The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1863-01-15
Boston Correspondence.
Buffers Reception-Coi. Seaman.
Boston, Jan. ID, 1862.

BosToN, Jan. 10, 1862
To the Editors Of the Press:
Major General B. +. Butler arrived in Bos-
ton to-day, at l IL o'clock. He was escorted
by large procession through the principal
streets, which had all been artisticaly decorat
ed in honor of the city's guest. 1t is needless
TO speak of any OF the more pleasing decora-
tons, but it will be sufficient to say that the
basement of the old State House was not
adorned by even single flag, or rag, or mot
to, or anything of the sort. The procession
arrived at "Fann'l all" little after o'clock,
and found an immense concourse of people
waiting for "Ben."
The ill-starred author of this letter found
himself in the midst of a terrible crowd, in
which action and reaction did not seem to be
equal Soon the doors were opened, and
five-banked row of policemen endeavored to
moderate the rush, but Immediately gave way.
What is the use of swimming against the tide,
Unless a principle is involved? So shut my
eyes and went in Nth the tide. No philoso-
pher has yet studied the capacity of the human
body to be squeezed IN crowd; but the ca
pacity is unlimited. In crowd two bodies
can occupy nearly, if not quite, the same space
at the same time At last part of us were in
in the hall, sacred to the memories of 1776,
and the few preceding years; the hall where
so much Boston can be gathered in so short a
time.
Butler looks as cross-eyed and as pleasant as
ever. He was highly flattered by the homage
of the people, and, in short, felt pretty WE'LL
Mayor Lincoln briefly introduced him to the
tumultuous assembly. The crowd cheered
and screamed without restraint as the hero
of New Orleans rose to speak, and at every
one of his stiff military bows, and indescriba-
BILE dextro- sinister smiles, the audience would
shout more loudly still.
Butler is like one of these ingenious signs
which can be read from three different points
of view at once, and so when he looks at any
part of the hall You feel sure he is looking at
you, and of course you have to cheer all the
time.
His speech was a real spirited, encouraging
address, and did everybody good. He is sure
that we are now turning the corner of this
war; that the South has in the field every
man it can press into the service and its force
must hereafter be steadily on the decrease.
There are trials before us, and there are great
ones, it may be; but the nation is becoming
stronger, greater, and more-purifed. After
his speech the crowd came round to grasp the
hand of the doomed man." and to bid him
goodbye before he should be hung by Davis
He is to be serenaded at the Revere this eve
ming.
Col. Seaman of the 9Th Maine has re-
signed, and was in the city to-day. He is
looking in fine health, and says his regiment
now numbers three hundred strong men like
himself The candrd in the papers about the
Maine 18th being reduced to % men it little
on the inverted opera-glass order. Col. S.
says that the 9Th to-day is nearly as good, or
perhaps better, than when it numbered 1900
men.
The other thousand men have slipped away
as dcserters, and have come North in disgrace.
or are in the many army hospitals, or live on
ly in the memory of their country. As Col. S.
expressed himself, the wheat has remained af-
ter the sitting.
When speaking of Buffers reception neg
lected to say that none of us saw Gov. An
drew on the occasion. Unfortunately there
are too many such unforgotten quarrels and
jealousies among our leaders. God grant that
we may be of one mind in this matter instead
of many minds. MoxIE.