The Portland daily press., 1862-12-04
Correspondence of the Press.l
Letter from the Army.
CAMP OF FIRST MASS. Vols,

CAMP OF FIRST MASS. Vols,
VOLTS Run Shoals, Va, Nov. 27th, 1862.
MEssRs. EDITORS Rs:-With the exception Of
half hour occupied by appropriate addresses
by our Colonel and Chaplain,the day has pass
ed with little to indicate Thanksgiving day.
Although unattended with the time honored
festivities which characterize it in old New
England, change of locality has not robbed
it of its cherished memories, us many mois-
tened eye attested when our Colonel referred
to the loved ones at home.
Our Chaplain discoursed briefly on eight
prominent reasons why as a nation, we should
render thanks at this time. All of which re-
late to changes of the past year. First, That
Washington is relieved of the blockade. Sec
ond, That third of Eastern Virginia is in
our possession. Third, That with few exeep-
tons the important points of our Sea and
Gulf coast are held by us. Fourth, That six
important forts with their garrsons have been
captured. Fifth, for the disappearance of all
indications of foreign instervention. Sixth,
That the Mississippi river is open North and
South of Vicksburg. Seventh, the utter fail
ure of the rebel policy of invading the North.
Eighth, for the Presidents proclamation of
emancipation. For the latter measure quite
proportion Of the Regiment would hardly join
in thanksgiving: the statement was however
prefaced by some good humored remarks
which dspelled my disp postion to resent it.
At an early hour this morning, parties were
off in every direction hunting up Thanksgiving
dinners but as everything in the shape of do
mestic fowl had long since disappeared, they
returned with only a few rabbits and squir-
rels. We therefore contented ourselves with
salt junk, which had evidently been ''round
the horn" several trips.and then on one or two
whaling voyages: aud made desert of stewed
beans. Every man hoping doubtless that it
might be his last thanksgiving dinner in the
army.
Since my last letter we have moved from
Fairfax Station, nine miles distant, to this
place; the remainder Of the Division, with the
exception of the 26th Penn, having moved
forward to the Aqua Creek r. R., which
hear we are to guard during the active move
ment in front.
Wolrs Run Shoals is formed by the juno
ton of Wolf Run with the Occoquan river, and
is one of the numerous Gibralters which Nc
Clellan avoided by advancing on Richmond
via the Peninsula. Naturally strong defen-
sive position the rebels rendered it almost i'm
pregnable by throwing up batteries on the
bluffs, which rise to a height Of seventy feet
on the Richmond side, surrounding these with
long lines of rife pits. A large force of the
enemy were camped in this vicinity, holding
Heintzelman in check during the winter, and
into March, at which time they removed to
the Peninsula just in time to retire before Nc
| Celans victorious army.
The village of Occoquan is six miles from
here Dumfiies, formerly fourishing port of
entry, is thirteen miles distant, on Quantic's
| Greek. As yet, the enemy has appeared no
nearer than Centreville, to which place Gen.
| Sigel's pickets extend. A sharp lookout is
maintained in the direction of the Rappahan-
mock, aud scouting parties are constantly on
the alert.
There are five married single women
boarding with farmer near by, their hus-
bands being in the rebel army; the other oc-
cupants of the house-which contains bat two
rooms and garret-are a farmer and his
amiable spouse, with six children, besides
three dogs and two cats,-rather close quar-
4 bSAss of tha prao