The Portland daily press., 1862-11-17
Major General Burnside.

Rev. Augustus Woodbury. of Provide zee,
the Chaplain of the First Rhode Island Regi-
ment Of three months volunteers, thus speaks,
in his recent book, "a Narrative of the Cam
paign of the Rhode Island First of Colonel
Burnside, who commanded the regiment.
II need not speak of the religious character
of our noble and beloved commander. Rarely
did he seek his rest at night without engaging
In acts of devotion. 1T was his custom at
home,' he said, in his simple way, and he de-
sired me to continue it with him. In our pri-
yate conversations, he would speak with all
the trustfulness of child of his unwavering
conviction that he and all his interests were in
the care Of Divine Love. Whatever might
betide, Gods mercy was sure. 1t seemed to
me that Chaplain was hardly needed in our
regiment. For its Coloners daily life, so pure
so generous, so honorable, so brave, so thor
oughly Christian, was more eloquent in its full
rounded completeness, and more winning and
persuasive than any sermon have ever heard
from mortal lips. The spirit of his character
breathcd through the camp and. almost imper-
ceptibly to ourselves. raised every man OF us
to loftier plane of life and action.
For courage without rashness, for prudence
without fear, for quick sense OF honor which
scorned all baseness, for high-lninded gener-
osity which frowned upon all petty jealousy
and mean intrigue, for self-devotion 10 the in
terests Of the State and country, which repos-
ed In him their confidence. and for selfsacri-
flee for this great cause of Liberty and Union,
Col. Burnside was and is distinguished more
than any man have ever known. He sought
from this service no personal glory, no mere
military distinction, which has such charms for
weaker men. He desired no pomp, no parade
no fattery. no preferment. He simply wished
to do his duty to the men under his command
to the parents, sisters, wives, and friends who
had entrusted these precious lives to his keep
ing; to the State which had recognized his
abilities and had sent him forth; to the coun-
try which needed his counsels and his arm
to God who has so richly endowed him with
every quality that marks a man. How well
he did his duty is well known, aud history will
record. Those were his public characteristics
To myself, who had the privilege Of his con.
fidence, his friendship, and his private inter-
course, his life was a daily wonder and a daily
admiration. Every thought and every act wa:
for the welfare of his regiment. BY day and
night his vigilance secured the comfort Of his
command. He marched on foot that he might
measure the endurance of his men by his own
He lightened every hardship by sharing 1t will
them. He diminished every danger. by care
for their safety. In every encampihent hi:
own quarters were the last to be selected and
the last to be prepared. 1t was his regiment
first, himself last. Is it any wonder that VIZ
should love him with surprising devotion
Let other and greener laurels encircle his
brow. and let him wear even loftier title thar
that which he now bears with equal nodesty
and faithfulness; he will be honored by us, ts
whom he was like a parent in his unselfsf
love, as our brave, simple-hearted, manly Col
onel.