The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1864-01-13
COMMUNICATIONS.
|, visit 10 the goth Maine Regimen,
WAsnIYeroN, Dec. 31st. lso3.

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WASHINGTON, Dec. 31st, 1863.
To the Editor Of the Press
| have just returned from visit TO the
camp of the 10th Maine Regiment, and think
ing that few items ia regard to them might
prove OF interest TO some of your readers,
jot down few lines to YOU. They are now
encamped on small emnence at Rappahan-
mock Station, situate about fifty miles from Al
exandria. This ground they took IRON the
rebels some few weeks since, after hard
fight, but as you have probably published a re-
port of the battle viii not repeat.
was very cordially received, and hospita-
bly, entertained by the officers, who did all in
their power to render my visit pleasant one.
Major - is now in command of the regt the
Col. and 1t. Col. being absent. Capts. Cham
beriain, Plummer, Fitch and Land, and Lieuts.
Sherwood, Stanwood, Sidnger, Sanborn Bick-
ford and Nichols, were all at camp and were
all in the best of health. The health of the
regiment is excellent not man being in the
hospital, and the men are in good spirits.
The duties are just at this time very ardu-
oas, guarding the railroad, corduroying roads,
and building camp. tents, but the men are very
cheerful and are ready for anything that may
be required Of them. There is great deal OF
rivalry amongst both officers and men in re-
gard to who shall have the best tent the
consequence is, that they are all provided with
tents which are warm, cosy and comfortable
i was in the army several days, aud during
that time did not see regiment whose TENS
surpassed, and very few that equalled those of
the twentieth, although many were encamped
where they had greater facilities for building,
and for making display.
The tents are built of hewn logs TO highth
three or four feet, and then rooted with can
vass. The chinks betweentbe logs are filed
with sacred soir' made into mortar" They
are all provided with fire places-she chimneys
being at one end OF the tents.--and they rival
the best in New England for draught, and
need no regulation TO prevent smoking.
Thus every man is a mason and the qualities
of the chimney attest their skill. On Satur-
day evening the most of the line officers met
in Capt Eitch's tent and whiled the hour
away relating stories, ssaedoLes .Sc., and
many were the hearty laughs, and loud eullaus
which greeted each in its turn, but all acknow-
lodged Capt Fitch was not to be outdone by
any of his guests in telling stories. 1t was an
evening very pleasantly passed and long
70 be remembered-by your correspondent at
least. While in camp ssroomedn with Can't
Chamberlain and Lit. Sherwood, and stable
board" was procured at Capt. Plummers tent.
The Capt. has an excellent cook and sets a
''irst class table. One that surprised me, in
the army where ] expected TO find Hard
Tack" and Salt Horse" amongst the luxuries
have not space to give you the "biIl of far'
but suffice il TO say that, fresh and salt meat.
pies and doughnuts, cheese new bread, coffee
milk and &c, were served in abundance The
general appearance ofthe camp is pleasing to
the eye-the long rows of tents, each on
line with its neighbor, everything being kept
neat and in order, presents very pleasing
aspect. Most of the officers and some of the
men will have furloughs during the winter.
some men being absent on them. Hoping
l may have the pleasure of paying them
another visit before long, remain,
Yours, truly. X. Y.