The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1862-01-17
ARMY CORRESPONDENTS.
ClNr PESoBsoor, Corr. l,
FIRST MAINE CAVALRY, Z
Ararsr., MAfSE. Jan. Ii, lo62. J


ily seen that our camp must be in the south
ern part Of the city, and on the '0e't bank
of the Kennebec.
Since my last letter to you, events have
made it quite probable that No shall not
strike our tents before spring. BY the by,
A Harry NEw YEAR to all your readers
The capital is quite lively and active just at
this time, there being here, besides the cav
airy regiment, the 18Th, l4thand 18th resi-
ments Of infantry, besides Eve batteries OF
artillery. The Legislature being in session,
and the third house well represented, all tend
to give the city rich harvest Of business
Many friends Of the soldiers are also here
There are more than 1000 soldiers here now.
About Christmas the winter, which had pre-
yiously been remarkably mild, really sat in,
and we have since had some very cold wealth
err. We need barracks. Cloth tents, warmed
by sheet iron stoves, are so subject to the ex-
trcmcs Of heat and cold that they are made
quats to protect the men IRON the northern
blasts Of winter. We manage to keep fire
all night, however, by detailing man every
two hours to keep the fres bsrnins.
In the following article from the American
Sentinel (Ba,h) there is truth, as we should
expoSt to find in letter from JANIS NJ. LIN
coin, Esq, its editor, and also Clerk Of the
Scnat1 during the present session Of the Le-
gisllturc. Yet we think in relation to bed,
din: that the soldiers are not sufficiently sup
piled by the Government. Many OF them
have articles OF bedding from friends.
"rhe soldiers are jewellers in tents, which
Mt this season OF the year are hardly suita-
bic. True, they have plenty of fuel, cloth.
ing and bedding. yet in such structures, with
the piercing winds which We had last week,
comfort, especially in the night time, when
tho fires are out, cannot be expected. II the
trOOps arc 10 remain here through the winter,
other quarters should ut once DO provided for
them. Barracks can DO erected at short no.
tice and at small expense. Let the materials
b, furnished, and our Yankee boys would
soon put up substantial structures.
There is considerable sickness among the
soldiers. Though this may be attributable
in part to indiscre,iOn, to disregard OF atten'
ton to diet. dress, and even cleanliness, yet
considerable of the sickness is in consequence
of the exposure of the soldiers, owing To I'M
suitable quarters. Some Eve hundred are
reported sick. Measles is the prevalent dis
case there have been some cases OF dipthc-
ria, also feyers. Several have recently died,
and unless some changes are soon made in |
their situation, one-halC OF the men will not
he in condition for service in the spring, even
il their number is not greatly reduced by
death.
Tho hospital arrangements are said to be
very imperfect. Not only are supplies need.
ell for that department., but better medical
attentions and more nurses arc required
The people hero are ready and willing to
render all needed aid TO the sick soldiers
making offers OF articles of comfort aud ten
dering their services Us attendants, but, from
some cause. their attentions have been light
ly regarded by those in charge OF the hospl-
tai. Tao matter needs looking into. Our
sick soldiers, especially, should not suffer for
suitable attentions, bedding or food. IT
those, either male or female, having charge
of them arc incompetent or uniaithIul, let
them be removed at once"
IL is but right, however, to add that the
Legislature has appointed committee to
look after the hospital and report what its
needs are. so that some action may be taken
And have understood that through the ef-