Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1863-02-24

NEWPORT News, Va, Feb. Is, 1868.
Mr.. Editor The Seth regiment Massa-
chusetts volunteers is no longer constituent
part Of the army of the Potomac. Gen. Burn
sides tavorite corps (the ''Old Ninth'') is now
here at Newport News, on the famed peninsu-
la. We left our old camp near Falmouth,
Feb 10th, and arrived here Feb. 18th. There
is general satisfaction among officers and men
that we have left an army that has experienced
so many humiliating disasters and defeats
Our departure from the bloody scenes of
the Rappahannock was signalized by an event
which cannot forbear mentioning. The Off
GERS of the thirty-siXth, DESTROYS of testifying
their regard for Col. Henry Bowman in some
substantial manner, purchased for him a
| splendid horse, costing three hundred and
fifty dollars. The speech of presentation was
| Iudut ny Lieut T-5EIIueus
| conveyed to the Colonel in appropriate lam
| guage, the assurance of the esteem and conf
dence OF the officers of his command Said
he, I'VE rejoice, first, that as soldiers, we
hail from Massachusetts, and again we rejoice
that our leader against hell-begotten treason
is one who so well reflects the spirit that lives
in the heart of the old commonwealth. He
| promised the Colonel that in the arduOus and
responsible duties that would devolve upon
him in the future, he might confidently rely
| upon the strong arms and brave hearts of the
officers and men OF his command for sympa-
thy and support" The speaker also paid
glowing tribute to tht old Bay state, lauding
her for her devotion to the cause of universal
freedom, and for her early, constant and
untirng efforts for the overthrow of rebel
lion.
The colonel, taken by surprise, returned
his heartfelt gratitude for the rich present,
and expressed pleasure in noticing the cordial
and kindly feeling towards him of the officers
of his command. The officers, by invitation,
assembled at the colonies quarters in the eve.
ming. A bountiful collation. was provided
This having been fully discussed, the intel
lectual feast was inaugnrated in an eloquent
speech by surgeon W. Tyler Our efficient
and popular quartermaster, +. b. Rice, of
Worcester, acted as toast-master of the occa-
sion, and was very adroit and felicitous in the
discharge of his duties. Speeches and senti-
ments replete with patriotic eloquence, were
offered by colonel Bowman, surgeon A. II.
Bryant, captains Goodel, Smith, Warmer,
Prescott, lleutenants Morse, Hodgkins, Grid
and others. The following sentiment, by
Lieut. Brigham, elected hearty applause =
81 The war for the preservation of our national
Union; may it be carried on with unabating
energy and power until the last Internal trail
tor is made to bite the dust" AT late hour
the party dispersed, highly pleased with the
opportunity for the commingng of sentiment
and feeling. Col. Bowman has been unremit.
ting in his efforts to make the regiment effec-
fNv fIvf, h,,,, =.
proficiency in company and battalion drill, |
and will do no discredit to the state it repre- |
sen:s when called upon to confront armed |
treason.
The army has been reported as demoralized. |
1t has been asserted that the granting of fur
loughs Is to prevent mutiny. These are ex-
IRENE statements, and untrue The army
can yet be relied on to do its whole duty.
The Jealousies and prejudices among generals
that have made it appear to them Of greater
consequence to outstrip a rival than to adj
vance the cause they were sworn to faithfully
serve, has had bad effect. The cause Ian
cuisines in need of great military leader.
Almost every political CONFUSION in the past
has developed some transcendant genius who
| appears to have been born of the crisis. and
| born to rule it.
The future Of this war may look dark to
some, but incomparaby darker becomes the
prospect if rebellion succeeds. More hopeful
would be the task of penetrating the mysteries
that envelop the creation of the world than
the attempt to settle the complex questions
that would arise from a dissolution of the
Union. In the present temper of the south
no settlement could be obtained which would
not be most humiliatng to the north. There
is no alternative left but to prosecute the war
with united hearts and hands until slavery
and rebellion be utterly and forever over
thrown.
Newport News is rather a depot for troops
than base of operations. This is the pleas
ante st camp the 3Gth has yet found. We are
encamped upon the bank of the broad and
beautiful James river. The wreck of the
Cumberland lies in front of us. Oysters are
plenty. a regular northeast storm now pre-
vans. The priyates are being furnished with
q OF wedge tents, which does not indicate an
iTTh1' nSo movement of the ninth corps.
tin M Is Is not much sickness at the present
e regiment. A SOLDIER.
oS Counterfeit pun, ones and threes nm tho Farm
tyos ~ nr, t 1iiec4amcs' bank of Hartford and
| lNOS Oh the Pponlaa. NASAh5 anu