introduction of manufactures of different kinds
in this territory, and the people that came here,
as well as the native Vermonters, were not slow
to avail themselves of establishing manufacturing
industries, and they multiplied and thrived as
appears from the tables and figures furnished in
(851)
352 EARLY HISTORY
the Third Volume of this History on Pages 28, 30,
31 and 82.
It is not the purpose of the writer to give a de-
tailed description of the varied manufactures and
industries of the people of Vermont or how they
rank with like business in other States and
countries, but will refer to some of the leading in-
dustries of the State sufficiently to show the
industrious habits, the intelligence and progress-
ive character of her people.
One of the leading industries is the manufacture
of Scales at St. Johnsbury by B. and T. Fairbanks
and Company. This device is known as the "Fair-
banks Scales.' 1 Before 1830, commerce was
greatly impeded by the slow and inaccurate
method of determining the weights of merchan-
dise — weighing machines which would determine
weight with accuracy were unknown. The first
platform scale made on the principle of the lever
was erected at St. Johnsbury in 1831 and was
patented that year to Erastus and Thaddeus
Fairbanks; these scales have become indispensa-
ble in the commercial interests of the world.
Nearly all the products of the combined industries
are weighed over and over again in the different
stages of manufacture. In this country the mil-
lions of tons of ore that are mined, the metals
produced therefrom, the products of the coal
mines, the enormous yield of wheat, corn, and
other grains are weighed by both the seller and
the purchaser. The rolling stock of all the rail-
roads of our country is marked with its proper
weight, the weight of a vast amount of merchan-
OF VERMONT. 353
disc and other freight carried thereon is recorded ;
every ship knows the weight of its cargo, every
warehouse the weight of what it stores, resulting
from the use of the scales. The just weight of all
industries and commercial exchanges are depend-
ent upon the scales. What is true of this country
is true of all other countries. The scales manu-
factured are made to the standards and require-
ments of every nation. The weight is ascertained
with accuracy and celerity. The ship can be
weighed with its cargo; the train of cars can he
weighed while in motion; the grain is weighed
from the great elevators as it runs rapidly
through the hoppers; scales are now made which
record the correct weight upon a ticket, rendering
the reading of the !>catn unnecessary, making mis-
takes impossible. Such are the scales manufac-
tured by this Company. The amount of material
handled in the production of these scales and the
scales in their finishsd state, is over 60,000,000
lbs. of freight by the compan}-, in a single year, at
their St. Johnsbury factory.
The growth of this enterprise is enormous.
From the small factor\\ sixty by twenty-five feet
with an area of 1,500 feet floor space, in which
this industry 1>egan, the works now cover
more than twelve acres of floor space, in which
are employed seven hundred skilled mechanics.
The business of this plant has Ixrcome so exten-
sive, and the demand for the scales of the various
patterns has become so great, that branch houses
have been established in all of the large cities of
the United States, and agencies established in
354 EARLY HISTORY
nearly all the countries of Europe. These scales
are carried to every portion of the earth where
civilization has gained a foothold. The demand is
so great that more than 2000 scales of various
patterns are furnished to the trade per week. The
value of this industry to the mechanical, indus-
trial and commercial world is inestimable. Gold
and silver medals have been awarded Fairbanks
Scales at all the world's great exhibitions.
THE HOWE SCALE COMPANY
that manufactures Scales, Trucks, tatter- Presses,
Electric Coffee Mills and Coal Handling Machin-
ery, is located at Rutland, and its works have
greatly promoted the growth of that city. The
history of that company dates back to 1857,
when the plant was located at Vergennes, but
was removed to Brandon and subsequently, in
1875, it was moved to Rutland, and incorporated
in 1888. About the year of 1840, the system of
weights was revolutionized by the invention of
what is known as the multiplying lever that took
the place of the even balance system that Justice
in her blindness is supposed to use. A Mr. Strong,
who was at the head of the plant, when it was lo-
cated at Vergennes, devised a system to preserve
the life of pivots by using chilled steel balls; before
this time the platforms were rigid, but under the
new system the company made the flexible plat-
form scale. This combination with the multiplying
lever, which weighs accurately two hundred times
the weight oi the poise, gave to the Howe Scales
a large place in the world of commerce. The sys-
OF VERMONT. 855
tcm has been employed in all manner of scales
from those weighing a fraction of an ounce to
those used by railroads for weighing cars. This
company manufactures trucks of over one thou-
sand styles. The operations of this company re-
quire the daily melting of about twenty-four tons
of iron and the use of eight thousand feet of lum-
ber.
The capital stock of the company is $500,000
and this plant covers an area of two acres and cov-
ered with buildings; and this extensive business re-
quires warehouses in all the principal cities of the
United States, Canada, and in London, England.
The company gives employment to about 450
skilled hands and about 300 other employees.
The Vermont Mariile Company and the
Mariile Industry.— Vermont leads the world in
the production of marble and the towns of Proctor
and West Rutland occupy a prominent position
in the story of the commercial progress of the
State. The outside world knows Vermont and
yields to her fame for her marble products; the
natural resources of the marble that lay hidden
in the soil of the Green Mountain State, are inex-
haustible. The Vermont Marble Company is the
leading firm engaged in the marble industry and
its headquarters are situated at Sutherland Falls
at Proctor. A recent writer acquainted with the
extent of the business of that company, said, "Its
real importance cannot be imagined by the casual
reader or observer ; the immensity of its contri-
bution to the trade of State and country cannot
be fathomed save by those who have visited the
356 EARLY HISTORY
headquarters of the Vermont Marble Company to
which Proetpr owes its success and the impor-
tance and prosperity that today mark the town
as an important center. When the searcher after
facts and figures visits this beautiful spot in the
lovely and fertile valley of the beautiful Otter
Creek, surrounded by stately, verdured mountains,
his mission is likely to be lost in his wonder at the
marvelous picture which nature and the hand of
man have prepared for his gaze. To the artist
who faces the white marble vision for the first
time, comes the thought of the l>eauties it created
in ancient and medieval days, when moulden by
the deft fingers of acknowledged masters, or piled
into temples and colliseums at which the world
still marvels. Even to the man without poetry in
his soul, the caves of white opened up to his vision
and yielding daily tons upon tons of the material
which later will form the marble halls for man to
dwell in, appeal and inspire him with something
akin to awe. He sees the bowels of the earth torn
asunder to yield to and gratify the demands and
needs of a progressive and beauty-loving people.
In order to get some adequate idea of the immen-
sity of this marble industry and an insight into
the skilled labor required to hew the raw material
into size and shape suitable for its various uses,
one should visit the great quarries and workshops
of the Vermont Marble Compan}'. Stupendous
the task, yet simplified by practice on the part of
operators, the rough stone is hewed into shape in
marvelous manner and by thorough methods
and always up to date. Sawed by machinery,
OF VERMONT. 357
chislecl by tools, in the hands of skilled men, yet
impelled automatically and polished by peculiar
devices, the erstwhile huge, rough and ugly look-
ing block is soon a massive thing of beauty ready
to be shipped to any and all parts of the world
where the name and fame of Vermont marble has
become known. Mam r advantages may be
claimed for Vermont marble; for beauty, strength,
durability, closeness of grain and fire resistance it
is unequalled, and the improved and cheapened
methods of production make it possible to furnish
the stone in competition with granite, sandstone
and limestone Three different varieties are pro-
duced by this company, known to the trade as
Sutherland Falls, Rutland White and Blue Marble.
The Sutherland Falls is |>erhaps the most desir-
able for buildingpurposes It is slightly variegated ;
is a fine, hard and close-grained stone and does
not absorb the impurities of the atmosphere, but
retains its bright and clear appearance after con-
tinued exposure. Not being a dead white, it blends
nicely in an entire front. It seems to be the con-
sensus of opinion among scientists after the most
exhaustive examination, that for uniformity of
texture and hardness, purity and resistance to
decay, among all the building stone in general
use, Sutherland Falls Marble stan Is the strongest
tests and is unquestionably the best. It stands
the test of heat at 1200 degrees Fahr. and remains
uninjured for some time. It is a scientific fact
that marble reflects but does not absorb heat, and
1>ecause of its compact and even structure it does
not absorb water. This is an important consid-
358 EARLY HISTORY
eration in a wintry and changeable climate. The
most magnificent structures ertcted throughout
the United States during the past decade exhibit
the product of these quarries. They are a perpet-
ual reminder of the vast resources of these quarries,
and from all indications the supply is inexhaust-
ible. When Senator Proctor went into the marble
business in 1870, he began operating one quarry
and a small mill of ten gangs of saws, employing
altogether not more than seventy-five men. Now
the immense mills of the Vermont Marble Com-
pany contain over three hundred gangs of saws,
besides its extensive shops lor cutting and polish-
ing marble. It is operating at present twelve
quarries, producing five thousand carloads of
marble annually; employing 2500 men whose
annual wages approximate $1,000,000. From a
small, unimportant industry, the Vermont Marble
Company has grown to be many times the largest
producer and manufacturer in the world. Its
mills and shops are located at Proctor, Centre
Rutland and West Rutland and its principal quar-
ries are at Proctor, West Rutland and Pittsford,
although it possesses marble properties in other
towns. These various mills and quarries are con-
nected by a steam railroad twelve miles in length
called the "Clarendon & Pittsford," owned by the
company. It bas branch establishments at
Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Cleveland,
Chicago, St. Louis and San Francisco, and nearly
all of them operate mills and shops. The com-
pany has long had a nourishing trade in Australia
and ships its product to Japan, China, India,
OF VERMONT. 859
South America and other remote sections of the
world/'
The most extensive quarries of the company
are at West Rutland; practically those quarries
furnish the only merchantable, pure, white marble
in the country which is adapted to monumental
and other high uses. At Centre Rutland the com-
pany have two large water powers and extensive
mills and shops for sawing and finishing the mar-
ble. At Proctor the company has one of the most
remarkable water powers in the State. Here the
Otter Creek has a fall of 122 feet and is known as
Sutherland Falls and furnishes about 3,000 horse
power. The machinery at Proctor is run by
electricity generated by water power, and power
from the same source is transmitted to West Rut-
land for the operation of the quarries there. The
village of Proctor has over two thousand inhabi-
tants and has mainly grown up since 1870,
resulting from the marble industry, and has all the
advantages and improvements of a modern cit3%
and from the prosperity of which can be seen what
might be done for the improvement of other vil-
lages in the State by the fostering of various in-
dustries by the people. This village has a Free
Public Library building, built with stone and
marble front and contains a library of over 4,000
volumes ; it, also, has a modern hospital built by
the company with modern furnishings, intended
primarily for the benefit of the employees of the
company.
The granite industry in Vermont is very great
and the business is carried on in several localities
360 EAKLY HISTORY
in the State. The Barre granite industry takes
the lead and has a world wide reputation and use.
This granite is of a hard and durable quality and
stands the severest climate and takes on a fine
finish. The quarries at Barre are inexhaustible.
Granite of this kind is found also, in the town of
Jericho and other parts of the State.
There are a large number of companies at Barre
that work the granite and carry on extensive
business in supplying the traders of the world that
engage in dealing in this material The companies
working these quarries supply the people of the
United States and other countries with monu-
ments for prices ranging from $100 to $4,000;
and large shipments are made for building pur-
poses. Accompanying this industry is the manu-
facture of derricks, tools and polishing machinery,
and other labor saving devices of the most modern
character, for carrying on the business. The der-
ricks are of sufficient size and strength to handle
fifty ton blocks.
Granite and fine stone quarries for monumental
and building purposes are found and successfully
worked in Hard wick, Woodbury, Ryegate and
Isle La Motte,
The slate quarries are quite numerous in the
State, and the business of furbishing slate for
building purposes has Income extensive and is
found in abundance in Benson, Fair Haven,
Poultney and other towns. Limestone is found in
great quantities in several parts of the State,
where large quantities of lime is burned and pre-
pared for use. As!>cstos mines are found in Eden
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OF VERMONT. 361
and Lowell and apparently the supply is unlimit-
ed; the working of these mines furnishes employ-
ployment for a large num1>er of hands. Gold has
l>een discovered in several parts of the State, but
not in sufficient quantities to warrant the expense
in the working the soil or mines in which it has
been found.
TUB VERMONT FARM MACHINE COMPANY.
At Bellows Falls another large and important
industrx- has 1>eeu established by the Vermont
Farm Machine Company. The articles manufac-
tured by this company are of the utmost impor
tance to the welfare of the people generally, and
especially to the farming and dairy interests in
Vermont. The business of this company has aris-
en from a small 1>eginning. The main building in
which their work is carried on is 355 feet long and
00 feet wide, three stories and a basement, with a
separate building for the boiler and engine. They
have their own electric light plant and a complete
line of telephone connections throughout the works.
The articles manufactured have 1x?en changed
from time to time to keep up with the improved
machinery and the new inventions to supply the
needs of the farmer. For a time thej- gave most
of their attention to the manufacture of the Coo-
lex- Creamers, the Davis Swing Churn, Babcock
Milk Testers, Vats and Powers. .One of the most
important articles of their manufacture is the im-
proved United States Centrifugal Cream Separa-
tor, and the capacity of their large works is taxed
to the utmost to meet the demand. The amount
of woik that can be done by this separator in
362 EARLY HISTORY
comparison with what was done with the old
fashion dash churn used in the early days of Ver-
mont, is incredible to those who have not sien
the new invention operate. From the small size
with the capacity of separating only 150 pounds
of milk per hour that they first manufactured, to
the large factory size with a capacity of 3000
pounds or more per hour that they now manufac-
ture, is a great advancement in the amount of
business that can be done in the same space of
time and the enormous saving of labor. The
company supplies a complete creamery outfit, as
well as an entire outfit for the whole milk factory,
and their goods are used through the entire coun-
try. At this writing the company have in process
of erection two additional extensive three-story
buildings for offices, and to accommodate the plac-
ing and the use of the large amount of new machin-
ery that has l>een purchased to enable the company
to supply the increasing demand for the United
States Separators. Vermont, in proportion to her
size, by reason of the enterprising character of her
people, easily takes the lead in the manufacture of
dairy products, and the manufacture of the nec-
essary articles to aid in such production.
THE PORTER SCREEN MANUFACTURING COMPANY.
This company manufactures Window Screens,
and was organized in 1895, as successor to the
Porter Manufacturing Company. The business is
carried on at Winooski Village just across Onion
River from the City of Burlington. The new com-
pany began making adjustible window screens, ex-
clusively, but in 1897, it, also, commenced the
OF VERMONT. 363
manufacture of screen doors. The business then
occupied but 12,000 square feet of floor space and
employed less than fifty hands. The finances of
the company are conducted by Frank O. Brings of
Trenton, New Jersey, its controlling spirit; and
under the competent and local management of
Harry A. Way of Burlington, Vt , the business has
grown to enormous proportions.
On Nov. 21st, 1900, the company suffered a
great loss by the destruction of its entire factory by
fire. But like Chicago that built a grander city on
its ashes, the company has erected on the ashes of
its old factory a plant far more extensive, costly
and imposing than the one destroyed. The new
main mill is 280 by 60 feet and three stories high;
there are three large warehouses with a combined
Ct'ipacitv of six hundred carloads of screen doors
and windows; a large boiler and engine house
from which is produced a power sufficient to run
the entire machinery of the extensive plant; a com-
modious office building, pump house, oil house and
stables, and the workman's lunch house. There is
storage room sufficient for four hundred car loads
of lum1)er. In the buildings there are 32,000
square feet of floor space. The Compaq- has a
half mile of private railroad side-track convenient
for carrying lumber to the yard and factory, and
for shipping the products of the factory. The
importance and extent of this industry can 1>e
seen by noting the variety, quality, and amount
of the products turned out by these works, and
the rapidity with which they are manufactured.
There are fifty varieties of screen doors and win-
364 EARLY HISTORY
dows manufactured. The doors are produced at
the rate of two per minute, and the window
screens are turned out early at the rate of twelve
per minute. An idea of the amount of work
produced from this factory, will be obtained by
remembering, that a single day's product laid
out in a straight line would extend four miles,
or if piled one top of another, the monument
would extend six hundred feet into the air. It
is no wonder that old-time mechanics who were
accustomed to make and finish all their work by
the use of hand augers, chisels, planes, saws, and
other hand tools, are astonished to see the amount
of work accomplished in a given time, and the rapid-
ity with which it is done with modern appliances
and machinery. The factory of this company is
furnished with the most useful and the latest ap-
proved styles of machinery adapted to the busi-
ness. A special automatic machine in use by this
company will fasten the wire cloth to six thou-
sand frames daily. Two expert operators will
complete the wiring and moulding of a complete
door every one hundred seconds; a single machine
•will, at high speed, dress the stiles for five doors per
minute. The doors are not put together by mor-
tice and tenon, but by boring holes, many at a
time where necessary, and dowelling. Not only
planing and sawing are done by machinery, but
the boring of the holes, making the dowels, the fit-
ting the screen doors and windows together, the
cutting the screens into proper lengths, carving,
setting and driving the necessary nails, and many
other kinds of work are done rapidly by modern
OF VKRMONT. 365
machinery, and as fast as nimble hands can place
and change the pieces for the machinery to o|>er-
ate upon. Each operator does but one thing
towards the completion of the screen door or win-
dow.
As soon as the first operator has completed his
share of the work, the piece is passed on to a new
hand and a different machine, and so on till the
article is finished and ready for market. In every
department of the manufacture of the goods spe-
cial and automatic machinery is used to econo-
mize and expedite production.
Such industries are a blessing to every commu-
nity where they are carried on; the people are fur-
nished employment and paid suitable wages, and
the community receive a healthy business impulse.
This companv employs from 175 to 225 persons —
varying at different seasons of the year. That
part of the work where nimble fingers are needed
for quick handling of light work, young men and
women from 18 to 22 years of age are largely em-
ployed, but for the more responsible positions a
maturer class are employed. The pay roll of this
company is sixtv-five thousand dollars annually.
The products of this firm are distributed through-
out the United States and Canada, increasing the
comfort and happiness of the people. During the
selling season, which is usually from Nov. 1st to
Feb. 1st, the company is represented on the road
by six traveling agents. When the shipping sea-
son commences the goods are sent to numerous
principal cities in the United States as distributing
centers. One of the largest recent shipments was
366 EARLY HISTORY
thirty-five carloads sent to Chicago. During the
busy season the shipping department handles from
ten to fifteen car loads daily, and the company
has 150 distributing points to which five carloads
of goods are forwarded at specified dates.
The fire-fighting appliances are worthy of record.
The entire plant is equipped with an automatic
sprinkling and hydrant system To maintain this
system a private reservoir, with a capacity of 150,
000 gallons has been constructed, and this is re-
enforced by a 20,000 gallon water tower and by
connection with the reservoirs of the Winooski
aqueduct company.
The lumber business and the manufacture of all
kinds of furniture and wood wares from the differ-
ent kinds of lumber is a great industry in Ver-
mont and furnishing employment for many thou-
sands of persons; the manufacturing of woolen
and cotton goods and the knitting of the various
kinds of wearing material, the manufacture of
boots and shoes and a hundred other useful in-
dustries have grown from small beginnings to bus-
iness of large proportions. One hardly realizes the
advance step that has been taken in all these in-
dustries and the prosperity that the people have
reached thereby, nor that they have been the means
of lifting the people of the State from a condition
of want and poverty into the comforts of a higher
state of civilization, unless he contrasts their pres-
ent state of prosperity with that of earlier times.
This change silences the grumblers who assert
that civilization is retrograding. Persons are sel-
OF VERMONT. 367
rlom now to Ik* found who express n desire to re-
turn to the old-time ways of their lathers. And
it is now evident they would not consent to be de-
prived of the countless articles, that did not exist
among the pioneers of Vermont, that now afford
so much comfort and pleasure. When labor-sav-
ing machines began to be invented and used, and
improved means of locomotion by means of steam
and electricity appeared, and information and cur-
rent news and daily happenings began to be dis-
seminated throughout the world by means of
the telegraph and telephone, many people were
deeply concerned for fear the laboring man would
be deprived of work and become poverty stricken;
they asserted that horses would be a drug in the
market, and the prices of food for both man and
beast would be greatly reduced and the farnter ru-
ined ! but how different the result ! The wages of
the laborer have become greatly increased. There
is an abundance to do for all who are inclined
to work. Farmers get good returns for every-
thing they can produce. Horses arc still needed
for other work than hauling freight to distant
markets, and conveying passengers to distant'
lands and cities. The labor-saving machines that
enable the laborer to produce ten times the
amount of articles, that he was enabled to do
with bis hand tools, gives him more time for
recreation and intellectual improvement, and
makes it easier lor him to maintain himsell and
family and even to gain a competency.
CHAPTER XVIII.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF PIONEERS
OF THE NEW HAMPSHIRE GRANTS,
AND VERMONT.
Frederick Bliss settled in Georgia in 1786,
and represented that town in the General Assem-
bly of 1819; he was Assistant Judge of Franklin
County Court in 1804 until 1813, and trom 1815
until 1818; Judge of Probate in 1813; Delegate in
the Constitutional Convention of 1814; Council-
lor in the year 1809 until 1813, and from 1815 un-
til 1819. He was reported to have been the peace-
maker of the town, the arbiter of all difficulties,
and promoter of every good cause, and was not
ambitious of wealth or honors, yet both came to
him to his heart's content. He died childless, Nov.
8, 1827, aged 65 years.
Gimiekt Dknison represented Guilford in the
General Assembly in 1805 until 1809; was Judge
of Probate in 1806 until 1811, and also in 1816;
Sheriff of Windham County for 1811 and 1812;
Assistant Judge in 1817 until 1820; and Council-
lor in 1809 until 1812.
Maj. Haines French of Maidstone was born
about the year 1760, and at the age of 15 became
a servant to Maj. VVhitcomb ot the revolutionary
OF VERMONT. 369
army, and was with him at the siege of Quebec
under Montgomery, when he became a prisoner of
war. In the winter of 1813, through the aid of
Congressman James Fisk, he obtained a commis-
sion as Major in the 31st Regiment of U. S. Infan-
try, in the division of Maj. Gen. Wade Hampton,
and he entered upon the service with three of his
sons, one of whom (Homer) was killed in the bat-
tle of Chippewa. Maj. French died previous to
that event, having been stopped on the march at
Chateaugay Four Corners, N. Y., by an illness
which proved fatal about the middle of Nov. 1813.
His school education was meager, not having the
advantages of even a district school, and was
taught to write by his wife after his marriage, but
he was a great reader and acquired much valuable
information, which, with his good sense and ex-
perience in the Legislature and the Courts, made
him a useful man. He represented the town in
the General Assembly in 1793, 1794, 1796, 1797,
and from 1802 until 1808, and was a delegate in
the Constitutional Convention of 1793. He served
as clerk of Essex County Court, in 1802 until
1813; and was councillor in 1809 and 1810. He
was elected Chief Judge of the County Court in
1808, but declined to serve. His father, John
French, came from Walpole, N. H., to Maidstone
previous to 1774.
Horatio Seymour, LL. D., was born in Litch-
field, Conn., May 31, 1778, graduated at Yale
College in 1797, came to Middlebury in 1799, and
was admitted to the bar in 1800, soon winning
an extensive practice.. He was State's Attorney
25
370 EARLY HISTORY
for Addison County from 1810 until 1813, and
again from 1815 until 1819; Judge of Probate
from 1847 to 1856; councillor from 1809 until
1814. In 1820 he was elected United States sen-
ator, and was re-elected in 1826, serving from
March, 1821, to March, 1833. His election in
1826 was zealously contested by Cornelius P.
Van Ness, who felt his defeat keenly, and charged
it to the interference of John Quincy Adams, whose
administration he then abandoned, and so far as
he could do so, transferred his friends over to the
then Jackson party of which he became the chief
in Vermont. Seymour died Nov. 27, 1857.
William Hunter represented Windsor in the
General Assembly in 1795, 1807 and 1808; was
councillor in 1809 until 1813, and 1815; member
of Congress from March, 1817, to March, 1819;
Register of Probate in 1798 until 1801 ; Judge of
Probate in 1801 and 1802; Assistant Judge of the
County Court in 1805 until 1816; and Member of
the Council of Censors in 1806 and 1820.
Apollos Austin represented Orwell in the
General Assembly in 1819; served as councillor
one year, and was a member of the Council of
Censors in 1806, and Presidential Elector in 1816
and in 1828. He was an ardent politician of the
Jefferson school, and offered of his abundant
wealth means to discharge the fine of Matthew
Lyon, who was sentenced by the court under the
sedition act. Austin voted for Monroe in 1816
and for John Quincy Adams in 1828.
Jedediah P. Buckingham graduated at Dart-
mouth College in 1779, and came to Thetford in
OF VERMONT. 371
1784 as an attorney ; he was nn able man in his
profession; he represented that town in the Gen-
eral Assembly in 1800, 1804 and in 1805; he was
councillor one year; Chief Judge of Orange County
Court from 1799 until 1806, and 1813 until 1816.
He died Sept. 1, 1840, at Thetford.
Chauncey Langdon graduated at Yale College
in 1787 and came to Castleton; he was Register of
Probate in 1792 and was Register for five years,
and a practicing attorney in Rutland County
Court in 1794; and Judge of Probate in 1798 and
1799. He represented Castleton in the years of
1813, 1814, 1817, 1819, 1820 and 1822 ; coun-
cillor in 1808, 1823 and until his death in 1830.
He was a Federal member of Congress in 1815
and until March, 1817. He was dignified in his
bearing and his character and talents entitled him
to high respect. He was first vice-president of the
Vermont Bible society at the time of his death.
John Cameron came from Scotland to the town
of Ryegate in 1790, and purchased one thousand
acres of land in the western part of the town, and
afterwards, at the Comers, built the first store in
Ryegate. He was a man of large mental endow-
ments and his influence was felt far beyond his
town, commanding the confidence of both politi-
cal parties. He represented Ryegate in the Gen-
eral Assembly of 1797 and 1798, and from 1801
until 1810, and 1820 and 1832 ; Councillor in
1811 and 1812; assistant judge of Caledonia
County Court from 1806 until 1811, and Chief
Judge from 1811 until 1814. He died in 1837,
372 EARLY HISTORY
aged 76 years. His wife was a daughter of Gen.
John Stark.
Deacon Daniel Dana came to Guildhall from
Connecticut as an attorney and represented that
town in the Assembly from 1800 until he entered
the Council. He was councillor in 1813 and 1814,
and Judge of Probate from 1801 until 1809, and
in 1813 and 1814. He removed to New York.
Charles A. Dana of New York City, the editor,
was his grandson.
Reuben Hatch represented Tunbridge in the
General Assembly in 1792, 1793 and 1795 and
was councillor one year.
John Ellsworth represented Greensboro
in the General Assembly in 1799 and 1806. He
was clerk of Orleans County Court from 1803
until 1814, and served in the Council one year.
Thomas Davis was the second son ot Colonel
Jacob Davis, the first permanent settler of Mont-
pelier, and inherited the liberal spirit of his father
in enterprises for the public good. He gave not
only the land which the State occupies for its capi-
tal, but also subsequently gave the lot on which
the County jail has stood.
Josiah Dunham established The Washingtonian
at Windsor, July 23, 1810, and published it until
about 1816. He was an able editor, and zealous
Federalist, and withal an elegant and accom-
plished gentleman. He was Secretary of State
1813 to 1815.
David Edmond, a native of Ancient Woodbury,
Conn., was graduated from college in 1796. He
came to Vermont about the year 1800, and rep-
OF VERMONT. 373
resented Vergennes in the General Assembly in
1808,1809,1X13, 1816, 1817 and 1821; a dele-
gate in the Constitutional Convention of 1814.
He was a member of the Council of Censors in
1813, and State's Attorney for Addison County
1808, 1809, 1813, 1814, and from 1819 until
1824. He was an eloquent speaker.
Jambs Fisk was born about the year 1762 in
the county of Worcester, Mass., was self-educated,
chose the law for his profession and distinguished
himself both as a lawyer and a democratic poli-
tician. He represented Barre in the General As-
sembly from 1800 until 1805. and in 1809, 1810
and 1815; he was delegate in the Constitutional
Convention of 1814; was judge of Orange County
Court in 1802 and 1809, and of the Supreme
Court in 1815 and 1816. Representative in Con-
gress from March, 1805, to March, 1809 and
from Dec. 3, 1810, to March, 1815, and United
States Senator in 1817 and 1818, resigning that
office at the latter date to accept the Collectorship
for the District of Vermont, which he held eight
years. President Madison appointed him Judge
of the Territory of Indiana in 1812, but he de-
clined the office. He died in S wanton Dec. 1,
1844. He was very entertaining in giving the
reminiscences of public men and events of his
time. He was once tendered the Postmaster
Generalship. In his form, vigor of intellect and
the brilliancy of his eyes, he much resembled Aar-
on Burr at the same age.
Col. William Chase Harrington came to
Shelburne from Connecticut shortly after the Rev-
374 EARLY HISTORY
olutionary War, and first appeared officially as
delegate from that town in the Constitutional
Convention of 1791 and 1793, and representative
in the General Assembly in 1789 and 1795, when
he removed to Burlington and soon won high
reputation as a lawyer. He represented Burling-
ton in the Assembly in 1798, 1802, 1804 and
1806; he was State's Attorney for Chittenden
County from 1791 until 1796, and from 1798
until 1812; was councillor in 1812 and 1813. He
died in the last term of his office as councillor,
July 15, 1814, aged 58 years.
Capt. Jbdbdiah Hyde married Mary Water-
man. They came from . Norwich, Conn., and
resided in Pawlet and Poultney, Vt., from about
1782 until 1788, when he removed to Hyde Park.
Their son, Arunah Hyde, was born Sept. 21, 1708.
and resided in Castleton and held the office of
Sheriff.
Rev. Asa Lyon was bom in Pomfret, Conn.,
Dec. 31, 1763, graduated at Dartmouth College in
1790, and was pastor of the Congregational church
at Sunderland, Mass., from Oct. 4, 1792, to Sept.
23, 1793. He organized the Congregational church
in South Hero, in conjunction with Grand Isle, in
1795, and was its first minister, though he never
was installed; was elected by the members from Dec.
21, 1802, to March 15, 1840. After a few years, a
difficulty arose as to his support, when he declared
that his pastoral services should be gratuitous. He
had a farm on North Hero. Beginning with a val-
uable farm and living in the most frugal fashion, he
became the wealthiest man on the Island, without
OF VERMONT. 375
the aid of a salary. The three present towns of
Grand Isle, North Hero, and South Hero origin-
ally formed one town named the Two Heroes. On
Oct. 27, 1788, the Islands were divided into two
towns, which were known as North Hero and
South Hero. On Nov. 7, 1798, South Hero was
made two towns named Middle Hero and South
J/cro, and on Nov. 5, 1810, the natne of Middle He-
ro was changed to Grand Isle. Lyon represented
South Hero in the General Assembly from 1799
till 1807; he was representative in 1808 until he
entered the Council; he served as Councillor one
year; he also represented Grand Isle from 1812 till
. 1815, when he was elected to Congress, where he
served from 1815 to March, 1817. He was Chief
Judge of Grand Isle County Court in 1805, 1806,
1808, and 1813.
Rev. Simeon Parmalee, who had an intimate
acquaintance with him, said of him that he was a
great man in stature and in powers of mind; dark
complexion, coarse features, powerful build, more
than six feet in height, large boned, giant-framed,
and a little stooping. # # # His friends thought
him not only a great man but a good man. You
could offend in no way quicker than to speak re-
proachfully of him. He was a divine, a philoso-
pher, a reasoner and a scholar in almost every
sense of the word; he was truly learned 6n all sub-
jects, even a literary encyclopoedia himself, and
was eloquent in extemporaneous discussion. Hon.
Charles Adams of Burlington, a contemporary,
Said, 'There have been two men in' this State
whose intellect towered above all others, one, Nat.
376 EARLY HISTORY
Chipman of Tinmouth, the other Asa Lyon of
Grand Isle.' His death occurred April 4, 1841, in
his 78th year.
Rollin Carlos Mallary was born in Chesh-
ire, Conn., May 27, 1784, and graduated at Mid-
dlebury College in the class of 1805. He practiced
law in Castleton from 1807 to 1818, and in Poult-
ney from 1818 until his death. He served as Secre-
tary of the Governor and Council in 1807, and
from 1809 until 1813, and State's Attorney for
Rutland County from 1810 until 1813, and again
in 1815; and as a Member of Congress from 1819
until 1831, in which year, on April 15th he died at
Baltimore, Md. He was a zealous advocate of
protection to American manufactures, and was
chairman of the committee of mauufacturers, and
reported the tariff of 1828; he was held in the
highest estimation both for his public acts and pri-
vate virtues.
Doct. Samuel Shaw, was born in Massachu-
setts, in Dec , 1768 and removed to Putney, Vt., in
1778, and to Castleton in 1787, when he entered
upon the practice of his profession at the age of
19, and became eminent as a surgeon. He entered
early into politics and was one of the victims of
the sedition laws; for his denunciation of the ad-
ministration of John Adams, he was imprisoned,
but liberated by the people without the forms of
law. He represented Castleton in the Assembly
from 1800 until 1807, when he was elected to each
House and accepted the office of Councillor; he
served but one year, as he was defeated in 1808,
when the Federalists elected 10 of the 12 Council-
OF VERMONT. 377
lors, but he was elected to Congress in 1808, and
served until March 1813. On bis retirement from
Congress he was appointed Surgeon in the U. S.
army, which office he filled until 1816. It is stated
that he once rode on horse-back from St. Louis,
Mo., to Albany, N. Y., in 29 daj'S. He died at
Clarendon, Vt., Oct. 22. 1827.
Chari.es Rich was born in Warwick, Mass.,
Sept. 13, 1771, came to Shoreham in 1787, having
made the journey on foot. At the age of 21 he
married, and house-keeping was commenced with
one cow, one pair of two-year-old steers, six sheep,
one bed and a few articles of household furniture,
all of which was valued at sixty dollars, and
45 acres of land, given him by his father. From
this modest beginning, by industry, integrity, and
prudence, he became a wealthy man; he also be-
came a valuable servant ol the public; he was a
self-made man. He had attended school only three
months at the age of fifteen, but was studious
in all his leisure hours. Thus self-schooled, he be-
came speedily known as a man of much more than
ordinary intelligence, and was often called upon to
deliver Fourth of July orations. At the age of 29
he was elected town representative, and received
12 elections to that office; he was a delegate to
the Constitutional Convention of 1814; one of the
judges of Addison County Court for six years, and
elected a representative in Congress five terms in
1813, 1815 and from 1807 to 1825, but died Oct.
16, 1824, before his last term expired. On Oct.
13, 1812, he introduced into the House the follow-
ing: viz, "We, the representatives of the people of
378 EARLY HISTORY
Vermont, believing that in times like these in
which we now live, it is both proper and neces-
sary that our sentiments should be known to our
sister states and the general government, do here-
by adopt the following resolution :
"Resolved, That the constituted authorities of
our country having declared war between the
United States and Great Britain and her depen-
dencies, it is our duty as citizens to support the
measure, otherwise we should identify ourselves
with the enemy with no other distinction than
that of locality^ We therefore pledge ourselves to
each other, and to our government, that with our
individual exertions, examples, and influence, we
will support our government and country in the
present contest, and rely on the Great Arbiter of
Events for a favorable result," which, after some
contention as to the form of the resolution 1k>-
tween the Federalists and Republicans, was
adopted and concurred in by the Council and
Governors.
Pliny Smith represented Orwell in the General
Assembly of 1798 until 1810, when he entered the
Council and served as Councillor from 1810 to
1813, and again from 1815 to 1819. He was
assistant judge of Rutland County Court in 1805,
and from 1807, until 1811, and chief judge from
1811 until 1820. making a continuous public ser-
vice for twentj r -two years.
William Strong was born in Windham county,
Connecticut. Represented Hartford, Vt., in the
General Assembly seven years, l>eginning in 1798,
was sheriff of Windsor County from 1802 to 1810,
OF VERMONT. 379
and assistant judge in 1816, and Representative
in Congress in 1S1 1 until March 1815, and -again
in 1819 until 1822.
Gen. Josiah Wright was born in 1752 and
brought by his father, Charles Wright, from Wil-
liamstown, Mass., to Pownal in 1763. He repre-
sented Pownal in the General Assembly from 1793
until 1803, excepting the year 1796; he was judge
of probate from 1801 until 1814; councillor from
1805 until 1817, except the years of 1808 and
1814; Judge of the County Court in 1810 until
1817, except the year 1814. a justice of the peace
24 years; and Presidential Elector in 1804 and
1812 ; he was one of the Hoard of Commissioners
appointed in 1807 for the erection of the State's
Prison. He was a Jefferson Republican and was
a party leader and influential in his county and in
the State. He was defeated by his younger
brother, Judge Solomon Wright, in the election for
representative in 1796, 1803 and 1804, and in the
appointment as Judge of the County Court and of
the Probate Court in 1814; he rendered military
service in the Battle of Bennington. His death
occurred by accident Jan. 1, 1817, while holding
the office of Councillor.
Zerah Willoughhy was a farmer and mer-
chant and represented Fletcher in the General As-
sembly in 1818, 1820, 1822 and 1823; and a
member of the Constitutional Convention of
1822. He was Assistant Judge of Franklin County
Court in 1801 and until 1806, and in 1813, 1814,
and from 1818 to 1823, and was Chief Judge of
380 EARLY HISTORY
County Court in 1824-5. He was Councillor in
1808 and 1814.
Captain John Vincbnt was a prominent Indian
Chief, loyal to the American cause through the
Revolution and a friend to the American people
till his death that took place at Parkerstown,
(Mend on,) on July 3, 1810, at the age of 95 years.
There appeared in Spooncr's Vermont Journal of
July 23, 1810, the following sketch of his career:
viz.,
•'In 1755, he had a command among the Cog-
nawogga tribe, then opposed by French influence
to these then colonies and provinces. Gen. Brad-
dock was at that time defeated at Fort duQuesne,
near where Pittsburgh now is. Capt. Vincent had
reconnoitred the country southerly to the mouth
of the Scioto, and had returned before the engage-
ment. He formed the ambuscade, which defeated
Braddock. Upon the death of Braddock he com-
manded and contended against Colonel Washing-
ton, and has often said that if Braddock would
have known the great man then advising him, he
would have been preserved. That Braddock did
not consider Colonel Washington as a soldier, and
therefore lost his life.— That Colonel Washington
harrassed the French and Indians, when they sup-
posed themselves to be the conquerers. At that
time Capt, Vincent returned with his warriors to
his tribe—That at the commencement of the revo-
lutionary war, he, Capt. John, soon learned that
Colonel Washington was commander in chief—
that his tribe being in British interests, he left
them, fully l>elieving that the Great Spirit had
OF VERMONT. 381
preserved Colonel Washington— that a numl>er of
his young warriors, after the death of Braddock,
had shot at Washington, but nobody could kill
him— that about the year 1779, Capt. John re-
ceived from General Washington a Captain's com-
mission. He piloted the American troops from
Cambridge through the province of Maine to
Quebec. He was at Quebec when Montgomery
fell. He well understood the history of the Revo-
lutionary war, having in 1775 espoused the Amer-
ican cause, and his trite being seduced to the
British interest. He has since secreted himself
among our mountains in Sherburne.
"The Legislature of Vermont havingknown this
distinguished chieftain, long since made him a
l>ensioner. Capt. John was early educated by a
Roman Catholic Priest in the French language
and in the tenets of that church. These early im-
pressions were not erased. At no time was this
tenant of the forest known to arise without his
orisons, to sleep without his vespers, or to eat
without at least offering up his silent but reverent
petition. From this Romau instructor he had re-
ceived a large French bible. This he often read
and preserved as his best inheritance, and it is said
has bequeathed it to the Rev. Heman Ball of the
village of Rutland. It is not supposed that Capt.
Vincent was perfect, but he was brave, generous,
humane and pious. He not only knew how to dis-
tinguish wisdom from folly, but could see God in
the clouds and hear him in the wind. A uniform
coat, presented him by General Washington, he
bequeathed, with some other articles, to Mr. Rich-
382 EARLY HISTORY
ardson. This proud trophy has been preserved
unsullied.
In 1804 Vincent petitioned to the Legislature
of Vermont for assistance in the most touching
> and pleading terms as follows: viz.,
"To the Fathers of the People of Vermont, now
Assembled in Grand Council at Rutland, Broth-
ers, When your fathers, to avoid persecution, fled
from England and the English nation, they came
across the big Lake that separates Europe from
America, and settled among the Indians, of whom
I am a descendant. At that time, your fathers
were weak, without friends, and without pro-
visions or wigwams: My fathers gave them pro-
tection, became their friends, and furnished them
with provisions. And when the King of England
assumed an oppressive authority over them, they
opposed his oppression : and a friendship existed
between them and my tribe. At the commence-
ment of the war that divided the Colonies from
Great-Britain, Captain John Vincent was a firm
friend of the United States. Under General Wash-
ington he became attached to their cause, and
constantly directed his arrows against the British
Sachem. From the River Kenncl>ec, through the
wilderness, to Quel^ec, he pointed out the way,
and fought under General Montgomery, at the
seige of that place. Following the fortune of the
Americans, he fought under General Gates, at
Stillwater, and assisted in taking General Bur-
goyne, and at various other places; and during
the whole war, was engaged in the American ser-
vice.
OF VERMONT. 383
"Brothers, I am now become old, I am become
old in your service, fighting your battles. Seventy-
three winters have gone, and almost half of them
I have been among you.
"Brothers, When Capt. John became your friend,
he was a young man— he could then catch Beavers
and Deer enough to feed and clothe him ; but hav-
ing, thro* age, lost his activity, the means of his
support are cut off, and he is obliged to ask of you
a maintenance, which he refused, for your cause, to
receive from others.
"Since the last war, Brothers, I have stayed on
your mountains and in j*our forests, and I have
preserved that staying, b} r means of hunting, and
some handicraft business, and at no time (for I
appeal to the men of Rutland, and others, who
know Capt. John) have I departed from the path
of friendship and honesty.
"Brothers, I come before you to solicit assist-
ance. The Great Spirit will soon take me to my
fathers ; will you give me something to procure me
meat and blankets till the Grent Alknomak shall
call me away. Capt. John Vincent."
A Committee to whom the petition was referred
reported that the facts stated in the petition were
true. An appropriation of twenty-five dollars
was made for him, and a guardian was appointed
to receive the same for his use. In 1806, John
Fuller of Sherburne was authorized to draw thirty
dollars annually for Vincent's support: in 1807,
$59.35 was granted to several persons who had
contributed for his support. In 1809 an act was
384 EARLY HISTORY
passed authorizing Jaraes D. Butler of Rutland to
draw not exeeeding sixty dollars annually for his
support.
John H. Andrus came from Colchester, Conn.,
to Danby , Vt., in 1780, and represented that town in
the General Assembly nine years, from 1805 to 1813,
inclusive, and in 1816; he was a member of the
Constitutional Convention of 1814; Assistant
Judge of Rutland County Court in 1811, and 1814;
Councillor in 1820 and 1821. He removed to
Pawlet in 1822 and died there in 1841, aged 73
years.
Nicholas Baylies was born at Uxbridge,
Mass., about 1768, and graduated at Dartmouth
in 1794. He was admitted to the bar and com-
menced the practice of law at Woodstock with the
Hon. Charles Marsh, and removed to Montpelier
in 1810, and from thence to Lyndon in 1836,
where he died August 17, 1847. In 1814 he pub-
lished a digest of modern English and American
common law reports in three volumes, and in
1820 a volume on free agency. He was Councillor
but a single term in 1814, but during that term
his learning in the law was manifested; he in-
itiated the Vermont State Library, and also the
printed reports of the Supreme Court. He was a
member of the Council of Censors in 1813; and
Judge of the Supreme Court three years from 1831
to 1834.
Moses Robinson, the first child of Gov. Moses
Robinson, was born in Bennington Nov. 16, 1763.
He represented Bennington in the General Assem-
bly in 1819, 1820 and 1823, and was a candidate
OF VERMONT. 385
for the Council on the Federal ticket previous to
his election in 1814, and on one occasion failed by
the omission of the "junior" from his name. He
died Jan. 30, 1825.
James Davis Butler was born in Boston, and
came to the state and settled in Rutland in 1787,
and represented that town in the General Assem-
bly in 1812 and 1813, and was Councillor in
1814. He was called . "the mechanic, the mer-
chant, the scholar, the wit."
Eli as Stevens represented Royal ton in the
General Assembly eleven years, beginning in 1783,
and ending in 1816, and was Councillor one year.
John Winthrop Chandler was born in New-
ton, Conn., in 1767 and was one of the early
settlers of Peacham and lived there till his death
July 15, 1855. He represented the town in the
General Assembly in 1797; was Judge of Probate
from 1797 until 1800, and again in 1806, 1808,
1809 and from 1817 till 1821 ; Register in 1805,
and Judge of the County Court from 1800 until
1806, and from 1813 until 1817.
William Hall, Jr., was a member of the
Council of Censors in 1813, and Councillor in
1814. He also represented Grafton in the General
Assembly in 1799, and Rockingham in 1826 and
1827.
Col. Josiah Hubbard was Councillor one year #
He died at Thetlord about July 1, 1833.
Mark Richards .was born in New Haven,
Conn., in 1760, represented Westminster in the
General Assembly beginning in 1801, and receiving
his last election in 1834; was one of the Council of
26
386 EARLY HISTORY
Censors in 1806, Sheriff of Windham County five
years in succession, beginning in 1806, Elector of
President and Vice-President in 1812. Councillor
in 1818 and 1814, Member of Congress from .1817
to 1821, and Lieutenant Governor in 1830. He
died at Westminster Aug. 10, 1844., aged 84 years.
Gamaliel Paintkr was born in New Haven,
Conn., May 22, 1742, and was one of the first
three settlers of Middlebury in 1773. He was
plain and slow of speech and of few words, and a
man of sound judgment upon which his friends
placed implicit confidence and safe reliance; he be-
came a leader in all important enterprises. To
him, more than to any other man, the town of
Middlebury is indebted for its college, its first
church, its village square and the first mills, and
was recognized as "the father of the town."
.While he did not derive great advantage from
schools he learned much' from the association with
men of more learning and experience, and so be-
came an efficient public servant, and honored for
his patriotism and practical business qualities.
He served as Quartermaster and Captain in the
Revolutionary army, and undoubtedly served
with credit in the campaign in Canada, as he was
appointed by Congress July 5, 1776, a First
Lieutenant in Warner's Continental regiment— the
officers of that regiment consisted of such as
served with credit in Canada. He was the first
delegate of Middlebury in the Dorset Convention-
he was a member of that Convention in January
and September of 1776, and a delegate for Corn-
wall at Windsor in June, 1777. He was the first
OF VERMONT. 387
representative of Middlebury in the General As-
sembly in 1786, and for 14 years in all. On the
organization of Addison Connty in 1785, he was
appointed Assistant Judge of the County Court,
but resigned that office before the term expired for
the purpose of becoming Sheriff of that County in
1786. He again became Judge in 1787, and held
that position until 1795. He was Councillor in
1813 and 1814, coming into that office as a can*
didate of the Federal party. He died May 21,
1819; and the trustees of Middlebury College, to
whom his estate was bequeathed, erected a mon-
ument over his grave. •
Samuel Swift; LL. D., was the seventh of 14?
children of Rev. Job and Mary Ann Sedgwick
Swift, and born at Nine Partners, [Amenia,] N. Y.,
August 2, 1782, graduated at Dartmouth College
in 1800; Le was tutor in Middlebury College from
1801 to 1803, and a member of Addison County
bar as early as 1808. He edited the Vermont
Mirror at Middlebury and also edited a Vermont
Register and Almanac from 1803 till 1818. He
was Secretary of the Governor and Council in
1813 and 1814; Judge of Probate from 1819 to
1841 ; Clerk of Addison County Courts from 1814
to 1846; Assistant Judge from 1855 to 1857, and
Elector of President and Vice-President in 1836.
He wrote the history of Addison Cotanty and the
town of Middlebury which were printed in 1859.
He died July 8, 1875.
Gen. William Cahoon was born in 1774, was
representative of Lyndon in the General Assembly
in 1802 which office he held nine years. He was
388 EARLY HISTORY
delegate in the Constitutional Convention of 1814
and 1828; Presidential Elector in 1808; Judge of
Caledonia County Court from 1811 to 1819,
eight years. Councillor from 1815 to 1820, five
years. Lieutenant Governor from 1820 till 1822,
two years ; a member of Congress from 1829 to
1833. He died May 30, 1833.
Joel Doouttle graduated at Yale College in
1777 and came to Middlebury in 1800, as the first
tutor in Middlebury College. He was admitted to
the bar in 1801, and was a successful Advocate
and Councillor until 1817, when he was elected a
Judge of the Supreme Court, an office that he held
until 1824, except the year 1823; he was Council-
lor three years, commencing in 1815; representa-
tive in the General Assembly in 1824, and member
and president of the Council of Censors in 1834.
He died in March, 1841, at the age of 68 years.
James Tarbox, born in Merrimac, N. H. t in
1759, and settled in Randolph about 1794, and
engaged successfully in trade, and was a man of
sound judgment and sterling integrity and was
much employed in public service. He represented
his town in the General Assembly six years, first
in 17t*7 and last in 1813; was one of the Council
of Censors in 1806; Judge of Orange County
Court from 1806 until 1812, was Councillor in
1815, and Presidential Elector in 1808 and in
1832. He died August 25, 1841, aged 82 years.
Truman Chittenden was the fourth and the
youngest son of Gov. Thomas Chittenden, and
settled on a farm adjoining the homestead of his
father in Williston. He was justice of the peace
OF VERMONT. 389
30 years; Judge of the Probate 11 years: Judge of
the County Court seven years; also Councillor 12
years, and for 26 years a member of the corpora-
tion of the University of Vermont. He represented
the town of Williston four years, and was ever
employed in some public duties. He possessed a
sound judgment and quick, penetrating mind.
• Timothy Stanley was one of the original
proprietors of Greensborough, and settled his
family there in 1792. In December, 1788, he lost
a foot by frost in attending a meeting of the pro-
prietors of Greensborough holden at Cabot. Not-
withstanding this misfortune, he was one of the
most enterprising and energetic of men in that
town and influential in the County for many
years. He represented that town 13 years, first
in 1795 and last in 1813, and was delegate in the
Constitutional Convention of 1814; he was Clerk
of Orleans County Court in 1801, and Judge from
1802 to 1814, and again in 1815 and until 1824.
He was Presidential Elector in 1820 and voted for
James Monroe to be President, and Daniel D.
Tompkins to be Vice-President, and was appointed
messenger to bear the electoral votes of Vermont
to Washington City; that he rode the entire dis-
tance on horseback. At that time a large number
of State officers and members of the two Houses of
the Legislature were accustomed to go to Mont-
pelier on horseback; to pasture their steeds in
Montpelier, Berlin and Middlesex during the ses-
sion, and return to their homes in the same
manner. He was Councillor from 1815 until his
death April 15, 1825, aged 61 years.
390 EARLY HISTORY
Daniel Pkaslee represented Washington in
the General Assembly ten years, first in 1802 and
last in 1826; he was a delegate in the Constitu-
tional Convention of 1814; Sheriff of Orange
County in 1807 and until 1812, and Councillor
from 1816 until 1819.
Thomas Harmon was born in Newton, Mass.
Feb. 20, 1762, and at the age of four years he
was taken from his parents and bound to a
farmer in Leicester, Mass. In 1778 he enlisted in
the Continental army, served nine months and be-
came Fifth Corporal, a position he used to say of
which he felt prouder than any he afterwards
held. In 1782 he came to Shaftsbury, Vt., and in
1783 to Pittsford. The vicissitudes of his early
years were unfavorable to the development of
good character, but on his way to Pittsford he
resolved to leave his bad deeds behind, and strive
thencefoi th for a noble manhood. In this he was
successful and became eminently useful in the
church and to the public. He represented Pitts-
ford in the General Assembly nine years in 1794
until 1813, and in the Constitutional Convention
of 1791; was Judge of Rutland County Court
seven years and until 1822 and Councillor from
1816 until 1820; and during the war of 1812-14,
was United States Assessor. He died April 4,
1847.
Theophilus Crawford was born in Union,
Conn., April 25, 1764, and brought by his father,
James Crawford, to Westminster in 1769. In
1784 he served with the Vermont Militia in quell-
ing the disturbance of the Yorkers at Guilford ; he
OF VERMONT. 391
was a delegate from Putney in the Constitutional
Convention in 1822, and representative in the
General Assembly of 1823; Sheriff of Windham
County in 1819, and Councillor from 1816 to
1820. He died in January, 1856.
David Fav was the youngest son of Stephen
Fa}- and brother of Jonas Fay, and was born in
Hard wick, Mass., Dec. 13, 1761, and came to
Bennington with his father in 1766. Although he
was not 16 years of age, he was in the Battle of
Bennington as one of Captain Samuel Robinson's
company; he was admitted to the bar in 1794;
member of the Council of Censors in 1799; State's
Attorney four years previous to 1801; United
State's Attorney for the District of Vermont in
.1801 to 1809; Judge of the Supreme Court from
1809 until 1813; Judge of Probate in 1819-20.
and Councillor from 1817 until 1821. He died
June 5, 1827, leaving no descendants.
Roiikrt Trmplr was born in Braintree, Mass.,
in 1783, and admitted to the bar in Rutland
County in 1804, and settled in Castleton. Subse-
quently he removed to Rutland where he died by
his own hand Oct. 7, 1834. He was Clerk of the
Rutland County Court from 1804 until 1819;
Member and Secretary of the Council of Censors
of 1813, and Secretary of the Governor and
Council in 1820 until 1823. He was an admirable
Secretarj\ In 1817 he was elected as one of the
Judges of the Supreme Court but he declined to
accept the office and Joel Doolittle was elected to
fill the vacancy ; was of the same family as Lord
Pahnerston, and a descendant of Gov. Bradford of
392 EARLY HISTORY
the Mayflower — also a descendant of the good
Godiva, wife of the Mercian Earl Leofrick, the
Saxon King maker, one thousand years ago. B.
P. Walton said he remembered him as a large, well-
formed and well dressed gentleman, and the
leader among the members oi fashionable society
at Montpelier, who were accustomed in his day to
come annually from the principal towns of the
State at the opening of the Legislature.
Aaron Leland was pastor of the Baptist
church in Chester at its organization in 1788 and
continued its pastor till his death in 1833. He
was an active and influential politician of the
Jefferson school, and influential throughout the
State. He represented Chester in the Constitution-
al Convention of 1814, and in the General Assem-
bly in 1801 until 1810, and in 1813; and Speaker
of the House from 1804 until 1808; Councillor
from 1818 until 1822; Lieutenant Governor in
1822 until 1827, and Presidential Elector in 1820.
His portly .appearance in person over-awed some,
while his light and airy deportment sometimes
displeased others. He was so fat he could neither
put on nor take off his boots and was as cheerful
as fat. He had sterling qualities of character; he
was accustomed for many years to use alcoholic
liquors freely, but joined in the early temperance
movement both by word and deed. Called to
administer the rite of baptism he became chilled,
and was urged to protect himself by stimulants.
''No," he said, "I will die first," and did on the
third day thereafter. The famous hotel men of
the name of Leland are of his family.
OF VERMONT. 393
Ahel Tomlinson was High Sheriff of Addison
County from 1819 until 1824; he was a republi-
can.
John H. Cotton represented Bradford in the
General Assembly in 1814, and until 1819; was
Councillor in 1819 and 1820; Presidential Elector
in 1816; and Assistant fudge of Orange County
Court in 1812 and until 1820. He accepted the
office of Superintendent, of the Vermont State
Prison in 1820, from which position he retired in
1838.
Seth Wetmorb, born in Massachusetts, and
commenced practice as an attorney at St. Albans
about 1800; was Sheriff of Franklin County in
1809 and 1810; Register of Probate in 1814;
Councillor from 1819 until 1829; Judge of Pro-
bate from 1815 until his death in August, 1830.
He was unfortunate in his pecunian* matters, but
maintained his integrity. He officiated as magis-
trate in the trial of causes more than any other
man in his town or countv.
Joseph Berry was a resident of Guildhall, and
his name was recorded in 1799 as a member of the
first church there organized. He represented that
town in the General Assembly in 1816, and State's
Attorney in 1815, '17, '18,' '23 and '24; Chief
Judge of Essex County Court in 1822 and 1823;
and Councillor from 1819 to 1825. He removed
to Newbury, and was Clerk of the Orange County
Court from 1 850 to 1 852.
Charles Phelps of Townsend was born Sept.
13, 1781, son of Col. Timothy, and grandson of
Charles Phelps of Marlboro, both of whom were
394 EARLY HISTORV
quite troublesome to the Vermont government
during the controversy with New York. Hon.
Charles Phelps was Judge of Probate in 1821,
1822 and 1824; Assistant Judge of Windham
County Court in 1882, 1833 and 1834; and
Councillor in 1820, until 1822. He removed to
Ohio, and died in Cincinnati Nov. 19, 1854.
Joseph Warner represented Sudbury in the
Constitutional Conventions of 1791 and 1822,
and ir> the General Assembly in 1805 until 1818,
1825; and 1828, and until 1832. He was Assist-
ant Judge of Rutland County Court from 1821
unti^ 1824; Councillor in 1820 and 1821.
Henry Olin was born in Shaftsbury May 7,
1788; he was nephew of Hon. Gideon Olin of the
same town. Judge Olin settled in Leicester about
1788, and commenced his public services in 1799
as representative in the General Assembly, which
office he held for 22 years out of 26. He was As-
sistant Judge of Addison County County eight
years, and Chief Judge 15 years, making 23 years
of continuous judicial service; Delegate in the
Constitutional Conventions of 1814, 1822 and
and 1828; Councillor in 1820, and 1821; Member
of Congress from December, 1824 to March 4,
1825, to supply the vacancy occasioned by the
death of Hon. Charles Rich ; and Lieutenant-
Governor from 1827 until 1830. In physical pro-
portions he was gigantic, but in temper genial,
abounding in wit and sound judgment, and a use-
ful man in his town, county and state; he was a
zealous and consistent Methodist; at first a
Jefferson democrat in politics and finally became a
OF VERMONT. 895
Whig. He was the father of Stephen Olin, D. D.,
LL. D. Removing to Salisbury in the spring of
1837, and there died on Aug. 18, 1838
Josiaii Dana was a descendant of Richard Dana
who settled in Cambridge, Mass., in 1640. Josiah
was born in Barre, Mass., and was a son of a
Congregational clergyman, and first appeared in
Vermont records as representative of Chelsea in
the General Assembly of 1803 which office he had .
also in 1806, 1808, and 1809; he was a Delegate
in the Constitutional Convention of 1814; As-
sistant Judge of Orange County Court in 1812,
Chief Judge in 1816 and until 1820, and Presi-
dential Elector in 1828; he was also Councillor in
1821 until 1826. He died in April, 1841.
Joel Pratt represented Manchester in the
General Assembly from 1808 until 1812, also in
1813 and 1817. He was Clerk of Bennington
County Court from 1803 until 1828; Member of
the Council of Censors in 1820, and Councillor in
1821 until 1824.
Jonathan Orms, a carpenter and mill-wright,
came to Pittsficld, Vt , from Northampton, Mass.,
about 1788, and shortly after removed to Fair-
haven, and in 1790 settled in what is now West
Haven. He removed soon after to Fairhaven,and
from thence to Castleton in 1842, where he died
Aug. 8, 1850, aged 86 years. He was General-in
Chief of all the militia in Vermont in the time ot
the war of 1812-14 with Great Britian and had
his headquarters at Burlington.
William Griswold was born in New Marl-
borough, Mass., Srept. 15, 1775, and when he was
396 EARLY HISTORY
about ten years old he removed to Bennington
with his father. He graduated at Dartmouth
College, studied law in the office of Chief Justice
Jonathan Robinson of Bennington, and married
Mary Follett in 1798 and commenced business at
Danville. He was State's Attorney for Caledonia
County in 1803 until 1813, and from 1815 until
1820. He represented Danville in the General
Assembly in 1807 and until 1811, and from 1813
until 1819. He was speaker of the Assembly from
1815 until 1819; he was Delegate for Danville in
the Constitutional Convention of 1814. In 1821
he was appointed United States Attorney for the
District of Vermont, and removed to Burlington,
holding the office until 1829. He represented
Burlington in the Assembly of 1841, and was one
of the Council of Censors in 1827; Presidential
Elector in 1812, and in 1836; Councillor in 1833
and in 1834. He was a long time in office, a fact
due to his genial temperament, readiness in de-
bate, and fidelit}' in the discharge of his duties.
He died in Burlington in 1845, aged 70 years.
Austin Bukchako was born in Wilmington,
Dec. 5, 1793. The son of a farmer, his early sum-
mers were spent on the farm, and his winters in
the district school, of which in due time he be-
came a teacher. In the store of Samuel Clark of
Brattleboro he fitted for the business of a mer-
chant that he honorably and successfully followed
till late in life. He settled in Newfane in 1822, and
there resided until his death Sept. 13, 1879, in his
80th 3'car. The youngest of his four sons died a
prisoner in the notorious Andcrsonville prison.
OF VERMONT. 397
Georgia, and one of his two daughters was killed
in the lamentable railroad accident at Ashtabula,
Ohio. His sister, Sophia, was the mother of
President Rutherford B. Hayes. He served as
Councillor in 1833 and 1834; Member of the
Council of Censors in 1841, and of the State Sen-
ate in 1846. He was a friend to internal im-
provements, a cheerful contributor for benevolent
and religious purposes, and strongly opposed to
slavery and to secret societies.
Gen. William Barton was born in Providence,
R. I... in 1747, and died there Oct. 22, 1831. He
was a brave man and a good, true soldier. By
what is said in Volume III, on pages 58 and 59, of
this History, one might be led to think that Gen.
Barton was unjustly treated by Vermont. The
facts relating to his treatment show that that
view is not correct. His country, it is true, owed
him a debt of gratitude for his valuable service.
On July 10, 1777, as Lieutenant-Colonel in the
Rhode Island militia, he, with a small party,
crossed Narragansett Bay, passing three British
frigates, landed l>ctween Newport and Bristol
ferry, and captured the British brigadier, after-
wards Lieutenant-General Richard Prescott. For
this service Congress honored Barton with the
presentation of a sword and a commission as
Colonel ; he was wounded in action in August in
1778. The General Assembly of Vermont on Oct.
23,1781, granted a township of land by the name
of Providence, that name being given to the grant
in honor ot his birthplace. By a resolution passed
by the General Assembly on Oct. 16, 1784, the
398 • EARLY HISTORY
name of the town was changed to Barton at the
request of the proprietors of the town. Barton's
biographer, Mrs. C. M. Williams, stated that the
grant of the land to him in Vermont was made by
Congress, which is an error. In dealing with this
land Gen. Barton became entangled in the law,
was imprisoned at Danville in Caledonia County,
Vermont, for debt many years, and until his re-
lease in 1825 by the generosity of Gen. Lafayette
on his visit to the State. The extent of the yard
within which the General was confined was two
miles square. The facts relating to Gen. Barton *s
litigation and imprisonment, were that in 1781,
the General Assembly granted the land afterwards
called Barton to Col. William Barton and Com-
pany, l>eing 65 men including Gen. Ira Allen,—
these 65 men constituted the original proprietors
of the town of Barton. Accompanying this grant
was the following complimentary resolution:
"Resolved, That this Assembly, having the high-
est sense of the merit of Col. William Barton, as
an active, brave and intrepid officer in the army
of the United States, do grant him two of said
rights in said township free of all expense.** This
resolution, however, at Col. Barton's request, was
reconsidered, but the adoption of the resolution
showed the good will of the State towards Bar-
ton. The town was, by a vote of the proprietors,
some ten years after, surveyed and apportioned
among the respective grantees; a tax was imposed
upon the several rights to defray the expense of
the survey and settlement. On this subject the
following appeared in the Vermont Watchman
and State Gazette of Aug. 23, 1 831, viz.,
OF VERMONT. 399
"In December, 1791, the rights, upon which the
tax was unpaid, were sold b\* a collector chosen
by the proprietors. Among these rights were
those drawn to Gen. [Ira] Allen. Doct. Arnold, a
friend and agent of Gen. Barton, bid off the rights
of Gen. Allen, and the latter having failed to re-
deem them, they were, at the expiration of the
time limited by law, conveyed by deed from the
collector to Gen. Barton. A part or the whole of
the rights so obtained by Gen. Barton were sub-
sequentty sold and deeded by him to different pur-
chasers. In October, 1 799, Jabez G. Pitch levied
an execution, he had previously obtained against
Gen. Allen, on the rights originally allotted to the
latter, and bv that means vested in himself Allen's
title to the land. The grantees of Gen Barton
still remaining in possession of the rights in
question, Fitch commenced actions of ejectment
against lour or five of them, and in one of them, *
the decision of which would of course determine
the common principle upon which they all de-
pended, obtained judgment in 1802 in the Su-
preme Court. Gen. Barton appeared in the de-
fence of these actions, as he had bound himself to
do, by the covenants of warranty in his deeds to
the defendants. The cause, whfch.was decided
against his grantee in 1802, he reviewed to the
succeeding term of the Supreme Court, and the
others remained on the docket of the Court to
await the final decision of the one which was then
litigated. The Court excluded from the Jury the
deed from the collector [of taxes] to Gen. Barton,
on the ground that the proceedings in the vendue
were illegal and of course insufficient to pass a
title to the purchaser under it— the collector hav-
ing neglected to give the notice required by law.
The cause, which was reviewed from 1802 to the
following term of the Court, was continued, and
while it was still pending and before a final de-
cision was had, Gen. Barton and Fitch, the
400 EARJ.Y HISTORY
plaintiff, mutually agreed to submit the question
in controversy to the arbitrament of three men
chosen by themselves. The arbitrators met,
heard the parties in the premises, and made and
Eublished their award. With this award Gen.
arton failed to comply. Fitch subsequently con-
veyed his title to the lands in question to Heman
Allen and Samuel Fitch.
In 1806 Gen. Barton brought his bill in Chan-
cery against Ira and Heman Allen andJabesG.
and Samuel Fitch, praying the Court to decree
Heman Allen and Samuel Fitch to execute deeds
to him of a part or the whole of the land con-
veyed by Jabez G. Fitch to them. The bill in
Chancery was continued from term to term till,
in 1809, the Court decreed a specific performance
of the award made by the arbitrators. The de-
fendants to the bill subsequently preferred a pe-
tition for a rehearing, and in 1814 the decree of
1809 was vacated, and in 1816 upon a new hear-
ing, the original bill was dismissed with part cost
to the defendants, amounting, as taxed, to less
than fifty dollars. General Barton's title to the
lands in question having failed, bis grantees com-
menced suits upon his covenants of warranty,
obtained judgments against him. and, on his
neglecting to pay them, he was in 181 2 committed
to goal in this place, [Danville,] where he has re-
mained ever since.
"Such is a brief outline of the case of Gen. Bar-
ton: And the enquiry arises, whether he has any
ground for complaint, either in relation to the
parties with whom the suit has been litigated, or
the government under the administration of whose
laws the suit has thus terminated.
"In forming an impartial opinion upon the sub-
ject, it may not be improper to inquire what have
been the measures resorted to, subsequently to his
commitment to jail, by the party who supposed
OF VERMONT. 401
himself injured, and what has been the result of
these measures.
"In the first place. Gen. Barton has repeatedly
petitioned the Legislature of this State for redress,
and, upon a disclosure of the facts in his case, has
as repeatedly failed of convincing that body of his
claims to relief. An enlightened and intelligent
Committee of the Legislature, one of the members
of which, without having been employed in the
case, was familiar with the whole history of the
bill in chancery, discovering no merits in his case,
reported in substance that, as the petitioner had
ample pecuniary means of relief, he ought not to
expect assistance from the State. Indeed it would
have been entirely unprecedented for the govern-
ment to interpose either their authority or their
charity in a case where the former would have been
illegal and the latter unmerited.
"Gen. Barton, having failed entirely in his ap-
plication to the State Legislature, preferred a
petition to Congress, praying for such relief as
that body should think his case demanded. His
petition was referred to the Military Committee,
consisting among others, of Dr. Eustis, who wasa
Revolutionary soldier, and of course a man from
whose sympathies the petitioner could expect
every prepossession in his favor which the circum-
stances of his case could possibly warrant. An-
other individual of the committee was person-
al^ acquainted with the facts involved in the
case and consequently qualified to do justice to
the petitioner's claims. Thus, it should seem, the
case had at length reached a board from which
Gen. Barton was assured of a patient examination
and as favorable a report as it himself had elected
the committee. But unfortunately for the peti-
tioner, the committee thought the claims of sjrm-
pathj* much less imperious than those of justice,
and the application to Congress consequently
27
402 EARLY HISTORY
terminated in as total a failure as the petition to
the State Legislature.
"It is worthy of remark that Gen. Burton not
only does not pretend he is poor and unable to dis-
charge the sums for which he is confined, but, on the
contrary, instructed the individual, who drafted his
petition to Congress, to insert no claim on the
ground of poverty. Indeed, he openly proclaims his
ability to pay the debts in question, and assigns as
one reason, among others, for neglecting to dis-
charge them, that he has made a solemn oath that
he will never leave the place of his confinement
without, as he emphatically expresses himself, some
satisfaction for the injustice which has been done
him. His claim, it should be further remarked, is of
an exclusively pecuniary nature. He is, however,
much less exhorbitant in his demands than when
he was first committed, and the amount of satis-
faction which he claims, has diminished in the
same proportion that the prospect of obtaining it
has lessened. It is also true, that he declares it a
consideration perfectly immaterial, whether he
receives pecuniary redress from those whom he
represents as his oppressors, from the government
in which the alleged injustice has been practiced,
or from the charity of individuals in no way con-
nected with the transaction of which he complains.
He has even requested that a paper should be
drawn up, in which the charitable should sub-
scribe such sums for his benefit as the services and
the sufferings of "an old revolutionary officer"
should prompt them to bestow—and this he asks,
notwithstanding he possesses, in addition to a
considerable estate, which he has long owned, the
avails of some eight or ten years' annual pension
from the government of $360. But he has re-
solved that his own money shall never be appro-
priated to the payment of what the highest
tribunal in the State has solemnly declared to l>e
OF VERMONT. 403
his own debts. The motive from which this reso-
lution has proceeded is not the business of the
writer of this article to determine. It is sufficient
for him to have stated the facts; and it becomes
the province of an impartial public to draw such
inferences as the facts shall in their. opinion, war-
rant.
"It has been stated, and the statement has
taken the rounds of our newspapers, and has even
attracted the notice and drawn upon our govern-
ment the illiberal and triumphant sneers of a
foreign editor, that this unfortunate officer of our
revolution is now immured 'within the walls of a
noisome dungeon/ without the means of paying
the debt for which he is confined. The extent of
the yard within which the General is confined is
two miles square, and his remaining even within
its limits is purely voluntary."
The committee to whom was referred the
memorial of Barton, praying that he might be
liberated from imprisonment, made report, "that
the committee fully appreciate the services of the
petitioner to the United States, and regret that he
does not draw from his pocket that relief which he
solicits from the Assembly." The losses of Gen.
Barton were purely from the fault of the collector
who sold the land, and theneglect of his agent to
verify the legality or illegality of the sale, and
ought to have considered the fact that for years he
wronged those who had purchased of him in good
faith the land, relying upon his warranty. The
fault did not lie at the door of Vermont or of the
Courts. The claim of Gen. Barton was but one of
many whose claims have failed for want of com-
pliance with the statute in the official sale of lands.
The unreasonable obstinacy of Gen. Barton in this
404 EARLY HISTORY
matter can not rob him of the admiration and
gratitude of his countrymen for his patriotic ser-
vice.
^$§h
CHAPTER XIX.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF PIONEERS
OF THE NEW HAMPSHIRE GRANTS
AND VERMONT.
Ira H. Allen was the second son of Maj. Ira
Allen and was bom in Colchester about 1792,
where he dwelt until his removal to Irasburgh in
1814, to take charge of the lands in that town,
all of which save the public rights then belonging
to his mother, and constituted nearly all that was
left of the once immense estate of Ira Allen. In
the management of this great property Allen
gained the confidence and good will of all con-
cerned, and established a character that was
honored wherever he was known. He represented
Irasburgh in the General Assembly 11 years from
1818 until 1823, and in 1826, 1827, 1835, 1838
and 1840; was Clerk of Orleans County Court 17
years, 1816 until 1824, and 1826 until 1835 ; was
Councillor in 1828 and 1831, and a member of the
Council of Censors in 1848. He died at Iras-
burgh April, 1866.
Samuel Clark represented Brattleboro in the
Getieral Assembly in 1820, 1821, and in 1825-'26 ;
was Councillor from 1828 until 1831 ; delegate in
(406)
406 EARLY HISTORY
the Constitutional Convention of 1836, and Judge
of Windham County Court in 1833.
George B. Shaw was an Attorney at Danville
in 1821. He was Register of Probate in Caledo-
nia County in 1821-'22; Secretary oftheGovernor
and Council in 1828 until 1831. Mr. Shaw moved
to Burlington and practiced his profession there
until 1854. He reported the 9th and 10th vol-
umes of the decisions of the Supreme Court.
Ezra Hoyt came to New Haven in an early day
and was a useful citizen. He represented that
town in the General Assembly in 1797-8, 1808,
and from 1812 to 1815, 1817. 1821 and in 1824;
was Judge of Addison County Court from 1813
until 1818 and in 1823; Judge of Probate from
1824 until 1829, and Councillor from 1828 until
1831. He was a man of talents and public spirit,
kind and urbane in his bearing.
Myron Clark was Judge of Bennington
County Court from 1824 until 1827; Judge of
Probate from 1831 until 1835, and Councillor
from 1828 until 1P31.
Gen. Abner Forbes was born in Sutton, Mass.,
Feb. 29, 1772, and died in Windsor, Dec. 28,1828.
In early life he was an extensive merchant and
acquired a handsome fortune. From 1800 to
1805 he was Colonel of Militia and from 1805 to
1810 Brigadier-General, for six years he was a
commissioner of the State Prison, and the first
President of the old Windsor Bank. He served
seven years as Judge of Windsor County Court
and in 1823 and 1825 he was elected as Chief
Judge of the same. In 1820 and 1827 he was
OF VERMONT. 407
Windsor's representative in the Vermont Legisla-
ture and in 1828 he was a member of the Gover-
nor's Council.
Gen. Forbes was a student, a man of more than
ordinary literary ability and in all his many of-
fices, military, judicial, legislative and executive,
served with distinction and credit. He was
treasurer of the Vermont Bible Society, Vice-
President of the Vermont Temperance Society,
Vice-President of the Vermont Colonization So-
ciety and a trustee of Middleburv College, the
Columbian University, Washington, D. C, and
Newton Theological Institution. For many j-ears
he was a deacon of the Baptist Church. His
second wife, by whom most of his children were
born, was Sally, daughter of Hon. Alden Spooner,
of Windsor, and granddaughter of Judge Jacob
Burton, of Norwich, Vt.
Frances, the wife of the late Hon. J. D. Hatch,
of Burlington, Vt., was one of his children.
Jedediah H. Harris was born in New Hamp-
shire in 1784, and came to Strafford at an early
age and commenced business as a merchant in
which he was successful, but for the last 30 years
of his life he gave his attention to agriculture in
which business he was an excellent example to the
community' in which he dwelt. He was an in-
fluential politician and was elected to numerous
public offices; he represented Strafford in the
General Assembly eight years, in 1810 until 1813,
1814, and 1818 and until 1822; he wasa delegate
in the Constitutional Convention of 1814; As-
sistant Judge of the County Court in 1821 and
408 EARLY HISTORY
'22; Member of the Council of Censors in 1827;
Councillor in 1828 until 1831, and he headed the
list of Presidential Electors in 1844. He died
March 8, 1855, nearly 71 years of age.
Israel P. Dana was the fifth son of John W.
Dana and grandson of Gen. Israel Putnam of
Pomfret, Conn., and born April 13, 1774, and
settled in Danville in 1805, as inn-keeper for a few
years and afterwards a merchant. He gained the
confidence of the public that he retained till his
death. He was Sheriff of Caledonia County in
1808 and until 1813, when he was appointed
under the United States government one of the
Collectors of the internal taxes ; in 1814 he raised
and commanded a company of volunteers, who
marched to resist the invasion of Plattsburgh,
and met at Montpelier the news of the glorious
victory; in 1822 and until 1827, he was one of
the Governor's Council, and soon after the organi-
zation of the Vermont Mutual Fire Insurance
Company, was appointed its president. He held
to the doctrine and polity of the Congregational
Church. His granddaughter, Sophia D.Stoddard,
was a missionary in Persia, and Allen Hazen, his
grandson, was missionary in Bombay. He died
June 22, 1848.
Jaobz Proctor was born in Westford, Mass.,
April 22, 1780, and came to Proctorsville, Vt.,
with his father's family in February, 1784, — his
father being the first settler there. During his
minority he was employed in agriculture, mer-
chandizing and hotel keeping, but on becoming of
age he entered into partnership with his brother.
OF VERMONT. 409
He was Councillor for five years, from 1822 to
1827; Judge of Probate for the District of Wind-
sor four years, frojn 1830 until 1834; Presidential
Elector in 1824, and again in 1836, and headed
the list, and was the messenger to carry the vote
of the State to Washington ; he was a safe Council-
lor, careful in coming to his conclusions, and firm
in his adherence to them. He was the father of
United States Senator Redfield Proctor.
Uriel C. Hatch represented Cavendish in the
Constitutional Convention of 1814, and in the
General Assembly 11 years, 1809 until 1819, and
in 1821, Judge of Probate in 1821, and Councillor
in 1822.
Eiien W. Junn was a delegate from Middlebury
in the Constitutional Convention of 1822, Assist-
ant Judge of Addison County Court from 1825 to
1829, and Councillor one term.
Samuel H. Hollv was a native of Bristol, and
removed therefrom to Shoreham in 1809, and
commenced practice as an Attorney ; he was an
early graduate of West Point Military Academy;
served as Captain during a part of the war of
1812-'15, but resigned and resumed practice for a
few years at Shoreham. In 1820 he practiced at
Bristol, and in 1821 and for some years thereafter
at Middlebury. He served as Councillor from
1823 until 1828; was Assistant Judge of Addison
County Court nine yearfc from 1833 until 1842.
John Roberts represented Whitingham in the
General Assembly seven years from 1819 until
1823, and in 1833-'4. He was elected to both
houses in 1823, but served in the Assembly. He
410 EARLY HISTORY
served three years in the Council, in 1824 to 1826,
and was Chief Judge of Windham County Court
in 1820 until 1833, 13 years. #
Daniel Kellogg, ll d., was born in Amherst,
Mass., Feb. 13, 1791, graduated at Williams Col-
lege in 1810, and was admitted to the bar of
Windham County in 1812. He commenced prac-
tice in Rockingham in 1813, and removed to
Brattleboro in 1855, where he died May 10, 1875,
just 100 years after the surrender of Ticonderoga
to Gen. Ethan Allen. In 1819 and in 1820 he was
Judge of Probate for the northern district of
Windham County; Secretarj' of the Governor and
Council from 1823 until 1828; State's Attorney
for Windham County lor 1827; United States At-
torney for the District of Vermont from 1829
until 1841; Delegate and President of the Con-
stitutional Convention of 1843; Judge of the
Supreme Court in 1843 and 1845, and until 1851;
and Presidential Elector in 1864.
Robert Pierfoikt was born in Litchfield,
Conn., May 4, 1791. His mother, Sarah Phelps,
born in said Litchfield, Oct. 4, 1766, was sister of
the father of the distinguished Jurist and Sen-
ator, Samuel S. Phelps of Middlebury, Vt. At the
age of seven Robert came to Manchester to five
with his uncle Robert, and for nine years, with
broken health and almost a cripple from rheuma-
tism, he dwelt in his uncle's inn, improving his
opportunities for studying character, attending
the common school occasionally, and reading all
the books he could get. At 16 he entered the law
ofHee of Hon. Richard Skinner. In June, 1812, he
OF VERMONT. 411
was admitted to the bar of Bennington County,
and in the same year removed to Rutland. He
was soon made deputy collector of the direct tax
occasioned by the war of 1812-*15— a difficult task,
but faithfully and successfully performed. He
represented Rutland in the General Assembly in
1819, 1823, and 1857. and in the Constitutional
Convention in 1822 and 1828; was Councillor
in 1825 and until 1831 ; Judge of Probate in 1831;
Clerk of the house of Representatives in 1832 and
in 1838; County Clerk from June, 1820, until
April, 1839; Trustee of the University of Vermont
in 1823 to 1833; State Senator from 1836 until
1840; Lieutenant Governor in 1848 and 1849;
and Judge of the State Circuit Court from 1850 to
1850. He received the honorary degree of Master
of Arts from both Middlebury College and the
University of Vermont. He died at Rutland Sept,
13, 1864, aged 73 years, " without a personal
enemy, full of years and full of honors." He united
with the Congregational church in Rutland
March 5, 1826. Hon. John Pierpoint of Ver-
gennes, who for many years was Chief Justice of
the Supreme court of Vermont, was his youngest
brother.
William Wilbur was born in Westmoreland,
N. H., March 8, 1801, and removed with his
father's family about the year 1803, to Coit's
Gore, Franklin County, (now Waterville in the
County of Lamoille) where he acquired a. common
school education. He reclaimed from the wilder-
ness a large farm and became a practical farmer.
He represented the town of Waterville in the Gen-
412 EARLY HISTORY
eral Assembly in 1843 and 1844. He was post-
master in that town 22 years and a deacon of
the Congregational Church in Waterville for more
than 40 years and until his death March 7, 1882.
He married Betsey Fuller of Westmoreland, N. H.,
and had a family of 12 children, of whom the
writer of this history is one,
Lyman Fitch represented Thetford in the Gen-
eral Assembly in 1811- , 12, 1820-'21, and from
1823 until 1826, and in 1835-'6, and in the Con-
stitutional Convention of 1836, of which he was
president; was Sheriff of Orange County in 1831-
'32; Judge of the County Court in 1833,1835,
and in 1837, and Councillor in 1826 and 1827.
He was said to be a good legislator.
Gen. John Peck was a descendant from Joseph
Peck who came from Old Hingham, England, to
Hingham, Mass., in 1638, and he was a descendant
in the twentieth generation from John Peck of
Belton, England. John Peck, the father of Gen.
John Peck, the subject of this sketch, came to
Montpelier from Royalton, Mass., in 1806 and
the son settled in Waterbury not long after. Gen.
Peck represented Waterbury in the General Assem-
bly in 1811 and in 1818; was Sheriff of Jefferson
and Washington County in the years of 1811,
1812 and in 1819 until 1825; was Judge of Wash-
ington County Court in 1818, and Councillor in
1826. He was the father of the Hon. Lucius B.
Peck who was a member of Congress from Ver-
mont from 1847 to 1851, and Uqited States At-
torney for the District of Vermont from 1853 to
1857, and was a sound lawyer.
OF VERMONT. 413
Orsamus C. Merrill was born in Farmingtoii,
Conn., June 18, 1775, and came to Bennington
April 6, 1791, and was apprenticed to Anthony
Haswell, the Bennington printer. After he had
learned the trade he entered the printing business
for himself and the first book he printed was
Webster's spelling book. He studied law and was
admitted to the bar in 1805. He entered the
military service of the war of 1812-'14, and was
major in the 11th U. S. Infantry March 3, 1813,
Lieutenant-Colonel of the 26th Infantry as rifle-
man Sept. 4, 1814, and transferred back to the
11th Infantry as Lieutenant-Colonel Sept. 26,
1814. He was Register of Probate in 1815 ; Clerk
of the Courts in 1816, Member of Congress from
1817 to 1819; Representative of Bennington in
the Constitutional Convention and to the General
Assembly in 1822; Judge of Probate in the years
1822, 1841, 1842 and 1846; State's Attorney in
1823 and 1824; Councillor in 1824 and 1826, and
member of the first State Senate ; he was a man of
purity and of great elevation and urbanity of
character, and conscientious. He died April 12,
1865, in the 98th year of his age. He was a
brother of Hon. Timothy Merrill of Montpelier.
Job Lyman was an Attorney at Woodstock in
1811, and continued in practice there until 1851.
He was Auditor of Accounts against the State
from 1813 until 1815, and Councillor in 1829. He
was Auditor for several years in the Treasury D e-
part ment.
James Davis was born at North Kingston, R.
1., Aug. 8, 1783, graduated at Union College, N.
414 EARLY HISTORY
Y., in 1809, and in November, 1810, he became a
citizen of St. Albans and was there admitted to
the bar in 1812, and for .50 years his name ap-
peared in the list of Attorneys in Walton's Regis-
ter. He resided for a time at North Hero, in Pair-
field and Swanton, but returned to St. Albans in
1819, and there resided till his death. He was a
member of the Constitutional Convention of 1828;
Councillor in 1829 and 1830; Judge of Franklin
County Court in 1843 and 1844; Judge of Probate
six years, 1845 till 1848, 1849, 1853 and 1855.
Hon. Jacoii Burton, of Norwich, Vt., one of
the State Fathers, was born in Preston, Conn.,
Sept. 14, 1715, and died in Norwich, Vt., June 12,
1798. He settled in Norwich in 1766, and became
a leading figure in the history of the place. At his
home were held the early meetings of the Corpora-
tion of Dartmouth College. He was the first
Town Clerk of Norwich and long a Justice of the
Peace. He was a member of the early conventions
of the New Hampshire Grants, a member of the
committee of five, including Gov. Chittenden,
which drew up the Declaration of Independence of
Vermont, a member of the convention of 1777,
which adopted the name "Vermont" and the
State Constitution of which he was a signer, Judge
of the Court of Newbury shire in 1778 and a mem-
ber of the General Assembly of 1785. Two of his
sons became men of distinction in the young State,
Rev. Dr. Asa Burton and Major Elisha Burton;
one of his daughters, Sar^ih, became the wife of
Hon. Alden Spooner, of Windsor, for 40 years edi-
tor of the *• Vermont Journal," State Printer and
OF VERMONT. 415
Legislator. Among Judge Burton's descendants
are United States Senator William P. Dillingham,
Col. Charles Spooner Forbes of St. Albans, and
the late Major-General William Wells of Burling-
ton.
John C. Thompson was an Attorney at Hart-
land in 1819, but removed to Burlington soon
after. He was Councillor in 1827 until 1831, and
Judge of the Supreme Court in 1830-'31, and died
in June, 1831.
Georgk Worthington came from Connecticut
to Montpelier when a young man and entered into
the business as a hatter; married Clarissa Davis,
the youngest daughter of Col. Jacob Davis— she
was the first person born in Montpelier. He rep-
resented Montpelier in the General Assembly in
1819; was Sheriff of Washington County in 1814;
Judge of Probate in 1840 and Councillor in 1827
and until 1835. He was a man highly esteemed
for his integrit3'. He removed to Irasburgh about
1858, and died there shortly thereafter.
Benjamin F. Dkming was Clerk of Caledonia
County Courts from 1817 until 1833, and judge
of* Probate from 1821 to 1833; Councillor from
1827 until 1833, and Member of Congress in 1833
and until his death at Saratoga Springs July ll f
1834, aged 44 years.
David Hopkinson, Jr., of Guildhall represented
that town in 1829, and was Judge of the County
Court in 1826, and in 1829; he was Councillor in
1827 and died suddenly in November, 1837.
Stephen Haioht was a self-made man of quick
apprehension, and ardent in all his undertakings.
416 EARLY HISTORY
He represented Monkton in the General Assembly
in 1812 until 1823, and in 1824 and in 1831, and
and was an active and influential member ; was
Judge of Addison County Court from 1818 until
1822, and Sheriff of Addison County in 1827 and
1828, He was a very ardent Federalist, and could
not forgive John Quincy Adams for supporting a
Republican administration in a crisis of the
country. Mr Haight therefore joined himself to
the friends of Gen. Jackson by whom he was made
Sergeant-at-Arms of the United States Senate,
which office he held until his death in Washington
City Jan. 12, 1841, aged 58 years.
William G. Hunter was a son of Hon. Wil-
liam Hunter. He held no office except that of
Councillor for 1830-'31.
Henry P. Janes was born in Brimfield, Mass.,
in October, 1792. He removed to Vermont soon
after becoming of age and studied law at Mont-
pelier, and was admitted to the bar in Washing-
ton County in 1817. In that year he set.tled in
Waterbury and lived there till he died. He was
postmaster of Waterbury from 1820 until 1830;
he was a Councillor from 1830 until 1835; mem-
ber of Congress from 1835 to 1837; State Treas-
urer from 1838 until 1841; he was a member of
the Council of Censors in 1848, and represented
Waterbury in the Legislature of 1855.
Calvin J. Keith, the first State Librarian, was
a native of Uxbridge, Mass., but in 1825, was a
student of law, and, for many years subsequent,
an attorney at Montpelier, where he held his resi-
dence until his death, although employed for sev-
OF VERMONT. 417
eral years in New Orleans. He was the originator
of "Green Mount Cemetery/* at Montpelier, where
his remains repose.
Hon. Joseph Warner of Sudbury represented
that town in the General Assembly for 1 4 years.
He was Councillor for two years, and for three
years was one of the Judges of the Rutland County
Court. He died at Montpelier Nov. 14, 1825,
while a Representative of Sudburj' in the House.
The House and the Governor and Council united
in attending his funeral. He was the father of the
Hon. Joseph Warner of Middlebury, Vt.
Samuel Prentiss was a descendant from an
English family, traceable by official records as far
back as 1318. He was sixth in direct descent from
Capt. Thomas Prentiss, who was born in England
about 1620, settled in Newton, Mass., in 1652,
and was an officer of high reputation in the war
with the Indian King, Phillip. The subject of this
sketch was born in Stonington, Conn., March 31,
1782, son of Dr. Samuel Prentiss, who was a
surgeon in the Army of the Revolution. Samuel,
the subject of this sketeh, was brought to North-
field, Mass., and his youthful years were spent
there, and there also he had the advantage of a
course of classical studies under the care of the
Rev. Samuel C. Allen. At the age of 19, Mr. Pren-
tiss entered the office of Samuel Vose of North-
field as a law student, and subsequently entered
the office of John W. Blake of Brattleboro, where
he completed his preparatory studies, and in Dec.
1802, was admitted to the bar. In 1803 he
settled in Montpelier, where he spent his life; he
418 EARLY HISTORY
early won an extensive practice at the bar; he
was during his whole life a thorough and indus-
trious student of the law in his office during the
hours of the day not required for business, and of
the best literature of the English language in the
evening at his home; he acquired a complete
knowledge of the law, and acquired also a clear
and pure style in speech and composition, both of
which made him a great lawyer, a great judge and
an admirable advocate. In politics he was a
Federalist, and during the most of his residence in
Vermont he was in the minority in both his town
and county, nevertheless his pure character and
great abilities were fully recognized and honored.
He represented Montpelier in the Legislature of
1824 and 1825, and was the author of a reform
in the judicial system of the State referred to in
Volume III. on page 167, which has been main-
tained to the present time. He was elected an
Assistant Judge of the Supreme Court in 1822, but
declined the office on account of the pressing de-
mands of a very large family. In 1826, however,
he consented to accept the office, and he held it
until 1829, when he was elected Chief Justice. In
1830 he was elected United States Senator on the
first ballot by the Legislature which did not have
a majority politically in accord with him. He was
again elected in 1836, and held the office until the
death of the venerable Elijah Paine, Judge of the
United States Court for the District of Vermont, in
1842, when he was appointed Judge of the United
States Court for the District of Vermont, conse-
quently resigned his seat in the Senate. This office
Ol* VERMONT. 419
he held and adorned until his death on the 15th of
January, 1857.
As a United States Senator, though exceedingly
modest and never pressing himself unnecessarily
into debate, he was the peer and associate of the
most brilliant men in a body which for ability and
dignity was unsurpassed by any like body in the
world. On the bankrupt act of 1840, he went
against every Senator but one of his party in an
argument, which John C. Calhoun declared to be
the clearest and the most unanswerable which he
had heard for years. It was an argument for per-
fect honesty and integrity between debtor and
creditor, not only because demanded by the high-
est legal and moral principle, but also by the
soundest public policy. ' Mr; Prentiss had 10 sons
and one daughter, the latter dying in infancy. All
the sons adopted the law as a profession.
Edward D. Barker, born in New York, was a
graduate of Middlebury College in 1829, when he
became editor of the An ti- Masonic Republican
until 1832, and of the Middlebury Free Press in
1832 until 1836. He was the Secretary of the
Council in 1831, Representative of Middlebury in
the General Assembly in 1832 and 1833, and
Clerk of that body in 1834. He was admitted to
the bar in 1834, and died Aug. 23, 1856, aged 49
years. He was the leader of the Anti-Masonic
party in the House in 1832, and at that session
introduced the series of resolutions that were
adopted by a vote of 113 to 3-7, in favor of pro-
tection to American industries, declaring the
United States National Bank indispensable, favor-
420 EARLY HISTORY
ing an equitable distribution among the several
States for educational purposes and internal im-
provements, and protesting against the action of
President Jackson in his removal of the public
monies— the United States Treasury deposits—
from the United States Bank.
Rev. Chester Wright was the first pastor of
the first Congregational church in Montpelier,
occupying that office from Aug. 16, 1809, until
Dec. 22, 1 830. He was an able preacher and suc-
cessful pastor, and highly respected by everybody.
He was imbued in Anti-Masonic ideas, and
preached on the subject so as to offend some of
the oldest and best members and officers of his
church, and was dismissed from his pastoral
charge. He was pastor of the Second Congrega-
tional church in Hard wick from June 15, 1837, un-
til 1840, when his health tailing, he returned to
Montpelier and died there April 16, 1840, in his
64th year.
Cyrus Ware was one of the remarkable men
among the early settlers of Montpelier. He was a
son of Jonathan Ware, born in Wrentham, Mass.,
May 8, 1769, and came to Hartford, Vt , about
the age of 14, and served as apprentice to a black-
smith until he was of age. He received a common
school education and then entered the office of
Hon. Charles Marsh as a law student, and com-
pleted his law studies with the late Jacob Smith,
Esq., of Royalton, and was admitted to the bar in
1799, and settled in Montpelier. He represented
the town in the General Assembly in 1805 until
1810, and with the Hon. David Wing, Jr., was
OF VERMONT. 421
instrumental in getting the State House located
at Montpelier. He was Chief Judge of Caledonia
County Couitfrom 1808 until 1811, when he be-
came ineligible by his residence in the new county
of Jefferson, now Washington. From Dec. 1,
1819, until his death Feb. 17, 1849, he was Justice
of the Peace for Washington County. He never
succeeded financially; he was adroit in his pro-
fession, possessed an abundance of wisdom, wit
and good humor which made him an instructive
and genial companion.
Allen Wardner, for a lqng time a successful
merchant and financier of Windsor, and repre-
sented that town in the General Assembly in 1831
and to 1834, and again in 1841 ; was Councillor
in 1834 and 1835: and State Treasurer in 1837
and 1838. He was a man of integrity ,and good
business capacity, and was often appointed to irt-
voice of property and to investigate the accounts
of the State Prison. A daughter of his became
the wife of Hon. William M. Evarts, a distin-
guished lawyer and Secretary of State of the
United States in the administration of Presi-
dent Rutherford B. Ha3 r es.
Herman Ruggles Beardsley was admitted to
the bar in 1826, and represented St. Albans in the '
Geneial Assembly of 1848, and was Councillor in
1834. He was regarded as a sound lawyer.
George Green represented Swanton in the
General Assembly in 1832 and 1833; was Judgeof
Franklin County Court in 1829, and in 1832 until
1838, and Councillor in 1834-5, and State Sena-
tor in 1851-2.
422 EARLY HISTORY
Royal Tyler was a wit, poet, aiid jurist ; he
was born in Boston July 18, 1757, graduated at
Harvard University in 1776, and died at Brattle-
boro Aug. 16, 1826. He studied law in the office
of John Adams, afterwards President of the United
States, and became an aide to Gen. Benjamin
Lincoln, in which capacity he came to Vermont
during Shay's rebellion in 1787. He settled in
Guilford, then the most populous town in Ver-
mont; he became Assistant Judge of the Supreme
Court in 1801, which position he held until 1807,
when he was elected Chief Justice, which office he
held until 1813. In* 1809 he published two vol-
umes of reports of cases in the Supreme Court of
the State. In 1786 he wrote, u The Contrast," a
comedy, which was the first original play ever put
upon the stage in America. He was author of
other successful plays, and in 1799, a fictitious
memoir entitled "The Algerine Captive." Hetook
the minutes of the conference that Gov. Tichenor
had with theCognawaga Indians on Oct. 25, 1798,
at Vergennes. Tyler was an intense democrat of
the Jeffersonian school, although he had been a
student in the office of John Adams. Governor
Tichenor was an intense Federalist, but politics
aside, he and Tyler were "hail fellows well met."
Benjamin Swift was the sixth child and third
son of Rev. Job Swift, D. D. t and was born at
Amenia, N. Y., April 8, 1780, studied, law in the
law school at Litchfield, Conn., and commenced
practice in Bennington, but in 1809, settled in St.
Albans where he resided until his sudden death,
Nov. 11, 1847. He represented St. Albans in the
OF VERMONT. 423
General Assembly in 1813, 1825, and 1826; was
member of Congress in 1827 until 1831, and
United States Senator from 1833 until 1839.
Physically, mentally* and morally he was a large
man. He was a partner of Hon/john Smith ofSt.
Albans in business for 17 years.
David Crawford was a son of Councillor
Theophilus Crawford of Putney, and .first ap-
pears in Vermont history as First Lieutenant of
the 11th Regiment of U. S. Infantry, appointed
June 26, 1813, and was Adjutant of that regiment
in the battle of Lundy's Lane. He was slights-
wounded in the sortie from Fort Erie Sept. 17,
1814, and from that date was a Captain. He rep-
resented Putney in the General Assembly in 1828-9
and in 1832-33, and was a delegate in the Consti-
tutional Convention of 1843. He was Councillor
in 1835 ; Presidential Elector in 1836, State Sena-
tor in 1840 and in 1841, and one of the Council of
Censors in 1848.
Thomas Denny Harmond was the oldest son of
Councillor Thomas Harmond, and son-in-law of
Councillor A polios Austin, and was born in Pitts-
ford Aug. 16, 1791, and represented Orwell in the
General Assembly in 1828/ 1829, and in 1832 until
1835, and was Councillor in 1835. He died March
30, 1841.
Harvey Bell was Councillor in 1835, and
State Senator in 1836 and 1837.
Martin Flint was born in Hampton, Conn.,
Jan. 12, 1782, and came to Randolph with his
parents in 1785, and was a citizen of that town
till his death Feb. 28, 1855. He was an energetic,
424 EARLY HISTORY
patriotic and an influential citizen. On. the in-
vasion of Plattsburgh in 1814, be was active in
raising a company of volunteers, of which he be-
came Lieutenant, with Lieut-Gov. Egerton as
Captain. He represented Randolph in the General
Assembly in 1831 and until 1835, and was
Councillor in 1835, and Judge of Orange County
Court in .1841 and until 1844. He was also Adju-
tant General of the State. He publicly renounced
the Masonic institution and was a leading and
very active man in the Anti-Masonic party from
1827 until its dissolution in 1835. He was a
good farmer, a good neighbor, a good husband
and father of nine children.
Milton Brown was born at Winchendon,
Mass., April 1, 1798, and came with his father,
Amasa Brown, to Montpelier in 1807. He repre-
sented Worcester in the General Assembly in 1829
until 1833, and in 1837 and in 1850; was Sheriff
of Washington County in 1832, and Councillor in
in 1835. He died in Montpelier July 3, 1852, in
his 55th year.
Walter Harvey, son of Alexander Harvey, the
first representative of Barnet in 1778, and in the
Constitutional Convention of 1791, was born in
Barnet and represented that town also in 1824-5,
1829, 1837 to 1839, and in 1844, and in the Con-
stitutional Convention in 1828. He was Council-
lor in 1835, and Judge of Caledonia County Court
in 1849.
Elisha H. Starkweather was an attorney in
Derby from 1823 to 1826, and in Irasburgh in
1827 to 1836. Represented Irasburgh in the
OF VERMONT. 425
General Assembly in 1828 to 1831; State's At-
torney for Orleans County in 1828 to 1830, and
in 1835; member of the Council of Censors in
1834, and Councillor in 1835.
Isaac Sherman represented Sandgate in the
General Assembly in 1816, 1818 and 1819, and
was Councillor in 1832, 1833 and 1834.
Joshua Sawyer has been justly styled the
father of Lamoille County. He was born in
Haverhill, Mass., July 23, 1789; he was admitted
to the bar of Chittenden Countv in 1809, and
commenced practice at Hyde Park in 1810 and
continued in it until his death, March 16, 1869.
When in full vigor he had a very extensive and
successful practice in Northern Vermont, and was
the associate and recognized as the peer of some of
.the ablest lawyers. In many respects he resembled
strongly the late Gov. John Mattock— in his wit
and ready resources and peculiar style of speech—
and like him he was popular at the bar and in the
legislature. His wit and humor was shown in his
reply to the incident related by Judge Poland in his
argument in the trial of a case in Lamoille County
where Sawyer and Poland were opposing counsel,
as found related in Volume I of this History on
pages 347-8.
Horatio Bucklin Sawyer, grandson of Col.
Bphraim Sawyer, who commanded a Massachu-
setts regiment at the battles of Bunker Hill and
Saratoga, and son of Col. James Sawyer, who
'was also an officer in the war of the Revolution,
was born in Burlington Feb. 22, 1797, and was
appointed midshipman in the U. S. Navy in 1812,
426 EARLY HISTORY
and commenced his service on Lake Champlain.
He was captured on the sinking of the sloop,
Eagle, in 1813, and detained for a year at Quebec
as a prisoner. On his release he was assigned
to the frigate Constitution, under Commodore
Stewart, and served with credit in the action
which resulted in the capture of the British ship,
Cyane and Levant. After the peace of 1815, Saw-
yer entered a ship for India as a sailor before the
piast, to acquaint himself practically with all the
duties and hardships of a common sailor. On his
return he was promoted to a Lieutenancy, and
served on the South American coast, against
pirates both in the waters of the West India Is-
lands and in the Mediterranean, and for many
years on shore service. While engaged in preserv-
ing neutrality, at Derby Line, during the "Patriot
Rebellion" in Canada, he was appointed Lieu-
tenant Commandant in the Navy, and in 1854
received a commission as Post-Captain, the high-
est honor reached by him ; though but for deaf-
ness incurred in the service, he would undoubtedly,
have attained a still higher position, as he was an
officer both of excellent qualifications and esti-
mable character. He died in Washington, D. C,
Feb. 14, 1860.
Liebbus Egerton, a native of Randolph, and
was appointed Captain, April 30, 1813, in the
31st U. S. Regiment of Infantry for the service in
the war of 1812-15. This position he resigned
Jan. 11, 1814, but on Prevost's invasion in «
September of that year he offered his services to the
State, and was elected Captain of a company of
OF VERMONT. 427
Volunteers from Randolph and adjoining towns,
and marched for Plattsburgh, reaching that place
the next da3* after the battle. He represented
Randolph in the General Assembly in 1825 and
'26, and in the Constitutional Convention of 1828,
and was Town Clerk from March, 1830, until
March, 1833; Lieutenant Governor in 1831 until
1835, State Senator in 1837 until 1839; and from
Feb. 1833, until October, 1836, was Superintend-
ent of the construction of the State House at
Montpelier.
Zimri Howe was born in Pqultney in 1786,
graduated at Middlebury College in 1810, ad-
mitted to the bar in 1813, and the same year
settled in Castleton where he remained until his
death in 1863. He was an active promotor of
every good work, and served as Assistant Judge
of Rutland County Court in 1838 until 1844; was
Councillor in 1831 until 1835, and member of the
State Senate in 1836 and 1837.
Daniel Cobb was a lawyer in Strafford in
1813. He was a good lawyer and given to the
habit of discouraging litigation. He represented
Strafford in the General Assembly in 1815 until
1818, and in 1824, 1825, 1841 and 1842; he was
Assistant Judge of Orange County Court in 1824
until 1833, also in 1834. 1837, 1839 and 1842;
Councillor in 1831 until lf>35, and State Senator
in 1837 and in 1839. He died July 26, 1868, aged
81 years.
Jasper Robinson was one ot the prominent
men who were early citizens of Brownington. He
represented Brownington in the General Assembly
428 EARLY HISTORY
in 1825, 1827 and in 1828, and was also elected
in 1831, but served in the Council ; was Judge of
Orleans County Court in 1828, 1829, and in 1831
and 1832, and Councillor in 1831 until 1835.
Samuel C. Loveland, a clergyman of the Uni-
versalis t denomination, represented Reading in
the General Assembly in 1824, 1825, 1827 and in
1828; was Assistant Judge of Windsor County
Court in 1832 and in 1833, and Councillor in
1831 until 1834. He prepared a Lexicon of the
Greek Testament which was printed at Wood-
stock in 1828.
Joseph H. Brainerd of St. Albans was ad-
mitted to the bar in 1825, and was Clerk of
Franklin County Courts from 1834 until 1872, 38
years; Register of the Probate Court from 1843
until 1846, and in 1858; and Councillor from
1831uniil 1834.
Richardson Graves represented Concord in
the General Assembly in 1809, 1810, 1813 and in
1814; was Assistant Judge of Essex County
Court in 1821, 1823, 1824,1831 and in 1834;
and was Councillor in 1831 until 1834.
John Phelps, grandson of Charles Phelps and
oldest son of Timothy— two men who were quite
troublesome to Vermont in the controversy^ with
New York — was born at Marlborough, Nov. 18,
1777. He represented Guilford in the General As-
sembly in 1814 and 1818; was Register of Pro-
bate until 1812, and again in 1837; a member of
the Council of Censors in 1820, and in 1834;
Councillor in 1831 and 1832, and State' Senator
in 1837. In 1831 he married Almira Hart, widow
OF VERMONT. 429
of Simeon Lincoln, and sister of Emma Hart Wil-
lard. Both of these ladies were eminent teachers.
He died at Patapsco Institute, Maryland, April
14, 1849, aged 72 or 73 years.
Nathan Leayenworth was born in New Mil-
ford, Conn., in 1764, and came to Hinesburgh in
1787, of which town he soon became a leading
citizen. From 1796 to 1830, Gen. Leavenworth
represented Hinesburgh in the General Assembly,
21 3'ears, and was delegate in the Constitutional
Convention of 1822. He was Presidential Elector
in 1832, and Councillor in 1832 and in 1833. He
died in September, 1849, aged 85 years.
John S. Pettibone represented Manchester in
the General Assembly in 1822, 1825, and from
1827 until 1830, and in 1833 and 1842; was
Judge of Probate in 1818 until 1824, and in 1835;
and was Councillor in 1831 and in 1835.
Samuel Sheathar Phelps was born in
Litchfield, Conn., May 13, 1793, and graduated
at Yale College in 1811. He spent the winter of
1812 at said Litchfield Law School, and in the
spring of that year came to Middlebury and en-
tered {he law office of Hon. Horatio Seymour.
On the opening of the war of 1812-15, he was
drafted and served as a private until the autumn
of 1812, when he was appointed paymaster in the
United States service. On his return to Middle-
bury he resumed the study of law and was ad-
mitted to the bar in December, 1814, and entered
upon a successful and extensive practice. He was
a member of the Council of Censors in 1827, and
wrote the address of that body to the people of
430 EARLY HISTORY
the State ; a marked feature in which was an ar-
gument for a Senate, possessing powers coordi-
nate with the House of Representatives, in place
of the Council— a proposition which then failed,
but was adopted at the next septenary. He was
Councillor in 1831, and was elected Judge of the
Supreme Court, which office he held and magnified
until 1838. He was United States Senator by two
elections, 1839-1851 ; and again by appointment
of the Governor in 1853-4. At this time a nomi-
nation of a Whig Judge of the United States
Supreme Court was pending and Phelps was then
in Washington and it was doubtful whether a
new appointee could get to Washington to act
to vote on the selection of a Judge. Party consid-
erations demand immediate action in the selection
of the new Senator. The Vermont delegation in
Congress urged Gov. Fairbanks to appoint fudge
Phelps, and the appointment was made. He was
an able lawyer, judge and senator. Judge Phelps
died at Middlebury March 25, 1855, in the 62nd
year of his age.
Zadock Remington was a large proprietor and
early settler in Castleton, coming in 1770. He
was the first tavern keeper ot that town. His
patriotism in the Revolutionary war was not of
the sturdiest kind.
Truman B. Ransom was for some tjme Presi-
dent of Norwich University, and afterwards Major
General of Vermont Militia, Major of the 9th U.
S. Infantry, Feb. 16, 1847, and Colonel of the
same regiment March 16, 1847. He was killed
Sept. 13, 1847, at the head of his regiment, when
OF VERMONT. 431
storming Chap'ultepec, near the city of Mexico.
Two of his sons were on the Union side of the war
of the rebellion of 1861-5, and each of them won
a General's rank. Brig. Gen. T. E. G. Ransom
died Oct. 28, 1864, while commanding the 17th
Corps in Sherman's "march to the sea. " Gen.
Sherman described him as "a young, most gallant,
and promising officer." A full-length portrait of
Col. Truman B. Ransom was presented, about
1880, to the State of Vermont.
George C. Cahoon was a graduate at the
University of Vermont in 1820, studied law at
Montpelier, and entered upon the profession of the
law at Danville in 1823, but removed to Lyndon
in 1826, where he resided until his death Feb. 1,
1879, aged 80 years. He was Register of Probate
for the Caledonia District in 1823 and until 1826 ;
State's Attorney for Caledonia County in 1835
and until 1838 and also in 1847; representative
of Lyndon in the General Assembly in 1835, and
delegate in the Constitutional Convention of 1836
and 1843; Councillor in 1833 and 1834, and State
Senator in 1843 and 1844.
Levi Willard came to Hartland [then Hert-
ford] about 1766, when about seven years of age.
He was in Dartmouth College with Abel Curtis,
and at about the age of 18 he joined the British
army and served in the commissary department.
At the close of the Revolutionary war he was em-
ployed by a British fur company, and for many
years lived among the savages and trappers, but
finally returned to Vermont and died at Sheldon
in October 1839 in his 80th year, in humiliation
432 EARLY HISTORY
and obscurity. On Sept. 22, 1777, Abel Curtis
addressd a letter to Willard soon after he joined
the British, dated at Dartmouth College. Al-
though the letter never reached Willard and was
returned to Curtis in some, way, I here insert the
main part of it as it shows the patriotic spirit and
the unwavering loyalty of the Green Mountain
boys of that day, and with what detestation
traitors and Tories were held by true Vermonters.
The superscription was as follows, viz: ''Mr. Levi
Willard, supposed to be with the British forces at
the Northward, unless taken. To the care of any
Patriot."
The letter was as follows, viz:
'•My dear Willard,
You can hardly guess my surprise and grief
when first I heard the melancholy news that you
had forsaken a father's house, friends and ac-
quaintance, and gone; — gracious Heaven. —
where? To join yourself with, (let me use as favor-
able terms as possible) those savage and unnatural
destroyers ot our Country. What frenzy possessed
your mind ? or rather what evil genius actuated
you, and in an unguarded hour persuaded you in
spite of your wonted steadiness, reason, and the
dictates of your conscience — to sacrifice your peace,
good name and reputation to procure the favor
and friendship of those whose footsteps spread
horror and desolation, and whose conduct evi-
dences that their minds are void of every tender
feeling ot humanity. Why else do we often hear
and many see helpless victims whom the fortune
of war has thrown into their power, some perish-
ing with hunger, others mangled in the most
cruel manner, their hands, cut off, their bodies
Eierced with bayonets? Nor does their insatiate
iry stop with breath, but relentless and deaf to
OF VERMONT. 433
the voice of humanity they stab the lifeless corpse.
Why else do they let loose a blood-thirsty savage,
— indiscriminately to scalp and torture friends
and foes? And why else is virgin innocence be-
trayed to sate their brutal hellish lust ? O Britain
how art thou fallen ! Is thy pristine glory reduced
to this! Are thy troops, once the terror of haughty
Kings and the restorers of peace and defenders of
librety, now guilty of more than savage barbarity?
And what is still more surprising, are there any
who, not regarding the ties of consanguinty nor
the blessings of liberty, join in with these un-
natural enemies and barter their honor and repu-
tation for venal servitude and passive obedience?
who are willing to risk even life in the inglorious
cause ? And Satan like, transform themselves into
the appearance of savages that they may, as they
imagine, spread the greater terror and commit the
more mischief. I can heartily say with Mr.
Pope-
Curst be the man, devoid of law and right,
Unworthv property, unworthy light;
Whose liist is murder and whose savage joy
To tear his country and his kind destroy.
But the most unaccountable of all is, if we may
credit it, that even women have lately been taken
dressed and painted in Indian form, while they
were attempting to ravage and plunder. These are
incontestable facts and can not fail to entail endless
disgrace and infamy on the British arms, and if there
be a God in Heaven who regards the affairs of men,
theshame and destruction of all their miscreant
tools must unavoidably ensue. But whither am I
transported by the warmth of passion ? I desire
to trust in that God who sits at the helm of
affairs to defeat the designs of the enemjr and
bring the mischiefs they are plotting against us
upon their own heads. Permit me to ask what
could be the reason of your so abrupt departure?
434 EARLY HISTORY
Why might not a friend once have the opportuni-
ty to advise you, or, at least bid you farewell?
Was you convinced that the American cause is un-
just? or did you join the enemy from a prospect of
gain or honor? Or, (which I am ready to think
was the case) was you seduced by the persuasion
of other? If you think our cause unjust,— I shall
not at present multiply words, only ask you to
look into the natural and equal right every man
has to freedom and then see if one may in justice
assume power over another so as to 'bind him
in all cases whatsoever;' if so then the notion of
freedom is a mere chimera, a creature of the brain.
It is this arbitrary power these States are oppos-
ing, and indeed I am so convinced of the justice of
our cause that should every man in the United
States of America even to his Excellency Gen.
Washington, willingly submit to the power of
Britain (which I am cod fid en t is far otherwise) I
should by no means be persuaded to think that we
are not fighting in the cause of Heaven and man-
kind —
Without a sigh his sword the good man draws
And asks no omen but his country's cause —
If vou had honor or wealth in view, permit me
to ask you, have you attained your end ? If you
have not, then too late you find your disappoint-
ment; but if you have, I ask— can it sufficiently
compensate the resentment of an injured people, or
make amends for that peace of mind you must un-
avoidably lose thereby ? But if you was seduced,
I heartily join with you in cursing the man who
was so criminally guilty. To persuade a young
gentleman possessed of every amiable qualifica-
tion, in the prime of life, and capable of extensive
usefulness— to forsake friends and relation— to in-
cur the revenue of an affronted country— to entail
upon himself the execrations of thousands— and
(shocking to relate) to join himself to worse than
OF VERMONT. 435
savage foes, the destroyers of the rights of man-
kind — such conduct I say is the most impious, in-
human, and ungenerous that can be conceived or
committed by mortal.
Met h inks I hear you say — Had it not been
for that Dev— h Esq". Zadock Wright it would
not have been thus with me now. Ah Willard I
where was your reason, your fortitude of mind to
withstand his hellish persuasions? But I must
not be to severe; your own reflections can not fail
of giving you sufficient uneasiness. It becomes me
to be thankful for that restraining grace which
has, and I trust will keep, me from falling down
same frightful precipice.
That you may be thoroughly convinced of
your error— return to your allegiance to the
American States— be a faithful and true subject of
the same — and experience the happy, happy effects
of a pardon from your God and your injured
country, is, once dear sir, the hearty desire and
prayer of your real well wisher and my country's
devoted servant." A. Curtiss."
Dartmouth College,! M t- j w:n ar( j
Sept. 22, 1777. / Mr - ^ vl W1llara -
George B. Manser, d. d., studied law at Dan-
ville, and in 1829 commenced its practice at Willis-
ton where he remained a few years. He was Regis-
ter of Probate for the District of Chittenden in 1830,
1831, and in 1835; Secretary of the Governor and
Council in 1832 until 1836, and Secretary of Civil
and Military Affairs in 1836 until 1841. During
this period he removed to Montpelier, was Regis-
ter of Probate in 1840, engaged in his profession,
and also for a time in editing a temperance news-
paper. He was an active member of the Congre-
gational church and a successful Superintendent of
the Sabbath School connected therewith, but in
436 EARLY HISTORY
1842 gathered Christ Church, the first Episcopal
Church in Montpelier, of which he was the first
rector, and this office he held until February, 1850,
when he became rector of St. Peter's Church in
Bennington, and so remained until his death Nov.
17, 1862, aged 59 years and three months.
William Czar Bradley, LL. D., was born in
Westminster March 23, 1782, and was a son of
Stephen R. Bradley, graduated at Yale College in
1817, and admitted to the bar in 1802. He repre-
sented Weathersfield in the General Assembly in
1806, 1807, 1819, and 1852, was State't Attor-
ney in 1804 until 1812; Councillor in 1812 ; Mem-
ber of Congress from 1813 to March, 1815, and
from 1823 to March, 1827; and Presidential
Elector in 1856. He was an agent of the United
States under the treaty of Ghent. He was a man
rich in the wisdom that comes from learning,
reflection and intercourse with the ablest men of
the countrv, and had a ready wit and a large fund
of anecdotes, so that in public addresses or social
converse he was charming. For several years he
was the candidate of the democratic party in Ver-
mont for Governor, but with many of his political
associates he rebelled against the pro-slavery pol-
icy of the democratic administration in 1856, and
voted for John C. Fremont, the republican candi-
date for President. His last published speech was
in 1852 on the death of Daniel Webster.
On the selection of Members of -Congress he
said : " A long experience has proved to me that
when we have good agents at the seat of govern-
ment nothing can be more pernicious than what is
OF VERMONT. 437
called 'the party rule' to send them for two terms
and then supplant them just at the time when
they have well learnt how to perform their duties
and acquired their reasonable share of influence.
No person would act on that principle in his pri-
vate business. We are presumed in the first in-
stance to select the best men, and when called upon
shortly after to make a new selection are reduced
to the necessity of taking the second best and so
in succession until we get down to bran."
He expressed himself on the "Dred Scott" case
as follows, viz.,
"As to the wicked decision in the Dred Scott
case : * * It was thoroughly the opinion of Mr.
Jefferson that the greatest danger to our institu-
tions and liberties would come from the irre-
sponsible Supreme Court, and it proves so, for the
power of impeachment has now become a farce
and the only remedy is to be found in what is
called "the reserved rights of the States," which,
after all, are but a weak and partial protection.
The history of that Court is a singular one. It.
began prudently and well, but before the close of
the last century began to be intoxicated with
power to such a degree that I well remember that
Judge Patterson, one of the best and mildest of
them, used language on the bench in one of the
political trials in Vermont under the sedition law
which would at this day by all parties be deemed
shameful. The trial of Judge Chase put an end to
this, and when afterwards Judge Story, who was
very greedy of power and jurisdiction, came on the
bench a young man and was pressing some high
toned doctrine without success, he remarked to
Judge Chase at their lodgings that he was much
disappointed in finding the latter so moderate and
yielding. 'Judge Story, 9 said Chase, taking his
438 EARLY HISTORY
[ripe out of bis mouth, 'if when having lived as
ong as I have you come to be impeached and es-
cape by the skin of your teeth, you will be moder-
ate enough.' At any rate the effect was quite
visible so long as Marshall lived, bat when his
successor came from Gen. Jackson's cabinet,
(where, being under the control of a stronger and
I think better man than himself, I find no fault
with him,) he brought the political temper on the
bench again and we see the fruits of it. M
To the hero, when his sword
Has won the battle (or the free,
Death's voice sounds like a prophet's word ;
And its hollow tones are heard
The thanks of millions yet to be t
Halleck.
CHAPTER XX.
A TABLE SHOWING THE CHANGE OF NAMES
OF TOWNS AND GORES, AND ANNEXA-
TIONS TO Of HER TOWNS, AND DATE
OF GRANT OR CHARTER AND THE
PRESENT NAMES OF SUCH
TOWNS IN THE SEVERAL
COUNTIES OF THE
STATE.
Present Name.
Bristol
Goshen i
Granville
Peru
Stamford
Bolton *
Huntington'
Richmond *
Shelburne *
Underbill 4
Burke «
Former Name* Date of Change.
ADDISON COUNTY,
Pocock October 21, 1789
Kingston . Nov. 6, 1834
BBNNIN6TON COUNTY.
Bromley Feb. 3, 1804
New Stamford March 6, 1753
CHITTENDEN COUNTY.
New Huntington Oct. 27,1795
CALEDONIA COUNTY.
Date of
Original Grant
or Charter
June 36, 1762
Feb. 23, 1782
Aug. 2, 1 781
Oct. 13, 1761
Mar. 6, 1753
Tune 7, 1763
June 7, 1763
Oct. 27, 1794
Aug. 18, 1763
June 8, 1763
Feb. 26, 1782
440
EARLY HISTORY
Concord 8
Danville 7
Dewey tburgh 7 Annexed to
other towns
Kirby «
Sutton »
Stannard •
Walerford W
Brighton I*
Broom field
Canaan W
Bakersfield "
Franklin I*
Fairfield 18
Highgate
Sheldon
Alburgh H
Hopkinsville
Billymead
Goshen Gore,
Littleton
Oct. 28, 1807
Oct. 19, 1812
1867
Mar. 9, 1797
BSSBX COUNTY.
Bandon Nov. 3. 183a
Minehead Nov. 9, 1830
FRANKLIN COUNTY.
Knight's or
Knowlton's Gore
Huntsburg
Smithfield
(in part)
Marvin's Gore
(in part)
Hungerford
Oct. 25, 1792
1817
1792
Oct. 23, 1806
Nov. 8, 1792
GRAND ISLE COUNTY.
1 Point Algonquin
2 Point du Detour
3 Point Detouror
4 Missfcco Tongue
5 Misslsco Leg
6 Caldwell's Upper Manor
7 Allensburgh
Grand Isle 17 1 South Hero
(in part)
2 Middle Hero Nov. 5, 1810
Isle La Motte 17 1 Isle La Motte Nov. 1, 1802
2 Vineyard (in part) Nov: 6, 1830
North Hero 17 Two Heroes 1788
(in part)
Nov. 7, 1780
Oct. 27, 1786
Feb. 28, 1782
Oct. 27, 1790
Feb. 6, 1782
Nov. 7, 1780
Aug. 13, 1781
June 29, 1762
Feb. 26, 1782
June 25, 1791
Oct. 24, 1787
Aug. 18, 1763
Aug. 17, 1763
Aug. 18, 1763
Feb. 23, i78r
1798 Oct. 27, 1779
Oct. 27, 1787
Oct. 27, 1779
Oct. 27, 1779
OF VERMONT.
441
South Hero 17
Two Heroes
(in part)
LAMOILLE COUNTY.
Belvidere W
Johnson 18
Watervillc l»
Colt's Gore Nov. 15, 1824
ORANGE COUNTY.
Bradford 20 Moretown
Chelsea Turnersburgh
Orange 21 Kempton
Randolph 22 Middlesex
Vershlre Vershlre
a Ely
West Fairlee» Falrlee (In part)
Washington 24 Kingland
Albany
Barton
Craftsbury
Coventry
Charleston
Lowell,
Morgan M
Newport
Troy 25
Westmore M
ORLEANS
Lutterlok
Providence
Minden
1 Coventry
2 Orleans
Navay
Carthage
Rellyvale
Caldersburgh
Duncansboro
Missisco
Westford
Oct. 23, 1788
Oct. 13, 1788
Aug. 1 1, 1781
Nov. 26, 1878
Nov. 16, 1882
Oct. 25, 1781
COUNTY.
Oct. 30, 18 1 5
Oct. 20, 1789
Oct 27, 1790
Nov. ,1841
"843
Nov. 16, 1825,
Nov. 7, 1792
Nov. i, 183 1
Oct. 10, 1801
Oct. 26, 1 78 1
Oct. 26, 1803
Brandon M
Chittenden 20
Clarendon 2T
Hubbardton 28
Mendon 29
Middletown
RUTLAND COUNTY.
Neshobe Oct. 20, 1784
Philadelphia in part
1 Med way
2 Parkerstown
Springs 80 Middletown
Nov. 7, 1804
Nov. 6, 1927
1884
Oct. 27, 1779
March 5, 1787
Feb. 27, 1782
Oct. 26* 1789
June 7, 1763
Aug. 4, 1781
Nov. 6, 1780
Nov. 2, 1780
Nov. 7, 1780
Feb. 25, 1797
Nov. 6, 1780
June 27, 1781
Oct. 28, 1781
Nov. 6, 1780
Oct. 17. 1784
Nov. 6, 1780
Mar. 13, 1780
Mar. 5, 1787
Nov. 6, 1780
Oct. 30, 18 16
Oct. 13, 179a
Nov. 7, 1780
Oct. 20, 1762
Mar. 14, 1780
Sept. 5, 1 761
June 15, 1764
Feb. 23, 1 781
1786
442 EARLY HISTORY
Mount Holly 81 Oct. 31, 179a
Mount Tabor Harwick 1803 Aug. 28, 1761
Proctor 33 Part of Rutland Nov. 18, 1886 Nov. 18, 1886
Sherburne ** Killington Nov. 4, 1800 July 7, 1761
West Haven ** Oct. 30, 1793
West Rutland Part of Rutland Nov. 19, 1886 Nov. 19, 1886
WINDHAM COUNTY.
Brookline 68 Oct. 30, 1794
Dummerston Furham Dec. 26, 1753
Dover * Wardsboro in part 1810 Nov. 7, 1780
Grafton 36 Totnlinson Oct. 31, 1791 April 6, 1754
Londonderry 87 Kent Apr. 20, 1780 Feb. 30, 1770
Newfane * Fane May 11, 1773 June 19, 1753
Towns bend 88 June 20, 1753
Vernon 40 Hinsdale Oct. 31, 1803 Sept. 5, 1753
Wilmington 41 1 Wilmington June 17. 1763 Apr. 35, 1751
3 Draper
Windbam 48 Mack's Leg, &c. Oct. 33, 179s Oct. 33, 1795
WINDSOR COUNTY.
Baltimore 4 * Cavendisb in part Oct. 19, 1793
Chester 44 i Flamttead Nov. 3, 1766 Feb. 32, 1754
3 New Flam stead July 14, 1766
Hartland Hertford June 15, 1783 July io, 1761
Plymouth Saltash Feb. 33, 1797 July 6, 1761
Weston 46 Benton's Gore Oct. 36, 1799 1790
(in part)
West Wlndsor46 1 Windsor in part 1814 July 6, 1761
3 West Windsor 1815
3 Windsor in part 1848
WASHINGTON COUNTY.
Barre 47 Wildersburgh Oct. 19, 1793 Nov. 6, 1780
Montpelier 48 Oct. 21, 1780
Plainfield 48 St. Andrew's Gore Nov. 6, 1797 Oct. 37, 1788
Woodbury 1 Woodbury Nov. 5, 1838 Nov. 6, 1780
3 Monroe * 1843
• The Charter of towns was not given, usually at the time of grant.
I The northern half of Philadelphia was annexed to Goshen Nov. 9,
OF VERMONT. 443
1814, and the remainder annexed to Chittenden Nov. 2, 1818. It was
originally granted March 14, 1781. Goshen had two charters; the first one
given Feb. 2, 1792, and the new one Nov. I, 1798.
2 The north-east part of Huntington was annexed to it Oot 27, 1794*
and the western part of the town was taken, with parts of Jericho, Hunt-
ington and Wllliston to form the town of Richmond by act of the Legis-
lature. A part of Bolton was annexed to Richmond Oot 25, 1804.
8 On Oot. 27, 1794, the north-westerly part of New Huntington was
taken to form a part of Richmond and the north easterly part was annexed
to Bolton, and at the same time the north part of Avery's and Bad's Gores
were annexed to New Huntington.
4 On Nov. 15, 1839, the western part of Mansfield was annexed to Un-
derbill and the eastern part to 8towe in 1848.
6 8heiburne embraced in its charter two points of land extending into
Lake Champlaln ; in an early day they were known as Logan and Pouter's
Points, and were named after two early German settlers who. tradition
says, were murdered for their money at the northern end of the lake.
Those lands now are known as Shelburne Point.
8. The southeast part of Burke bore the name of Burke's Tongue, but
on October 28, 18U7, the Tongue was annexed to HopkinsTille and the two
incorporated into the township of Ktrby.
7. October 29, 1792, Waiden Gore was annexed to Danville, and in No-
vember, 1810. the town of Deweysburgh was divided by act of Legislature
and one-half of it was annexed to Danville and the other half to Peaoham.
Deweysburgh was granted Feb. 28, 1782. Danville received a new grant on
Nov. 12, 17&
8. Bradleyvale was granted Jan 27, 1798, and Incorporated with all
the rights and privilege* or a town, excepting that of representation. Octo-
ber 29, 1808, and later annexed to the towns of Conoord and Victory in 1858.
9. Stannard was formerly one of the Goshen Gores in Caledonia Coun-
ty. And the other Gore annex* d to Plaintleld in 1874.
10. This town was chartered Not. 8. 1780.
11. Baker-ifleld was originally ohartered *to Luke Knowlton June 25*
1791.
12. Franklin was gi anted October 21, 1787, to Jonathan Hjnnt and his
associates, but not chartered until Maroh 19, 1789, and was organized <n
1798
18. That part of Fairfield that was not made by the annexation of
Smtthfleld was originally chartered to Samuel Hungerfora and others.
SmlthHold wan annexed to Falrrteid October 25, 1792.
14 The Alburgh township has borne more names than any other
town In the State. The name of Point D$touror In English means tvrn
about; tradition has It that a traveller who reached the southern point
was oompeiled to turn about. The name of Caldwell's was given to it
from the faot that Henry Caldwell of Belmont. Canada, claimed all or a
large part of the town. Caldwell sold out his claim to Heman and Ira Al-
len, and hence it took the name of Allensburgh. The Frenoh made a small
settlement and 'erected a stone wlna mill upon a point in this territory,
early in the eighteenth century, and that part of the territory received the
name of Wind Mill Point The settlement in this townthlp was com-
menced by the English in 1782, and the town was organised in 1792.
15 E. P Walton states in she second Vol. of the Governor and Counct 1
that thU township was originally granted to Ellhu Marvin and oompany
by the name of Gtlead; a part of Wneeloek. was annexed to it In 1858.
18. Norfolk was ohartered Feb. 28, 1782, and annexed to Canaan Octo-
ber 28 1801, and the latter received a new oharter February 28, 17P2. A
part of* Canaan wa« annexed to Lemlogton in 1887, and a part of Lemlng-
ton to Canaan In 1870.
17. At first Grand Isle was grantei in connection with whit is now
South Hero. North Hero, and Isle La rto.te October 27, 1779 to Ethan Al-
len, Samuel Herrlok, and others. North Hero and Isle LaMotte were
444 EARLY HISTORY
called North Hera and Bomb Hero and Grand Iale were called Sooth He-
ro, and both together were chartered an the 'Two Heros.** North and
Sooth Hero were •operated into two townships In 1788. Sooth Hero in 1798
was dlYlded into two townships by the names of South Hero and Middle
Hero. isle La Motte was chartered as Isle LaMotte in October 27, 17*. to
Benjamin Walt and others,
18. There was a strong opposition in the Legislature to granting John-
son a charter. The opposition came from the Browns who were the grant-
ees of Brownington and woo claimed rights in Johnson. On the *4th of Oc-
tober 1787, a petition was presented to the Assembly by the proprietors of
Johnson against the proprietors of Brownlngion, and the Assembly adopt-
ed a resolution requesting the Governor and Council to issue a .charter of
incorporation of the township of Johnson to lief. Dr. Jonathan Edwards
and wm Samuel Johnson of Connecticut. Tue Assembly and the Council
disagreed. Tne assembly claimed the exclusive right to grant lands, and
the Governor and Council denied that claim. The claims of the Browns
were Anally settled by a charter of Brownington October and, 179j; John-
son was chartered January tad, 1791 to said Bawards and Johnson.
The town of Sterling that was chartered Feb 26. 1782, was divided by
an act of the Legislature approved Nov. 14, itto, and annexed, a part to
Johnson, a part to Morrlstown and a part to Stowe; a part of Sterling had
been annexed to Cambridge in 18*8.
19. Some portion of adjoining towns, and notably a point of land be-
longing to Befvldere, then known as "Belvldere Leg,** were taken in to
form a part of WatervUla A part of Colt's Gore hau been annexed to
Bakeradeld October 20, 1799, and a part of Bakerstteld annexed to Water-
vilie Nov. la, 18*4.
29. The lands on and near Connecticut River in an early day (then In
Gloucester but now Orange County), were granted both by New Hamp-
shire and New York making conflicting claims and causing much vexa-
tious litigation and trouble. Throe thousand acres of this town along the
river were grunted oy New York to Sir Henry Moore and byhim conveyed
to do settlers, una the rest of the Und was taken up by pitches. This town
not having been regularly chartered, the Legislature January 22nd, 1791,
up pointed Israel Smitu, Alexander Harvey una James Wbiteiaw a com-
mittee to deea the luna to the settlers.
XI. This was a New York grant by the name of Kempton, but Ver-
mont seems to nave disregarded the New York proceedings.
22. There was a oompany of 20 persons formed In Hay, 1778, at Dres-
den, N. H., now Hanover, lor the purpose of purchasing this township,
known to tnem as Middlesex The town was chartered June 29, 1781, by
the name of Randolph
28. This town was set off from FairleeFei. 26th, 1797.
24. This town was originally granted by New York and was the
Shire town of Gloucester Couaty.
26 This township was granted In two separate Gores. The south part
was chartered to John Kelley October 18, 1792. and the north half to aamoel
Avery.
28 The southern part of the township of Philadelphia was annexed to
Chittenden November 2, 181&
27 This township was granted both by New Hampshire and New
York and InoluJes a part of two grants, Sooutlborough and Durham. Ma-
ny of the early settlers purchased their land of Col. Lldeus. who claimed
them under a title derived from (be Indians. This title never was con-
firmed by either of the oolonlal governments, and the diversity of claim-
ants occasioned much litigation, but in 1786, the Legislature passed a qui-
eting act which put the settlers in peaceable possession of their lands, and
the New Hampshire title to the lands not settled was confirmed; and there
are no public rights In the town. A part of the town was annexed to Ira
in 1864.
28 A gore on the east was taken by Ptttaford and the north part of
Hubbardton as originally granted was held by Sudbury In consequeuoe of
the prior charters and surveys of those towns.
OF VERMONT. 445
29 Parker's Qore wms annexed to thin township at the time the name
was changed from Midway to Parkerstown. The town was organised Mar.
11,180*.
80 Middle town was made up from parts of Tinmouth, Wells, Poult-
ney and Ira. and was named Middletown ftom the fact that it was in the
midst of the four towns from which it was taken.
81 This town was made up of Jackson's Gore, the east side of Wall-
ingford. the west side of Ludlow, and from Weston.
8*3 The town of Rutland was dlTlded and Proctor and Wert Rutland
were carved out of its tertltory, and the remaining part of the town re-
tained the name of Rutland, a part of which was incorporated as the City
of Kutland by an Act approved Nov 10. 1802. and subsequently a part of the
city was annexed to the town of Rutland under the Act of Nov. *7, 1894.
This divides the original town Into four separata municipalities.
88 A tract of land called Parker's Gore was annexed to 8herburne
Nov. 4. 1822.
84 It was set off trom Faf rhaven October 1792.
85 After Wardsboro was granted it was divided into two districts,
North and South Districts, October 18, 1748, and the South District was. In-
corporated as a separate town by the name or Dover in 1810, and the North
District at the same time incorporated as Wardsborough.
88 This township was re- chartered Sept 1, 1788.
87 The lands of this township were confiscated on account of the prin-
cipal proprietor, James Rogers, becoming a Tory and leaving the Country,
and it was regranted by the government of Vermont March 16. 1740, and
chartered to Edward Aikins April do, 1780.
88 In 1701 the first charter of Fane was returned to Governor Went,
worth and a new one granted. On May 11. 1772, the Governor of New York
made a grant of the towhbhip by the name of Newfane to Walter Franklin
and others and they conveyed their right to the township, to Lake Knowl-
ton and John Taylor. The title of all the lands of the township are derived
from the New York Charter.
89 The town of Acton was annexed to Townshend October, 184o; Acton
was granted Feb £8, 1781, and was originally called Johnsou's Gore and
afterwards constituted a township by the name of Acton Nov. 0, 1800.
40 This township constituted a part of Hinsdale, N. H.. which was
chartered Sepk B, 1788. When Vermont became a separate State it be-
came the township of Hinsdale In Vermont.
41 This township was twice onartered by New Hampshire.
42 This township was made up of a gore of land called "Mack's Leg"
and a part of Londonderry.
48 Thin township was set off from Cavendish Ootober 19, 1798 and or-
ganized March 12, 1794.
44 Flamstead was reohartared by the name of New Flamstead No-
vember 8, 1708, but previously, on July 14, 1700, Thomas Chandler obtained
a charter from New York of this township for himself and 80 others in
which It took the name of Chester. It had once before been granted by
New York by the name of Gageborough.
45 This Township was set off from Andover In 1790 and organized
March 8, 1800. Benton's Gore that lay west of Weston was annexed to
It Ootober 80. 1799.
40 At an early day Windsor was divided Into an oast and west par-
ish, October 17. 1788; and In 1798. the town was divided into trvo dis-
tinct parishes by an act of the Legislature. In 1814, they were erected
Into two distinct towns by the names of Windsor and West Windsor, but
the next year they were reunited under .he name of Windsor. Subse-
quently, In 1848, they were Incorporated into separate towns, the West-
ern part taking the name of West Windsor.
47 Barre was abolished and a part of it was incorporated as a city
and the remainder as the town of Barre, by Act of Nov. 28, 1894.
446 BARLY HISTORY
48 Em( Montpelter wm taken from this town In 1848.
48 This town wm organised under the name of St. Andrew's Gore
April 4, 1796.
60 A part of AYery's Gore was annexed to Belvldere by Act of Not.
84, 1888, and a part of Belridere was annexed to Eden in 1888.
61 A part of Brandon was annexed to Philadelphia in 1812 and Clem-
ens lands annexed to Goshen in 1864.
61 It was set off from Putney and Athens Ootober 30, 17M, and a part
of Putney was annexed to Brookllne Ootober 86, 1804, and a part of
Newfane annexed to it in 18*0, and a part of Brookllne annexed to Athens
in 1818.
68 Brownlngton's and Whltelaw*s Qores were annexed to Oaldersburg
in 1801, and a part of Oaldersburg was annexed to Wenlook the same year;
and in 18 8 Wenlook was dlrided, one part annexed to Brighton and the other
part to Ferdinand.
64 This township was ohartered by the name of Westford August 17*
178L
66 This town was included in a New York Grant in an early day, un-
der the name of Bamf.
I Ml
It was stated in Vol. 1. on page 244 that Ethan
Allen with 230 Green Mountain Boys were in the
expedition that surprised and captured Fort Ti-
conderoga under the lead of Ethan Allen. On the
morning of the 10th of May, 1775, eighty-three of
the men had succeeded in crossing the lake and
taken position near the Fort ready to make the
attack at daylight. They all entered the Fort.
The names of those who actually entered the Fort,
so far as the writer has been able to ascertain, are
as follows, viz.:—
Col. Ethan Allen
Benedict Arnold
Nathan Beeman
Amos Callendar
Maj. Noah Callendar
Elijah Kellogg
Thomas Rowley
John Crigo
Samuel Wolcott
Samuel Wolcott, Jr.
Stephen Smith
Maj. Samuel Beach
James Wilcox
Joseph Tyler
Thomas Ashley
Col. Samuel H. Parsons
Josiah Lewis
Peleg Sunderland
Mr. Halsey
Mr. Bull
Robert Cochran
Ebenezer Allen
Benjamin Cooley
Ephriam Stevens
John Deming
Isaac Buck, Jr.
Christopher Roberts
John Roberts,(C's father)
Roberts
Roberts
448 BARLY HISTORY
Capt. Asa Douglass Roberts
Capt. Edwin Mott Amariah Dana
Rice Hopkins Rowley
Also frve from Massachusetts: viz., Lieut. Ben-
jamin Everest, Col. James Easton, John Brown, a
lawyer, Capt. Israel Dickinson and Captain Samuel
H. Parsons; the four former from Pittstield and
the last one named from Deer field.
NOTE.
0^ Wendall P. Stafford, by reason of the death of Judge
piforest H. Thompson, which took place in 1900, was
appointed one of the Judges of the Supreme Court In conse-
quence of the death of Russell S. Taft, Chief Judge of the Su-
preme Court, who died March 22, 1902, John Vv. Rowell was
promoted to the Chief Judgeship and Senaca Haselton was ap-
pointed the Sixth Assistant Judge of the Supreme Court.
William P. Dillingham was elected United States Senator
by the Legislature in 1900 to fill out the remainder of the term
of Justin S. Morrill deceased, and was reelected in 1902 for the
term of six years.
David J. Foster was elected as a Member of Congress from
the First District in 1900 and Kittridge Haskins from the Sec-
ond District, and both reelected for a term of two years in 1902.
INDEX.
A
Adams, John
.78
Adams, John Q.
24, 27, 28
Alabama
26
Allen, Heman
28, 30, 144
Adams, Charles Francis
41, 182
Allen, Ethan
74
Allen, Ira
74,82
Andrews, Gov.
181
Averill, Gen.
297
Atchinson, Blinn
327
Austin, Apollos
370
Andrus, John H.
384
Allen, Ira H.
405
Bayard
B
8
Burr, Aaron
8
Brigham, Paul
11,95
Bradley, Stephen R.
11, 105
Bonapart
. 15
Bradley, William C.
23, 30, 31,
113, 145, 436
Butler, Ezra
26, 132
Burnham, Joseph, excitement,
29
Barber, Edward D.
40,419
Baxter, Portus
43
Banks
* 47, 63
80
(449)
450 EARLY HISTORY
Baxter, H. H.
179
Buckingham, Gov.
181
Butler, Gen. Benj. P. 187, 234, 235,
238,
242, 245
Brady, Peter
222
Barney, Col. B. L.
229, 231
Banks, Gen. N. P. 245,
,246,
250, 323
Benedict, G. G.
192,
259. 320
Brooks, Maj. Gen. W. T. H.
275
Burnside, Gen. A. B.
285, 286
Blunt, Col. Asa P.
307,
311,312
Botts, John M.
312
Bennett, Col.
335, 336
Berdam, Hiram
345
Bliss, Frederick
368
Buckingham, Jedediah P.
370
Baylies, Nicholas
384
Butler, James Davis
385
Berry, Joseph
393
Burchard, Austin
396
Barton, Gen. William
397
Burton, Jacob
414
Beardsley, Herman Ruggles
421
Bell, Harvey
423
Brown, Milton
424
Brainerd, Joseph H.
C
Chittenden, Thomas
428
6, 68, 83, 88
Clark, Col. Isaac
10
Chittenden, Martin
19,20,112
Chamberlain,
19,20
Clark, Carpus
20
Chase, Dudley
23, 25, 126
Cahoon, William
24, 387
OP VERMONT.
451
Crafts, Samuel C.
28, 30, 56, 136
Collamer, Jacob
31, 184
Camp, David M.
32
Chittenden, Lucius B.
40,179
Coining money,
46
Chipman, Daniel
57
Chipman, Nathaniel
74
Carpenter, Heman
157
Cause of Rebellion of 1861,
173
Clay, Henry
176
Culver, E. D.
193
Cary, Conf d Maj.
187
Chandler, Col.
263
Cobb, Gen. Howell
276,284
Cummings, family
282
Cameron, Simon
322
Chase, John
323
Chapman, George H.
334
Custer, Gen. Geo. A. 301, 302, i
303,334,336,338
Cameron, John
371
Chandler, John Winthrop
385
Chittenden, Truman
388
Crawford, Theophilus
390
Cotton, John H.
393
Clark, Samuel
405
Clark, Myron
406
Crawford, David
423
Cobb, Daniel
427
Cahoon, George C.
431
Curtis, A.
435
D
Decrees of France and England
15, 17, 111
Doolittle, Joel 26,
28, 132, 133, 388
452 EARLY HISTORY
Dana, Charles
53
Dallas, A. J.
65
Davis, Confed., Dr.
James B.
320
Dillingham, Edwin,
Maj,
262, 265, 300
Davis, George B.
264
Davenport, Henry
277
Davis, Jefferson
304
Doubled ay, Gen.
320
Duncan, Geo. W.
342
Dana, Dea. Daniel
372
Davis, Thomas
372
Dunham Josiah
372
Dana, Josiah
394
Dana, Israel P.
408
Davis, James
413
Deming, Benj. F.
mm
415
Edmunds, Geo. P.
C
204
Englesby, L. B.
213
Election,
258, 266, 303
Early, Gen. Jubal
293, 294, 296,
298, 303, 316,
317, 336
Ellsworth, John
372
Edmund, David,
372
Edgerton, Liebeus
i*
426
Federalists
r
17, 18, 19
Free Soil Party
27
, 32, 36, 40. 41
Fairbanks, Erastus
i 36,
42,
179, 181, 182,
185, 193,222,228,322
Field, Charles K.
40
F asset, Juno
47
•
Fay, Joseph,
74,83
OP VERMONT.
453
Fay, Jonas
74
Floyd, J. B.
178
Foster, George P.
218, 230
Franklin, Gen. W. B.
284
Farnsworth, Gen. Elon ].
329, 330
Farm Machine Industry
361
French, Maj. Haines
368
Fisk, James
373
Fay, David
391
Forbes, Gen. Abner
406
Fitch, Lyman
412
Flint, Martin
423
Galusha, Jonas 1 1, 12, i7, 18, 23, 55, 107
Ghent, Treaty of 21
Greble, Lieut. 189
Grant, Gen. U. S. 202, 258, 288, 290, 291, 293,
298, 299, 304, 305
Grant, Gen. L. A. 204, 224, 290, 291, 306
Griffin, Gen. S. G. 273
Getty, Gen. Geo. W. 294, 306
Griswold, William 395
Graves, Richardson 428
Green, George 421
H
Hartford Convention 21
Hale, William, Jr. 22
Hebard, William 32
Henry, William 32
Harrison, William H. 35
Hutchinson, Titus 36, 52
454 EARLY HISTOKY
Hoyt, Romeo H.
43
Hooker, William G.
53
Hamilton, Alexander
65
Holmes, Habeas Corpus Case
154
Hall, Hiland
179
Harris, B. D.
179
Howard, 0. 0.
194, 196
Hyde, B. N.
208, 211
Hack, Lester 6.
226
Holbrook, Gov. Frederick 234,
261, 307, 344
Holbrook, Col. W. C.
240, 241
Henry, Col. W. W.
263, 264
Hill, A. P.
279
Halleck, Gen. H. W.
283, 288. 297
Hooker, Gen. Joseph
285. 287
Hunter, Gen.
293
Hancock, Maj. Gen. W. S.
315, 320
Hood. Confd. Maj. Gen.
315
Hooker, Geo. W.
320
Halliday, Jonas P.
322
Hibbard, Salmon B.
342
Hart, Gilbert
346
Hunter, William
370
Hatch, Reuben
372
Harrington, Col. William Chase
373
Hyde, Capt. Jedediah
374
Hall, William Jr.
385
Hubbard, Col. Josiah
385
Harmon, Thomas
390
Hoyt, Ezra
406
Harris, Jedediah H.
407
Hatch, Uriel C.
409
Holly, Samuel H.
409
OF VERMONT.
455
Hopkins, David Jr.
415
Haight, Stephen
415
Hunter, William G.
416
Harmond, Thomas Denny
422
Harvey, Walter
424
Howe, Zimri
427
J
Jefferson, Thomas
8
Jackson, Andrew
%
26, 65,
, 125, 147
Jen iso n, Silas H.
31,
33, 34,
, 150, 153
Johnson, Richard M.
160
Jackson, Stonewall
251,
, 252, 324
Jewett, Col. A. B.
263
Johnston, Gen. Joe
276, 279
Judd, Eben W.
409
Janes, Henry F.
K
Kasson, Charles D.
416
40
Kilpatrick, Gen.Judson
•
329, 330
Kellogg, Daniel
410
Keith, Colvin J.
416
L
Lyon, Matthew
t
6,7,8
Lyon, James
10
Leland, Aaron
24, 392
Lyman, Job
53, 418
Luce, Elihu
66
Lincoln, President 184, 271
, 276, 293,
294, 296,
297, 304, 307, 311
Lee, Confed. Gen. Robert E. 200, 250, 257, 262,
283, 284, 288, 291, 304, 313, 320
456 BARLY HISTORY
Lewis, John R.
224, 225
Lord, Nathan Jr.
228, 229, 277
Lonergan, Capt. John
315,316
Langdon, Chauncey,
371
Lyon, Rev. Asa
374
Loveland, Samuel C.
428
Leavenworth, Nathan,
429
M
Morris, Lewis R. ' •
8
Madison, James
17,65
Meach, Ezra
30, 144
Mattocks, John
31, 160
Meigs, Elizabeth
69
Morrill, Justin S.
184
Magruder, Confed. Gen. J. B.
189, 277
McDowell, Gen. Irvin
194
McClellan, Gen. Geo. B. 197, 198,
209, 275, 276,
278, 279, 283, 284, 285
Mvrick, Madison M.
217
Morris, Gen.
262
Meade, Maj. Gen. Geo. G.
262, 313
Merritt, Gen.
301, 303
Mosby, John S. 310,
, 312, 327, 328
Mahone, Confed. Gen.
334
Marble industry
355
Mallary, Rollin Carlos
376
Merrill, Orsaraus C.
413
Manser, George. B.
N
Northern line of Vermont
435
103
Nichols, Col. William T.
308
OF VERMONT. 457
O
Ohio,
26
Olin, Henry
394
Orms, Jonathan
P
395
Putnam, Israel
12
Prentiss, Samuel
25, 417
Political Parties in Vermont,
28, 29, 32, 37, 38,
39,41
Palmer, William A.
30, 31, 32, 143, 144
Phelps, Samuel S.
31
Paine, Charles
31, 32, 36, 156
Patriot War
34, 163
Porter, T.
47
Peters, Dr. Samuel
94
Phelps, John W.
185, 234, 235
Pierce, Brig. Gen. E. W
188
Parker, Reuben M.
189
Peck, Theodore S.
216
Pope, Gen. John
283, 284, 325, 326
Proctor, Col. Redfield
308
Prentiss, Lieut. Samuel F.
311
Picket's Charge
317
Piatt, Samuel B.
322
Preston, Col.
326, 334
Painter, Gamaliel
. 386
Peaslee, Daniel
390
Phelps, Charles
393
Pratt, Joel
- 395
Proctor, Jabez
408
Pierpoint, Robert
410
Peck, Gen. John
412
458 EARLY HISTORY
A IKipO, JUUU
Pettibonc, John S.
429
R
Robinson, Jonathan
11
Royce, Stephen
31
Robinson, John S.
36
Rowell, A. J.
40
Robinson, Moses
93
Redfield, Isaac P.
161
Richardson, Israel B.
193
Roberts, Geo. T.
234,237
Russell, Jack
237
Ripley, Gen. E. H.
255, 256, 259
Ricketts, Gen. J. B.
264, 292
Randall, Col. Francis V.
271, 273, 308, 315
Reynolds, Maj.
272
Rounds, Maj. William
314
Rich, Charles
377
Robinson, Moses, Jr.
384
Richards, Mark
385
Roberts, John
409
Robinson, Jasper
427
Remington, Zadock
430
Kansom, Truman B.
430
S
Smith, Israel
5, 11, 15, 105
Seditious Article of Lyon,
9
Skinner, Richard
24,61,118
Seymour, Horatio
24, 30, 57, 145, 369
Society of Friends
32
Sabin, Alva
32
OP VERMONT.
459
Smilie, Nathan
36
Southern Rebellion
42
Smith, Worthington Ci
45
Schuyler, Adonijah
53
Shuttleworth, Rey.
88
Slade, William
166
Sm alley, David A.
183
Scott, Gen. W. S.
186
State pay for Soldiers
190
Scott, William
208, 277
Smith, Confed. Gen. E. Kirby
195, 246
Stannard, Geo. J. 193, 198, 250, 252
,265,266,257
311, 313, 314, 318
Stone, Col.
201
Smith, Maj. Gen. W. F. 208,
,210.
275
, 285, 291
292
Seaver, Col. T. 0.
211
Safford, Geo. B.
214
Stoughton, Edwin H.
215
Stottghton, S. H.
117,310
Stoughton, Chas. B.
218
Smalley, Henry A.
222, 223
Sheridan, Maj. Gen. P. H.
240,:
291,
297, 298,
299, 300, 301, 302, 303, 305, 337
Smith, Gov. John G. 241
Sweeney, Charles H. 258
Scott, Julian A. 277
Sumner, Gen. Edwin V. 281, 283
Sedgwick, Gen. John 287, 289
Stanton, Sec. Edwin M. 294, 295
Sawyer, Edward B. 326, 327
St. Albans Raid, 340
Sayles, L. R. 343
460 EARLY HISTORY
Start, Romeo H.
344
Stoughton, Homer R.
346
Scale Industry
352, 354
Screen Manufacturing Industry,
362
Shaw, Doct. Samuel,
376
Smith, Pliny
378
Strong, William
378
Stevens, Elias
385
Swift, Samuel
387
Stanley, Timothy
389
Shaw, George B.
406
Swift, Benj.
422
Starkweather, Elisha H.
424
Sherman, Isaac
425
Sawyer, Joshua
425
Sawyer, Horatio Bucklin,
425
Sheathar, Samuel
429
T
Treating 4
Tichenor, Isaac 5, 10, 11, 12, 13, 15, 47, 96,
104, 113
Tennessee 26
Tyler, John 35
Tciney, Roger B. 38. 65
Temple, Robert 56, 391
Thomas, Gen. Stephen 190, 242, 243, 244, 245,
247, 248
Tuttle, Col. 229
Taylor, Confed.Gen. Richard 241, 244, 246,
247, 248
Tracy, Col. A. S. 302
Tompkins, Chas. H. 324
OF VERMONT.
461
Tarbox, James
388
Thompson, John C.
415
Tyler; Royal
422
Towns, change of name, etc.
439
•
U
United States Bank
65
Underwood, Levi
179
Underwood, Benj.
186
Van Ness, Cornelius 24, 124, 125, 126, 130
Van Buren, Martin 31, 35, 41
Vermont's First Regiment of Infantry 185, 187,
188
Vermont's 2d Regt. Camps and Battlefields 193,
194, 196, 198, 199, 201, 202, 204
Vermont, 3d, 4th, 5th, and 6th Reg't Camps
and Battlefields 207 to 228, 233
Vermont, 7th, 8th, and 9th Reg't Camps
and Battlefields 234, 242, 250
Vermont, 10th, 11th, and 17th Reg't Camps
and Battlefields 261, 267, 270'
Varney, Ira F. 266
Vaughn, Gen. 293
Veazy, Col. Wheelock G. 308, 318
Vermont Women : 349
Vincent, Capt. John 380
Vermont, 12th, 13th, 14th, 15th and 16th
Regiments 307, 309
462 BAKLY HISTORY
W
Went worth, Benning
1.2
Williams, Charles K.
31
Wood, Gen. John E.
35
Walker, Charles J.
40
Willard, John
57
Washington, George
77
Wehster, Daniel
176
Walton, E. P.
184
Washburn, Peter T. 185,
,187,
, 188, 189
Winthrop, Maj. Theodore
188
Worthem, Maj.
189
Whitney, D. H.
189
Whitney, Henry 189, 196, 197,
,199
, 285, 287
Wallace, Gen. Lew
264, 294
Wait, Oscar E.
265
Warner, Col. James M.
267,
269, 291
Walker, Maj. Aldice P.
269
Wright, Gen. H. G. 290, 292, 295,
296,
301, 302,
305
Woodward, John W.
327, 331
Watson, A. G.
327, 336
Wells, Gen. W. W.
327, 335
Wheeler, Lieut. H. 0.
336
Weston, Edmund
345
Wright, Gen. Josiah
379
Willoughby, Zerah
379
Wetmore, Seth
393
Warner, Joseph
394
Wilbur, William
411
Worthington, George
415
Warner, Hon. Joseph
417
OF VERMONT.
463
Wright, Rev. Chester
Ware, Cyrus
Wardner, Allen
Willard, Levi
420
420
421
431
Yale, Capt. John L.
273
9*
J
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