as by supplying money to hire a substitute we would not only be responsible for the result, but be the agents in bringing others into evil.  So looking to our Father alone for help, and remembering that “Whoso loseth his life for my sake shall find it; but whoso saveth it shall lose it,” we presented ourselves again before the Board, as we had promised to do when released.  Being offered four days more of time, we accepted it as affording opportunity to visit our friends; and moreover as there would be more probability of meeting Peter Dakin at Rutland.

Sweet was the comfort and sympathy of our friends as we visited them.  There was a deep comfort, as we left them, in the thought that so many pure and pious people follow us with their love and prayers.  Appearing finally before the marshal on the 24th, suits and uniforms were selected for us, and we were called upon to give receipts for them.  L.M.M. was on his guard, and, being first called upon, declared he could not do so, as that would imply acceptance.  Failing to come to any agreement, the matter was postponed till next morning, when we certified to the fact that the articles were “with us.”  Here I must make record of the kindness of the marshal, Rolla Gleason, who treated us with respect and kindness.  He had spoken with respect of our Society; had given me furloughs to the amount of twenty-four days, when the marshal at Rutland considered himself restricted by his oath and duty to six days; and here appeared in person to prevent any harsh treatment of us by his sergeants; and though much against his inclinations, assisted in putting on the uniform with his own hands.  We bade him farewell with grateful feelings and expressions of fear that we should not fall into as tender hands again; and amid the rain in the early morning, as the town clock tolled the hour of seven, we were driven amongst the flock that was going forth to the slaughter, down the street and into the cars for Brattleboro.  Dark was the day with murk and cloud and rain; and, as we rolled down through the narrow vales of eastern Vermont, somewhat of the shadow crept into our hearts and filled them with dark apprehensions of evil fortune ahead; of long, hopeless trials; of abuse from inferior officers; of contempt from common soldiers; of patient endurance (or an attempt at this), unto an end seen only by the eye of a strong faith.

Herded into a car by ourselves, we conscripts, substitutes, and the rest, through the greater part of the day, swept over the fertile meadows along the banks of the White River and the Connecticut, through pleasant scenes that had little of delight for us.  At Woodstock we were joined by the conscripts from the 1st District,—­altogether an inferior company from those before with us, who were honest yeomen from the northern and mountainous towns, while these were many of them substitutes from the cities.

At Brattleboro we were marched up to the camp; our knapsacks and persons searched; and any articles of citizen’s dress taken from us; and then shut up in a rough board building under a guard.  Here the prospect was dreary, and I felt some lack of confidence in our Father’s arm, though but two days before I wrote to my dear friend, E.M.H.,—­