The Portland daily press., 1862-10-06
COMMUNICATIONS.

FoRr STANTON, D. c., Sept. 80, 1862.

EDITORS fREsS .-Once or twice only since
my arrival here, have seen the eold familiar
face" of the sheet which used to greet me ev-
cry morning at home; and at those times it
was indeed to me like the face of an old friend,
for, though our acquaintance has been short,
it has been to me very pleasant. l had ex-
pected, before leaving home, that should
long for letters and papers from the dear old
Sunrise State," and the friends there left =
but had no conception of the intense eager
ness with which l, In common with all the rest,
should watch the opening Of every mail, and
the feeling Of sadness which would follow dis
terest manifested in the contents Of the mail
haversack they would not fail to have 1t well
supplied
have, among the numerous army corres-
pondents, seen no account of the journey here,
and have somewhat wondered at this, as
most are interested in the details of soldiers life
under all circumstances. OF course the Jour
ney to Boston was not specially eventful-
Many of us were journeying over road often
travelled before, and there was little novelty.
Our march through Boston, though by the
most direct route, was tiresome and dusty, and
think none Of us were sorry when it came to
an end. We left Boston at about quarter
before p. NJ, drawn by two powerful en-
gines; but at Readfeld, Mass, one of them
broke, and, being disabled, was marched to the
rear, and another brought up TO take its place.
This occasioned comfortable delay, and
obliged us to wait some time at Mansfield,
Mass, for the boat train. Our stay here was
not unpleasant, surrounded as we were by
groups of ladies, all speaking cheerful words,
shaking hands, and waving handkerchiefs, and
cheering us on. Leaving them seemed almost
like leaving our friends again. From this place,
as we drove on through the gathering dark
ness into the gloom of night, we were greeted
with cheers at every station
We reached Groton, at the point of embark
alton on the Sound, where we found the fine
steamer Commonwealth waiting for us at about
midnight. We, the officers, were accommoda-
ted with berths and staterooms, upon payment
OF fifty cents each, and those who desired sup
per were supplied at the same price. We had
also, both at night and in the morning, the use
room washed actually refused the half dime
] proffered him for the use of clean towel!
Here ended all the accommodation we got on
this boat Not mouthful of breakfast would
the steward give or sell us, nor would he allow
himself to be visible until we reached New
York. Some of the boys bought very tough
looking pies of "culled pusson" on board. at
the astonishingy low price of 81 1-2 cents
each,-but even Of these the supply was soon
exhausted, and growing "sharkish," and conse-
quently ill-humored, we wished for New York
As we passed up the Sound, flags and hand
kerchiefs were waved from the balconies and
roofs of the splendid residences that dot the
shores, and waving caps and hearty cheers an
swered these patriotic demonstrations. Very
much of this kind of loyalty was manifested at
most points along the route until we had pass
ed Philadelphia. We reached Jersey City and
disembarked at about 10 A. NJ. Here some
ofus INDUCED in the somewhat expensive lux
ury Of a breakfast, a very ordinary one, costing
go cents. From this place to Philadelphia the
Regiment travelled in two detachments, six
companies, under Col. Sewall, leaving at about
~ NJ, and the remaining tour companies un-
der Lieut.. Col. Heath at P. NJ
The ride through New Jersey, was varied
and pleasant. For half dozen miles after
leaving Jersey city, the country is one contin-
uous meadow, and indeed the whole line is
quite level, very few hills being seen. The
soil appears not to be very fertile, and in many
places half grown crops seemed to be drying
up. would prefer almost any part of Maine,
for farming purposes to this part of New Jer-
sey, and am more than ever inclined to think
"Hammonton Sands" a humbug. l had heard
much of the peach orchards of New Jersey,
but l saw only one of any considerable size.
That one covered about twenty acres but the
trees appeared not to be very heavily laden
with fruit. We reached Philadelphia, at about
half past six, P. NJ. We were met at the Fer
ry boat by one of the Volunteer Relief Com
mittee, and conducted to the rooms of the As
ISOLATION. on the corner of Washington and
Water streets. Here We met with a noble
welcome. Tables sufficient to accommodate
four hundred men were spread with wel-cook-
ed and wholesome food, and we did ample JUS
tice to good meal, made more enjoyable by
the fair hands that ministered to our wants.
and the friendly countenances that greeted us.
FVvh.