The Portland daily press., 1862-12-31
COMMUNICATIONS.
Correspondence of the Press
From the Goth Maine Regiment.
CAMP NEAR FALMOUTH, VA,
December 10, 1862.

DtctHUeT ~, looZ.
The telegraph has already told its gloomy
tale. Another battle has been fought, and its
unfortunate results are known in almost every
loyal hamlet either North or South, and many
household sorrows for the loss of missing
or suffering of wounded member, unreeved
by the cheers OF any success as the consoling
fruit of suffering and death.
As welcome a visitor as the Press has ever
been in camp, shall dread to see the number
whose telegraphic column shall contain the
final account of the battle of Fredericksburg
We had hoped, indeed, to be able to chronicle
different result, and the whole army of the
Potomac gallantly strove to obtain it, destined
to disappointment, but though disappointed
not yet disheartened. IT, with all the resources
- OF the loyal States, with all the generous out
giving Of treasure aud life-if with right on
our side, we cannot succeed in establishing
law and order in place of mutinous slayocra-
cy, the heart might well feel sick and ask will
truth forever lag behind? Where the respon-
sibity Of the defeat should rest, may not be
for subalterns to inquire; but we will still be-
lieve, that the suffering endured and gallant
ry displayed by our troops will not always be
turned to bitterness by such meager victories
and disasters as have hitherto attended the ar
my of the Potomac.
The Maine Twentieth was in the engage
meht of Saturday; it returned from picket on
Wednesday afternoon, just in season to pre-
pare for marching on the following morning.
Early on the morning of Thursday the boom
ing of artillery called us to breakfast, and we
marched at daylight. Our march was not a
long one, however, for we went only about
three miles, and halted near the Lacey house,
remaining till dark, when we marched into
some woods upon our left and encamped for
the night. Next day we moved still nearer
the river, but did not cross and, much to our
disappointment, spent another night on the
north side of the Rappahannock. On Satur-
day the battle was recommended with terrific
fury and the third brigade was early put in
readiness for marching. During the forenoon
we waited, listening to the almost uninter-
rupted roar of artillery and incessant volleys
of musketry. At little past noon we moved
on TO the heights overlooking the city, and
could distinctly see the engagement upon the
right. i watched with intense interest the
efforts made by portion of our troops to gain
possession Of the crest of hill just in front of
a rebel battery. At one time our lines would
seem to waver, theu to stand firm, their ranks
growing thinner from continuous streams of
death from cannon and rifle all the while; once
the enemy charged upon them in a well form
ed line and with seemingly overwhelming i'm
petuosity, but were soon driven back to the
shelter OF their rifle pits. While every eve
seemed riyeted TO this spot, the bugles sound
ed For,cdrd, and we were soon on our way
across the river. Marching through to the
outskirts of the city, our brigade formed in
line of battle in a muddy street, protected by a
slight rise OF ground, and lay down awaiting
the command which was soon to usher us in
to the fierce raging conflict. The bullets
whistled past, struk the ground among and in
rear of us; the shrieking shells tore their way
along in mid air, exploded over our heads, or
ploughed the earth just beyond; the wounded,
covered with blood, assisted by their comrades,
nassad mi their n 10
ing with excessive pain, others calling out
$50 in, boys; we're driving the devls;' all
together combined to form scene calculated
to try the stoutest heart, and If there were
any towards to make them quail before the
dangers they were so soon to encounter.
We had not long to wait; the command,
"Attention J" brought us to our feet, and we
advanced under most CALLING cross fire from
both artillery and infantry, a distance of near
ly fourth of a mile, directly TO the 'front.'
where another brigade had been for several
hours calamity holding the enemy in check
In a few minutes Col. Stockton, commanding
our brigade, approached Col. Ames, and said
Colonel, can you relieve that regiment in
front?" The answer, "Certanly," given in
the quietest and most selfpossessed manner
possible, most certainly gave me additional as
surance. We were halted on slight emf
nence, up which we Immediately proceeded to
the very front, and lying down continued the
fire upon the enemy, who, under protection of
their rife pits, were pouring volley upon vol
ley of musketry over and into our ranks 1t
was about an hour before sunset. As the sun
went down there was a cessation for few
minutes; then the firing recommended with
redoubled fury, as if the enemy fully intended
to annihilate us. 1t continued for nearly an
hour after dark, when it ceased on both sides,
and the work of death for that day was done
Our regiment suffered but little on its way
to the front, but the loss of the 44th n. York,
which was on our left, was considerable. Our
whole loss for the day amounted to three
killed, and about thirty wounded. 1t is nec-
essary to hold the position, and we must re-
main on the battlefield all night, with the dead
around us for companions, and the shrieks of
the wounded filling our ears; no fires are al
lowed, and the tired soldier has no alternative
but to MUNICH his hardbread, and drink his
canteen OF water In silence and darkness: it
is clear, stlll, cold night, and sleep is almost
Impossible. Attwelve o'clock decide not to
continue longer the vain endeavors to sleep,
and walk about to warm my chilled limbs, ov-
er the field of the recent conflict Here and
there lay the dead in every possible posture,
some still clutching musket in their deathly
grasp. The ground is strewn with guns.
blankets, canteens, &c. Occasionally we hear
the report of a musket fired by a wounded
sufferer to attract attention. All along the
road we see the shadowy forms of the ambu-