The Portland daily press., 1862-12-30
Maine Camp Hospital Association.

1t is believed that the public will be inter
ested in the following extracts from letters
written by Mrs. Eaton, who, with Mrs. Fogg,
is engaged in labors for the sick and wounded
in the Maine regiments in the field. The de-
tails given show how the work is done, and
will also indicate how we at home may co-op-
crate with them therein. Should any wish to
aid in this enterprise let them forthwith pack
their box and direct to Mrs. J. S. Eaton care
of ]. w. Hathaway, No. 273 Fstreet, Washing
ton, ID. c., and send it to Mr.. George r. Davis
Of this city, who will forward the same, send
ing him notice of the same by mail:
SToNEMAN's STATION, Dec. II, 1862.
must seize few moments to write you
this evening, though must acknowledge do
not feel much like writing after the anxieties
of the day. 1t is new thing for me to listen
to the cannon's roar from early dawn till eve-
aing. Icannot describe my feelings. At first
for about half an hour, it seemed that / could
not endure it. But soon became more calm,
and at length so accustomed to the sound that
l could pursue the duties of the day. We
understand, tonight, that Fredericksburg has
been burned indeed, we could see the smoke
distinctly; but you will have learned all the
particulars.
As we proposed when / last wrote, we left
Washington for Aqua Creek on Tuesday, the
I'd inst. Arriving there safely in the evening,
we found to our surprise that the place had
been so thoroughly destroyed when last burn
ed, that there was not even place of shelter
for u.s. We lodged on the floor of the cabin of
the boat Next day we proceeded to Falmouth
Station, where we found ourselves in the same
condition-no house there. A colonel of
Maryland regiment encamped there, politely
tor a1,a and
GER of the day with us to Gen. Summers head
quarters. There an ambulance was furnished
for Gen. Burnside's headquarters. There DIR.
Letternan, medical director oil the army OF
the Potomac, with whom Mrs. Fogg was pre-
viously acquainted, ordered another ambulance
for Gen. Hooker's headquarters. 1t was now
evening, and house was found for our accom-
mediation. wish you could have seen it
Next morning we called on Gen. Hooker,
who received us in most afiable and gentle
manly manner, approved our work, and gave
us an ambulance 10 visit the Maine Regiments
in that vicinity. Since that time we have
spent some time with the Maine Goth and the
18th. We find many sick among them. In
the goth about Is are receiving medical treat
ment, though they have had but few in hospi-
tai, not having a suitable hospital tent. In
the 18th they had over one hundred on the
sick list. and about eighty in hospital. | can
assure you our visits are most gratefully re-
ceived by those for whom we labor, and if /
may judge from appearances, favorably appre-
ciated by officers.
Mrs. Fogg went in company with me to the
18th, and then left to visit the Sth with Mr..
Hayes, expecting to call for me and return
70 our usual lodgings for the night. But the
roads were bad, and the mules not being in
good condition gave out, and they were obig-
ed to stop on the road. But provdentially the
detention occurred in the vicinity of an Illi-
nois regiment with whose affairs Mrs. Fogg
was well acquainted. On their return yester-
day, they overlook the Maihe 10th and the
9Th Battery, as, all wearied with marching,
they encamped for the night. Many of them
were sick, and most grateful were they to re-
ceive part of the supplies that had been in
tended for the 9th, which regiment they failed
to find, as it had moved forward. Apples,
crackers spread with butter and marmalade,
were dealt out to the sick and weary boys, and
oh, how cheering it must have seemed, as they
marched forward, all uncertain of what the
morrow would bring forth, to feel thus assured
that friends at home were caring for them,
while others came to their relief
Dec. 16th.-Mrs. Fogg is going to Washing
ton for more supplies. We have been, yester-
day and to-day, tending the wounded and the
dying Yesterday we were within hall mile
of the battle, at the Larey House, on this side
of the river. Two shells struck the house we
were in. Oh, it was an awful scene, but my
nerves find strong enough to bear it all. We
are well; Send supplies. wish we had
barrel Of Boston crackers. Food of any kind
that can keep. Butter, apple marmalade, nut
megs, &c. / have no more time.