The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1862-11-14
Letter from tho 27th Regiment.
CAMP SEWARD. ARLINGTON, Va,
Nov. 7th, 1862.

cised thereby. When the paper containing
the letter came into camp there was the
greatest sagerness to obtain it. Nothing ex'
cept perhaps our rations, has been more dis
cussod in camp pro and con. than that same
letter. The feeling was decidedly in favor
Of the letter-but there are few who take
umbrago thercat. Arc they guilty? Per-
haps stray shot brought the plovcr autter-
ing down. None denied the facts, but some
doubted the propriety Of sending them home
to trouble our friends. As though the
truth would not bear to be told. Facts can
not always be concealed. There is an inside
history of this war that will come out some
time, that will startle those who do not look
beneath tho surface. There is an outside
view there is also an inside view.
So Ear as know shall write nothing but
facts and If in their Development anything
uncomcly is seen blame not the writer. l
shall not 60 out of the way to speak ofunpleas.
ant things neither shall | turn aside to avoid
them though lions stand in tho way. Not
to be personal, II men sometimes figure rath-
or strangely in my variations let the fault be
theirs. The friends of the regiment demand
facts, not fancy sketches. The complaint in
my letter with regard to rations was but the
utterance of the whole regiment. Perhaps
at some time the phole truth may be told.-
Nobody was blamed. The trouble might
have arisen in consequence OF our moving
state and the lack of transportation.
Our friends at home should not get the
impression that we are suffering for want of
food. The fact is had wo been where our
supplies could not be got to, not complaint
would have been heard. But being close by
storehouses OVERLOOKING with abundance, the
men felt that they ought not to be deprived
of their just dues by some soulless spccula-
tor. Things have begun to move and we
are having better rations now.
Our first experience on the "sacred soil "
was not of the most pleasant Character
Dust, thick and sudocating, covers the mem.
ory of our few days on East Capitol HILL
Early Sunday morning, Oct. Goth, we began
to move into Va. On our march 1t began
to rain and the scene changed most essential.
ly. Wet and weary We pitched our tents
the first night on tho "sacred soil" and at
night lie down to our moist slumbers. After
a night wild with wind and storm, the next
day the sun came out. dried our clothes and
chased our frowns away. Since then till
now the weather has been superb. We have
seen some Of the glories of Virginia Au-
tumn.
The regiment first cncamped on wooded
hill on Gen. Lees estate and then moved to
our present place, Camp Seward, in plain
sight of the Capitol. Our Surgeon selected
this place for its sanitary advantages. We
arc waiting orders to march. Meanwhile
forty men are daily detailed from each com.
pany to work on the Qualifications near here.
Almost every inch Of ground about here is
commanded by the guns of the forts that
crown the hill.tops and a line OF carth-works
stretches by our camp miles away. 1t is
difficult to ascertain the number Of troops
encamped about here. They are constantly
commng and going. Regiments come. pitch
their tents on the hill.sidcs in sight Of our
camp and some morning, soon after, the white
canvas is gone no ono knows whittier. Alta
brigade drill and review the other day the
hill sides fairly swarmed with troops. The
9th Reg. forms part Of Col. FesScnden's
brigade.
To-day We are having Virginia snow
storm and the cold and snow would indicate
a region nearer the North Pole. The snow
now covers tho ground to the depth Of 4 or 5
inches. 1t is not often that q more severe
storm occurs in Maine at this season. We
were caught without stoves but the boys
were not long in providing themselves with
warming apparatus of some kind. And
such contriyanccs! The Yankee is truly q
universal genius. He is not stuck anywhere.
Some were fortunate enough to obtain small
sheet iron stoves and such comfort as was
obtained from them cannot be described;
some extemporizcd stoves out OF camp ket-
ties; Others dug holes in the ground, built
furnaces with pieces Of sheet iron and brick,
running passage to the outside, placing
barrel with the heads knocked out over the
aperture. or piece Of funnel or brick Chin
ney.
It isa drcary night. The wind sounds
dsmally as it whirls the snow through the
air. How thankful ought those to be who
are comfortably sheltered from The bowling
storm. Tho sentinel must pace his dreary
round regardless Of cold and storm. Let those
who are enjoying the luxurics of home UNI
der the benign protection Of our government,
whose integrity no exposes his life to defend,
remember tho soldier, for there is suffering
in our brave army to night away in the front.
without fire or shelter, in the face Of the enc.
my. Let the pure and the holy who have
power with God, ask His protection for our
army. We eItol the courage that faces the
lannon's mouth, but that is no less courage
that enables the soldier to endure the cold,