The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1864-08-25
HEAD QUARTERS, 2D BRIGADE,

4rH DIV. 9fH CORPS, Aug. IL, u.
You ask me how the army feels. How oar
corps feel, sirce the re,eiss o. July 30-G /;
aud how thea ieel generally in regard u tie
result OF this campaign?
We in this army, have certainly better
chance OF Judging than ever before. Troops
are here from Louisiana, Florida, North Car
Dina, South Carolina, aud from every part OF
the West. A free Interchange OF sentiment
prevails.
Every organization and almost every man,
has his particular hero oil a General, aud rides
his own hobby OF a theme about the best way
o! carrying on the war. We are, however +,
very hopeful as class and agreed on Que point
that is, that there is no doubt OF successfully
terminating The war; and the campaign vi this
year by the capture OF one or more Of our three
objective points, viz: Atlanta, Mobile ana
Richmond, provided The North repair our los
'es. Two hundred thousand men put into the
Held at once, never MUD how green, ii sent To
hi point could easily cut the Weldon Odd,
heir last hope, and give US Petersburg in 8 iort
line witnout me loss oil u man.
Inc army Is III bstter phi, steal condition
han 1t has been before inthe month oil August.
The ration has never been SO uniformly good
fhe issues are daily new and fresh. The value
of The surplus of pork aud fresh meat, &c. over
what they can possibly eat, is given them in
all sorts Of vegetables. Sanitary supplies in
vast quantities are given everywhere Tor the
asking and often uuasked
The army would be in capital spirits but for
one thing: the unhopeful and disconlenled
tone OF many of the journals OF the North.
They fear that by the misrepresentation OF
copperheads and their lying publications their
hard fought victories, their deadly struggles
Tor the ground they now hold, will have been
but little use il this spirit and these influences
hinder the prompt reinforcement of the army.
they fancy they see growing indifference 10
the soldier on the part of Class, as if We were
looked upon as an incubus rather than a bull
wark. They fancy they see a growing dislike
~ The war because il raises the price OF beef
and bread.
Iney fancy that many Of the people at home
are less willing 10 endure the Inconvenience OF
the war than we are to risk our lives day by
day. These things alone, not the enemy
dampen our ardor. The army asks rein force
ments. IL demands them al the hands of the
people for whom SO MANY OF their number
have shed thsir blood. Never have we ielt the
same certainty as TO results ii the means are
literally and promptly supplied. We honest
iy believe that $4,000 men thrown in hera this
month would give us Richmond In fortnight
The extent of the success or failure of this
summer campaign depends entirely on our
recuptratiNe energy. whenever size throws
its new levies into the Geld first has every adj
vantage. What double dyed traitors then are
the iemporizers. We want nothing but troops
Our Generals are good enough, on the average.
Our army is as have said ia excellen. condi-
ton. 1t is excellently appointed. The Quar-
termsster's, Medical and Conmssary Depart
ments are admirably managed. All foreign
officers of Intelligence with whom have talk
ed confess that they have never seen an army
so well supplied, or the arrangements of all
the administrative departments of the army
better carried on. We are row for the first
time operating on interior lines. We want
nothing under Heaven but men TO make sue
cess as certain As the rising of the sun. Don't
doubt it. Lend us a few Of your well dressed
young gentlemen at home who are trying to
manufacture something to do. and let them
help us reap the fruits Of this great campaign.
Yours, DC.
FL. G.. THOMAS.