The Portland daily press., 1863-01-02
Letter from the 25th Maine.
CAMP TON CASEY" Arlington
Hoinktc Ilon o. 1SR.l


Heights, Dec. 25, 1862.
Dear Press:-Christmas has at last arrived,
but how unlike those we have spentwith our
friends at home, is this which greet us in the
State of Virginia, on whose soil the iustrious
Washington first inhaled the breath of life.
Yet it recalls to mind the gay festivities of by
gone days to those whose hearts have not
been hardened against their friends at home
by the hardships and disasters Of war.
Very many members of the different COM
panies were forewarned of its coming by the
arrival of well packed box of edibles from
some relative, while others are destined TO
content themselves with nothing but an every
day ration of beef and bread, washed down
down by dipper of coffee or water. Two
months have passed since our arrival on the
soil of the rebellous South; that space of
time has seen, and Christmas still finds, our
camp gracing the southwestern slope of Ar
lington Heights.
The daily routine of military duty has
changed but little since the first organization
of the regiment at Camp Lincoln. In order
to accustom the men to carry their knapsacks
with ease and less firing effects, in case of
forward movement, they are daily drilled in
the regimental drill with them well packed
and slung, which performance gives the en-
campment the appearance of removal of
quarters to the front of some other less at
tractive field Of operations.
The building of the barracks has given the
members of the different corps of mechanical
genius, who happen to be SO lucky or unlucky
as to compose our numbers, ample opportuni-
ty to display the skill of their profession and
WELD the axe and saw. Our little village now
presents to the passer-by neat and grotesque
appearance, combining all the attractions and
conveniences Of which our condition is sus-
ceptibe. To add still more to the neatness of
the outward portion of the cabins, they are
being covered with a solution of lime and
water; this whitewashing being not more for
looks than for the health of the occupants.
and the prevention of the aeclimation of ver-
min said to be so abundant in the camps of
our enemies. Not a regiment has yet been
sent into the field with perfect set of officers
of all grades; neither is there any probability
that there will be one for some time to come.
When first chosen they not only suppose
themselves, but are supposed by others, to be
capable of fulfilling all requirements, but, hav-
ing had some experience. there are many who
resign from sel-supposed incompetency or
other reasons best known to themselves. The
designations in the 25th, as far as / have
learned, are four, vz:-Licut Carswell, of Co.
l, whose place is to be filed by Sergt. Major
Geo. o. Goss; Capt. Davis, Of Co. X, which
vacancy has been supplied by a regular pro-
notion Lieut.. Merrill of Co. E, vacancy
likewise filed by rise of the under officers
and subalterns; and Lieut.. Kendall, of Co. G,
whose resignation has been rendered, but not
yet accepted
The 27th Maine and 4th Delaware having
been ordered, forward the brigade was conse-
quently broken up, as was also the case with
the other brigades; but we were not destined
to remain so for any considerable length of
time, as but few days had been allowed to pass
by before courier from Washington brought
the intelligence that we were hereafter to be
found in the First instead of the Third Brigade
of reserved army corps, with Col. Fessenden
as acting Brigadier. company of Hawkins
Zouaves, just from Plymouth, n. c.. is the only
organization encamped near us, without the
walls of the Notifications, consequently we are
not surrounded by the embarrasments of a
large encampment.
As write the regiment is just forming for
review; every garment is brushed, every boot
is polished, and finer set of men it is hard to
find, especially those in appearance more neat.
Colds are prevailing to considerable extent
among the men, these being the principal dis
temper, and but few cases of extreme sickness
exist at present.
Z. But my letter is getting too prolix, so will
now close by subscribing myself as ever,
Yours respectfully,
JACKsoNIAN.