The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1862-11-11
COMMUNICATIONS.
Regular Correspondence of the Press.l
Letter from the Maine Twenty-third.
CAMP GROVER, MONTGOMERY Co., MD. /

CAMP GROVER, MONTGOMERY Co., Md.
23d Reg. Maine Vols, Nov. 2, 1862.
DEAR PRESS - Since writing you from
Capitol Hill, we have removed to this place,
which is about IS miles up the Potomac. We
marched on Saturday, 25th October, and BIZ
vouacked that night about miles above
Georgetown, by the side of the river, in
beautiful place; slept ON the ground, mostly
without shelter, save the starry canopy above
us. We are provided with the small shelter
tents, which can be carried with us on a march
without assistance from teams. Towards
morning, Sunday 26th, the sky became over
cast, and soon after breakfast and few miles
marching, the rain commenced falling copious-
ly, and by the time we arrived here, we were
well drenched. Col Virgin, being in advance,
selected our present camp ground, and we at
once commenced pitching our tents, but under
somewhat adverse circumstances, / assure
you. Several of the field officers and others
sought the best shelter which could be had,
viz: the houses of the nsighboring farmers,
who opened both their houses and barns to
our men, and gave them the best accommoda-
tions they could. Our teams and the canal
boat, containing officers tents and other nee
essary camp equipage, dry clothing, &C., had
not then arrived, and any shelter was consid-
cred acceptable. We spent the night some
what uncomfortably, on the wet ground; but
very few, however, caught cold, or were the
worse for this enforced wetting. Next day,
the rain ceased, the sun shone out about noon,
and since then we have enjoyed the most de-
lightful weather this climate affords.
The health of the regiment is very good,
there being now but seven men in the Hospi-
tai Yesterday there were fifteen. There
have been but two deaths in this regiment
since leaving Portland, viz: VIM. H. Irish Of
Hartford, Me-, of congestion of the bowels,
Oct 21st, at Union Hospital, Philadelphia, Co.
c, Capt. Prince; ard last night, in this Hos
pita, Lewis B. Newton of Andover, of typhoid
fever, Co. f, Capt. Bolster. The burial ser
vices are to be at A O'Clock this P. NJ. The
grave is at the foot of beautiful chestnut
tree, ON the brow of the hill upon which we
are encamped, overlooking the Potomac. Mr..
Newton was a good man, beloved by his asso-
ciates, ard his loss is deeply felt by his compa-
ny. He left wife aud several children at
home, to mourn his departure in this distant
place. May the Father Of Mercies grant them
consolation and protection under this severe
affiiction
There has been hard fighting for several
days past, a few miles above us on the other
side, near Leesburg, and to-day the sound of
artillery is continuous and heavy. A large
number of prisoners are said to have been ta-
ken, and some of them have already passed
here by canal boat towards Washington
The regiment attended divine service this
forenoon, on the battle-ground. A very in
teresting discourse was delivered by our chap
lain, Mr.. Snow, who is liked by us all very
much. Our Post-ofice facilities are poor. as
our mails come from Washington by special
messenger, sometimes direct, and sometimes
they go to headquarters above here, before
they get to this camp.
We are in a secesh neighborhood, although
there are some Union men in this county. The
Provost Marshal of this county was here two
days since, of whom learned many important
particulars, touching the political condition of
this part of the State. At Rockville, the coiin-
ty seat, reside several prominent and inyeter-
ate secessioDists, who, when Col Blanchard
of the army came few weeks since to nav
certain sums as indemnity for property taken
by the army on its march through Rockville.
took control of the matter, and while they.
having requested and obtained guards for their
premises, of the Commanding Generals, suf-
fered but slightly, the Unionsts, not hav-
ing any guards over their property suffered
severely from army depredations, willy
and bold strategists so cajoled the Col, and
presented such false and exorbitant charges
for damages, that more than $4,000 was paid
to them, and not cent to those Union men
who were the principal sufferers. The affair
is notorious, and illustrates the cupidity of
these rebel sympathizers, and the influence
they have over some of our army officers.
had an opportunity to-day to converse with
slave, negro; intelligent but not educated.
lie answered my questions freely, except when
l asked him if his master was "secesh," he
gave me to understand it wouldn't do to say
anything about that. In answer to questions
touching upon different points of interest, he
said he was the father of sixteen children. all
slaves to Mr. Jones, his present master.-that
four were dead that he longed for liberty, but
had never attempted to escape from slavery.