The Portland daily press., 1862-06-23

~
turned Prisoners Funeral Of Mgor Smith
correction.
AUGUSTA, June 21, 1852.
To THE EDITOR OF THE PORTLAND DAILY
PREss:-The Sixteenth Regiment, Col. A. w.
Wildes of Skowhegan, is filling up as rapidly
as can reasonably be expected, considering the
large drain already made upon the State for
men, to assist in putting down the rebellion,
and the fact that nearly all men not in the SER
vice had, previously to the call for the Regi-
ment, arranged for employment during the sea-
son.
The number ofmen now raised for the Six
teenth, is about 25O. The Lieut.. Col, of this
Regiment was appointed some time ago, and
his acceptance of the appointment is awaited
He is one of the finest officers in the field, and
from county from which no field-officer has
before been appointed. The Sixteenth will be
fine Regiment, ably officered. Its Command
er, Col. Wildes possesses energy and tact, in
an uncommon degree, and 6rim full Of patriot
ism. The comfort and well-being of the men
under the charge of Col. Wildes, will be faith
fully and assiduously attended to. A body Of
recruits for this Regiment, are this morning
erecting tents for their occupancy on the lot at
the south of the Capitol, formerly occupied by
the Batteries.
Some newspapers, are circulating report that
Dr. Robert w. Wood, of the Sandwich Islands,
has sent to Gov. Washburn 5000, for wounded
soldiers and their families. This is partially a
mistake. The sum sent for that patriotic and
humane purpose was $500 not s5OOO This will
be placed in the hands of Mayor Caldwell, to
be distributed under direction of the Ladies'
Relief Society of this city. DR.. Wood is a ma
tive Of Augusta He removed from Orono to
the Sandwich Islands in 1888, where he has
been most successful sugar-planter.
About fifty prisoners have returned, and re-
ported to Maj. Gardiner here. They all tell
sad tales of brutality and cruelty at the hands
Of the rebels. One prisoner in whom your cor
respondent places the most implicit confidence
states, that in Richmond twenty-five Of their
number were wantonly killed. Ofthese. Lieut..
Todd, brother of President Lincoln's wife, cut
down three with his sword. Perhaps 1t Is not
good idea to confiscate property Of such men,
or otherwise interfere with those constitution
al rights which they observe so well. Perhaps
this war had better be a rose-water war.
The funeral, on Thursday the 10th, of the
gallant and lamented Major Smith Of Wis
casset, who fell at the head Of his column, was
attended by large concourse, consisting Of q
Military Company from jefferson, one from
Whitefield, and the Wiscasset Artillery, besides
the Free Masons, and a large body Of citizens
and friends. The services were solemn and
touching. He died well. 1t never fell to the
lot of man to die so gloriously as to die for his
country. Adj't Gen,l Hodsdon, and Col. Z. K.
Harding, Assistant Quartermaster General,
were present at the funeral. Gov. Washburn,
would also have attended had he known In
season the day set apart for the funeral; but he
arrived from his home at Orono, at noon ofthe
day of the funeral, and consequently too late
to reach Wiscasset in time to be present at the
sad rites.
The following is from the Argus:
Why should Fitz Henry Warren OF Iowa. and Mr..
Washburn of Wisconsin, zone of the family" be
appointed brigader generals! They have not served
Is possible that there not hundreds of brave Of
ficcrs who have served during the war and won the
distinction by labor and battles and wounds who
filter!
1t would be well for the Argus to be certain
Of the facts of the case. Both the gentlemen
named above, have been Colonels of cavalry
for nearly year. SKIRMIsHER.