Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1862-09-12
CORRESPONDENCE.
from the 18Th Maine Regiment.
Mar CHAM BnlpcF,

-
NE,R CHAM BalpcR,
Washington, d. c., Sept. 9th, 1867. !
FRIEND BuRa When | last wrote you,
we were at Fort Massachusetts,, about i've
miles from the city. We arrived there. from
Fort Baker. on the Goth. The two forts arc
distant about miles from each other, and
are in different directions from the city.
Vc found Fort Massachusetts, a very
healthy, pleasant location, and it was with
some regret that we received orders to pack
nm and march. But the order was impcra-
tive. and of course we must go. Such is the
rapiditv with which military matters are
conducted, that, scarce had bali an hour
elapscd, ere we were packed up and ON the
move. Ii WIS about ) clock when we
started, and n beautiful, cool evening. aud
rs our way. for the most part, lay through
a fine section OF country, we anticipated a
very pleasant march, We started Oft in good
spirits, the inspiring music OF the htc and
drum, contributing not a little to the exu-
terence of the mems spirits. Knight speak
more infinitely of the beauty and freshness
of the country through which we passed-ot
the pure, invigorating air, and hundred
other things which interested an pleased me,
but which, perhaps, would not prove so in
terestins to you. At last, however, We came
to a very stony, narrow place in the road,
over which it was very difficult to travel
Here We were permitted to rest for awhile,
and when we again started, we marched to
the music oil Jordan am hard road b
trab.l which was very appropriately played.
On our way, we were continually meeting
squads of soldiers, supply trains, &c, and
once, as We emerged into cleared, open
spacc, we came upon large number oi bag
gage wagons, accompanied by force Of
men, who bad stopped Tor rest. As we
were going past squad of soldiers, who
were standing near the fence looking at us,
one Of them asked -
What regiment is this ~
The Maine Eighteenth" wns the answer.
What is that ~ cried smart, intelligent
locking fellow, jumping up hastily from the
ground and coming forward :" the Maine
Eighteenth. did you say ?'
"Yes," was the answer.
"Wcll this is the Maine Tcuth, SO, hur-
rsh for the Eslseenth ~
Our boys responded to tbs with hearty
"Bully Tor the tenth = and we passed on
We arrived at our present quarters at
aheut 9 o'clock, and, throwing ourselves
uron Nhe ground, with oar knaI~,cks for
pillows, and our blankets closely wound
around us, we were soon checked IN the arms
VI Morpheus.
Inc next day VIC pitched our tents and -,
gan " housske'Piag, again, though mt at
all certain that We should not be called upon
10 march before night. We have no more
knowledge ono hour Of what We shall do or
wl,rc We shall go the next. than person a
thousand miles distant. AMI II Is thus nncrr-
tainty which makes soldier llIc 50 inter
esting to sumo.
Our present eneampmont Is but 4 few
uies from Cham BEidse and squads, rcsl-
men,s and brigades OF soldiers are almost
continually passing through, on their way
from before Richmond. The poor fellows
look worn down and haggar-i enough, They
SAY they have hard marching aud hard fare
ot late, and now ext Get u short time b TT
cruit. They present y sad contrast - our
well clothed. sleek hooking, fresh troops, AMI
Tire poor fellows scum t, feel it. While talk
ing with one OF them -au Ohio b y--hc r.
sslrked, that he ''had not slept INSIDE OF a
tent since the middle Of last March. !
told hun | thought it must IL very dis..-
crecablc in RAINY weather. lie smiled at
my srecnnesS, and said, 1--WE get used 10 Il,
alter awhile" H. sail that, nptw ItlstatI-
ing this cxppsnrc, with plenty Of ioI AMI
not tuo much marching, the nrn wefr "A
tie b keep IN excellent health. Iaers are
many of these returned uroals within 4 nil
of us.
Cur lpys. for the fast two or three Ivy.
have been At work in tho " bush, and tt
thcy manifest, one Ealt the dex'rrify On tine
BATH Grll that they ID here, they Will ar-
c9mri-h wonders.
Day before Yesterday (rhurshy) part
of our Regiment was seat back IL, "r rear,
Fort Massachusetts,, 50 there are but t'
oompanies her at present. Ihe leitr by
whfch our company Is designated is {, aud
of course, as We occupy the centre ii thr
regiment, We bear the a.. 1t y The mest
exposed and dangerous position m the reg
meni, in the event OF u fight, but the ha!'
are proud tue honor OF haarns tho Reg
mental lors, and say that they viii never
desert them
Our Colonel places great c5nGleuca IN hi
men, AMI rs a consequence, has - Vet eNer-
ciscd but lttlo of tic very strict military an'
thor;tv, 50 essential in some ctsc- Che men
al, like him and clnuo; help 1t. In fact all
the oillccrs have conducted themselves in
such a manner towards the nen Is 10 en-
lnand their respect aHi OIL. dicnor
But will not Iroljn: thir letter As II
must bc devoid of inter 1t, The truth i,
the Maine Eighteenth has never vet been Iu
battle. 50 that there Is nothing ~ondtrlht 10
record of it's proceedings at prrsent. ! trust
however, that it may yet caru for itsei a
creitdable name and If so,n0 ON viii more
joyiully send you tidings oil the same than
EN-Irro.