The Portland daily press., 1862-07-29

GENERAL HOSPITAL, HARPER's FERRY,
july %, 1862

July %, 1862.
G. r. DAVIS, ESQ:
Dear Sir-Doubtless the home friends, who
SO generously sympathized in the object of my
recent mission in and around Portland, viii be
glad TO know that our boxes came through
safely, and will to-day be opened for hospital
use. You will recollect told you Govern
ment purposed closing the Hospitals at VIM
chester soon. Last week the order was carried
into effect, and eighty-fve of the sick and
wounded there were brought here for our care
and protection. Among them were twenty
four of the Maine 10th; and as friends are al
ways glad to know where their invalid sons
and brothers are, l will name them. Co. A,
A. l.. Skillin, J. b. Hanson, David b. Towle;
Co. b, Richard Sweetser, Geo. +. Buzwell; Co
ID, CIV. Harmon, Wallace Millken ID. S. Ross
Co. L, B. F. Morse, C. Z. Higgins, John Chap
lin; Co. +, Benz. Welch, c. b. Williams, VIM.
II. Pearson; Co. i, E. c. Chute, w. II. War
rem, George A. Gordon; Co. X, j. G. Marston,
Z. T. Getchell, A. n. Dunn, j. o. Osgood, w.
II. King; Band, o. b. Webb and David Blan-
chard.
OF the above, Chute and Milllken are slowly
recovering from typhoid fever. The rest are
comfortable and beyond especial danger unless
something new superyenes.
1t is useless to attempt to describe the feel
ing experienced when one of our 10th Maine
boys comes in for share of home charity /
am glad can say Eyes comrade, your mother,
your sister, your wife helped supply these COM
forts; enjoy them and welcome,p To-day
when our boxes were received and opened,
you would have imagined yourself at New
England muster, had you been here to look
on.
Saco, Biddeford, Vassalboro, Portland and
Oxford were well represented. Even poor
Harmon of Aroostook, with his one armless
sleeve swinging in the wind, stood by to see
what the boxes contained for the Maine boys
cavalay.
Sister Frost's fans found ready market,
and one Elder, of Portland was complmented
on ''the understanding" Good Mrs. Jewett's
pin cushions had splendid rum and those
checkerboards were hailed with delight. In
and pocket handkorchiefs, in their rapid evolu-
tons, quite excited my admiration.
1t may be 'all quiet along the lines of the
Grand Army" but flies and hot weather keep
our boys busy.
In Baltimore j procured barrel of soda
crackers, and hundred loaves of soft bread,
and tonight we shall have jubilee Hard
bread and boiled fresh beef will lie upon the
shelf this time, while tomorrow we intend to
rejoice over a brimful kettle of hasty pudding.
Our surgeon expresses great pleasure at the
generous supply of clothing, etc, and wonders
if Maine can stand such a draft frequently. l
tell him that this is the only drafting Maine
will allow, and that such drafts will be con-
stantly honored.
Among my supplies there is one thing we
miss, and that is delicacies for the very feeble
| ought to have asked some of our sea cap
tans for a jar of tamarnds, as also bespoken
supply of currant jelly, from the notable house
wives who will soon be laying up a quantity.
Some kind friends put up stewed currants
in bottles but either they were not well pack
ed, or fermented, for they made "a bountiful
spread through our boxes of clothing. When
sent again, will you please see that they are in
box by themselves.
/ have notice of another box on the way
1t may be it contains the very things we lack,
at least i hope so.
The mothers and sisters of many of our reg
iment gave me bundles for the boys / have
been able to deliver but five or six as yet as it
is almost impossible to get transportation. |
will do my best however to speed them on
their way.
have nothing new to add concerning poor
Cushmans fate, save that federal troops still
occupy the ground, and his last resting place
is held sacred.
Should you see fit to hand this over to the
tender mercy of the printer, please ask pardon
for the hasty manner in which it is written
When get 'the hang" OF the house will do
better.
Gratefully yours,
A. A. GODDARD,
Matron of General Hospital.