The Portland daily press., 1863-03-03

i'll or not, If they can walk without staggering.
When man is at last received into hospital,
when he is so far gone as TO falter in his steps,
and need physical support TO sustain an erect
position. his ultimate convalescence may bet
ter be deemed miracle than a triumph of
physic | have known cases of death to oc-
cur when nothing but the most cupabe neg
lect of duty, or lack of judgment, Oh the part
of the physician, could be assigned as the real
cause. We had no shelter tents served out to
us till Christmas, and doubtless much of the
illness now prevalent, was indirectly caused
by exposure to the inclemency of the weather
early in the season.
The army will doubtless remain in present
quarters until the roads shall once more be-
come passable. As they are at present. IL is
impossible TO move with our supply trains and
heavy artillery, and any advance of our forces
could not but prove disastrous But though
it Is impossible to make an advance at this
season, we are not idle. Our division is sriyht
In 'front.' opposite Fredericksburg, and about
twice each month we go out on picket From
our lines on the river bank we hold frequent
converse with the rebel pickets on the opposite
bank, and often trade newspapers with them,
or swap" sugar and coffee for tobacco. The
latter species of trade is generally conducted
by parties crossing in skiffs, bearing aloft a
white handkerchief or shirt as flag of truce,
taking care that our officers backs are turned.
board, with a sail raised, and rudder affixed;
then it is waited across by the wind. Thus
our pickets have become quite sociable and re-
gard each other with feelings far from belli-
cose
While in camp we have enough to do to
keep us out OF mischief. We have to "back"
our fuel about mile, besides doing our own
cooking; then we have 10 police our streets,
and go through two drills and dress parade
daily. The old adage, "Satan finds some mis-
chief still for idle hands to do,n can not be
realized in our camp, while the present order
of things continues.
A Virginia winter is far more disagreea-
BILE than any ever experienced in Maine. We
have had a few warm and pleasant days, but
many, very many, stormy. A snow storm
commenced last Saturday night and ragged
with unabated fury all day Sunday, and Sum
day evening the snow was about foot deep.
Yesterday and to-day, the air was, and is, cold
and clear, and the snow has settled but little.
But, with the usual promptness, that parade
might not be obstructed, yesterday our parade
ground was cleared and as shovels were
lacking. the men detailed to perform the job
were obliged to remove the snow by showing
1t with their feet; and as they wore shoes on
ly 1t seemed in a measure excusable, il few
of them gave vent to fierce imprecations
evoked by wet feet and cold-the more, as
they were not permitted to warm themselves
until the ground was cleared job which oc-
cupied the entire afternoon.
Gen. Briggs, with whom we were brigaded
when first we came South, has been appointed
provost marshal on the line of railroad from
Baltimore to Frederick, Nd, and it isrumored
that our regiment is to be detailed as part
Of his guard. We hope it may prove true, as
we have had hard time OF it since leaving
Arlington. and need change of location.
My letter has proved longer than l antici-
pated; in my next, which shall be written as
soon as something turns up" will endeavor
to be brief Till then, adieu. TYPo.