The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1864-12-01
Letter from the Front.
ii. @. 41sT. q. S. CoLoRED TROOPS,
Dept. Va. and N c., i'll the Field, :
Nov. "a, 1854.

Letter from the 'front.'
h. 41sT. u. S. CoLoRED Troops,
Dept. Va. and N G., in the Field, {
Nov. "a, 1854.
To the Editor Of the Press.
To day. for the first time since Oct 9th or
7th, have been greeted by the once familiar
face of your paper. Il appeared to me like
an oasis in the desert to the weary and thirsty
traveller. Once more / feel the breath of
the northern breezes; once more taste the
comforts of a northern home, and shake hands
with northern friends. Or at least so my i'm
gination almost persuades me. And all be-
cause of the cheering presence of the Press"
So, in gratitude, / sit down to write you
line, knowing that you like to keep "posted
up" in whatever pertains to the welfare or
condition of the army, or any portion of it.
Our regiment, as it exists at present, is COM
paratively new organization. In fact, it is
not yet fully organized. The companies were
aggregated at Camp VIM. Penn near Philadel-
phia, Pa. As soon as seven were raised the
first six were supplied with arms and sent
down here. We are within plain hearing OF
the enemy's guns, but a few minutes walk
from the general line OF breastworks, and not
more than seven or eight miles from that goal
the army of the Potomac has so long been
seeking Richmond. l need not speak any
more particularly.
Since our arrival here we have had many
details of men for service outside of the regi
nent, and much fatigue work of our own to
do, so that the time for drill has been compar-
atively limited. Yet our men as whole
Though, of course, there are dull ones, as
everywhere else, learn the various movements
q lite readily, and manifest already consider
able efficiency. Alarms from the enemy have
been quite frequent, and once, during the
last general movement of the army, the whole
regiment was marched to the front; one of
thu companies AZ being actually in the en-
gagement, and the others for two days and
night behind the breastworks expecting an at
tack.
The sanitary condition of the regiment has
been as good, perhaps, as that of the majority
Of new regiments. What can be expected OF
men, uncultivated and ignorant. who have not
been taught the laws of hygiene nor how to
govern their appetite, when they are flush
with bounty money aud the sutler is near by
to cater to their wishes, when they are thirsty
aud there is nothing but muddy water to
drink. We have good regimental physician,
but have much faith in the old adage that
"an ounce ofpreventive is worth a pound OF
cure"
Co. G. having joined US we have now seven
companies in the field. Our winter quarters,
consisting Of log houses with canvas roofs,
are nearly completed; and there is no reason
Why, if we remain here and the rebs will let
Us alone, two things which are uncertain, by
the way,) we may not live quite comfortably
the coming season. The fall has been very
mild. Sunday, the 18th inst. was the first
snow we have seen. 1t was soon over with.
For few days during the close of last and
the beginning of the present week the rain
poured necessarily. Night before last the
clerk of the weather installed new pro-
gramme, and tried hard to freeze us. And SO
now the ground is solid and the air brac-
ing.
When we moved here five weeks ago the
forests were thick about us. Now, with our
own and the labors of other regiments around
US they ars fast disappearing, and we shall
soon have nothing to obstruct our sight for
miles. Alas, for Virginia! 1t was sad day
for her when the arch-fend Secession took
possession of her counsels. Her rich resources
of natural wealth, and her treasures of blood,
how much better for herself and the world,
had they been devoted to the cause of truth
I and liberty instead of that of falsehood and
slavery! But having sown the wind she must
expect to reap the whirlwind.
One word Of the officers of the 41st. Col.
Llewellyn f. Haskell commands the regiment.
He passed Gen. Casey's Board for Colonel
gear since. But, on account of his youth
tbeing but 21) and inexperience, except on
staff duty, refused to take position higher
than that Of LieutrColonel. He has been re-
Gently mustered as Colonel. He is a gentle
man; q man Of culture and polish, and old Of
dcers of high standing speak highly of his
military skill The same may be said of Maj
or Lewis D. Weld. The Major is at present
absent, but we look for him here very shortly,
and all will hail his return with pleasure. 1
do not speak of 1t. Col. Trip because we
have never seen him. He is supposed to be q
prisoner at Richmond. Ofthe other officers
can say, think with truth, that seldom is a
regiment blessed with more intelligent, sober,
better men men who have higher sense of
heir responsibilities, or q better disposition to
faithfully discharge them.
Before bringing my letter to close cannot
deny myself the pleasure of relating an anec-
dote which heard fir, m the lips of Lieut.. Col.
Given of the 127th q. S. G. T. with reference
to one of his mn. The man 1t seems was
walking on his beat near the enemy, when
suddenly she'll came, and striking his gun
out of his hands, burst near him, scattering
the dirt ia every direction. The officer who
stood looking on expected, when the dust
cleared away, to see the corpse of the man.
Instead Of that, a voice issued from the midst
ofit-"Corporal of the Guard, Post No. H."
The corporal came. Said the undismayed
sen inel, Look here can't you give me new
gun, this old thing amt worth nothing" l
have read the story Of the GOODNESS of Murat
when the cannon ball ploughed up the earth
near him, and sanded the paper on which he
was writing. But don't think it anv more
worthy OF record than this.
Ii this article 6nds favor in editorial eyes
others may follow. WALLACE.
Tobacco and the Effects of Smoking.