The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1862-02-07
The Maino Cavalry Regiment.
ApJurASr GENERALS OFFICE, I
AUGUSTA, Jan. %, 1862. :

communication OF tue Zol INST, ulhkes certaln
statements in relation 10 the First Regiment OF
Maine Cavalry, In camp here, 80 much ut vari-
ance with the truth, and 50 well calculated to
convey an erroneous impression respecting the
general condition and efficiency Of this fine
body Of superbly mounted men, that deem Il
my duty to request limited space In the col
umns OF your valuable journal. in which to
disabuse the public mind upon this subject.
Without commenting upon the unanimous
expression Of those who have seen the numer-
Gus regiments Of cavalry in service upon the
Potomac, land those raised elsewhere for this
emergency, as also ours.) that this regiment,
as regards both men and horses, is not inferior
to the very best in the service, will adduce a
few facts and figures, shown by the records Of
this department, to qualify your correspond
ent's statements.
On the 9TH OF October the first purchase Of
nineteen horses was made and brought into
camp.
On the 18th they numbered 367.
On the 26th they numbered 727.
On the Sd OF November they numbered l.
OF.
On the sd Of November they numbered H.
l76, the maximum number.
IL Is thus seen that more than one-half Of
these horses have been in camp three months,
and all of them more than two. Their average
cost delivered here, including all expenses, was
SlOl ~ ttCu. hNuouSh thSsc ohiuihio
been kept under sheds merely, and wholly with
out blanketing, their Improvement in flesh,
spirit and drill has excited the admiration Of
all who have been In n situation to observe
them. Kinder treatment was never administer
ell to animals by the men Of this regiment to
their horses. The effect OF II is what might
have been expected, rs they have gained In
flesh from so to $50 pounds each.
But twcnty-one have been lost from all caus-
es. Two were fatally injured coming into
camp. One rupturcd from fall upon the Ice,
being smooth shOd. Two spoiled from being
kicked. few died from changing the food
from oats to corn, and Others OF lung COM
plants. The nineteen unseryiceable horses sold
realized an average Of about $50 each.
IL all the horses OF this corps were offered ut
auction to-day, no one acquainted with their
condition and value doubts that much more
than their cost would be realized. Scores Of
them would sell for more than $500 each, and
n few would be desirable nj n much larger price
Their restlessness, spoken Of by 3D." Though
without accidcnts,) at the rapidly repeated dis
charges Of q brass six-pounder, located ia close
proximity to the line, is entitled to some little
palliatiOn ON account Of the novelty Of the or
deal aud being young horses, never having
heartl cannon before. In matters Of drill and
evolution no infantry column Of equal practice,
whether platoon or company, can excel them
in the prOmptness and precision OF their move
ments.
In view Of the casualties ordinarily attending
the movements of large bodies of undisciplincd
horses, with change Vt keepers and grooms, OF
feed, water, shelter. location and care, and
above all (being straRgeIs) injury to each 9th.
err by kicking in massing them together, 1t is n
matter of surprise that 81 few have been lost or
injured. The fact that out of nearly 1900
horses, averaging in cost Sl0i 10 each, 10 Of
the poorest and least valuable that could be Sc
lected, after more than two months trial, should
bring almost $50 each, at auction, at q time
when such property is in less demand than any
other, is a sufficient Recommendation tor the
extraordinary good quality, condition aud val
ne of the remainder. Your correspondent says:
"The horses are barely ordinary great part
Of them were Immediately sold 10 Government
because OF some defects which brief experience
seems to deyelope." am able to account for
this gross and palpabc Misrepresentation, only
upon the suppOsition that some disappointed
subaltern Oilice-seeker ycntured upon trial OF
"B.'s" credulity. The statements respecting
the discouraged feeling among the men on ac-
count of the suspension OF the sword exercise,
and their apprehension that they are to be dis
banded or trans fcrrvd to infantry, are without
foundation. They can only be required to serve
as infantry or artillery by virtue Of u new and
voluntary enlistment; aud discharge under
the present organization would entitle them to
bounty, hence no great cause of alarm Is appa
rent IL must be admitted that the sick list Is
large, though the greater portion Of the cases
are simple colds. The mortality for the three
months which the regiment will average in
camp here cannot be deemed excessive, in view
of the season and living in canvas tents, only
three persons having died, ami one OF these
from chronic difficulty not aggravated by
military life and duty.
The admission that the men are above the ay-
- ...ut,l.l as IN ia with tha rp
mark that "a great majority Of the officers are
incompetent, nom education and temper. to I'LL
their places, ;" eyinces q mischeyious spirit de-
serving rebuke. The unusual care and atten-
ton of the officers TO the comfort, drill and
discipline Of both men and horses, SO apparent
10 all observers, is the best possible Indication
Of their fitness for the places they occupy
They comprise superior class OF educated gen.
tlemen, and among them large majority ad.
mirally qualified, from military and frontier
life, and Octiye business experience for this arm
Of service.
No regiment in New England think am
authorized TO say, was ever better organized
than this one; and none in this state certainly
as eIcelled il in subordnat on discipline and
soldier-like conduct. "B" says "the author
titles furnish food and drink for the men, not
the most wholesome, and this right at home. !"
If"B" knows anything about the affairs and
condition of the cavalry regiment, he stands
conyic cd Of attempting to spread false and in.
furious impressions not only regarding this
corps, but also affecting the best interests OF the
service generally. aud his loyalty may well be
called in question. A large portion Of the Of
fcers live in camp, and their supplies are drawn
to a great extent from the same source from
which the men receive theirs. These officers are
necessarily in close communication with this
Office at all times, and have been since the COM
mencement of the organization Of the regiment
and not one word of complaint touching the
character of the rations has ever been heard;
on the contrary they have often been spoken Of
in terms of high commendstion.
The Maine troops Of all arms Of service which
arc now, and for some weeks have been, en-
camped in this city, numbering about 1900. aud
comprising three regiments of infantry, one OF
cavalry and five batteries OF artillery, are oil
full TO the maximum, with the exception OF two
batteries, which will be full within few days.
The men have been examined and re-examiD-
oil, aud those Objectionable from any cause sift
ell out more thoroughly and e1cctually than
has been the case with any troops that have
gone into service from this State, because ample
opportunity has been afforded for the exercise
" this scrutiny.
The measles have had their run through all
the regiments and corps, enabling these troops
10 60 into active service better qualified to en-.
dure exposure, fatigue, duty, service and harl-
ships Of all kinds, than any that have preceded
them. Their drill in guard duty, the police VI
the camp, the school Of the soldier. company
and battalion, rs been almost as thorough as
would have been practicable IL brigadel and In
line with the army Of the Potomac. Perhaps
no better evidence ofthe superior character and
condition Of the troops here at this time can be
afforded, than the fact Of the amounts Of their
pay voluntarily allotted 10 their families, exceed
-. "a hail hal sly mo IA, m,