The Vermont Record and Farmer from Brattleboro, Vermont • 2

services, and entertained a high opinion of his ability and towards whom the subject of this notice ever alter cherished a warm friendship and great kindliness of feelin The expedition having come to a close in the autumn of 1858, Mr. Read returned Adjutant lteud. Written for The Kucuid. Adjutant Read, who fell In the late light beforo Petersburg, having been' highly esteemed as an officer, and much beloved by the regiment to which he belonged, is to his father's. For the greater part of the next two years, he remained at home.

At this time, he was for the most part engaged in study, and in collec ing specimens in Nattural History. He was also, as I am in formed, more or less occupied in writing for the journals of the day. During the autumn of 1860, and the tion, and made his services an invaluable help to the expedition. Durlt-g their stay in this region, the experiment of sinking artesian wells was tried upon the La Lano Estuado, or staked plains; though according to my present recollection, with indifferent success. Various expeditions were alio frequently planned, and detachments sent out, for exploration into Central New Mexica, upon the Guadaloupe Mountains, the extended desert plains lying to the east of their en-campment.

These exploring expeditions were usually Joined by young Bead. While they offered him a fine opportunity for observation, and the study of the Natural History of the Country, he no doubt rendered efficient aid to the parties he accompanied, by his own contributions. That he mad excellent use of these means for improvement, is evident to the writer, from an essay which he heard him read some years later, on the Botany of New Mexico as omparod with that of Colchester Plains. His powers of observation were unusually good they were increased in strength and aptitude, by the habit which he then formed of noting continually what capacity. He also, for a while, performed the duties of Orderly.

To Captain Darrah, who then commanded, Co he was ofgieat assistance, by his performance of a variety of clerical labors, in addition to the appropriate services of his position as Sergeant. During the Summer of 1863, he was detailed for duty as Clerk, in the Adjutant General's office, at the Headquarters of the Division. On assuming this position, he soon became conspicuous, to a very unusual degree, considering the opportunities which his subordinate grade afforded, in the management of all matters pertaining to the office. He directed the labors of some five or six clerks who were under him, and had the sole charge and supervision, as well of the entiretoutine duties of the office, as frequently of important special duties, and of. all its books and records.

The latter were kept, under his direction, in so elegant and elaborate a manner, as to elicit the admiration and praise of all who saw them. Indeed, while he was at Div. Headquarters, his labors in these articularg were looked upon as almost invaluable. And these were not all the services which he following winter he was employed by E. M.

Smalley, Esq- as an assistant in the Editorial Department of the Burlington Sentinel. It is said that the readers of that paper were indebted for some of its best con thought deserving of more than a passing notice. In view of these considerations, and at the suggestions of several of his surviving comrades in arms the following commemorative has been' prepared as a token of kindly remembrance, and is respectfully dedicated to the mourning friends of the deceased. James Marsh Read, son of Hon. David Read, was born in St.

Albans, November 19th, 1833. Having passed his earlier years in his native place, he removed with his father's family to Burlington, in November, 1839. When very he imbibed a taste for reading, which he never afterwards lost. He was fitted for college partly at the High-School in his adopted town, and in part at Philips Academy, An-dover, Mass. Dr.

Taylor, the able Princi tributions, during this period, to Mr. Read. The time which Mr. Read thus spent at home and in writing, was perhaps one of richest, in the fruits of culture which bore, of his life. Having leisure both for medi tation and intercourse with refined society, he probably made great improvement, as well intd'ectually, as in the cultivation of his social position.

As his memory was very retentive, he no doubt at this time laid fell under his eye, especially if it related to the physical features, of the regions up a vast amount of useful knowledge. He through which he passed. seemed to grasp and keep whatever he read, But this was not all he sized hold of prin performed. Both in the field, along the march, and on the line of battle, he usually noted the position of the troops, the face of the country, and whatever he thought deserving of record. This he had learned to do, when out with Gen.

Pope. Accordingly, in making out their reports, the officers often resorted to his notes, and usual These exploring expeditions were often attended with extreme hardships and peril; and sometimes they were checked with a bit ciples with more readiness than most. That he thus improved is evident from the fact of romance. This was particularly the case that persons who engaged in conversa'ion in one instance recounted by Mr. Read.

with him, were often suprised at the read ly placed implicit reliance upon them. In fact, bis minutes and observations were re Striking eastwardly across the desert, the consisting of four besides mself, all inss, with which he would recall what he had previously learned, or the contents of mounted on mules; came near perishing for the books he had perused. And to this we garded, and appealed to. as authority, not only throughout his regiment, but also at pal of the latter Institution, always gave a nattering report of James' deportment and and scholarshiD, while under his tuition. In August, 1849, being then in his 16th year, he entered the University of Vermont from which he was in due course graduated in 1853.

While in college he stood high a scholar; especially was he regarded by his classmates as a fine linguist, and an alle and accomplished writer. Soon after his graduation, he went to Canton, Madison County, Mississippi; where he was engaged as a teacher, in a private family. He continued to live in the South for about a year, fulfilling during this time the duties of an instructor. On his return North, he was engaged for a short period in the office of the New York Courier and Enquirer. While connected with this paper, he became intimately acquainted with a son of the Com want of drink.

One man and his mule should add that he was not merely conver the Brigade and Division Headquarters. gave out. Leaving him, the rest pressed on sant with a few topics, but was found to be While in the performance of these vari unusually well informed, for one of his age, ous services, he of course became well ac in search of water. Having at length come to some pools in the desert, men and animals plunged into them indiscriminately, on almost every subject, and slaked their thirst. Then, filling their On the breaking out of the rebellion, and the issue of the President's call for 75,000 men in 1861, Mr.

Read enlisted for 3 months as private in the Howard Guards. This was quainted with Brigadier Gen. Carr, and also with Brigadier Gen. Ricketts, who succeeded the former in the command of the Division. It is said that these commanders made constant use of Mr.

Read's acquirements, By them he was also frequently spoken of as qualified for any staff-duty. Both of these Generals as I am informed, the first company raised in Burlington, and canteens, they hastened baci with a view to rescue their perishing comrade, who had been left about 25 miles in the rear. They soon met his mule on the way, and at last reached the man himself before life was extinct. Having given him water and food formed a part of the First regiment of Vermont volunteers. On the 9th of May he left with his companions for the front, and mercial Editor.

Young Mr. Homans, who had previously accompanied Maj. Gen. served in faithfulness his full term of service they took him safely back to the just discovered pools. Pope, at that time Captain of the Engineer Beinur nresent at the battle of Bier Bethel andotherofficers of rank, had a high appreciation his industry and ability, as wellasof his fine social qualities.

Indeed, it is said that Gen. Ricketts of his own accord promised a t-t Corps, in his expepition across the plains Mr. Read passed the winter of 1857 in which occured June 10th, he barely escap ed with his life, a round shot from the that he should have an appointment as of Western Texas and New Mexico, was about starting on a Becond expedition, which was then fitting out. Being a reg enemy's batteries snivermg a tree just Aid on his staff, on the next occurence of a vacancy above his head. On the retreat of our men, which follow He thus served, and continued to act, iment under government employ, and having charge both of this Barometrical and of the Astronomical Department of the faithfully as a non-commissioned until he entered upon the duties of 2d Lieu ed the same battle, he (beyond all reasonable doubt) saved a fellow soldier from falling into the hands of the confederate cav tenant, in Co.

of the 10th Vt. Vols. He Washington. While there, he as busily engaged assisting in the preparation of the Report of the Expedition for the Secretary of War. Sometime during the following spring, he returned to the plains of New Mexico, and continued his labors in thai region until the close of the expedition.

Not far from this me I believe it was while he was at work in Washington on the Report already refered to with a view to the more accurate presentation of the results of the explorations, as well as to the better prosecution of future investigations, he was sent to Cambridge, by Capt. Expedition, he invited his mend Kead to go out with him, and offered to him a position, as an assistant in these Departments. Having duly considered the matter was mustered in, Aug. 10th, 1864, his Commission bearing date, une 17th of the same alry. Herman Seligan, then private, but now Capt.

of Co. of the 9th Vermont regiment, became greatly fatigued, and fell year. This advancement, tnougn by the wayside. Mr. Read took the gun, in the opinion of most cf his friends, very- late was by them all regarded as well de- haversack, and other equipment of this exhausted companion, and carried them, in addition to his own, through to Fortress Monroe.

In thus relieving his brother in offer and joined the expedition, leaving New York Febuary 2d, 1855. On the passage out the company stopped for a few days in Havana, Cuba, also New Orleans, finally disembarking at Indianola. dserved. No sooner was he promoted to the Lieutenancy, than he was, at his own re quest, relieved from his arduous duties at Headquarters, that he might rejoin his regiment. In his new position of line-officer he show Pope, to consult Prof.

Bond of Harvard University, on some intricate questions re-relting to the scientific observations of the Expedition. He was about the same time in correspondence with afterwards O. M. Mitchell, of Cincinnati Observatory, and Prof. Young of Dartmouth Col ed the same capacity and the same power of adiptation, that he had previously exhib ited under other relations.

But it was now in a higher sphere. From this time forward he displayed fine ability, not only in the discharge of the ordinary duties of the grade Texas. From the latter place they marched, under an escort of U. S. troops, to pan Antonia, and thence onward to the upper waters of the Rio Peros.

They finally encamped near the stream, in the South-easterly ang of New Mexico, which they made their headquarters for about three years and a half. After the lapse of some twelve months Mr. Homans receiving a lucrative appointment in New York, returned to the city Mr. Read was at once appointed his successor, all eyes turning to him as adapted to fill the vacancy. His mathematical attainments, and acquaintance with the phys.

arms, he animated him with hope and courage by which he was enabled to pass on to the Fortress, which they saiely reached in company late at night. After the close of his three months' service, Mr. Read returned home and remained there until the President's second call for 300,000 men. At this crisis he felt constrained again to volunteer in defence of his country. Accordingly July 31st, 1862, he re-enlisted as a private soldier, for three years, and on the 1st of the following September he was mustered into the U.

S. service, in Co. of the 10th Vermont Regiment. Having been appointed Sergeant, at once on the organization of his company, he served for some time in this he sustained in his own company, but also in taking upon himself at different times, the combined charge and responsibility of various companies when the Regiment had lege; a'so, on other occasions, with pro-fessers at West Point, and-gentlemen connected with the Smithsonian Institute. He was likewise applied to from time to time, as appears from letters which he left on file, for information on a variety of (scientific subjects.

After the close of the expedition, he maintained for several years, a friendly correspondence with Gen. Pope, who, it seems had a generous appreciation of his becou.e reduced in the complement of its line-officers, by the casualties of the service. His industry and zeal in the performance of 4al ii'loncoa flt.tari him Tiro 1 1 rrtr fha nici all these labors, his knowledge of military af-.