The Portland daily press., 1862-09-30

are not needed here for the purpose of defend
ing Washington. Our generals in TIE south
and southwest are crippled for want Of men,
and need them in order TO resume the o!len-
sive. And it seems that n vigorous move
ments were to be at once instituted, and the
head of the serpent of rebellion struck instead
OF the tail, the contest might soon be decided.
1t is not probable that either Charleston, Sa-
vannah, or Mobile would require very strong
land force, in conjunction with the naval force
already there, to reduce them; and from 150,-
600 to 100000 troops, might be removed from
here for the purpose of reinforcing our armies
OF the South, without being missed, so far as
any need of them here exists Soon the levy
of nine months men will begin to arrive, and
then We hope to see some onward movement.
But we have no right to criticise government
movements, and will defer farther remarks, at
this time.
The boys of the 37th, seem to be in good
spirits, though their liberty is greatly curtail-
ed. 1t is rather aggravating to see soldiers of
other regiments,a at times when they are not re-
quired in their own camps for drill, walking
here and there enjoying themselves, while we
are not permitted to pass our guards; and
then TO hear the laugh of derison from sur
rounding camps, that we are kept close pris-
oners, really shocks ones nerves. No other
regiment in this vicinity, is kept so close; and
it would be policy, if our regimental officers
desire TO retain the good will and respect of
their men, to be less stringent. For instance,
DO one is allowed to take water from the well
within our grounds, except for drinking; to
run the guard is to become candidate for the
guard-house, II detected; and in order to pass
the line, it is necessary to have a pass from
the captain of ones Company, signed by the
Colonel It's not more than fifty rods from
camp to three beautiful springs, and fine
creek of running water; and yet, / have been
obliged-(in common with hundreds of 9TH
ersl-to go two days without washing my face;
and many of the boys present threatening tyea,
strong) symptoms of dying of dry rot. Gen.
Briggs, few days since, remarked to our Col
onel, that it was utter foolishness to keep the
men so close, and all high privates agree with
him. Our sutler seems to be the prime cause
Of this stringency, as all the coppers spent out
side the lines take from his 400 per cent. net
profit, and the Colonel has forbidden all out
side trading, as ''it interferes with the rights
of the sutler." We hope soon, however. to
chronicle an improvement in this respect; to
see the boys with clean faces once more, re-
joicing that they have the privilege of buying
nice, sweet butter at 25 cts, and the best of
cheese for 20 cts, instead of paying about go
cents for the former, and 40 cents for the lat
ter, as they have to when buying OF the suffer-
Suffers butter comes done up in links of sau-
sage skin, which are sold at 20 cents, and hold
about one-third of a pound. have tasted it
several times, and invariably found it nauseat-
ing.
The 37th is attached to Gen. Briggs dvis-
ion of Casey's Brigade, and is reserved for the
defence of Washington. Last Saturday we
marched down to Fort Albany, to be review
ed. and also again yesterday. 1t was a grand
affar-a sight not often witnessed in America
thousands of bayonets gttered in the sun as
the regiments passed in review.
/ have no news to communicate: we learn
more intelligence from northern papers con-
corning the war, than we can learn here, as
we are only cognizant of what passes here
More anon. TYPO.