The Portland daily press., 1863-01-07

knacks. What did such crimes deserve but the
very punishment which the perpetrators were
already suffering?
From the time of the battle of Bull Run in
July, till sometime in the following winter.
we had not rag ofclothing but what was on
our persons-and you may judge how much
we had on in hot day, fighting and running
till captured. In the winter a supply was re-
ceved from our Government but for some
cause or other only small part of the arti-
cles said TO have been received for each pris-
oner was divided out amongst us. Let your
readers think of the comforts of LOYAL SOL
dier, engaged in the service of his country for
the maintenance of its Government and Laws
lying in ielon's Jail from September to Feb
ruary, without anything but floor TO sleep
upon, with no blanket, and only with the shirt
and pants he had on when captured. subsisting
upon the coarsest fare, and subject to the con-
tempt which the South feels for the North.
and they may realize little of the i'll fortunes
of a civil war
In February we were transported from New
Orleans to Salisbury, n. c., as it was said, for
an exchange. But the exchange did not come,
and here we had to lie in prison till the next
June. The refusal of the rebels to make hon
orabe exchange till the pirates condemned by
the U. 5. laws should be given up, was the
cause of this delay. In June, one year lacking
single month, after being captured some of
us were released on parole. had charge of
the detachment bound to New York, where
we arrived, via Fortress Monroe and reported
ourselves to the proper officers, by wbtsa we
were furnished with free passes to our respec-
tive homes Glad was once more to behold
the beautiful valley of the Kennebec, and greet
family and friends in Augusta. Alas, what
an experience in camp, on the battle field and
in prison had mine been since / left Augusta
one year before with our regiment to test the
fortunes of war 1t would be a wonder If
had not learned something by such an expert
ence.
After spending three weeks at home was
ordered 10 report to the Camp of Instruction
at Annapolis, Md, where, for time, it fell to
my lot TO have charge of the Maine detach-
nent of paroled prisoners, numbering about
one hundred and fifty men. Here we Jared
well, and were pleasantly situated, and yet we
were prisoners in the hands of friends. We
sighed for more active life; we wished 10 be
with our regiments.
AT length in September Adj Gen. Thomas
came down from Washington and effected the
exchange OF certain number, of whom il
was my good fortune to be one. Reporting
myself at Washington, was soon on my way
TO Alexandria, where l experienced one of
the happest days of my life in reoining my
regiment, the veteran Sd Maine. Ny old com
rades seemed to be as glad as l was.
From Alexandria we marched with Nc
Clellan into Maryland, and performed the
parts assigned us in driving the rebel army
out of that State. You know the result of the
battle at Fredericksburg BY that we have
tested the enemy's strength, and know now
that we are not to reach the rebel capital by
allowing the confederates TO erect invulnera-
bic batteries for us to force upon the way
Give us IAN open field and fair play"-it is all
we ask. Richmond must be taken This is the
keystone by which Virginia is held in the con-
federacy; and if Virginia falls out of the con-
Germ the rebel government must prove a fail
ure. The importance of taking Richmond
and loyalizing Virginia cannot be overesti-
mated. With very kind regards am
Yours Loyalty,
CHARLES c. DREW
Adj. Sd Regt. Me. Vols