The Portland daily press., 1862-11-21
COMMUNICATIONS.


Headquarters 25th Maine Regiment,
Camp atom Casey" Arlington Heights,
Nov. 10, 1852.
DEAR PRESS: - Thinking that few re-
marks from me might be of some interest to
some members of the inquisitivesworld, my
feelings prompt me to write you few lines.
The regiment Is at present encamped on the
famous Arlington Heights, about two and one
half miles from the Virginia end of Long
Bridge. The site is ona beautiful piece of
ground, slopiug gradually toward the west,
while the road that leads directly to Bull Run
passes on the Southern side of the camp.
The country at the south and west of us
bears plenteous evidences of the devastating
effects of the war. Everything presents to
you ruined appearance, and, taking all in all,
1t Is vast scene of desolation and barbarism.
In one place you viii see beautiful garden
spot, with scarcely anything to show its iden-
tity; 10 another you will see peach orchard
that, before the war, yielded much fine fruit to
its owner, while now the trees are fast dying,
and for the want of proper care.
While lounging about in Scamp Lincoln" we
prided ourselves that we were going to more
genial cline, thanhthat in which we had been
reared from childhood, TO spend the fast APP
preaching months Of cold weather that makes
the winterin New England.
Yes, the greater part of us were in great
hurry to get here; the sooner the better, tho't
we; and now we are here; here, on the "sa-
cred soil" Of the Old Dominion, in the world
renowned warm and sunny South" "Warm
and sunny" indeed, when the scaldiug rays of
"Old Sol' beat down upon our heads, even as
1t used to do in Maine, during the short days of
November. Hereafter, when we return home,
when we hear the beauties of this region
prsised so much, we can say, with the spirit
of the times, 1--WE can't see it."
Notwithstanding the climate, the boys are
quite well contented; full as much so as we
expected to be. Our duty thus far has not
been of the hardest kind, having been nothing
of importance beside drilling and guard duty.
For the past few days we have been doing
guard duty at Long Bridge, by relieving the
N. Y. 18th. The boys are highly elated at the
prospect of having the honor of guarding this
famous bridge, it being one of the principal
entries to our national capital, during our stay
in this vicinity.
The barracks intended for our winter quar-
tiers are progressing finely, and will probably
be finished by the end of the coming week =
there is marked contrast between them and
the ones we occupied at Scamp Lincoln" yet
they are undoubtedly as comfortable.
As to our living, 1t is not the ''bill of fare"
Of fashionable eating house, nor is such to
be expected; neither is the quantity more nor
the quality better than at Camp Lincoln.
Yet we get all we want, and that is more than
some of the regiments can say. The disci-
pline of the 25th is fast increasing under the
supervision of General Fessenden, and the able
and efficient commanders in the regiment l
doubt If there is any regiment in the service
Of no longer experience, that holds better
reputation than the 25th. This reputation we
intend to hold good, let what win come
whether we are kept here or sent into the
field to face storm of leaden hail. May our
Heavenly Father aid us in our cause.
! will now close for the present
Yours, JAcKsoNIAN.