The Portland daily press., 1863-04-06
COMMUNICATIONS.
Letter from Camp DosgIass
CHICAGO, ILL.,, March 80, is

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To the Editor Of the Press.
Your paper is most gratefully received, and
read with a throbbing pulse; for each familiar
word, be it editorial or advertisement, speaks
Of home. When entered the hospital service
. year and half ago, little dreamed whittier
my steps would tend, or what fortune was be-
fore me; and yet, 1 cannot say have ever re-
gretted for moment that my heart answered
TO the call Of human suffering, or that my
hands have grown hard in the service of the
loyal sons Of the Pine Tree State.
Here, feel that am astray: and yet am
surrounded by those whose faces are familiar,
having shared their mishap at Harper's Fer
~, and often ministered there to their neces-
stiles.
You are well aware that at that disgraceful
surrender twelve regiments were paroled and
sent 70 this camp for exchange, which ex-
change was effected about the 18th of Janua-
ry, when the majority OF the regiments went
again into active service. About the same
time the rebels from Arkansas Post, TO the
number Of 1884, were. sent to this camp, and
three Of our regiments, the 65th and l04th II
linois, and the 9th Vermont, were detailed as
. guard, and have remained here ever since.
During the imprisonment of the rebels their
number ha dwindled down to less than 5000,
not because they were not cared for, but on
account Of the excessive hardships they had
endured previously to their surrender. They
came here broken In spirit, emaciated and hag-
gard to the last degree. From the first they
have had the same rations as our own troops,
and yet they have died by hundreds.
Last week the list stood thus:
Original number OF prisoners 1884
Died since January "a 600
Taken the oath of allegiance 275
Sick in hospital 600
During the same time out of our own men
who had been doing guard duty we have lost
but SO. Some Copperhead may say the dis
crepancy may be accounted for on the score
Of neglect; but this is not SO. DIR. Parker,
who is the surgeon in charge, makes no differ
ence in the hospital between loyal man and
. rebel, SO far as tender care is concerned; and
the supplies furnished by rebel sympathizers
exceeded ten-fold those furnished our loyal
sons. The difference Is TO be found in the
hardships to which they have been subject,
and the exhaustion which necessarily follows.
Today we commenced sending of the prison.
ers, their exchange having been recently ef-
fected. Eight hundred Texans in charge Of
two companies OF the 9th Vermont infantry,
leave for City Point; the rest are to leave in
squads, as their transportation can be ar
ranged, and this camp is to be broken up.
The 65th Illinois is ordered TO Kentucky at
once, and Phillips battery leaves within ten
days.
As consequence Of the breaking up of the
middle OF April and once more look after my
brave comrades from dear old Maine. 1t need
be no matter of surprise TO home friends
should they see me return to Portland with
the Maine 10th, since left home with them,
and for many months shared their fortunes.
Many Of the gallant 10th are d cad for the old
flag; but when the resurrection morning
breaks they will wake to a higher life, under
the banner OF the Lord Jesus, and hear the
plaudit swell done.p We who wait little
longer can best honor their memory by stand
ing by the flag, until victory Is ours.
1t Is gratifying to every loyal heart, to see
how steadily the affection Of true patriots is
turning TO the support of the stars and stripes.
sOld Glory" is bound to be triumphant
though serpents hiss. Two months ago my
ears were constantly paiued by the disloyal
remarks Of men wearing straps and stripes, so
much SO, that could hardly refrain from open
reprooE As for instance at Fort Wayne, In
diana, two men in the United States uniform,
were discussing the policy of the Administra-
ton, when one said, "If old Abe wants the
niggers to fight, II is time for white men to go
home.n "Yes," / replied, land when such
white men as you are leave the ranks, the 10y
al women will lll your places, aud show trai-
tors how to fight In the glorious cause of free
dom" A friend at my side said looked mad,
and didn't doubt it. for felt so. The "gal-
liant officers" looked as though they would like
10 retaliate, but were silent. The only argu-
ment adapted 70 the capacity Of such men, is
TO be found in the toe Of stout pair of boots,
well applied, In my opinion; and my daily re-
gret has been, that In the original intention of
nature tcds not permitted to ,cear them.
Now, however, the tone of feeling has great
Iy changed. People are beginning TO see that
q life is a life. and If colored men are allowed
to bear their portion Of the burden, so many
less white men are needed in the field If
Southern soldiers can fight side by side with
negroes, see no reason why Northern stom-
achs should be more fastidious. "Up and at
them" is my motto, and be the color of the
patriot soldier what it may, i say, God speed
the cause. Gladly would / coin my blood,
could each drop invigorate the hand or heart
OF loyal soldier; or willingly would shoul-
der inusket and march In the ranks, IL thus
the cause Of our country could be sustained.
What pity cannot transfuse some of my
spirit into the life Of our peace men, My
peace" notions are not so pacific as those OF
many; for l believe i'm conquering IL. We
have met the foe too daintily, and begged their
pardon too frequently for hurting them, in the