The Portland daily press., 1862-11-24
Correspondence of the Press.
From the Maine Goth.


CAMP NEAR WARRENToN, VA,
Nov. II, 1862
Editors Of Press When the advance of
this army of the Potomac began the Maine
Twentieth was at Antetam Ford. We re-
ceived marching orders on Thursday P. NJ.
Oct. 80. Six companies were out on picket
and the brigade had to wait for them to be re-
lieved and come in, so that when the bugle
sounded Advance" the harvest moon was well
nigh overhead. 1t was one of October's love-
liest evenings and this seemed to inspirit the
boys, for they marched away singing "wer'e
marching along;" when we halted to rest they
struck up" Home, sweet home," and / could
not blame them, if in their hearts they longed
for the homes they had left far away in n. E.
But we marched only about five mites before
halting for the night. Next morning we cross
ed the Potomac at Harper's Ferry, filed left,
crossed the Shenandoah and proceeded down
Loudon Valley. 1t was glorious day, and 1
never had behed such magnificent scenery
high, craggy bluffs from one to three hundred
feet in height, aud covered with Autumn ting
ed foliage: the Potomac winding along be-
tween Maryland Heights one the one side and
Bolivar and Loudon on the other. Harper's
Ferry seemed to me to be veritable noun
tain fastness and could but think John Brown
deserved credit for his selection of this place
for base of operations. At night we halted
on a southern slope surrounded by high hills,
where we remained. Sunday mornings bu-
gle started us for Smokers Gap. We remain
ed at the latter place till Thursday morning
when we advanced through Philomont and
Middlebury. Middlebury is small though
very neat secesh town; the window shutters
were mostly closed, but curious faces could be
seen behind them. One lady p showed her
true state of feeling by mimicking our officers
as they gave their commands. On Friday
morning ina Va. snow storm, We reached
White Plains, eneamped in the woods and re-
mained till next morning, when we advance
ed through New Baltimore within three
miles of Warrenton. About -four o'clock Sun
day morning the screech of bugle and clang
of drum started US from our comfortable slum-
bers, grumbling at the prospect of a long
march; but for once we were agreeably disap-
pointed, fer after trudging along about two
and a half miles we halted and encamped
where we still remain.
Warrenton is the finest town have seen in
Dixie. The dwellings are built of wood and
bricks, with chinnies inside. The majority of
the houses in Maryland aud Virginia are of
stone, or logs checked with mud, with huge
stone chimnies at either end but the houses
of Warrenton are decidedly Yankeeish in
style. There are many fine churches, and
places Of business. noticed only one public
house, the Warrenton House, which looked as
though it might afford comfortable accommo-
dations for large number of travellers.
The removal of Gen. Mcclellan came very
suddenly upon the army, and caused consider
able feeling. He took leave of the army on
Monday, and there was certainly intense en-
thusiasm manifested. He was subsequently
the guest of Gen. Porter, and officers of all
grades crowded to take leave of him. His
warmest friends are, however, compelled to
admit that he has been too SLOW but yet mourn
his removal. Others hope for more prompt
and energetic measures under Gen. Burnside.
AHS iSSiiueut HAS SuuSTeu inucn from SICK
ness; nearly two hundred were left at Antie-
tam Fort Hospital; aud numbers died and were
buried there on hill overlooking the creek;
but the sick have since been removed to Bal
timore, Alexandria, and Philadelphia. Colds
are still very prevalent, owing to sleeping on
the cold ground; and if we have winter cam
paign we may look for much suffering.
Our regiment is, however, under good dis
cipllne; our officers have labored hard to make
1t second to none in the field; no time is al
lowed to pass unemployed; if we halt but for
day or two, company and battalion drills are
sure to take the place of marching. "Co. K"
has several times been highly complimented
for Its good appearance and efficiency in drill
Capt. Strickland, who commands it, has been
In the service before, and well knows how to
make his experience available. At inspection,
Tuesday, the Division General sent his compli-
ments to Capt. s., stating that his was the best
company In the regiment.
Its cold weather now; but rs VIC received
overcoats just before marching the men are
tolerably comfortable.
But my letter is getting too prolix, and I
must close, though you may hear from me
again soon. w.