The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1861-12-13
For the Union and Journal.
CANr CHASE. 10Th MArNE Rra'r,
LOWELL, Mass, Dec. 9, 'Gl.

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"Union and Journal" are somewhat in.
{ terestcd in the various movements, and the
welfare Of the 18th Me. Reg. and the pros
poets relative TO the future destination Of the
. regiment. Having few leisure moments
THE evening, free from the duties Of camp
life, will write few lines to tho friends
. Of the Journal, from which they can deducc
. whatever there is Of interest. And to those
who have friends connected with regiment,
matters Of minor Importance would prove
interesting. II you are fully aware of the
, many elements of discord that exist in an
encampment, | an sure you will be lenient
in your criticisms, IL should not come up
, to the highest standard Of style and elganco
in description Of rcsimental movements,
, and camp life, Imagine yourself Of an even-
ing, endeavoring Ito collect few ideas for
the entertainment Of Distant friends, with q
Drum Major and Fifer in the same tent
practicing. tho Reveillc with rolling and
shrieking sufficient to make you hear thunder
claps,, and locomotive whistles all the night,
and you will have faint idea Of Of the trials
of letter writer, and imagine some one at
your elbow with the Army Regulations cx-
planning to his companions their respective
duties relative to q proposed General lnspec-
ton on the following day, and furthermore,
thinking that he does not receive his due
allowance in ration, asserting to his friends
that there is positively spin loose" some
tchere, but where, he can hardly tell, and If
all these elements Of confusion are not sui
fcicnt to distract your thought, and test
your iirmncss Of nerve, the noisy, vehement
doubtful disputations," from company Of
thcologions in an adjoining tent who are dis.
cussing with evident satisfaction to themselves
various Scriptural questions, will completely
bewilder you.
There are peculiarities attending the pas
sage of the 10Th, towards tho seat OF war
that have not attended the movements OF
any other regiment of tho State. While
ether regiments have gone in nearly every
case, by land directly to the vicinity Of war,
ours thus far has been, and probably will be
rather circuitous route, and mostly by
water. We left Camp Butler, Nov. ODD,
with the intention of cmbarking on board
the "Constitution" which had come from
Boston, for the purpose of taking us on
board and proceeding directly to Southern
latitude. The Constitution had on board
already the Goth Massachusetts, and 9th
Connecticut regiments. The greater part
of our regiment embarked on board the
Steamer Union with the blessings, the fare
we'll grasp ofthe hand Of those friends left
behind. As the steamer covered with its
human freight, moved from the wharf, many
pale and fearful face might be seen amid
the cheering throng that was gathrcd to wit
ness our departure. As we proceeded down
to where the Constitution was lying,the scene
presented left IN impression upon every heart.
The cheering Of the immense crowd on the
shore, the salute fired from an English
Steamer, the earnest prolonged cheers OF
welcome from those on board the Constitu-
ton was indeed an animating scene. Every
available point Of the Mammouth Steamer
was covered with dense mass OF humanity.
Over 1000 men were visible on the decks.
To those who looked below the surface Of
passing events, truth cheering to every
patriotic heart might be discerned. There
were seen the brave sons OF Massachusetts,
and Connecticut, those States which have
ever been among the first in the cause OF
freedom. and the defence Of truth, come to
greet their brethren Of the" pine Tree State"
and with them to unite in destroying the
selfish, wicked rebellion which would destroy
the fundamental principles of our govern
mcnt, and build upon its ruins system Of
government which shall suppress the voice
Of the rightful rulers, the people while
aristocracy shall rule the land. The wei.
come under the floating "Stars and Stripes"
upon which was discernible "Constitution"
was pleasant scene.
Alter going down to the steamer the
second time il was decided that there were
not sufficient accommodations for our regi-
ment, and Col. Shepley who had the welfare
Of his men at heart, told us emphatically
that we should not go on board. That night
we passed in freight house, which was
rather uncomfortable quarters, but perhaps
the best that could bc obtained on short
notice. Our Colonel shared our position
with us. hc"Forest City" being chartered
to convey us to Boston, we went on board
the next afternoon at G o'clock, Sunday ut
9 o'clock p. NJ, we started for Boston, Old
Neptune having put on rough exterior
there was soon general stampede below
Arrived in Boston at 9 o'clock \. NJ. and
on Tuesday morning we hauled in to the
wharf and were soon on our way to Lowell.
where We arc now encampcd, at Camp
Chase.
We found a regiment in camp here, num-
bering about 800 men to be attached TO
Butlers Brigad and were received by them
with many evidences Of friendship. In ad.
dition, there isa company Of "Mounted
Rangers" composed Of 4 fine clas Of men
nearly all of whom have seen service in the
} Regular Army. There is also company Of
EBAY State Rifles" here, and altogether, the
, encampment presents avery animatins scene.