Historic Map - Springfield, Vermont - 1886

"Dear Father,

I have just received your letter and hasten to answer, as I want to tell you about the war spirit in Springfield. I was going to write you this afternoon anyway, if I had not heard from you, to tell you about the great meeting they had here last night. Wives, Mothers and daughters were invited to attend and I am thankful Grandmother was well enough so I could go. The town hall was packed and ever so many on the outside could not get in. First they chose officers: Hon. Joseph Colburn president, C.A. Forbush vice president, and Lawyer Veazey secretary. The most influential men of Springfield were on the stage, Judge Closson, Hamlin Whitmore, James Lovell, Lawyer Veazey, Henry Safford, Edward Ingham, Mr. Shepardson (Democrat), Judge Porter, Rev. Mr. Chickering, Rev. Mr. Picknell, Baptist minister from North Village, and ever so many spoke, and well too. Oh! If you could have heard Lawyer Veazey I would have given anything. I wish I could remember every word to write it. The last was, "We want a company of sixty-four from Springfield, I head that list. Sixty-three names are wanted." He was cheered between each sentence of his speech. Just before Mr. Ingham spoke they got the dispatch of Baltimore news, then he said, "We have talked enough, now let us do something." Fred Carin, who has been bound to go from the first, went around with the paper to sign, passed it around and talked to them and so did everyone that spoke encourage the volunteers and how many men, mostly young men, do you think signed? Fifty-five, and C.A. Forbush had a paper for those who could not go to contribute and how much think you was put down? Over twenty-three hundred dollars. Some paid one hundred, some fifty, twenty-five, ten and five. All said more if needed. I must tell you this is not the first of the volunteering, though it is the first meeting. Before they thought of having a company from here, twelve from this town, eight from here, four from the North Village, joined the Cavendish company and started this morning. The street was full, the boys that went, they are about twenty years old, all cried and so did nearly every man in the street to say nothing of the ladies. The boys are sorry they could not go with this company, but cannot change.

They fired the large cannon, played Yankee Doodle and cheered repeatedly. Mr. Albee presented them with a handsome flag which they carried. But the best of all I have saved till the last. Last evening, the first part of the evening, who do you think went on to the stage and spoke? George Washburn! Such prolonged cheers, it seemed as if they never would stop, but they did at last and he said that he had always supposed till today that he was true to his country, but this afternoon he had heard th at there were stories that he was a taitor. He was a democrat and went against Lincoln with all his might and when he heard his party was beaten he expected to submit as it was for the Union and never was for anything else. Some time ago a seceding man wrote to him if he did not go for the seceding states they should take away his office. His answer was as short, as he could give it. "You may take the office and go to the devil."

I can't remember all he said, but at last said again he did not know that he was a traitor to his country till today, he had heard it, had been written to on the subject by men there present and says he, "Those stories are false as the very devil." He then gave his name for twenty-five dollars and sat down amidst tremendous applause.

They had three resolutions last night: First, they would now have no party feeling, but all united; Second, I have forgotten; Third, they pledged their sacred honor to protect and aid the families whose heads had gone to war. Mr. Veazey made a last appeal, said his friends at home in New Hampshire had tried to persuade him if (he) must go to the war that he would come and go from New Hampshire, but he chose to go with the Green Mountain Boys, and hoped none would be wanting in this company, but each one would be ready to go with him and he added if they have a drop of traitor's blood he wanted it tried by southern steel.

Rev. Mr. Chickering closed the meeting with prayer and the benediction. I heard ever so many say there never was such an audience here before. Fred Crain and Mr. Veazey are around today getting signers. Tomorrow night they meet to drill and see about the uniforms. I did wish so many times last evening that you were here, you would have been proud of your native state. Messrs. Colburn, Parks, Woolson and Dana and many others gave one hundred dollars. Most everyone gave something and those who did not perhaps will. There is great excitement and many feel badly because their friends are going. Fred Crain, Edward Hall, Mr. Veazey, Horace Floyd and Mason Walker are the oldest men, Oscar Tuttle is going as Captain of the Proctorsville company. They cheered last night for every man who put his name down and three times three for the ladies of 1861, of whom I claim to be one.

From your affectionate daughter,
Lizzie"