The Portland daily press., 1862-12-12
COMMUNICATIONS.
Correspondence of the Press.l
From the 23d Maine Regiment.


Cold Weather Camp LJe-Deaths = Red
Tdpe-Mitiens Wanted.
CAMP GROVER, Montgomery Co, Md,
Dec. Z, 1862.
Modern Geography teaches, think, that
the Middle States, and the larger portion of
the Southern States of the former Union, are
within the temperate zone; that the climate,
though variable, is never excessively hot or
cold, but generally mild and agreeable to man
and beast. If Maryland is in the temperate
region,-and the map SO indicates-its climate
Is l fear, getting rather unsteady in its habits.
1t has for the last three days been on "bend-
err" am sorry to say it; the fact has caused
much regret in our camp, but as a faithful and
conscientious chronicler of events, / am COM
PEELED to record it. Friday last, the snow fell
fast till far into the night, and spread the
ground for leagues around with veil of pur-
est white. Three inche of snow fell on this
sacred spot.
This is no fiction. The cold for forty hours,
has been severe, and is yet undated. A roar
ing fire Of dry pine and green oak, a steaming
dipper Of cayenne tea, pipe of natural leaf"
are cosy companions, during the continuance
of this hyperborean touch. While l write, l
hear the watchful sentinel stamping his feet
upon the hard ground as he PAGES his familiar
beat. A soldiers life is no sinecure, setting
aside the tedious marches with heavy KNAPP
sacks, through sticking mud, and over rugged
mountain roads; and many man who can
endure the hard work Of a logging swamp,
finds his match in the sterner duties of a win
ter campaign in Virginia or Maryland.
The cold miasmatic atmosphere of the Poto-
mac valley is telling fearfully upon the health
of our men even, Injured as they are to cold
weather and hardshps, as the sick rolls of the
various regiments will show. Typhoid fever
is the principal disease; rheumatic complaints
are frequent, and incipient consumption has
already manifested its hideous presence in our
camp. Since last wrote you, three deaths
have occurred in our regiment: James ii.
Chase, Co. B, of Upton, Dec. I'd; Charles r.
Mitchell, Co. /, East Livermore, Dec. 9th; and
Mark +. Frost, Co. FL, of Norway, this morn
ing, Dec. 7th, all of typhoid fever. There are
several more cases considered doubtful and
fear, before the week closes, we shall witness
the departure of more of our beloved comrades
Our hospital is full of patients, and there are
many sick in quarters, mostly with fever. They
have the best attendance our situation and con-
yenienccs will allow, but that is of course, DIFF
ferent from what it would be at home, or in a
good dry house. There are several houses in
the vicinity which might be obtained for hos
nit al h,rf E,r A.
are not yet occupied. "Red tape' is the
cause ofmuch complaint in all departments yet,
and the man who has the power to sever it for
ever, would be the greatest hero of the age.
Many inquiries are addressed to us from our
friends in Maine, respecting the report that
our Regiment was to join Gen. Banks expedi-
tion. In order to allay their anxiety l will
state, that as far as we know, we are not "go-
ing to Texas" 1t is said that this brigade be-
longs to the force stationed for the defence of
Washington; and apprehend we shall not
move far from this place, till that important
locality is safe.
reminded your readers in my last of the
Importance of supplying wooden mittens and
gloves to their friends in the army. This cold
weather will be an additional reminder to
them, and will also suggest good stockings,
drawers and wooden shirts.
Yours truly, SUBALTERN.
MONDAY MORNING, Dec. s, 1862
P. S. Reuben o. Seavey, Musician of Co. b,
Capt. Little, died this morning at o'clock of
typhoid fever. He belonged in Brownield,
Maine. His loss is severely felt, az he was an
amiable and noble-hearted young man, and
gained many friends.