The Portland daily press., 1863-02-14
COMMUNICATIONS.
Letter from the Twenty-Seventh Maine.
CAMP GENERAL CASEY, VA.
Feb. 9, 1853.
To the Editors ofMe Press :

To the Editors ofte Press:
Never having seen in your columns anything
emanating from the 27th Maine, and know
ing your paper has, deservedly, a wide circu-
lation in our State, and also in our army,
felt that letter, which has at least brevity to
recommend 1t, may prove measurably accepta-
BILE.
The headquarters of our regiment are in
the barracks formerly belonging to the 4th
Delaware, Col. Grimshaw, in whose brigade
we were for while after arriving at our pres
ent location from Camp Seward, Arlington
Heights. The Potomac lies mile distant to
the northeast, and Alexandria three miles dis
tant in the same direction. Our duty here, SO
far, has been to guard picket line mile or
two below us, and running across the country
from northeast TO southwest. At first there
were three regiments Of us engaged i'm this du-
ty, the l1lth New York and 4th Delaware be-
sides ourselves; but both the others having
gone down, the whole duty devolves upon ms,
and we have had sole possession for nearly
two months. At times, the duty is rather on
erous; but as whole we bear the fatigue
well.
There has been an unfortunate disagree
ment for some time among our officers, regi-
mental and line, which finally resulted in the
dismission Of Col Tapley from the service.
This state Of affairs has doubtless been at the
bottom of our present backwardness in drill; /;
for TO speak plainly, cannot say we are as
proficient as we should be for a regiment five
months in the field. But we trust under the
new regime. In the four months remaining, to
fully equal other regiments from Maine In the
matter of drill, which is all we are willing for
moment TO concede ourselves lacking in. We
hope soon to see the eagle strap surmounting
the shoulders of our Lieut.. Colonel, NJ. j.
Wentworth, a man in every way III for the
place. Hjustice Is done, he will be promoted
sure. lCol. Wentworths appointment was an
nounced yesterday.-EDs. PREss.l
The health OF our regiment has been good !;
only IL or IA deaths have yet occurred. The
hospital steward, Marshall Hodgdon of Saco,
died of diphtheria some ten days since, and
Come, of Berwick, has arrived and assumed
the duties of his station. Diphtheria is
dreaded disease here. too often proving fatal
Typhoid fever Is another scourge. Among
the many lamented victims Of the latter dis
ease, none had more numerous or sincere
mourners than 1t John H. Came, lst lieuten-
ant of Co. G. He was snatched away in the
prime of youth, idolized by his aged parents,
regarded with a peculiar affection by circle
of brothers and sisters, and possessed the es-
TEEN and respect OF all who came in contact
with him. His was one of those ever cheer
full, kindly dispositions which win regard from
one, as it we're insensibly and without effort
Retiring and reticent, it required considerable
intimacy to become thoroughly acquainted
with the man; but the acquaintance once
formed was sure to grow into a lasting and
cherished friendship. He left a lucrative busi-
ness and home surrounded with every COM
fort, to 60 to his country's aid, and although
he died in a sick bed, his life was as truly laid
down for his country as il he had fallen in the
deadly breach. As soldier, had he lived, he
would have made his mark having natural ap-
titude for, and an intuitive perception of a sol
dier's duties. As man, he was beloved and
respected by all who knew him. and the death
Of such an one is loss to us all. His sickness
was long and very wearisome, but he bore up
with the cheerfulness and herosm of martyr,
as he was. His body was taken to Buxton,
his native town, by his brother, Isaac s. Came
ofyour city. Another brother Charles G.. Came,
is now associate editor of the Boston Journal,
and was formerly, in the palmy days of the
Advertiser, editor Of that paper. OF the sub
ject of my sketch 1t may be truly said that in
life he was beloved, and in death he sleeps
well. More anon. MAssAsoIr.