The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1862-12-12
Letter from the 27th Regiment.

We stated last week, that we had receiveds
letter from SOLDIER" The letter Il dated Camp
Seward, Va. Nov. 9th 1862. We have not
space to give the whole letter, but make the fol.
lowing extracts. Soldier reaffirms his state
ment In relation to the rations Of the regiment
while 1t was on East Capitol Hill, and then says:
DOUBTLESS my statement seemed o little eI-
travagant but let US see what occasioned it
Things sometimes appear vastly different on
paper from what they are in fact. Figures
make quite show but you cant eat them
Facts are stubbon things, to them We appeal.
I will state how matters stood in the company
to which belong. and II isfair to presume that
what befel that company befel others, or that
was mighty unfortunate.
We were on East Capitol Hill from Thursday
noon till Sunday morning following, three days
and half During that time we had but one
ration Of beef served out to US. and I think II
was Of such character that day rtwo AFTER
wards there came near being mutiny In camp
in consequence"
The letter concludes as follows:
"Monday morning the 18th inst. six compa-
MES from the LEFT Of the regiment marched ac-
cording to orders with four days ratious to en-
bark at Alexandria. After proceeding short
distance the orders were countermanded and
they came back to camp. Every day since we
have been expecting to march. Now we have
got orders to 60 into winter quarters here
Our Surgeon has selected the camping ground.
We are going to stockade our tents and use
them tor our quarters; they can be made quite
comfortable. The men were anxious to 60 in
Banks expedition and were somewhat disap-
pointed ut the idea of going into winter quar-
tiers. They came here to do something towards
crushing the rebellion. and they dislike the idea
Of living idly in camp all winter. To-day /
learn the line officers have signed q petition to
Gen. Banks asking to be allowed to join his
expedition.
The 25th Regiment has built log houses and
gone into winter quarters.
There are two or three regiments Of paro!ed
prisoners encsmped here. One Of these, n.
York regiment arrived last night without tents
and bivouaced in the open air. 1t was bitter
cold night. This morning our cooks sent them
some hot coffee and bread.
We are brigaded with the 25th and two other
regiments-Col. Grimshaw of the Delaware 4th
acting Brigadier.
We still have conflicting rumors about our
future movements. One is that we are to guard
Long Bridge and another that We are to march.
Notwithstanding we are 50 far from the land
Of pumpkin pies and doughnuts and there were
no family gathing here, we doubt IL the men
Of this regiment ever had more joyful thanks
giving than this. The men have been for some
time most uncomfortably "short" and when
to-day the pay-master was announced there
was joy in camp. They were paid of and the
"green. backs" are plenty in camp. We are
paid from the 10th of September. We are yet
without chaplain and our religious privileges
are somewhat limited. We need the presence
and labors Of q faithful minister Of the gospel.
The demoralling effects Of the war is one Of
its most terrible evils. II taxes the nation In
money, in men and not least, in morals. God
hasten its speedy close. The soldiers are will
ing to march on to fight, but they desire the
war to close that they may return to their fam.
lilies and peaceful pursuits. Still they are
ready to defend the Union and will shed the
last drop OF their blood rather than its glorious
ensign shall trail in the dust. SOLDIER.