The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1864-02-19
COMMUNICATIONS.
Letter from Texas.

SALURIA, TEXAS, Jan. 1G, 1864.
To the EditorQf the Press:
1t may be of interest to your readers to
know how the 18th and 18th Maine regiments
are prospering. But little change has taken
December.
1t was not expected we should remain here
more than day or two; but the difficulty in
getting transportation for troops and carrying
supplies has delayed our progress up the coast,
The regiments however are improving in
health and discipline, and hundreds who were
absent at hospitals and on furloughs are re-
turning TO duty again.
1t is a very healthy location here, and there
are at this time no cases of serious sickness
among us. But some of Our men in the hos
pitfalls at New Orleans have died recently.
Corporal John Harrington, Thomas Cyr,
Corps. Z. Berry, Ozias Dunton and Benz. Pet
tingill are all l now remember as having died
since last wrote you.
The Notifications on this island are in a con-
dition now to command the entrance TO Mata-
gorda Bay, and every day adds TO their
strength. Fort Esperonzi looks quite differ
ent now from what it did two days after the
rebels left it, when l first saw it. Those big
guns are in working order at moments no
tice. The day our forces took possession of
the fort, two privates of the Iowa regiment
which formed a part Of the brigade. stood gaz-
ing at the monster gun, probably the first big
one they had ever seen.
As one of them approached it, the other
sung out to him, Look out, 10, they say she's
spikedw Jo stopped for few moments and
looked, but seeing no spike" his curiosity
overcame his fear, and he approached the gun
cautiously. Growing bold, at last he ventured
TO lay his hand on the breach and sung out,
slim, where do you 'spose they spiked her?''
II don't know" says Jim; "may be we can
find ont, let's look" They examined the gun
carriage, wheels, spokes, hubs, and even
looked into the muzzie, but couldn't see the
spike" At last 10, attempting TO put his
finger into the vent met some obstruction, aud
after examining closely made discovery, and
sung out at the top of his voice, "Jim, L We
found it! I've found it! they spiked her right
there, by thunderw | cannot vouch for the
truth of the story, however.
Yesterday and to-day heavy firing has been
heard up the Bay. The rebels laid plan to
surprise our pickets by cavalry raid but
Gen. Ransom had intimation and had two
masked batteries all ready for them, and they
were forced to retire. The firing to-day has
probably been up at Indianola, which is in
possession of our forces and a brigade has
lately gone up to that place; this brigade will
probably be on the move within two days, and
Cross over 10 Tie peninsula 10 take tnelr place.
To-day the orders for re-enlistment were
received by Col Dyer, and the prospect is
that three-quarters Of the regiment here will
re-enlst under the generous offers of the
Government. They are very enthusiastic,
loyal TO a man so far as l know, and not a
eopperhead among them-THANK GoD FOR
THAT
DIR. Higgins from Pembroke, Me-, commits
stoned as first assistant surgeon, to fill the va
hv ft,a af n NJ.
arrived here few days SINCE
lie meets warm and hearty reception and
all seem TO feel he is just the man for the place.
Having been personally acquainted with him
from his boyhood, and knowing the warm
heart he carries, his affability and uncom-
promising integrity, his appointment and ar
rival gave me much satisfaction.
Perhaps | have not been here long enough
yet TO form correct estimate of the moral
and religious condition OF the 18th regiment
For many months no religious meetings had
been held, and leaving n. Orleans suddenly
many, perhaps most Of the men, did not take
even Testament with them, and many of those
who did were forced to throw them away on
their tedious march. But few that "iear the
Lord, speak often one to another" and we
hope for an increase OF interest.
Whisky drinking, that curse of the service,
and profanity and quarreling that always fol-
low 1t, prevail to some extent as in every reg
iment, but have seen much less Of it than
expected.
JAN. %, 1854.
Since writing the above and while waiting
for a mail TO n. Orleans the Brigade including
the 18th and 18th Maine regiments has moved
over to the Peninsula and are now encamped
at "Decrow's Point" or Port Cavallo." 1t is
"dry time" for war news just now and all
signs may of course fail, but l am inclined to
think that Texas affords no "winter suarters"
for soldiers and you will hear news from us
soon.
A kindly greeting to friends in Portland
Yours &C., S. +. WErHERBEE,
Chaplain 18th Maine Reg't Vols.