The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1861-07-26

Gen Mcdowell is under arrest for disobedi-
ence Of orders. In front Of US, on hill arc
the batteries which were taken yesterday =
beyond, a ERE has just broken out, and 1t is
supposed that the rebels are preparing to 60.
They are evidently busy doing semething.-
There was plenty of firing all last night, be
tween the pickcts of the two armies. We
have not heard that there was any loss on
our side.
To-day We are resting, tomorrow 1t is con-
sidcrcd probable that we shall advance and
attack the position the rebols at present &C.
cupy, If they do not yacate it sooner.
Three soldiers Of the 5th were shot acci-
IDENTIFY the day before ycsterday-two were
killed. The FIRST, Charles Barker, Of Co. E.
(Lewiston) was shot thro' the heart and ex-
pired instantly tho second, VIM. McLellcn,
Co. X. (Mechanic Falls) was struck in the
leg, the ball shattering the bone tosplinters.
He lived but short time. Both were
privates in their respective companies, and
their death for time, cast gloom over the
whole regiment.
The Maine Brigade was formed in close
column this morning, while Brigadier-Gen-
Howard read general order, emanating
from Major-Gen. Mcdowell. The order had
reference to certain outrages alleged to have
been perpctrated yesterday by the advancing
column, upon the property of citizens. The
Major General says rightly that "citizens
are at the mercy Of the troops passing thro'
the country, and that however guilty they
may be, they should be "lct alone" until the
properly constituted authorities can deal
with them, but the Gen. says nothing about
the root Of the evil. With the present very
defective commisserat arrangements, not
twenty Major Generals will prevent the men
helping themselves.
Let the men DO provided with the rations
they pay for, and there will DO no necessity
to forbid foraging.
Yesterday morning four men of the Biddc-
ford company (including the writer) made
an inspection Of our havorsacks. We found
that our supply Of provisions consisted OF
about six ounces OF hard bread to subsist upon
at least "a hours, with the prospect Of along
march and battle at night. Under these
circumstances foraging party was coon or
ganized. One Of tho four remained behind
to procure wood-tho writer and two Others
took their muskets and in about an hours
time might have seen under fence, dressing
couple Of sheep with their bowie knives,
perfectly assured that they were right in
obeying the law that "self preservation is
the first law of nature"
We have an impression that that law was
pretty generally appreciated and obeyed this
morning, as We saw about q dozen oxen
slaughtered for tho benefit Of the troops.
The Virginians are getting the worst Of it.
lucy uuNo UfOuSut w" ePoh s"S"'N'e't
and war cannot come without its attend
cd horrors. 1t is terrible to see houses
in flames; crops tramplcd down, hocks
destroyed and universal devastation spread
abroad: but then it must be remember
cd that the more complete the destruction
the moro terrible the rctribution, the shorter
will DO tho contest, and the moro complete
the victory. Citizens who obey the law arc
entitled to, and should receive every protec-
ton, but ro6sls in arms and rebels who, by
day, are good Union men, and by night steal
up and shoot a solitary sentinel from behind
a stump, are hardly entitlcd to very delicate
considerations.
We have just discovered what the firing
was last night. One ofour pickctS mistook
another of our pickcts for the enemy, and
fired upon them. The other picket returned
tho fire, and the two pickcts banged away at
each other till daylight, firing about 1900
shots. None killed or wounded.
1t is dinner time, and we have to 60 and
forage, as the Quarter-master with his bag
gage is twenty miles in rear Of tho column,
so for the present remain yours.
TYro.