The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1863-02-12
COMMUNICATIONS.
Letter from the Fifth Maine.
CAMP NEAR WHITE OAK CHURCH,
Va, Feb. 4, 1868.

Az 0c EuttW " INC TOW.
1t occurs to the writer hereof, that few
words from this locality may have an interest
for your readers. So here goes.
To some observations In my respecting the
conduct Of the war, and outside criticism there
on, You have, In kindly spirit, taken excep-
tons. While L am more than ever convinced
(by the character OF recent eyents) that my
views are in the main correct, yet can well
understand why others should believe differ
emily; and hence, can see no benefit to arise
from discussion especially where the odds
are so uneven; for the truth bunglingly stated
Is not so persuasive as error well gilded with
the graces of rhetoric and brilliant thought
At all events, II we disagree as to what con-
stitutes military talent, or upon the respective
capacities - Wellington and Napoleon, we
are unit In our desire TO crush this rebellion,
and that general, or that policy, attaining this
end, viii command our respect and gratitude.
lam not blind worshipper of Mcclellan.
In my view he Is neither . Napoleon, nor a
Wellington. That he Is not like the former is
demonstrated in his selection of lieutenants
Would Napoleon, think you, have made
marshal ofFrance Of Fitz John Porter, or of
w. B. Franklin? Never; he knew too well
the material necessary to make good generals.
Nor would Wellington have made this mistake.
But, Notwithstanding this unfortunate DISPOSE
sition to make great generals out of his per-
sonai friends, look upon him, as do nine
tenths Of this army, as the personation of mill
tary excellence, and Of all our leaders, best
calculated TO bring this war to a successful
and glorious termination. While claiming the
privilege OF judging Of them and events as they
pass before US, and Of loving or dsliking our
commanders according to our several tastes,
we do not forget our allegiance to the govern
ment we are here to protect, and therefore
every true soldier will fight none the loss will
Hngiy because his favorite may have been SUI
perseded In the chief command. The talk in
the Northern papers of a certain stamp, that
this army is demoralized and will not fight un-
der any general but Mcclellan Is simply ridic-
ulous. They will fight under Hooker, as they
did under Burnside, and with purpose high
er than the aggrandizement OF favorite gem
eral. But 1t cannot be denied but that the re-
turn Of Gen. Mcclellan would give us greater
confidence, and thus increase our chances of
success.
And here let me remark, that the course of
some Of the soi-disant friends of Gen. Nc
Clellan, the New York Herald and the World,
ct I'd genus omRe Is as painful to his real friends
in the army, as that OF the over Jealous friends
Of the Administration who ascribe TO him CON-
plicity with the incompetent Fitz John Por-
ter. They both do him injustice. Great mis-
chief Is being done by these newspapers in the
army. They catch at every rumor calculated
to create distrust in the capacity of our lead
ers and In the integrity OF our Government.
They magnify our defeats and belittle our VIC
tories. Their correspondents here seize upon
every slight manifestation Of discomfort and
parade 1t as an evidence Of our decentralization.
When you reflect that these two papers are
extensively circulated in the army TO the ex-
clusion Of all others, do you wonder if we are
suffering from desertions? In my opinion,
the morale OF this army would be much high
er to-day If these journals had been put under
40 han of tho al he
There are some few here disheartened by
the prolongation of the war, and by reading
these newspapers, tired and disgusted with
the soldiers life, homesick and heartsick, who
have become weak-kneed, and openly express
the opinion that we can never conquer a
peace; but by far the greater number are still
hopeful and look forward to short and glori-
Gus spring campaign, that Is TO end the strug-
gle. All, however, are willing to sing
Many strange sights I've seen,
And wish the war. were over.
Some papers, l notice, are trying to make
capital against the Government, because 1t has
pleased the President to relieve from duty
Gems. Franklin and Sumner 1t is the opn-
ion of many here that In the case of Franklin,
he had sufficient cause. Franklin was never
favorite, and although fair engineer, with
out McClellan's influence, it is safe TO say, he
never would have arisen to any thing ap-
preaching his present rank. Like Fitz John
Porter he was fond Of fighting battles from
afar, and took great care of his precious
person. Perhaps / may be wrong in coup
ling him with Porter, for that officer display
ed good pluck at Malvern Hill; and perhaps
It is proper that generals Of high rank should
take care OF their persons, but not so fights
the Western hero, Rpsecrans.
Our present chief, Gen. Hooker, is gaining
In popularity every day. The army has con-
fdence In him and he'll .fghti Although the
impression Is widespread in the army, that
no forward movement will be made until
April, on account of the roads. do not share
in it. If Hooker Is the man take him to be.
neither cold weather, nor muddy roads. SO
they are not impossible, will deter him from
an attack. Nothing but interference from
Washington will prevent him. Even now the
roads are quite passable, The ground is fro
zen hard. Let the air become warmer, and
there Is nothing to prevent dash forward.
Let us hope that our new commander will en-
ulate the example of Washington, and that
second attempt on Fredericksburg will be the
Trenton OF our victories. With Slocum to
lead out our grand DIVISION success is almost
assured.
But to speak of matters nearer home, the
Old Fifth still lives, albeit considerably reduc-
ed in numbers. We can muster for battle $50
men. Our brigade inspector was pleased to