Vermont Phœnix

TO OUR READERS.
The Editor and Publisher of The Phoenix has enlisted as a volunteer in the 11th Vermont Regiment now raising in this State. Service in the office with pen and scissors will be exchanged for more arduous service in the field with the musket and the spade. The comforts and joys of a pleasant home and the society of a loved family will be given up for the deprivations and perils of the camp and the field. It is a transition that no one would crave for its own sake, but men are needed, duty calls us, and we cannot hesitate to obey the mandate.
During our absence the business department of The Phoenix will be left in the hands of our able and faithful foreman, Mr. Charles S. Prouty, who is already favorably known to most of the friends of the paper, while suitable arrangements will be made whereby its editorial management will receive no detriment.
In this emergency we bespeak the indulgence of our friends, and earnestly crave their assistance in the way of contributions to the local department of The Phoenix. There are those in every town who, by reason of age or bodily infirmity, cannot take the field, yet they can materially assist us and do no injury to themselves in writing out such local items of public concern as may and do frequently occur within the range of their daily observation, and in sending the same to the acting editor of this paper.
In return we will endeavor to keep them posted in all that pertains to their friends in the army who are associated with us in company, regimental, or brigade organizations.
We are all engaged in a common service for a common country. Our interests are mutual. The grave alternative is, Shall we have a country, free and independent, or shall we be rent in twain and be left at the mercy of any foreign power that may choose to bully, insult and attempt to ride over us? Let us then each in his place, labor heartily and unselfishly in the holy cause in which we are all so vitally interested.