The Portland daily press., 1864-12-08
Thursday Morning, Dec. 8, 1864.
Letter from the Shenandoah Valley.
CAMP RUSSELL near Winchester, Va.,( +
Nov. Is, 1854.

CANP hUSSELL near WlncneSter, ta.,t %
Nov. 25, 1864.
To the Editor Of the Press
The Press is occasionally put into my hand,
and as often as read, my thoughts turn with
new warmth toward the Pine Tree State. Ii
assure you OF this with my pen, take it for
granted that you will not be Indifferent to sal
utations from soldiers in the field. How we
watch the coming of the mails, which reach
us only once in four days, owing to our dis
tance from Martinsburg and with what eager
ness do we break seals, and learn the history
of household friends. And as then come the
newspapers, with what interest does the eye
take in the local and general news o 1 the State
we love so WE'LL Editorials, kilograms, sum-
maries, railroad notices, advertisements, ship
ping news, and other Items too numerous to
mention, are read, for peradventure there may
be something to suggest the name of friend
and the Interests associated with him. And
sometimes, we say it reverentiy, we are lit
tie amused, at the news published in papers,
In the distance-that sit is definitely under
stood that part Of Sheridan's army has been
removed and transferred to Grant" As this
did not appear in the Press, you will not take
offence. So far from a removal, the three
Corps are yet in the field, with breastworks
and redoubts thrown up, and others in pro-
cess of construction, waiting, like Macawber
for any thing that "may turn up" The men
in the meantime, in their various camps, have
orders to make themselves as comfortable as
possible. BY a recent order, the whole en-
campment of Sheridan's army takes, the name
of Camp Russell, in honor of Gen. Russell,
who commanded the 1st Division, 9th Corps,
and who fell at his post, at the battle of Win
chester, 10th OF Sept. He was a graduate of
West Point, and was highly esteemed both as
an officer and as man. He was cool and sa-
gacious and of undaunted courage. Simple
aud unpretending in his habits, he did not as
pire to notoriety by the glitter of gold lace
The last time | saw him, he wore blouse,
with collar thrown back on his shoulder, in
fashion of U. s. sailors, without single badge
to denote his rank. And yet beneath that
blouse there was a heart as loyal, and brave
and generous as soldier ever had He now
sleeps in soldiers grave, but his memory will
never die with those who knew him in the
field, or in private lifel aA
Upon his death, Gen. Emory Upton, OF the
I'd Brigade, was placed in command of the 1st
Division. He too performed gallant deeds at
Winchester. Perceiving that the troops on
his right were falling back, he at once moved
his forces and filed up the gap. In doing
this he seized the colors and carrying them in
his own hands, said, "follow me.n Soldiers
are not loath to follow such leader As
they rallied around him, they not only
strengthened the line, but in the charge that
followed, secured the fortunes of the day.
Though severely wounded, he would not leave
the field till he had been carried to point
where he could see the retreat of the foe. For
his valor on that day, he has beea made
Brevet Major Gen. Let me add, that be too,
is graduate of West Point, where he showed
the good effects of early religious instruction,
by passing through that Institution without
tasting OF Intoxicating drinks, or playing
cards, or using aprofane oath. In his new
position he Is temperate and moral, with re-
spectful Difference for every thing religious,
with bravery that no one can question. AS
he is only "a years of age, he will be heard
from again II his life Is spared, in the further
progress OF the war, and OF our nations vic
tories. ds ss4s a sar ia a
There is only one Regiment from Maine in
the 9th Corps that is attached to the I'd Divis-
ion. refer to the lst Maine veterans, former
ly known as the Maine 7th There is a secret
history about this Regiment that I do not pre-
tend to understand other Regiments of an old
er date failed to receive recruits, but the 1th
Maine received constant acditions. The or
ganization Of the older Regiments ceased at
the end of three years; not so with the 7th
Maine, it still lives and is prospecting greatly.
The veterans of the 9th and 9th were transfer
red to the 7th. This naturally awakened some
Jealousy. Why should the older serve the
younger? Why should the soldiers of the 5th
and 9th do valiant things and have all the glo-
ry given to the 7th? There were some eal-
ousies OF this nature in the household of Jacob,
and is human nature any better now than then
By ajudicious arrangement, the name is chang
ed, and all are interested in their new relation
as members of the 1st Maine Veteran Regi-
ment, Col. Hyde temporarily In command Of
the Brigade) is deservedly popular His brav-
cry, that was tested and well known at An
tietam will not fail him in other times of peril
The officers of his field and staff are well quail
fed for their positions, and add to the good
name of the regiment The friends of Lieut..
Grenier formerly of the 9TH Mainel will be
pleased to learn that he is the Adjutant of this
regiment. The officers and men, under the
new arrangement, are harmonious in action.
and all aspiring to vindicate with zeal the hon.
or and integrity of their country.
Lieut. Mitchell, who served faithfully in the
9th, prior TO his assignment 10 the 7th, was
wounded in the battle of Cedar Creek, on the
10Th of October. His leg was amputated, and
while, with his strong constitution and temper
ate habits, there was every promise of his
recovery, he died very Suddenly, 10 the sur
prise and deep sorrow of all bis friends, He
once belongedto gee club in the Maine 9Th,
of four members. Lieut.. Lyon. brave and
resolute man, was last seen at the storming oI
the breastworks, near Spottsylvania, on the
10th of May. The probability is that he Il
numbered with the dead.
Capt Daniel Clark of Portland, was wound
ed on the same day, died at Fredericksburg
and now sleeps in the Evergreen Cemetery
near his kindred and early home, and nov
Lieut. Mitchell Is added to the death rol
while Lieut.. Kelly of the 121st fthe 4th in
the club Is now prisoner of war. Surely, a
solemn. dlrge is suited to the memory of such
men, as we think OF their once maIodious and
spirit stirring songsl -1Tg
In the rear Of the 1st Maine Vets "a tho eth
Maine Battery; under the command az Cant
g. 7. Stevens. This Battery is well known in
army circles for its brilliant and successful ser
vice, and has received special commendation
through army orders. Capt. S. is always al
his post, whether in the camp or the field. and
looking after the interests of his men. Scru-
puiously exact in all of his accounts with gov
ernment, he Is unsefsh and generous towards
his men. Thinking that the turkeys and chick.
ems sent to the Battery, for Thanksgiving were
not more than were needed for The man ha
gave up the portion that might have heen an
pr0priated to his own mess and contantef
himself with humber fare, that others miob,
have more abundance. Some generous friend
ought to send at Christmas or Nav Year. ,
box for the special use Of such an officer ant
such man. st
Lieutenants Clark and Bartlett are on th,
ground, while Lieut.. c. Hunt issa prisoner o
war. The valedictory assigned to him for th,
Masters degree, at the late Commencement
at Bowdoin, was not delivered 10 persou--but
the UGte unsp0ken, tells of his scholastic stand
ing, and his absence tells of his perils and sac
RIDGES in the service of his country. Bowdoi
has an interest In his younger brother, Whs