The Portland daily press., 1864-04-25
COMMUNICATIONS.
Letter from the Maine Seventeenth.
HID. QuARTKRs l7rH RECT. ME INPANTRY.
April 18th. 1864

April 18th, 1864.
Ny Dear Giimdn:-lt may interest you
and other friends of the 18th regiment, Me.
Infantry, TO know in what sort of condition
and with what sort Of spirit we shall take our
place in the coming campaign. l joined the
regiment at the time il went into winter quar-
tiers. have had good opportunity therefore,
to study the character OF our camp life in its
moral and military aspects. or the moral
condition OF the regiment / will here only say
that 1t compares most favorably with that OF
any regiment have visited in this army. The
same can be said of its military condition and
spirit.
The camp we occupied for the larger part
OF the winter deserved to be, and was called,
by Maj. Gen. Birney, the "model camp" of the
Division. In beauty and fitness of situation in
neatness and regularity, and in all sanitary
conditions it was superior TO any camp have
seen, and reflected much credit on Mai. Mat
tocks, lnow commanding I'd U. S. Sharpshoot-
ersl who at the time of its construction was in
command of the regiment, Col West acting
as commander of the Brigade.
During the winter we have had frequent
Company and Battalion drills and so thor
oughly conversant are we in the manual OF
arms and in all battalion manoevures that
members OF other regiments call us the "Reg-
ulars."
AT the time Col. Egan of the 10th n. Y. In
fantry was in command OF the Brigade, he is
sued a circular after Brigade inspection. in
which he said The Colonel Commanding
recommends the good example OF the I7th
Me. Regt. TO the rest of the Brigade, and de-
mands that they equal it; surpass it they
cannot
And our boys deserve all that can be said in
their praise as soldiers. They are prompt, or
derly, well-drilled and OF good manly pluck
During the winter we have been on two re-
1~ek l.l
marching and were exposed to severe storms.
Yet did not see any who lost heart. In the
worst circumstances they were full OF good
wholesome life. Ii a man started on a growl
1t ended in laugh. Ii man began CON-
plant he somehow changed it before he got
through, with joke. 'Oh, dearl" sighed
poor fellow who was plodding along through
the deep midland it is no joke to march
through theslimy red putty of Virginia Hard
eaough work isn't it my boy" said Capt. John
Perry, guess you're about tired out" "Oh,
no" said the boy Strengthening up, 81 don't
bum IL quite so easy. was only thinking
and here he cast sly look at the horse which
the captain rode as acting field otlicer-ssI was
only thinking how hard il must be for the
poor horses"
While we were at James City few weeks
ago, tJames City is a little hamlet of a dozen
houses) we waited for orders in the midst of a
cold storm, half rain and half snow. But the
general hilarity OF all, seemed to increase as
the weather grew worse. 1t was cold enough,
and dirty enough and wet enough TO make Us
blue way through. The weather was all right
10 make indigo, but the material had too much
Maine good nature. So instead of fretting and
growing, the "boys" set about all manner OF
games, Q. &. mock executions, mock dress pa
rades, mock skirmishing, and even blind-man's
buff with good deal OF bufieting in it, and
the old school-boy game OF baseball
Ii was while at James City that we were
Joined by our gallant colonel who after being
received from the Brigade command, had been
absent for few days on iedce As soon as
he came in sight, the men came out from their
rough shelters, and saluted him with good
rousing cheer. The colonel raised his cap
aud with one OF bis genial smiles, said TO those
near him, "Pm glad TO see you all again--you
didn't expect TO get into tight without me,
did youp l mention this incident TO show
what thorough confidence we have ia him
who is emphatically Leader never order
ing any TO go where he does not lead the way
The estimation ia which he is held by those
associated with him as officers, was manifest
ed lately very pleasantly TO all concerned.
Some time ago Col. West joined the Sd
CORPS UNION, an association formed to pre-
serve the history OF the Sd Corps dArmee
and to assist the widows and orphans of any
officer who had belonged to the Union. The
officers learning the fact determined as one
man to present the Colonel with the Badge
of the Association, and on the evening of the
18th inst. the presentation was made, at the
request Of the officers, by the Chaplain.
We all met, as ii by accident, in the Co.'s
quarters, and after little familiar chat the
Chaplain advanced aud said:
Colonel: have most pleasant and hon
orabe duty TO perform in the name of the
officers of your command. You are well
aware that while you can enforce military
submission to your orders, you have no power
TO compel respect where it is not merited or
esteem where it is not deserved; for we do
not change our natures by change of place
Here, in the field, we are separated from the
kindly ministries Of civil life. We are more
accustomed TO the sights and sounds of war
than of peace. Our thoughts are not con-
cerned with political distractions or social
philanthropies SO much as with the duties and
exigencies Of military affairs.
Yet we do. remember the life We have left I;
we do retain our desire for mutual respect
and sympathy; and, perhaps there is no other
regiment in the armies of our country whose
officers are more united in all social and friend
ly converse than ours. In view of such a
fact it should be matter for pride and salts
faction with you, that the union existing be-
tween us-your officers, and the esprit du
corps that makes us believe tho 17th Regt
Maine lnIantry Is eQualeQ Dy lew and sur
passed by none-depend upon, are heightened
by our admiration and esteem for our regi-
mental commander. We have thorough con
fidence in you as a military leader. We be-
lieve that your ability is only equaled by
your bravery, and that is unmpeachable.'
When you joined this regiment you wore
upon your shoulders laurel leaves. Your
worth rendered the silvering of those leaves
inevitable; but in the process of transmuta-
ton they developed into the pinions of eagles
eagles which, In the comparatively peace
ful aud sunny days of this camp life, look
steadily in the eye of the sun; eagles which
In the dark night of battle, we doubt moi
shall bear you up to the stars"
We trust you, then, TO lead us in the com
ing campaign TO victory. The auspcious
hour has dawned. One good blow more and
the Hydra-headed monster of treason. rebel
lion and slavery shall be killed.
And now, sir, as token of our respect foI
you as man and soldier, be pleased TO ac.
cept this badge OF the Sd Corps Union o.
which you are member. 1t represents those
the record Of whose heroism is glorious
page in the history Of the war. We know
that when worn upon your breast it shall res
over as brave a heart as ever beat"
Col. West in response spoke in substance
as follows: "Gentlemen: am utterly undoni
by the unexpected expression of your re
gard. have no words to tell how deeply
appreciate it. l have tried to do my duty
and | am glad my endeavor has your recog
milton US it has had your help. This badg