The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1862-09-06
From our Regular Correspondent.
Letter from Washington.

| Inc eT0duS OF surgeons deu HUFSeS-JAeu
future to reach their destination - the
| Mdine Bdtteries-the tcouaded-the noble
! Uomen Of JTdshington-Gen. Banks.
EDITORS PRESS The long expected hour
has at last arrived, when, in deadly conflict,
the two contending armies in Virginia meet.
| The cannonading was distinctly heard in this
city, and you may imagine the condition of
the nervous system, under such circumstances.
| On Saturday last, about noon, request came
| from the War Department for all who could,
would volunteer as nurses and surgeons, to
| proceed at once to the relief of the wounded
on the battlefield. There was hurrying to
and fro; wildness was depicted upon many a
countenancc, this being the first reliable intel
| able intelligence thrown out the public that a
battle was going on. 1t was stated from the
| Department, that eight or ten thousand of our
fellow countrymen were lying upon the field
wounded, and that ample means of conveyance
would be furnished by the Government with
all possible haste. An order was also issued,
directing the organization of the volunteers
into "corps," with surgeon at their head, and
that each one would provide themselves with
lint and cloths for bandages, a water pail and
dipper, bottle of brandy, and two or three
days rations. There was general response
to this call; and for the purpose of showing
you the grounds of complaint which issued
from the lips of all upon their return, pro-
pose to give you short account of the trip.
A train of cars was advertised to leave Ma
ryland Avenue at o'clock precisely, at which
time thousands of people had assembled, many
of whom were armed and equipped as the Or
der directed. Two hours were spent, and no
signs of the train moving; hundreds left in
disgust. At about o'clock the train started,
with about thousand people packed in cattle
cars, which had but short time been made va
cant, from the appearance of the floor, with an
imbecle engine to draw ie The volunteers
soon found themselves destined to spend the
night on the road, as, from the inability of the
engine to draw the train up the grades, ex-
cept by piecemeals, three or four cars at a
time, they got over the road at the rate of not
one mile per hour, only reaching Fairfax sta
ton at s o'clock in the morning. But very
few, / imagine, will ever forget that nights
ptpthcu, as Wtit. uuNcHtfl-
ated cars, without seats, or even standing room,
unless it is effaced by subsequent dsagreeables
which they may encounter. The rain was
pouring. as the crowd emerged from the cars
at Fairfax Station, and another damper fell up
on them in the information that they could
not reach the battlefield without travelling
some fourteen or fifteen miles, ria the way of
Centreville, through the rain and Virginia
mud, the like of which never saw Some of
the party, a little more plucky than others, at
tempted to go on, but were turned back by the
pckets. In this dilemma, theyhelegraphed to
Washington for orders, and their reply init
mated that they had better come back, which
they did, and as the grade was more favorable,
they were not quite so long getting back to
Alexandria. When they got back to Alexan-
dria another trouble awaited them, as there
were no arrangements for them to ret up to
Washington. They finally managed to reach
this city, an their own hook, Sunday evening,
tired, hungry, and sleepy Thus ended the ex-
petition of nurses and surgeons into Virginia
Three or four hundred surgeons arrived from
Baltimore and Philadelphia, having been tele-
graphed for, but had proceeded only to Alex
andria. when they were obliged to come back.
Your humble correspondent was one of the
party that started, but didn't get there.
All is confusion here now, in regard to the
killed and wounded. Up to to-day cannot
learn that any of our Maine troops were in the
engagements of Friday and Saturday, except
two or three batteries, and they were badly
cut up.
The 9Th Maine Battery lost four guns, and
number of men. Lieut.. Twitchell is said to be
killed. Poor fellow! / suppose this to be the
one whose manly, soldier-like sor, we used to
see so often in our streets in Pc -tland He
has died in noble cause. The I'd Maine
Battery also suffered much, losing two or more
guns. 1t is said they stood their ground no
bly,, and rendered most efficient service. The
I'd Maine Regiment is said to be badly cut up,
but we can get nothing definite yet to he re-
lied upon. Many more of our Maine troops
are now on the field, having been marched,
with their several Divisions, to reinforce Pope.
Much more fighting is expected, but conf
dence is expressed of the result.
The wounded are arriving here by hundreds
most every hour, and are taken to the Hospi-
tails, and TO the houses of citizens here. who
have kindly thrown them open to receive them.
The most of them seem to be wounded in the
arm or hand, many of them, however, are very
severely wounded and brought here only to
die.
Everything possible, will be done for their
comfort and relief In this city. The noble
hearted women of Washington, were out.so
two hundred strong, on the avenue, when the
trains arrived, with their baskets full of food
and luxuries of all descriptions, for these sons,
husbands and fathers who had been manglcd
upon the battle field. Many incidents of inter-
est might be cited here, but l forbear as my
communication is too long already.
Gen. Banks is praised by every body. And
it is distinctly understood that so long as Hook
er, Sigel, and Heintzleman are in the field they
will fight.
Washington is safe beyond question None
Of the new levy of troops from Maine, have
been sent forward to the battle field.
"CAPIroL."
From our Regular Correspondent
Letter from the State Capital.