The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1862-12-16
COMMUNICATIONS.


Our correspondent ct" of the 18th Maine
regiment, incidentally touched in his letter
published in the Press for December LIST, upon
topics which form the theme of communica-
tion from "F." of the same regiment. "J's"
letter was not sour; though there may have
been a suspicion of tartness in one or two pas
sages. Still less can we admit that he was
mistaken about the necessity of advancing
while the roads were in good condition. The
country was imperiled by every hours delay;
and it is not for Americans, who remember
Valley Forge, to talk of cold, and hunger, and
nakedness, as Of some new evils against which
II is hopeless to contend, even for the safety of
the Republic. The question last Fall was not
whether the army could move comfortably,
luxuriously, but whether it could move at all.
Nevertheless, so blunt and frank is "F,.,n so
soldierly Is his satisfaction with his comman-
der, with his rations, and his shelter tent, that
we cannot refuse to let him speak for himself.
CAMP OF 18TH MAINE REGIMENT,
Near Falmouth, Va, Dec. 5, 1862.
To the Editor of the Daily Press: :
Still at the old camp we have occupied for
nearly two weeks. During this time the
troops in this vicinity have made sad havoc in
the woods that flank the encampments. Far
into the night can be heard the sturdy blows,
and then the crash, and some pine or oak comes
cracking to the ground. The wood is put to
various uses. Much of it is burned green:
and so dense volumes OF smoke hang around
the camp, and much lodging after the wind
ward side of the fire, with misty eyes and up
turned noses, follows. Another use is for
building. Many of our little shelter tents are
stockaded nicely, and are made not only warm,
but really comfortable by taking little palms.
A large number of s'hotels" have been erected
by the officers and men, and with the cheerful
fireplace that throws out glowing heat in
front, and the floor covered with cedar or pine
sprigs, the impromptu tables and seats that
are placed around, a house is made that will
compare with any that have been built by any
troops in the field-so we have been told by
officers Of old regiments that have visited our
quarters. The Seventeenth has learned much
In the short time it has been the field.
While l am writing, snow storm that
would do honor to old Maine, is visiting our
camp. The wind blows strong, and the snow
flies, but the ground is not sufficiently frozen
to allow il to remain long without turning in
to a slush most disagreeable to wade through,
especially with a pair of government shoes on,
with trowsers torn nearly TO the knees and
hanging loosely about the ankles.
In to-days mail we received "Daily Press"
of December LIST, and / can assure you it was
most gladly received, as it is by far the latest
dews we have had from home. On casting my
eyes over the paper, the first item of interest
was letter from ct" of this regiment, writ
ten from this place, dated Nov. "a. On giving
it a careful perusal, l noticed quite a number
of errors, some of which beg leave to cor
rect, in order TO set matters right with our
friends at home, and prevent an undue amount
of anxiety on our account
In the first paragraph is a statement that
bears most directly upon our General charg-
him with retaining man upon his staff. who
by "habitnal drunkenness" keeps the men of
the brigade on short rations. Was it on ac-
count of the commissarys drunkenness that
the Baltimore & Ohio Canal was cut, causing
want of provisions for some days at Edwards
Ferry? When supplies could be had from
Washington, we had rations that at this time
we should call ample; but it must be borne in
mind that we had but just come into the field,
and knew neither how to hlsbandDur ratons
nor how to live on field food. Soft bread it Is
not furnished soldiers in the field.
Your correspondent ct" undoubtedly for
gets that our shelter tents were dealt out to
us and used at Edwards Ferry, on a most
disagreeable night The experience was not en-
tirely new, as many of us had used small
spreads made in precisely the same manner as
the Snelter LentS OIL our ruDDer blankets. we
toted our houses on our backs from the Ferry
to Whites Ford encampment. Again he is
mistaken in calling them sthin, coarse, 'slazy,
cotton Sheets" They are in fact most of them
made from Bates or Pepperell fine drills, the
closest and best, and lighest material that can
be furnished for the purpose. Can a man car
ry half tent in addition to his other furni-
ture made ofthe heaviest kind ofcotton goods
1t is surely enough to place upon his knapsack
piece of drilling that will be at once light
fine, close, and as far as possible the best
adapted for the purpose. This has been done
and to-day's experience shows that they keep
out the wet as well as anything of the kind
could be expected to. Are our men to see com.
Portable quarters while here? Surely not, aud
for this reason. Our regiment is allowed six
teams for transportation, but by the kindness
of Gen. Berry, we are permitted the use of one
extra. One of these teams is for transperta-
tion of hospital materials, medicines, &c: one
for transportation of baggage of field and staff
officers, tents, personal, &c; one for use ol
Quartermaster and commissary stores; ont
for the hauling of line officers baggage; anC
one team has been used for the purpose of car
rying knapsacks, guns and equipments belong
ing 10 the sick of the regiment, thus leaving
put one team for transportation of food eithel
Tor man or beast; yet when after march o
three days or more, we camp, and the haver
sacks become empty, we hear from all side:
loud notes of complaint, If food is not supplied
from this one team and its mate. sufficient Il
feed regiment of $50 hearty men and will