The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1862-10-31

has played sad havoc with this city. It
looks Ikea city Of dcsohtion. Her pridc
has been humblcd to the dust. How COM
plcsely is she rcaping the fruits Of her own
dOings. Deeply has she drank Of tho bitter
cup. And yet, while ruin starcs her in the
face. were she not held by the strong arm Of
the Government she would to-day be linked
with secession. The train stopped short
time ut the Relay House. This has become
classic ground. There Is nothing In tho APP
pearancc Of this place why It should DO
marked in history, the ground Is rough and
broken, and the great Relay House nothing
more than q country tavern, except that
there Is bar outside where some OF The boys
INDUCED little too much for their own BEN
eft. There aro two regiments and two bat
tories stationed hero.
We arc encamped right in the midst OF
dust and dirt. l have heard about tho dust
Of Washington but the half was not told
me. We got here in the midst Of North
or. The wind blew and raised the dust in
clouds. 1t pcnctrates everything. It fills
our clothes, covers our bodies, blows into our
hair, ears and mouths. We have TO eat il
and sleep In II. We bavo to burrow like
hens. The boys have no great opinion Of
Washington. 1t may be a great place but
they don't SEQ Il. They begin TO think that
after all thoro is no place like New England
for them and there is not. Its climate may
be severe but It Is tho home OF all that make
life desirable and happy.
The boys complain considerably Of their
fare since We came hear. Wo have had hard
bread enough bu. little coffee and less meat.
Nobody may DO to blame but there is moth
ing like having competent men for officers
Incompctcncy has played the mischief with
our army and is likely to yet more. Itbesns
at tho organization Of companies. Mcn OBJ
tain places by somo means that they are to-
tally unit for. They think that they can
command men when they can scarcely shoul-
der arms. Tbcy dash about with their Shout
der STRIPS and red sashcs and imagine them
selves something great. Nothing can DO
moro ridiculous. II isa complete burlesquc,
and yet they don't know IL. Any ono
who has any idea Of the military, II must
gil with disgust. Money and influence
has had q great deal to do with this
There is great deal Of specializing carried
on in tho army. This is common remark
here and tho conduct Of men proves it. 1t
is not well to complain and men often bear
till things get beyond endurance. There
are men in the ranks who arc not FOOLS
They enlisted to serve their country and per-
haps they can servo 1t as we'll by the expo
sure OF those who would ruin IL for their
own oggrandizcmcnt as by fighting rebels.
There is no more patriotic or brave army
in the world than ours, but II has been shame
fully handled. Tho men suffer nccdlcssly
oftentimes. Since the 9th Reg't came hero
wc have not drawn moro than ono quarter
ations-nnd this whom close by an album
dance OF stores. There can DO no cxcuso.-
As consequence there has been some howl
ing in camp. There would DO no discon-
tent or grumbling II men were properly
treated.
Tomorrow wo march for Virginia and
commence soldering in earnest. As oppor-
tunity offers shall keep tho readers posted
with regard to tho movements Of the 27th
Regiment. SOLDIER.