The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1862-03-14

Virginia Is any thing but pleasant to walk
In; II answers very we'll for bootjack, and
II your boots do not ct close II is most toe
handy, for you will DO bootless before you
know it. Without any eIaggeration, the
mud in th6'yirglnia roads is from 0 inches to
2 l-2 feet deep, 30 you can judge of the
walking, when you are following after from
10 to 100 Of those fourhore baggage team,
constantly passing and repassing these thor
oughfarcs. Well, at last camo In sight Of
the long sought for spot, after passing regi-
ment after regiment and fort after fort. AL.
though 1t was 50 very muddy, and stuck 50
fast to us, the Maine 9Th boys did not seem to
mind it all, and one would suppose that il
was oil fair weather and pleasant under foot,
although was informed that there had not
been but one or two days fair weather for 40
days, and the most of that time there was a
DRILLING rain-so I was not surprised that
there was mud in Virginia. found the
boys all well, except o very few in hospital.
They were oil ready for battle. Orders
came for IN onward movement, and was
surprised to 500 the countcnances Of the sol.
diers brighten. AL were busy, and anxious
to move. ...-......., ...r. A.
BY the way, the Maine 9Th has got to DO o
right smart regiment. It is fully up to the
standard. Under its gallant commander,
Col. jackson, and his most efficient staff, by
the assistance of the efficient and we'll posted
company officers, It is one Of tho best disci-
plined and best drilled regiments in Virginia.
This is not SO surprising when you take into
account the intelligence Of the privates. /
witnessed the regiment on dress parade, in
battalion drill and company drill suffice it
to say that the Maine 9Th Is among the first for
discipline and drill. Let me suggest that II
this onward movement is to take our forces
to Manassas, and the Maine 9Th is In the bat
tie, you will not hear Of another Bull Run
II they do not make their mark shall be
mistaken in the officers and men. All are
very anxious for another chance at tho rebels
at that point. Rest assured IL there is IN.
other battle at Manassas, the rebels will get
cleaned out.
Our earthwork forts are all we'll built and
we'll guarded by our troops on the Potomac.
I visited forts Banker, Worth, Ellsworth,
Upton, Buffalo, Scott, Monson and Taylor.
found them more formidable structures
than expected. To give you IN idea Of
these forts the earth is thrown up to the
height of some 8 feet; outside Of this is a
ditch some 10 feet wide and 8 feet deep; out.
side Of this ditch are placed oak trees,
trimmed out with the limbs on; the butts OF
the oaks are spiked fast to timber next the
ditch, the forked, sharpcned limbs standing
outwards, all looking one in the face, and
appearing as though they would DO hard to
get through. Large guns are mounted in
different places on the topof the carthworks,
in suitable places prepared 80 that men can
work them at will, while the soldiers, with
rifles in hand, are so arranged as to pour vol
lies of musketry into the enemy as they up
proach. 1t looks to INC to be very hard work
to storm one OF those forts, and 1t cannot
we'll be done without desperate effort and
great loss of life.
A look through our we'll organized army
on the Potomac, and about Washington,
gives one the assurance that all is safe in that
locality. II our valiant army can have
chance to move, which it will 30 soon as the
travelling will admit, rebellion on the Poto-
mac will speedily come to an end. II oil
could witness the horrible state Of the roads
on account of mud, they would at once stop
their croaking about the inactivity of tho
army. You may rest assured that Gen. Nc
Clellan understands what he is about, and
when the travelling settles, and he orders a
move, It will count against the rebels.
close by wishing God speed to the brave
Mcclellan and oil those under his command.
May they seek and obtain wisdom, guidance
and protection of him who oyerrules oil
things, and come of conquerors in this great
struggle for liberty, and this once happy
land resume its wonted and blood.bought
rights and privileges. ..
Truly yours. Rurus SMALL.