The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1863-05-15
Letter from the 27th Regiment.
CAMP OF the 27ru MAINE REo'r,
CuANrILLY, Va, May Z, 1868. }

To the Editor ofihe Union and Journal;
There is, probably. no regiment now in
tho field that cngrosscs 50 much the thoughts
and in which is conferred the hopes and fears
of the good people of York county, MS the
s7tb Maine. This is natural since tho regi-
mcnt is composed exclusively of her citizens,
and since there is hardly district or house
hold within her borders but that has its rep
resentatiye here. In these stirring times,
when events unparalleled in the history Of
the world are transporting in our front, and
in which it is not known how soon VIC may
be called to participate, our situation and
probable movements must be attended with a
deeper and intenser interest than under or
binary circumstances; and hence, I writc.-
We still remain quietly in camp at Chantil-
ly,paticntly awaiting the general order, For
ward! Sunday evening we received orders
to have three days rations cooked and ready
for the hayersack early the following morn
ing. Instantly speculation was rife, and
rumors Of every kind, name, nature and de-
scription filed the camp. Whittier away,
and for what, was eagerly asked on oil sides,
bat none could return satisfactory answer,
for the very good reason that no one knew.
Tho opinion, however, generally accepted,
was, that We were going to the bloody front,
and the thought was father to tho wish.-
Those who doubt tho willingness Of the
nine months troops to perform their part in
fighting the battles Of their country, should
have witnessed the deep and earnest cnthusi-
asm which pervaded this entire camp, on the
reception Of the above order, which was sup
posed to bctokcn an order for an advance to-
wards the enemy-not that enthusiasm which
is the result of wild and disordered fancy.
but those earnest feelings, which aow from
the conviction that one is about to have an
opportunity to do his duty in tho mighty
events which are now taking place, and on
which depend so much hope Of liberty. Not
only in our own beloved land, but through
out tho world. doubt not the willingness
Of the men Of this regiment to make the last
sacrifice for principles which they really val
ne, or their readiness to give fortune and life
for the preservation Of that system by which
alone fortune and life is rendered secure-on-
ly give them the opportunity they desire. In
this instance we have been doomed to disap-
pointmcnt; four days have passed since We
received our orders, and We arc still ut our
old camp, going the daily, monotOnous rounds
Of camp and picket duty. l learn, however,
from good authority, that Gen. Ambercrom-
bic four division generally holds the opinion
that we shall shortly move to Warrenton,
(about 25 miles Southwest of u.s. for tho
purpose OF Kidding the country of rebel guer-
rillas, which intest .that vicinity.
This regiment is in most excellent condi.
ton, and has always been reported by our re-
viewing and inspecting officers as first class
regiment. This happy state Of affairs is ow.
iag, no doubt, to the untirins and pcrscver-
ing efforts of its excellent colonel, who has
spared no pains to enable it to reach its pres.
ent high standard, both in the efficiency Of
its drill and in the prompt discharge of all
its duties. The unfortunate difference which
existed among our officers when we first came
to Virginia, have happily disappeared, and
instead Of discord and contention, peace and
harmony reign throughout the entire com.
mand. Col Wentworth is immensely pop
ular among both officers and mcn-a strict
disciplinarian, requiring from each and all
prompt and full performance Of their several
duties unyielding towards tho miserably in
comprehensive despicable shirk and the (of
all things in the whole vocabulary Of dctes.
tables; moro to be despisedD the Sinking
malignant; but the faithful, dutitul soldier
is sure to receive his commanders common
dation and respect. Asa gallant soldier,
true gentleman and noble man, Col. Went
worth receives as he richly deserves, the 70
spect and esteem OF every good and true officer
and soldier in this battalion. have been led
to say this much in reference to Col. w. be.
cause it might be inferred from letters, pur-
porting to come form this regiment, publish
ed in Portland paper, that different state
of affairs existed. Such letters, Us refer to,
arc well calculated to cause alarm and anx-
iety in the minds Of those who have friends
in tho regiment. and should ut once, If con-
sistant with truth, as it certainly is in this
instance, DO branded with the stampof false
hood. trust the people Of York County will
not give ear and tongue to these disparagc-
ments and base insinuations. Col Fessenden
is still in command of the brigade, and by
his energy, activity and soldierly qualities
has won the esteem Of oil.
Quartermaster o 'Brion's popularity grows
"bcau,ifully larger" day by day-tho boys
insist. and with much truth, that he is The
best quartcrmastcr in tho service.
The health of the regiment was never bot
ter, indeed, the Surgeon remarked a day or
two since that no had no patients-thc morn
ming reports show nearly nine hundred men
reported for duty.
Fast day tho paymaster camc among us