The Portland daily press., 1863-05-04
Pleasant "reminiscences of the Tenth
Maine.

Pleasant "reminiscences of the Tenth
Maine.
Since the return of the Maine Tenth we
have enjoyed pleasant interviews with several
of the officers, from whom we have received
accounts of various pleasant incidents that
have tended in no way to lessen the good feel
ing which has SO largely prevailed in that reg
iment, or to increase the hardships of camp
life. We will give a sample of these incidents
In Baltimore lives gentleman, fine, no.
BILE specimen of a man, a native of New Eng
land, but for long time resident of the mon
umental city. When the Tenth Maine was
stationed at Baltimore, one of the privates--a
French Canadian boy - was taken sick. He
was a good soldier, and was beloved by those
who knew him. 1t was time when Bal
timore was less loyal than to-day, when Union
men lived in fear, and felt that the presence of
United States troops was necessary to protect
their property and their lives. A gentleman
found his way to the regimental camp, dis
covered the condition of the suffering soldier,
and proposed to have him removed to his
house, where he could receive those atten-
tions which the camp can seldom bestow
upon the disabled. The gentleman's name is
E. HI. ABBoT-the same gentleman above re-
ferred to. AT his house the sick man was
nursed and cared for, until he was in condi-
ton to rejoin his company. Mr.. Abbott's
house became, in fact, to a large extent hos
pital for the regiment. In its retirement and
comfort many sick soldier and officer found
those attentions which friends only can be-
stow. When the regiment moved forward, if
sick man could be conveniently sent back,
he found generous reception in the hospita-
BILE mansion of this true Union man.
When the regiment was on its return home,
the officers made it point to call in a friend
ly way upon their old friend, and while one of
them contrived to direct the attention of Mr.
Abbott and his amiable lady to another part
Of the house, service of plate, consisting of
four pieces, was spread upon the center table
of the parlor, surrounded by the officers of the
Tenth. Mr.. Abbott and wife, all unconscious
Of what was going on, were conducted back
to the room, and as he entered the door he
was met by Col Beal, standing by the table,
who addressed him in few appropriate words,
begging him to accept the humble testimonial
from the officers of the regiment, as a token
Of the obligation which they felt towards one
who had done so much TO dvest their camp
life OF its usual hardships.
Mr.. Abbott, taken completely by surprise,
was perfectly overcome. The tears rolled
down his manly cheeks, and in a voice choked
by his emotions, he NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. it
is who am under obligations to you and not
you to me. But for you and your noble COM
rades in arms, should have been driven from
my home by rebeous mob. am indebted
to you for my house, my property, and perhaps
my life; and am indebted to you for what is
far dearer-my loving wife, my cherished and
dutiful children" The scene was one never
to be forgotten. There stood men Drowned
by exposure, accustomed to scenes of horror,
who had become familiar with blood and car
mage, but they were weak as women, com
pletely melted. Those sun-burrt men wept
like children, and not an eye could clearly dis
Germ the whole-souled friend who was speak
ing to them, because of the tears which flood
ed it. A son of Mr.. Abbott, we understand,
accompanied the regiment on its return to this
city.
As soon as the scene above referred to was
over, it became Col. Beal's turn to be taken
by surprise. The Chaplain of the regiment,
Rev. Geo. Knox, stepped forward, and with a
few appropriate remarks presented the gal
liant Colonel with the beautiful sword and ac-
compartments described in the Press Satur-
day morning. The testimonial to the Colonel
was made by the staff and line officers - the
field officers knowing nothing of it until the
presentation was made.
1t. COL Fillebrown had short time pre-
viously been presented with similar testi-
monial from the same classes of officers. Mr.. |
Knox, the chaplain while at Washington on
the return of the regiment, was presented |
with a beautiful gold watch and chain, by the
privates and noncommissioned officers. These
tokens, at the close of term of service, show
the estimation in which the recipients are
held by those who have been under them. |
The regiment has become widely pervaded |
by the spirit of fraternity, and when those
whose term had expired separated from the |
two companies of three years men, it
was-remarked an officer to us-like severing
VIC tcuuStcot ticS. Ooi. Dtdi un-
boundedly popular with his men, they
love him with the affection of brothers, and
he is worthy Of their regard and love. Mr.. |
Knox has been a general favorite. He insists
that the camp, with all its disadvantages, is
not the worst school young men can fall into.
He believes the morals of regiment may be
often are-preserved without deterioration. |
Meeting this Evening.