The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1864-02-09
COMMUNICATIONS.
Letter from Boston.

BosToN, Feb. 3, 1853.
Tothe Editor Of the Press.
do not forget my promise to report pro-
gress while visiting the Army Of the Potomac,
to share for time with our Union soldiers
the incidents of camp life, with other laborers
of the Christian Commission. The snow
storm of Monday night delays me one day,
quite fortunate perhaps, for, beside having
delightful passage last eve in the good steam
er Of our Portland company, am here on
the right day for witnessing military review
As we do not leave till half-past five, day in
Boston affords pleasant interviews with sew
erl oAour Maine men, now among the active
citizens of this capital of Massachusetts We
must needs also look in upon the Legislature.
whose laws have to be endorsed by Maine
man to make them valid in one Northern
State.
Symbols Of war and carnage meet us on en-
ferlng the State House. Some seventy flags
float from the tall pillars in the entrance hall,
that bear the marks of terrible strife. Some
are mere shreds and tatters, while others have
eiighter wounds and rents, fit comments on
the fortunes of our soldiers and our regi-
ments Some of them nearly annihilated,
Others that are it for farther service. The
number OF each regiment that bore the flag
Is given at the foot of the staff Over what
sad and stormy scenes have fioated those sew
round them In other days, as now round the
cannon that meet the eye, trophies of the
Revolution! In the Senate chamber still
hang the old sword and musket of the
Revolution, opposite the desk Of the Presi-
dent. On one side of them the musket car
ried BY Capt. John Parker, father of the late
Theodore Parker; On the other side, the
British musket captured at Bennington The
Portraits of John Winthrop, John Endicott,
John Leverett, Increase Sumner, William
Burnett and Simon Bradstreet, early Cover
nors of Massachusetts, standing as in the ear
ly days In their places In the Senate chamber,
whose walls were otherwise bare of names,
famous in Massachusetts, history.
THE REVIEW.
At 10 minutes past II long train densely
crowded, leaves for the Readville camps on
the Boston aud Providence road. The report
that Maj. Gen. Burnside is to review the Mas
sachusetts regiments now In camp is sufficient
TO move the people en- masse. At 12.45 a spe-
cial train with the General, officers and staff,
the Governor and Council legislative bodies,
and favored guests, leave for the camp. When
this train pours out its numbers the spacious
camp ground is all astir, mud and water ev-
erywhere abounding, having no terrors for
sight-seekers of either sex. Some five regi-
ments partly filed are on dress parade beside
q coiored regiment of cavalry, all of which
sA.o OcaShah tOtiCnCd diiiu ucdiculHS CuttTS
OF soldiers and spectators. Gen. Burnside
has noble, manly bearing, and is exceedug-
ly graceful in the saddle. No part of the review
excited more interest than that of the colored
cavalry. whose appearance was most credita-
ble to themselves and their officers. The SER
Reants and corporals are colored men, as also
the sentinels-those of the higher ranks be-
ing white men. Many Of them, / learn, are
from the refugees in upper Canada, and Others
from most Of the Northern, Western and Mid
die States. The regiment has now from 400
70 500, and when filed seems destined to make
lts record known In the fortunes of the war
We must hasten from the review in a regular
train In advance of the officials to be In sea-
son for the $40 O'Clock train to New York via
Fall River.
Here also we met the men of Maine both
with and without shoulder straps. In the
train to the city was an aged father, native
OF Maine, who has rsared his family In Bos-
ton, and has three sons in the army. The
youngest was under fifteen but enlisted as
nineteen; being of large size his story was
credited, and though enlisting without the
consent of his father he left with his fathers
benediction, and has been all through the
hard battles Of the Potomac with the Mass.
llth. He was taken prisoner and escaped
after some two months confinement. His
company, as to its original members, has been
reduced to Ii, but he is full of fight as ever,
and could badly stop at home through his fur
iough Oh nfteen days. Yours ever,
c. PEARL.