The Portland daily press., 1863-08-22
Letter from the State Capital.
AUGUSTA, August 81, 1868.

To the Editor Of the Press:
The 2Sth regiment arrived here day before
yesterday and were received by the cheers of
the people, the ringing of the bells and the
firing of cannon. They marched to the
grounds south of the State House, escorted
by citizens, engine companies bands or mu-
sic and Gov. Coburn and Staff. After the
regiment had received the salute of the escort,
carriage bearing the new and beautiful State
banner Of blue silk passed along the line, and
young ladies under the folds of the flag,
handed to each commissioned officer an elegant
boquet in the name of the ladies of Augusta.
Arrived at the tables where the collation. was
spread the regiment was welcomed by Gov.
Coburn in the following remarks:
Officers and Soldiers of The
2Sth Regiment Of Mdiae Volunteers:
In the name of the State whose honor you
have so CALAMITY upheld on the field of bat
tie, bid you welcome home | rejoice TO see
you looking so well and in such good spirits.
| rejoice still more to know that in the ardu-
Gus and trying campaign through which you
have passed you have done your whole duty
and done it nobly.
When you left the shores of Maine for the
suhct htSsioSlppi, III WAS Tic nope Oh MANY
that your achievements in connection with
your lclow-solders, would result in opening
that great river throughout its whole length to
the commerce of the country. | rejoice that
this hope has been realized to the letter, and
that you were instrumental in producing this
magnificent result. But for your indonitable
courage you might have had another bloody
fight at Port Hudson-but when the rebels
understood that the "2Sth Maine" would
lead the assault, and that the storning party
would be commanded by your gallant Colonel,
they said, as the coon said to Crockett, don't
shoot, we will come down." and down they
camel
am sure, gentlemen, that utter the sent-
ment of every patriot and Christian in the
State when | extend to you the most heart
felt and cordial congratulation for the honora-
Bile part you bore in bringing about this great
result, and thank God that no flag but the
starspangled banner now waves on either
bank OF the Mississippi from its source 10 its
mouth.
Profoundly as we appreciate the efforts and
sacrifices of all who take part in this great
struggle for the Union, think especial honor
is due to the private soldier. With him there
Is no rank or title, and no large emolument,
as indictment to service. There is only the
incentive of patriotism and the selfsacriicing
devotion to the cause of the country. hon
or then that heroic spirit that induces him to
brave all for the sake of maintaining the Gov
ernment and the Constitution.
When the history Of your regiment, and of
those other Maine regiments who shared your
arduous campaign in the Department OF the
Gull, is duly written, it will stand forth as
your signal achievement, that you entered the
Mississippi at its mouth when its upper por-
tion was guarded by the whole strength of the
Rebel government, and that you demolished
that strength so completely as to enable your
selves in returning home to traverse the entire
river or an unarmed steamer, without hos
tile shot being fired ut you in your voyage of
Thousand miles. You thus, from your de-
parture to your return, completely engirded
the Confederate power, and performed jour
ney whose extent and results throws into the
shade all the achievements of European war
fare.
Should it be your desire, after due rest, re-
freshment and recreation, to re-enter the ser
vice, an honorable path is open 10 you. / am
specially authorized by the War Department
to organize regiments of just such veteran he
roes as you are, with large rewards in the
shape of bounty, and the prospect Of much
less ardnous service than you have thus far
experienced. Yhe matter will be brought
more directly to your attention at the appro-
pirate time.
1t was my fortune recently to pay a visit 10
the Army of the Potomac, and to remain for
some time engaged in visiting the various
Regiments. While there received the same
high eulogiums of the gallantry and efficiency
of the Maine troops that have come to me from
the Department of the Gull. Every general
officer with whom / conversed, from Gen.
Hooker down to commanders of Brigades,
united in declaring that no State had sent TO
the field troops superior to those from Maine,
and very few equal TO them. Every Division
and Brigade commander was anxious to have
at least one Maine Regiment in his force, and
| came away from the army impressed with the
conviction which | sent in advance Of myself
over the wires, that of all things worthy of
pride, Maine has greatest reason to be proud
of her troops in The field. These troops are
patriotic, brave and loyal. They are and ever
have been ready to meet all enemies of the
Government, whether at home or abroad, and
to stand up at all times for the Union be-
queathed to us by our Fathers. give you,
gentlemen, as n sentiment proper to the occa-
sion-a sentiment shared in by soldiers in the
field and patriots at home-the Union, the
whole Union, ard nothing short of the Union.
Remarks were also made by Mayor johnson
and General Howard, aud after the refresh
ments were disposed of the regiment was es-
corted to its quarters at Camp L. ID. Reyes.
Official notice from the War Department has
been received of the discharge for promotion
of I'd Lieut.. Fred. \. Huston, Co. /, 2lst Reg
iment, and I'd Lieut.. Joseph A. Baker, Co. c,
22d Regiment
Yours truly, HEIoIs.