The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1864-02-06
CORRESPONDENCE,
MArAooRpA ISLAND, TEXAS, I
Near Fort Esperanxa. Jan. 10. fS64. {


Near Fort Esperanto, Jan. 10, 1864.
Mn. EprroR So should have written before,
but having no convenience at all-not even
shelter, until We had become located here some
time and knowing there were correspondents
who would furnish oil tho news long before
mine could reach you'll did not write. That
Is my excuse Mr.. Editor and II Is no news that
We were the first TO land In Texas at Brasos
Santiago; marched thence to Brownsville; rest.
ed our weary limbs In Fort Brown. now over
grown with weeds and chapparal, thence to IT.
Isabel; then embarked aboard steamer and pro-
ceeded to the end Of Mustang Island; made Q
night march and the next forenoon captured
ono hundred rebels and three gun battsry;I,
Then We marched up st. Josephs Island; iordcd
Cedar Bayou to Mattagorda Island and were
present to witness the explosions OF several
magazines In the Fort, the. morning the rebels
evacuated. So far without tents, and on the
march surprising veterans OF Pea hdge ana
Vicksburg, who could not understand how We
left SO few stragglers and could dare not only
to march With them but ahead Of them. some
do say We were called Banks Cavalry" but
can assure you Shank's mare sometimes has
been very much fatigued. Taking into consid-
Grafton the fact that our duty has previously
been in garrison, they say We have done quite
well and our boys truly are benefited 6y the
change. Wearc at present located just out
side the Fort, facing toward Enatagorda Boy,
but expect daily to move over to the Pennsu-
lar-in fact We are to move as soon as TRIMS
portation can be furnished. Our Brigade,
composed Of an Iowa regiment, the 18th Me.
and ours Is commanded by our own Colonel,
Henry Rust IT,, and sorry We orc to lose him
from the command Of our regiment, but we
know that he will do honor to the brigade, to
our regiment and himself A soldier In whom
we all have confidence Is our division comman-
der, Brig. Gen. Ransom who honored US rs our
brigade commander until lately. A veteran OF
the campaigns Of the West he declares our reg
iment shall remain with him. Lieut.. Col. Hes
eltine commands our regiment, and Is daily be-
coming moro popular. A few weeks ago, up
the Peninsular about forty miles, he landed
from q gunboat with one hundred men ana
was nearly surrounded by host OF rebel cav
airy, numbering rs was estimated BY Zen.
Ransom, who remained on the gunboat, OF least
fifteen hundred. By skillfull handling OF his
men he held them at bay and they were thor
oughly intimidated-several times forming To
charge, they lacked courage t0mect the shining
steel of the handful of men behind few logs
thrown up for breastwork. Col. Hcseltine
received the warmest congratulations OF the
General upon returning aboard the gunboat,
having accomplished his mission without losing
man.
A brigade has been stationed over at place
called Po,pderhorn on tho main land, and they
were attacked few days since by large
force Of rebels who endeavorcd to surprise
them. Our boys were not caught mapping.
and although the rebs opened with section OF
a battery and were aided by cotton clad gun
boat, they were repulsed with considerable loss.
Quite large force has been forwarded over
since, and Gen. Dana has established his head.
quarters there.
Governor, departed few days ago for the
North. He commanded the division until re-
licved by Maj. Gen. Dana who Is corps COM
mander. His absence Is great loss to this
deparcment, for he Is q man OF energy and
perseverance and commanded the respect OF all
officers In the department.
The rebel General Magruder Is lowering
around our forces-sometimes at BraIos River,
where they have fortified to resist our advance,
and sometimes he move, inland. evidently non.
pussed what to do-and as he has promised the
people of Texas fight, he will soon have his
wishes grati6ed. There Is no great force OF In.
fantry to oppose us, and their cavalry Is held
of very little account against our troops, but
they have large force OF the latter and may
harass and cut off our small bodies unless o
very sharp watch is kept up for them: :,
Refugees and desertcrs come in daily, and
doubtless the commanding General Is we'll post.
ed % to the plans and movements OF the rebel
General, and when we move l hope It will be to
some purpose and towards tho interior, for the
sca.coast OF Texas Is not quite as pleasant In
the winter rs the coast of Maine. But must
close mp, as q steamer leaves Immediately for
New Orleans, with the mail. must say that
the health Of all tho troops here Is very good,
and our regimental hospital contains very few
invalds, while the cry is "hard tack" and Tex
as beef. There are hearty caters here rs there
were in the days Of Cromwell, when they eat,
drank and fought hard. But good bye.
remain truly yours, &c. o,
18th Maine Regiment.
We arc glad to hear from the Captain, and
hope to hear from him often.