The New York herald., 1862-01-04
GENERAL BUFFERS EXPEDITION.
OUR BOSTON CORRESPONDENCE.

UEUEnAl DVIL6h EAftVISIUOs
~-~~>o-~c>>~-~-~~~~~>J>r~-
OUR BOSTON CORRESPONDENCE.
Boston, Jan. l, 1852.
Vis! to Camp Chase LoUel-Grand Repie,c Inspection
and Parads-7roops Destined for the Souh-The Troops
Cheey-Bu'min9 Of The Camp Guardhospe by Prison
sr-Co'nposm of the Second Detachment Of General But
ler's Expedion-C5'onei Shepley Of the ToelfM Maine
Regiment-The Gunboat Saron--Her Trial Tip--Erperi-
menE in Gannery-The Time Of Enba, kotion A ppoint
ei-Mes.ing Of the Massachusetts LeSislatue-Departure
Of Asssrs Mason and SideH from Fort Warren. DC DC
visited Camp Chase, Lowell, yesterday, and spent
part of the day very PLEASANTLY witnessing the review
inspection and dress parade Of the various bodies Of
troops destined for Ship Island in the next trip Of the
steamer Constitution. AS the day the last in tho
year and every preparation being made to enable
tho soldiers to strike their tents and proceed to Boston
tho ordor break camp from General But
Ter. I found the officers immersed In business
All appeared to be eager to start for the locality from
which they to be led against the enemies of
try after seeing the poor fellows slip about the
which the ground Of their camp, could not
blame them IL the desire to got into climate
is as powerful inducement the prospect of meeting
thefoe.
But keen the air is in the vicinity Of the camp, the
soldiers well protected against the nciemency Of WIN
Thcir tents excellent, and each provided
with good stove, which keeps the place am
ply warm. The clothing Of all the mon at
Camp Chase is also OF first rate quality
and is credit to the states in which the regiments
were equipped. l do not believe twenty five
hundred men could bo found anywhere who present a
more comfortable appearance. The result Of such
seen in the perfect health OF the brigade horc being
serious illness in tie camp.
Last Sunday night private who confined in tho
guardhouse fire that building and 1t destroyed
before the flames could be quenched The fire extended
NO further. The incendary is in irons, and will pro-
badly be punished severely.
The troops that constitute the second detachment OF
General Buffers expedition consist OF the Twelfth Maine
regiment Colonel Shepey tho Second Eastern Bay
regiment, Lieut.. Col. French; squadron Of Mounted
Rifle Rangers and ono company Of light cavalry Attached
to tho Twelfth Maine regiment thorc will bo battery Of
artillery. Lieut.. Col French is in command Of the post
at Camp Chase, but Col shepey will command the bri-
gade the trip Ship Island unless brgsder gene.
raj should DO sent with the detachment.
Physically and morally the unusually excellent,
both coonos have great 20 be proud Of their
commands.
Tho Twelfth Maine regiment is made up CT young,
bust men from the lumber regions Of the State, who
have accustomed to roughng 1t in the bush and
possessed or great powers OF endurance Somo idea
Of their ply sque may be gained from the following cir
cunsance In the experience Of United states Quarter
master George. Twelve mon from ono company
up the Quartermastcrs Office TO III wv the szo Of
ovcrcoats necessary for their equipment; If these twelve
men the shortest measured six feat four inches and
the tacst six oct eight inches. The dcvotcdy
attached to their colonel who OF the most popular
mon in his State They armed with the Enfield rife,
and are equipped Ia the most crcditabc manner.
Colonel shopley tho commander Of the Maine Twelfth
law In and
was his popularity home that in three weeks from
his first call for recruits he had his full complement Of
men. Governor Washburn had such perfect confidence
in him that he gave him full power to select every officer
for his command. He has been repeatedly urged to
cept the Gubcrnatorial nomination OF tho democratic
party but has always declined Of his impor-
tant private interests.
Previous to tho present war his only military cxpe.
rcnce what he acquired in his position Of Governor
Aid, bat with such few months Of close study
and daily service in the camp valuable in its results
as the experience OF lifetime 10 Of Inferior incll-
gcnce.
Lieutenant Colonel Kimba Of tho Twelfth, Is also a
lawyer Of prominence and during the administration Of
Mr. Buchanan held the position Of United States Marshal
in his district. He in the prime Of life, Of commanding
figaro and decidedly the air miaire II he Is half
as successful and popular in his present vocation no
has been In his previous relations In life, ne will DO
most worthy acquisition TO our army
Major Hastings like his superior officers Is Of the legal
profession and has occupied the position Of County Attor
noy Of OXFORD county. lie enjoys the fullest confidence
and regard of both officers and He Of good
fighting stock. and has had considerable expei
militia cicer. His soiicry qualities thoroughly be-
levcd in in his State. Captain Hastings, cf Com
puny A, Is his brother
uartcrmastcr Jose, OF Portland, s what qaartcrmas
tor should clear headed. cool busncss man, with
wide reputation for urbauity and integrity; man Of
large observation and intimate knowledge OF men.
Probably few regiments have taken the field where
many Of tho officers OF Intellectual cultivation.
Almost the field and line officers university
graduates and fifteen OF them are members o the bar
was tho OF quito happy affair." All the officers Of
his regiment assembled at his tent and presented their
commander with elegant regulation sword and two
scabbards Of Steel mounted with gold for service,
and the other very rich and caborntely onamentoi
gol one for dress occaFlons Lac tenant co,cno him
and although entirely taken by surprise, Colonel She.ey
responded in a neat speech Of acceptance.
The battery Of artillery attached 10 the Twelfth rcgi
consists OF 137 mn, four twelve pound how zcrs,
two ricd sx FOUNDERS with caissons, and viii embark
on board the saxon, new gnnnca' chartered Tor hc
week. week. '"'' ''''"'' ''''' ~ ''p '' ~ ''N'
he saxon is entirely new having been 0ni.hed at
Brewer, Me-, opposite Bangor. She Is owned by Go
neral whitney. exCoIl,ctr Of tho port If Boston, and
other Gentlemen &c this city, and intended foe pas
she i5t tons burihcn draws ten feet Of wator, and
u stauncb and swift and has accommodations for 800
mon. she Is chartered by the government for thirty
days. and for few days past has been lying at long
Wharf, undergoing ireia atfns for government service
She ls provided with two ried guns one forward aud
one aft, carrying Sawycrs thriy.twO pound shells.
Yesterday General Butler Majors Strolg and Bell AMI
other mcnhe General Buffers saf, besides Captain
Fletcher, of the tonsution and Mr. sawyer, the pro-
iectHe inventor made trial trip IN the Saxon for tho
purpose OF testing the capacities Of the esse and to make
trial of the guns belonging tho Saxon and also OF
Ellsworth and Morse & Allen gun. Both Of these are
small guns and intended TO be drawn by soldiers.
The experiments very sfu, aud General But
lcr do dcd 20 take two o he Mrrse Allen guns. Tho
saxon run outside Of the lower light and behaved sdmi
rably After partakipg of collation. tho party returned
at an eary,hou to Boston.
After the sunboat has performed tho service required
OF her by her present charter she will probably have
the government will purchase her.
The Second Eastern Bay state regiment has been raised