The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1864-02-02
COMMUNICATIONS.
ssd Massachusetts and ssd New Jerse


LOOKOUT VALLEY, Tenn, Jan. 10, 1864.
To the Editor Of the Press:
These are two of the best regiments of
the 11th Corps, now encamped in this
Valley near where it won its first fame in
the West.
To-day there was grand occasion with
the 33d New Jersey-the presentation OF a
new state flag. They had invited Gen. Howard
to make the presentation. 1t was clear,
mild afternoon and the new red-trimmed,
dark-bue uniform OF the 33d looked neat and
becoming. Their camp is always one of the
cleanest in the corps and to-day seemed to
have been doubly swept. The men looked
cheerful as they stood drawn up in line. Gen.
Howard dismounted and taking the flag in his
hand, said to the Commanding officer (the
Major), Il take pleasure in presenting to you
and through you to the officers and men of
the SD n. j. Reg't this flag-the state flag
OF New jersey" He then stepped forward
and handed the flag TO the Major who made a
very handsome speech in response. He COM
menced by complimenting the General -
speaking of the honor they had in receiving
the flag from the left hand of one who had
given his right for his country--the honor
they felt at being under the command of one
who had won such deserved and honorable
fame. He alluded to the grim presence of
Lookout which now overlooks their camp,
but when they first came here used TO frown
worse at them lcrowned as it was with rebel
artillery, and vent its displeasure at their
presence with something more than frowns
though little else than useless growls. The
Major then handed the flag to the Color Ser
geant-a manly old soldier with many grey
hairs 10 his beard-and said he could trust it
with one who had borne noble part In ten
battles and had once been stricken TO the
ground by the enemy's bullets. / cannot give
all that was spoken. Gen. Howard then ad-
dressed the regiment at some length speaking
of what the new flag emblematized-of the
historic-associations OF New Jersey. He com
pared the suffering condition of Washington's
veterans marching barciooted upon New Jer-
sey soil with that of this regiment in its re-
cent equally hard march $50 miles into East
Tennessee to raise the siege of Knoxville.
They too were barcfooted and endured all
their hardships and suffering accomplishing
He spoke Of that other flag, the stars and
stripes. that they should both, ever as now,
float side by side as twin sisters. Cursed be
the hand that shall attempt I'd pluck them
asunder or him who shall ever attempt TO
shrivel and dwarf and destroy the life Of his
State by severing her from the yitalizing ma
tional trunk.
| cannot give the thrilling words which
seemed to arouse every soul present. Other
regiments had gathered round to listen. The
General told them that not man would lose
his reward for his heroic endurance and pa
tient suffering as well as his deeds of daring
And when he closed there rang out in sponta-
neous acclaim sthree cheers for the nth
Corps" then "three cheers for Gen. Howard
and sthree cheers for the old flag aud the flag
OF New jersey" Never were cheers given
more NTH t1iiI.
The three cheers for the Ilth Corps, from
new regiment but recently having Joined the
command, seemed particularly to crafty Gen.
Howard, who says he desires no fame distinct
from his corps. No corps stands better in this
army, not only with the soldiers but even at
headquarters
NEW DIVISION
has been added to 1t containing regiments from
Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan and Wiscon-
sim These are American troops. The Diyis-
ion is commanded by Gen. w. Il. Ward.
| intended TO mention the SD Mass, one of
the three regiments which so much distin-
guished themselves when first entering this
Valley. Col. Underwood, its commander, so
desperately wounded, has been promoted to a
Brigadier General for his galhntry in that Gel
ebrated night engagement
Col. Orland Smith formerly of Mane) of the
I'D Ohio, another Of the three regiments. and
who has gone home with his regiment as "Vet-
erans," will probably come back Brigadier
General. He has commanded a Brigade for a
year or more and always with credit.
ought to mention recent presentation OF
an elegant bugle to the leader of the SD Mass
Band. but have not the space to describe the
interesting ceremonies. ZEPHYRUs.