The Portland daily press., 1863-01-06
COMMUNICATIONS.
Correspondence of the Press
Letter from the Rappahannock.
2D DIVISION, I'd CORPS, NEAR FAIL
MOUTH, VA, Dec. %, 1868

2D DIVISION, I'd CORPS, NEAR FAIL
MOUTH, Va, Dec. %. 1868
There are pleasant features to Christmas
evening, even in our barren and dreary camps,
The temperature is as mild as summer A
gentle breeze just sways the pines and ce-
dars, enongh to make them softly musical
The new moon is bright in the clear sky, and
casts cheerful light upon the landscape, so
strongly reflected on the clean white canvas
of the tents as to remind one Of some picture
of a winter scene.
Lively strains Of music are waited from dis
tant bands. some of which remain in spite of
the abolish ing legislation of last winter
The German troops cling to their bands,
almost as tenaciously as to their meerchaunis:
and now hear the rich harmony, which comes
like grand chorus from Stenwehr's division
of Sigels command, encamped about Il mile
away upon the hills on our right.
Most of the divisions of this army have re-
ceived rations of whiskey to-day, the better TO
celebrate. Some soldiers could scarcely be
merry to-day without liquor. But for the gem
erat good and the lasting welfare of the sol
diers themselves, Gen. Howard has refused to
order such an issue in his division.
portion of this army is to move at once,
whittier, you will know before this letter is in
print.
Some of our gallant young officers have
somewhat to-day, and the beauty or. putting
1t in the concrete, the beauties of this locality
have received marked demonstrations of res
pect and admiration. They are most thorough
ly rebel in all their opinions and sympatbies.
but for their mutual merriment upon this day
oil all days. both parties consent to waive dis
cusslons, and put on their most amiable
moods.
One family, bearing the honorable name of
asb nd l.aitt
in blood with the Father of his country. has
two young lady representatives at home to en-
tertan loyal officers, while their brother, as
they do not hesitate to avow, is a staff officer
with Gen. Lee. Two other young ladies.
neighbors, have two brothers in the rebel SER
vice. Lieut.. Washington sent a note TO his
sisters the other day by a flag OF truce, assur-
ing them OF his safety after the battle. They
talk of their anxiety during the terrible rage
OF the battle, and it reminds us of our poor
sisters at home, sharpening our sense of the
horrors of this unnatural war. They say that
for days that terrific cannonading was ringing
in their ears. Once they thought they would
like to witness battle. but to hear it was more
than they would be willing to endure again.
and in those days they did not go out of the
house.
Gen. Sigefs troops are a great source of
terror to these people. They seem to act on
e,s> pS'iNt '"t "f ttC vi tnc CltlItifS OIL
Secess.a have been confiscated, together with
their property; and they have very little re-
spect for such temporary restraints as door
locks and bars, or remonstrances of female
occupants. Gen. Sigel himself gets plentiful
execrations, and fear that the only results of
such policy are to drive the inhabitants to
evaporation and engender bitter ranking
hatred which will tend solely to prolong the
war.
Dec. 26.-The order has gone out that all
the wounded be at once removed-against the
protest Of the surgeons. They must be moved
whether they are able TO bear it or not This
indicates that the entire army is to change po-
sition.
deserter from the 10th Alabama has come
over He made a raft of wood and crossed to
our pickets. He is Scotchman, and saws he
was pressed into the service, being a sailor in
the port Of Mobile. He wishes to return to
Scotland and his E.mily-a wife and four chill
dren-and says he tried to escape at Yorktown
before, but failed.
BY a returned prisoner information comes
this morning that the mail robber, John Tan
tsh, formerly orderly for Gen. Howard, is in
the deserter's room at Richmond; and his on
ly fear seemed to be that his place of refuge
should become known North. w.