The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1862-05-09

Ieries. when We Wisu W auNanco, W Piahs
, battery, company or 80 Of sharpshOoters
,re deployed and engage the battery nearest
The direct front, and pop of the artillerists
Is fast as they attempt to work the guns
Other companies are detailed to do the same
work at other points, and by this means the
batteries are planted without serious loss.
To-day Californian sharp-shooter killed an
officer on the parapet Of one of the rebel bat
teries u mile distant! lie is q capital shot,
and could the grizzly bears Of the Sierra.No-
vada mountains speak, they would tell Of
brothers killed and manga companion wound
ed by this same sharpshooter.
This forenoon saw heavy mortar pass.
dragged along by forty mules. Such mon
strous cannon. such enormous mortars and
every description of ordnance, as are here
seen in position, will give one some idea OF
what vast preparations are going on to make
doubly sure the defeat and rout of the rebels.
| fancy the rebels yonder will find to their
sorrow and dismay that Yankee ingenuity
can be displayed in war as well as in peace.
When the word of command comes from Lit
tie Mac, there will be thunder reverbera-
ting along the entire line of battle that will
awaken and startle the nations. Have pa
thence, and wait calmly the result. If am
not mistaken. the death.blow to the rebellion
is to be struck here. AS did CORVALLIS, so
will johnson and Magrudcr, in the second
siege Of Yorktown.
My boy, we have some fno troops scat
tered around on this peninsula know it's
contraband to say much about matters this
way, even if you are 50 wise as to know any
thing pertaining thereto; but Ill venture
the guess that Mac has 1900 troops here
with HIM who are ready and willing to fight,
even on this narrow strip Of land It's a
cheap" of soldiers, as the Westerners would
say. All have to say further is, "Rcbels,
look out for breakcrs''
A few days ago was down to Old Point.
Far away in the distance was the Merrimac,
looking like a Mississippi fiat boat, with a
square roof to it. Several steam tugs were
near her, putting and blowing as If in dis
tress. A short distance from the fort lies the
Monitor-a queer-looking animal indeed =
The best description | can give Of her is the
one | saw in the Norfolk Day Book; she
looks like a raft with Yankee cheese box
ON it. All seem to have perfect confidence
in her abilities to cope with and destroy the
Merrimac.
Beyond the Monitor is the Galcna, and
near the latter the Stevens battery. They
will corporate with the Monitor in the at
tack upon the Merrimac, and no doubt prove
worthy of Yankee genius. 1t is said the
Vanderbilt is in port, but cannot SEQ herin
the forest of masts. She has breastworks OF
cotton, shielded with iron, and
being loaded in the stern, she throws her
iron PROV nearly out OF water when sailing
fast. She is said to run 30 miles an hour.
with full head Of steam on, and, doubtless.
will pay her respects to the Virginia in a
manner more forciblc than polite.
The 18th band is in bad way. Thelcad-
or is very sick, and with those sent home,
and on the sick-list here, leaves but ID to do
duty. You may look for us home at any
time, but hope not till after good sharp
battle. l long to hear our batteries open
with glorious roar! long to hear the
word, forward, charge bayonets, double
quick, march When that moment comes
look to the actions Of tho Maine regiments.
They are to play grand part in this drama.
There must be great sacrifice of life-it
must be awful-but it is the fate of war
and he is wise and sagacious commander
who can save as well as DESTROY it.
But my candle burns low, and warns me
to draw this desultory cpstlc to close
Think Of us often, and when in battle pray
for us. Give my love to all the friends. Say
to all, the boys send greeting and good will
to friends at home, and are awaiting anx.
iously the approaching conflict. Send us
our county paper-the Journals often as
you can. All Maine papers are eagerly
looked for. Ben.