The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1864-02-12
VOLUME Xxx, NUMBER 7.
CORRESPONDENCE.

pines, or rusttc1 the decay u ioeVes VI tnWE w.
eiduous neighbour and, though i J, mic. .xln. m.
overcoat. The cawing Of crows, the occasional
"peck" Of the woodpecker, the chirping OF 9th
or smaller birds that go hopping about In tho
branches above, the few patches OF snow not
yet melted, and this clear sunlight and mild air.
remind me forcibly Of the days Of our Northern
spring. when the pelting Of our wintry storms.
tho chill Of our March winds, have besn suc-
ceeded by April showers. snd nature begins to
smile beneath the lifs-giving rays Of the sun.
smiling here. Far from L. We have cold days
and colder nights, ws have frosts and storms.
that prevent Earth from smiling. But, occs.
sionally, there comes day, or. perhaps, two
or three In succession, OF beautiful, spring.liko
weather, when nature wears cheerful look,
and everything seems . harbinger OF Spring.
We have had few inches Of snow, just enough
TO give the appearance Of winter. ,Somc days
have been rery cold, indeed, but have not
suffered 90 much with tho cold as I have In
Maine, during our severe winters, every ono OF
which was "the coolest winter known for forty
years." We sec no sleighs In this section, hear
ro bells jingling, enjoy no merry sleigh.rides
''over tho newly fallen snow" miss our Gus
tomary sliding and skating, and for ono would
willingly exchange any Of our pleasant days
for cold ono "down cast" provided could
have q jolly sleigh ride, In the bargain.
Previous to my last communication Il was
my fortune to take part In one battle and como
out safe Detailed accounts Of our weeks cam
paign across the Rapidan have been printed In
oil our Northern papers, 80 need not give par
ticulars. We entered the woods In which tho
battle was fought, with no fear, and but little
excitement Ny heart beat more quickly than
usual only when lying down aud seeing the
wounded going to the rear, expecting every
moment to be called into active service. II was
caused by the excitement OF the moment immc-
diately preceding the crisis. When the order.
"Forward." came. We went in and tried to do
our duty. The question, chow does one feel In
battlel" Is often asked. and to satisfy the Gu
firing. the soldier feels as he would were be out
hunting In our New England groves. The
hardest part Of q fight is lying down within
range of cannon. and having shells whis over
ones head. few thrown over our heads, do.
ing no harm, however, made US hug the ground
pretty closely. 80, 49,,
To say nothing OF our "double quicking" the
day following the fight, Of the anxiety Of that
Sunday In the Wilderness" when expecting
to make charge, Of the cold experienced when
lying In support OF batteries posted In front OF
the rebel stronghold, on that windy November
day, I have time to speak only Of few inci-
dents Of our retreat. We commenced II about
eight O'Clock In the evening, and marched all
that cold, frosty, moonlight night. After leav.
ing the woods In which We had been expecting
10 bivouao, we halted In an open field and stood
shivering In the cold. Near by were several
houses, two Of which were fired by accident,
and became a prey to the devouring element.
s..s Is' desroyed ssr sss could coz but make me FEEL
that the calamities of war can be known only by
those who have suffered. and are still suffering.
from Il. Our rough path through the woods
was lighted somewhat by the burning houses,
but tho rebels were the gamers thereby, for the
light must have given them some iden OF our
movement. About the time the moon rose wc
struck plank road, over which We "hypersd,"
halting but few moments ut time, until We
stacked arms on this side Of the Rapidan. When
we rcsted moment our boys would fall asleep,
and some would even sleep while marching.
Just as the sun wss rising We dragged our
weary limbs up the steep bank Of the river, and
rested in safely. Never did hear any music
moro oppOrtune than that discoursed by some
regimentai band near us-ncver did 30 fully
appreciate, "Ain't you glad You got out Of tho
wilderness! 1.-THE picce. played by the band.
in the woods, through the darkness Of the fol-
lowing night, we, at last, entered tho pines
which wo len one week before. Tired and hun.
cry VIC unslung our "dunnnge" on tho spot
where our tents were formerly pitched, and
with thankful heart rcjoiced to get home onco
more. Those pines had become Q homo TO me,
and never did my own dear New England homo
receive me with more cordial welcome than did
they.
We arc now in winter.qua.ters-those quar-.
ters that Dame Rumor had 90 much TO say
about. two months ago-and are luxuriating on
picket and fatigue duty. In ncw camp there
Is much "policing" to do In order 10 havcs
tand healthy camp, and however much NO
may grumble. think Il Is for the interest Of
the soldier TO have quarters clean and or.
derly. Cleanliness Is G, n'luoiyc TO health. and
every available means should DO used ii have
hardy and healthy soldiers. Our camp (named
Camp Bullock In homo. OF Mr.. Bullock. Of
Philadelphia, who recently presented this divi.
sion with several thousand pairs OF army
gloves Is In Q very healthy locality, though,
at present, there Is considerable sickness In the
regiment, especially among the new men who
have not yet become accllmated. Upon tho
whole the sanitary condition OF the regiment 10
as good As could be expected, considering that
we came here when there were two or three
inches Of snow on the ground. and could not
get up comfortable quarters for several days.
You would enjoy visiting our camp this beau.
tiful moonlight evening, everything is % pleas.
ant. Il does not look like war In this quiet lit
tie village. There arc few signs that terrible
contest Is going on, and In Il we ara actors.
We are not unmiudful, however, of the herce
struggle that brought W here, of the princi.
ples at stake, and Of the great sacrifices made
Tor their maintenance. We are encamped by
companies, each company having its own street.
The streets are 30 feet in width with the e1cep'
ton Of the middle one which y double width.
They are laid out regularly all psrpena'caM,r
TO the color line In front, and consequently
parallel. They arc 10 DO turnpiked, corduroy
|, to be laid ip front OF the tents making hrst-
ratc sidewalks, and at the head OF the streets
nosts arc Ia be set, upon which are tho letters
designating tho different companies-in other
words each street will be desgnatcd by the let.
ter OF tho company occupying u. Some 10
/ use the term head since our camp 10 laid out
ou the side Of gently slopiug hill-are the line
officers quarters; still farther back are head
quarters, and In the very rear 10 the hospital.
Our houses are built of the same dimensions,
9 feet by 10. The "stocksde" Is about s feet;
the roof and gable ends arc our pieces of shell
ter. You would DO surprised to sce how quick
ly oldand experienced soldiers extemporiie COM
Portable houses. Trees arc feilei. timber OF
suitable length manufactured, chimneys built.
hunks made, chinks we'll plastered up With vir.
ginia mud, and every thing done TO render
them COSY, close, convenient and comfortable.
We moved to this camp on Sunday. Jan. 10.
Why the Sabbath WAS selected 10 known, We sup
pose, to thoseiu authority bat not 70 us.soider,;
Our reason for moving st eli was. because wocd
Was scarce, and Hon. John Minor Bolts would
not allow us to cut his when We nrt came 70
this section We thought favoraoy OF ms poncs
able ~ gentleman: and nr one: s yssc,s
"Uuiou" I 10 :. any cost whatever. Bat ny OpIn.
ion has been changed ! eannot rssM ni@
very stAunch Unionist wno II. sr,sssS.
oath OF aliegiance. however Patt,vsc ~ stSs. tSss