The Portland daily press., 1863-01-19
Correspondence of the Press.
Letter from the Rappahannock.
ID DIVISION, 2D CORPS,
ARMN nE TuE RAppAuA

81 NV iclptNf 81 tOhIS,
ARMY OF THE RAPPAHANNoCKi
Jan. s, 1862.
The evening of the anniversary of the battle
of New Orleans finds the army emphatically
in stdtu quo some of US longing for the spir-
it OF old Gen. jackson to appear, actuatng
some of our Generals to do, do, DO; others re-
peating with evident satisfaction the rumors
that this or that corps or grand division, of
which they are members, is to be relieved by
fresh troops under Gen. Heintzelman and sent
back to the vicinity OF Washington; or demon
strating the great risk or the impractcabiity
of moving the army during this season; or
finding fault with the administration and de-
nouncing the Presidents Proclamation, espec-
tally that portion which permits the employ
ment OF colored men IN our army aud navy.
The MAINE STATE PRESS was heartily well
coined in camp tonight, for more reasons than
one. We were proud TO see paper from our
native state of so royal a stamp Il have used
an English idiom, colored by the institutions
OF the latherland. in plain America, large,
clear-typed wel-arranged, ably-conducted
newspaper, which compares favorably with
those OF sister States. Besides there is need
of the circulation OF just such paper among
our Maine soldiers, breathing large sentiments
and a spirit of unyielding perseverance in the
prosecution OF the war. Not that | have
seen special lack of loyalty, but because |
perceive how great an influence in the oppo-
site direction is brought to bear, coming
chiefly from the n. Y. Herald, which is almost
the only paper that reaches us and is read to
any extent, and coming also from some dis
heartened ofiicers,wh belong either to class
who have never appreciated the great strug-
gle and are here from some low and insgniti-
cant motiye,o OF toa class who take their opinions
from the Herald and have a lingering sympa-
thy for the Shareholders.
Senator Fessenden in his recent speech did
strike IN the right spot, as he said he would
strike, had he the power. He aimed at the
disloyal press, and dealt one blow to the king
of them ALL For this we thank MIN. Officers
in our army, who most love their country and
will support the Government in life or DEATH
have lately said in my hearing that that paper
ought to be bdnished from the army. Its con-
slant tendency is to create dissatisfaction with
the Government and discomfort among our
soldiers 1t daily carries to Richmond aid
and comfort to the enemy.
As a result probably of the educational in
fiuence of this paper, an officer in a neighbor-
ing corps rendered his resignation few DAYS
since, with the statement that his enthusiasm
was gone; in fact that his sentiments had I'M
dergone Il complete change since he first came
out, and he now found himself in sympathy
with the South! He was immediately court
martialed, and sentenced, it is said, to impris-
onment during the war, with loss of all pay
ana emolunents, III THIS be the sentence, il
not only serves him right, but it will be a fit
example for officers of like tendencies.
We have plenty of officers left yet who are
staunch men and true. We believe in the
Commanding General that he loves his coun-
try, and will do what he can And in the
above allusion to Gen. Jackson, no desire
for change of commanders is intended to be
expressed Would that all his generals had
the heart and spirit of Burnside The other
H. IL. l.
an officer for uttering sentiments dsloyal to
the Government and disrespectlu to the Pres
ident.
A clause in your paper from the Argus, to
the effect that Burnside crossed the rirer
against his better judgment, was well answer
ed. l suppose it is now well known that the
General had his own way. Not many days
ago, when plan for striking an effective blow
at the rebellion was in process of execution,
General Burnside received dispatch from the
President countermandng the whole. Gen.
Burnside went Immediately to Washington