The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1862-12-15
COMMUNICATIONS.
Correspondence Of the Press.l
From the 5th Maine Regiment.
CAMP NEAR STRAFFoRD COURT House
Va Dec & 1852


Va, Dec 3, 1862.
Months have been numbered with the past,
since last wrote you from out the smoke and
dust of Antictam's bloody fleld-and we are
again in Virginia, striving for the capture of
Richmond. Our regiment, then, was complete
IL worn down by incessant marching, hard
fighting, and lack of proper food and raiment
Now it is in good fighting trim, refreshed, in
vigorated and well clothed. At no time since
its organization has our regiment been in bet
ter health or under better discipline. II is not
strong in Misunderstanding less than 400 fight
ing men; but they are tried and prored sol
diers, Injured to hardships and well accustom-
ed to camp life. They know how to make
much out Of little, which, in the army, is not
so much of a paradox as it would appear to
the unintiated.
We have now our full complement of field
and staff officers. Col Seaman makes a very
efficient and popular commander. He has the
confidence and respect of all under him, and
we know that he can fight. He isnot Fourth
of July soldier.
am sorry, to say, we have too many of that
stamp in the "Army of the Potomac" Col.
Scamnan is fortunate in having fighting Ad-
jntant one thoroughly posted in his duties, al
ways prompt, and every inch a soldier. The
boys almost idolize him. And it seems he is
appreciated at home, Judging by the beautiful
PiCoCnt HC just iCCcltcu iTOill lT1ttus III
Portland, consisting of full setsof equipments,
sabre, sash, belt. spurs, etc. The sabre is
very fine one, of finished workmanship, and up
on the seabbard are these words: presented
TO Adjt- Geo. w. Bicknell, by his friends" The
presents have been well earned, for when there
is any fighting "Bick." is sure TO be counted
in" 1t. Col. Edwards is always on hand.
Apparently he possesses charmed life, for
neither the bullets nor the swamp fevers of
the Chickahominy molest him, and he has Civ
en- them ample opportunity. Without aspirin
ing to the 'pomp and circumstance" he never
fails when the realities OF war are upon u.s.
He, too, is not one of the aforementioned
"Fourth of July" soldiers. Our new Major,
Millett, is winning golden opinions, and will, l
doubt not, make his mark when opportunity
offers. Many promotions have recently occur
red among the line officers, and quite a num-
Der OF deserving Sergeants have been commits
stoned We have also lost some good officers
by resignation among them Capt. A. p Har-
ris, brave and skilful officer, whose absence
Is much regretted. Our surgical department
is in good hands. Drs. Buxton and Warren
are fully alive to the needs of our sick, who
are few, thanks to their attentions. They are
also ably assisted by our young and handsome
hospital steward, w. +. Noyes of Biddeford.
The spiritual requirements of our regiment,
are well attended to by our able Chaplain Rev.
Mr.. Adams of Gorham. Unlike most of his
rank, he is always at his post, jealous and
faithful, with smile and kind word for all.
Accessible and genial in manner, he reshes a
good joke even at his own expense He has,
latterly, at the request ofthe Colonel, daily en-
gagged in prayer in the presence OF the regi-
ment at "Dress Parade" / would state, for
the information of his home friends, and as a
matter for their consideration, that our Chap
lain rides hard-looking horse, and thereby
presents, while on the march, a more notable
than elegant appearance.
We gather from the tone of some papers,
yours, Messrs. Editors, among Others, that
our late seeming inactivity,-and probably the
preseat-does not accord with home ideas of
war. They look upon the time as wasted 1t
may be so, but we can't see it. Their criticisms
on military matters, in many things, appear
absurd to us. The idea of sending green
troops into battle to contend with veterans, is
foolish one. And the stake we are contend
ing for is too great to admit of hasty action,
or the risk of desperate chances. Time must
De had to perfect the new troops in drill, or
they are useless. True, the new regiments
fought well at Antietam; but that is explained
on the ground that they are mixed up with
old troops, and the fighting was all plain. re-
quirng very little change of direction; and,
besides, in comparison, they were few. No
doubt mistakes have been made, and perhaps
the Potomac army has been too slow; vet
when the greatness of the issue is weighed, is
1t not better to be cautious than rash /? Is it
not better to trust to scientific fighting. though
1t be slow, even to heartsickness and weariness
than to risk all upon the turning Of card, or,
IN other words, to the result of chance, as did
Napoleon at Marengo? War is not a game
OF chance, nor are Generals gamblers; but to
read the criticisms of Northern journalists.
one would think so. The results Of this con-
test are too momentous to permit of blind,
headlong policy in its conduct; and the enc
my is too powerful too skilful by far, to hope
that such chance policy will succeed. Bet
ter that whole year should pass in prepara-
ton, and then go ON to victory assured, than
risk the chances of defeat, even though they
be but as one in ten. Is it not so? If it be
said that delay is cripplng our resources, is it
not even more so those of our enemy? Inter-
vention by foreign powers may be urged; this
Is bugbear. Our iron-clads are guaranty
against such an event. Much fault is found
with Gen. Mcclellan, that he did not capture
Lees army at Antietam. Some military men
nave done this. Without entering into the
question at all, will set down the ipse DIRT
oI every soldier since the famous surround
ing OF jackson by Pope at Groveton, on Ma
nassas flalns The capturing of large armies
Is played out But, if the truth was known.
1t would appear that our victory at Antietam
came very near being defeat. With Sum-
ner and Hooker used up on the rinbt and cen
ter, and their positions assumed Inv the ex-
hausted and decimated troops of Franklin, and
the unreliable reSerce corps of Porter, (they