The Portland daily press., 1864-12-19
Monday Morning, Dec. 10, 1864.
Letter from the Forefront.
FIVE MILES FROM RICHMOND, VA,
December. 20. 1854. y

December 20, 1854.
To the Editor Of the Press: sa.1 = { ane sirla
The climate of Virginia is developing itself
to the uninitiated in a manner that is at once
unpleasant, particularly SO to those who have
settled down here under the impression that
the reign Of winter in the Old Dominion is
tempered by those auspicious attributes that
make it inviting. Delusive idea How great
the change that marks the spirit of our
dreams-the bright visions of comforts and
happiness. we had pictured for ourself In es-
Gaping the rigid terrors OF winter on the
Maine border for what we had hitherto been
led to regard as a new order of things in this
respect, IN region SO near the sunny
South" ssaaA ss7lRW aIm aA.a ~ ~ -
We have been during the last two or three
days experiencing q few of the stern realities
that mark the course of winter campaign
In Virginia. 1t must be borne in mind that
those who follow this vocation are unuroyid-
ed with any and all of the comforts that ordi-
nary wealth and, position at home can impro-
wise against the dread elements The log hut
with shelter tent for covering constitutes
the habitaiion OF the soldier On this tene-
ment Storm makes sad havoc. The storm.
In the course OF its fury, is very apt to demol-
ish the slim shelter from its fastenings, and
the occupant is soon exposed to all the terrors
that the devastating element is capable of In
uAcbinSs H. PCICuauc6, IL OOcS WlLnStanQ the
ravages OF the storm the same rigid depreda-
tion will make fearful inroads upon the walls
OF the "chtbauq," in denuding it of its muddy
appendage, ana we rise from our slumbers at
the midnight hour, to behold innumerable
gaps aroundius, and the wind holding high
carnival in every nook and corner Of our
nearly desoiated tenement. i The wind is ac-
companied by rain, the rain preeedes hail and
the stormis almost terribly severe, enough to
DO credit to the region in which Sir John
Franklin met his melancholy fate. Such are
among the incidents of campaigning in Vir-
ginia at this season of the year. They differ
sonaeschGt frem the comforts enjoyed in do
mestic life at home, but the writer has ne
words OF regret to use on account Of having
exercised the privilege by which he Volunta-
rily effected this transfer Of position. The ex-
citing adventures even of single week, may
be sufficient in themselves ana in their bear
ing to recompense amply any and all the sac
rihce that has been made in this change from
civil to military life; and with those who sur
vive, 1t will be proud chapter in their hlsto-
ry,to have it in their power TO narrate to pos
terity the experience thus gained. "When
this cruel war is over" they will be among
the foremost men of this nation. -
At an early hour yesterday morning smart
firing was heard on the picket line directly in
our trent. reconnaissance showed that the
OutiuJ Was AndopluS uiS LIOOp5 anu GVAQcully
making preparations to attack our line.i 1t
was adismal, cheerless morning, the ground
was covered with about two inches OF sIeet
and hail, and the soldier of the Union felt
happy at the prospect OF having brush with
the foe in front on such inviting conditions as
those here presented Our men are never
afraid TO meet the rebels in open field, and
they always gladly welcome conflict when
the conditions are such as to place them on
oxnsftI, 4 hu p.,tt fhx.&t
ing against the breastwork," as they termHit
here, is not agreeable warfare, as the attacking
party in such case, fight at great disadvan-
tage, and as has been proved on many occa
sions during the war, the victories thus OBJ
tanned are dearly bought. On this occasion,
the rebs sought to attack our lines under the
impressisn that's large portion of the, troops
recently stationed here had been sent away to
some other spot; which is true. zg9 ealal
Enough, however, had been left to defend
the place and provide against any emergen-
cy. The remnant Of the troops left here had
been organized into aiProvisional Division,
numbering nearly three thousand men, and
Col. George +. Granger, of the 9th Maine, is
temporarily promoted to the command there
Of The selection of Col. G.. for this RESPONSE
BILE post makes him for the time an acting
Major General, and his career thus far is an
evidence of the good judgment that has pre-
NollCA III AnNnkthS hl4B CuOlSCs AotAuSg ny Alo
bravery, arisensirom the position of Lieut..
in the service 70 his present rank, he has
demonstrated bis ability to handle troops and
be prepared for emergencies ever liable to
arise while we have such a willy foe to con-
tend with. a ss5 4 s5ll
The new commander, knowing that the reb-
els would, rs usual, obtain knowledge of the
absence of part of our forces, scented the
battle afar of" and at daybreak in the morn
haa fa hoad do viz in fheo a.
die, and with his forces drawn up in battle ar
ray the coming OF the enemy was anxiously
awaited. Matters remain in stGtu quo at the
present writing, and conflict is mOmentarily
expected. aaa aoe.ai ttaa = III "a. ~,
Since our sojourn here we have, in con-
formity to a promise made to many friends at
home, and in justice 10 loyal citizens every
where, made II our business to inquire into The
operations of the Christian and Sanitary Com.
missions, and the good or evil that has at
tended the same.a We have sought informa-
tion among officers of every grade, among
privates who have seen hard servcein maay
terrible ordeals, and while we find few isola-
ted instances of good having been done by
each Commission, we are constrained 10 say
that they are not held in high respect by the
great mass oil the soldiers. We have been
told of instances where destitute aud disabled
soldiers have made application for relief, and
have had luxuries in abundance to dispense,
they declined to grant relief to the patriotic
applicant, bearing honorable scars on his per-
son. because he had not an order, and has thus
been turned away because, forsooth, red tape
must rule. These Commissions are sustained
and Kept up by the patriotic liberality Of 10y.
al citizens al home, and the unremitting toll
OF mothers and sisters who have in the army
those that are near and dear to them. The
result OF our observations here justifes the
impression that the whole thing Is a gigantic
imposition, an asylum for hundreds If nom
entities, who are either too incomnotent ar too
idle to make living BY their profess professioa sr or
labors at home, and therefore seek 10 Hhnm;,
it through this channel. We have seen somo
of these lazy, fat and sleek "genilemen,s in
the course of our travels here, and II thev
could be sent to the front with musket IN
their hands, there would be no act that would
give more satisfaction to the great body o
the soldiers in the army. We advise every
patriotic man and woman in the North, who
wishes to send money or luxuries to thei
friends here, to do so directly and not entrus
it to any Commission or its itinerant agent.--
Send by mail or express and the soldier vii
get what was intended for him, but do not lie
your patriotic offerings be perverted ant
grossly misapplied, as they surely will be
you continue to give to these Commissions
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