The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1864-12-30
CORRESPONDENCE.
U. S. GENERAL HosrIrAL, "FrSLvY,"}
WASHINGTON, ID. G. Dec, II, 1864 {

FRIEND BUTLER: You will perceive by the
date of this communication that have re.
Gently changed my base Of supplies, and am
now drawing wounded soldiers nations in
this department. How long this privilege
will be granted to me cannot conjecture;
but, when nature shall have perfected u cure
Of my wounded limb. and "the powers that
be" shall have declared me tit for active du-
ty In the field, will readily leave this hos
pitable locality and take my place among these
noble fellows at the front. They need our
help. They have borne the burden and the
heat of the day. And now that. deliveranco
is we'll nigh brought unto US, ought We to be
found wanting? Can VIC be so selfish rs to
want some to do all the work, while we en-
JOY all the privileges that are thereby secured
to our country? trust we shall not be
found wanting. nor too selfish. Some have
expressed surprise that one like myself
wounded 10 two places, can be willing to 60
to the front again. 10 such | can say, were
tn consult my own taste, or did | regard
home comforts and society paramount to my
duties az loyal man. I should be stranger
to camp lifo and the field. The duty owe
my country outweighs these minor consider
ations. taste. comfort, pleasure and the iike'
and, If know myself, and my feelings, the
opinions Of all those who doubt my word to
the contrary notwithstanding. am desirous
Of taking my place with the army. but
enough OF this.
Monday morning last found me packing
nv knapsack with the few articles that
thought should need. My outfit was not
thmplete, being minus blankets, tent pieces,
hayersack und canteen, but was sufficient Tor
present use.-a changao Of clothing. portfolio
will stocked with writing material, house
wife, testament. dictionary and ono or two
more small articles constituting my worldly
possessions. brought from home. With these
lew articles l. can accommodate myself very
well. During an active campaign it would
be strange il some of these were not deemed
useless, and thrown away One OF them,
my housewife. is II reierdn, haYing served in
one of our nine months regiments without
any sell ious wounds, and Is in good condition
for three years more sunless sooner dis.
charged" Some Of the boys are without
these useful articles. Cannot soine OF our
good friends furnish them with a supply?
Our journey here was very similar to 9th.
crs at this season OF the year, cold, tedious.
lengthy. and when II was ended, was not
sorry. In forty-eight hours from the time !
left home, was here. travelling only thirty
hours of the time, the remaining eighteen
being spent waiting for the train at Wells,
and in Boston. Tho express tram came
through from that city in less than twenty.
two hours. One can but notice the differ
once between tho speed of that train, and
any train on any of our Maine roads. The
rate of speed between Boston and New York
city was nearly twenty-eight miles an hour
including stoppages. There was no delay on
account OF trains being behind the time.
Notwithstanding this rate of travel SOME
were inpatient, and grumbled about "stop
ping for nothing" Just before we reached
Hartford one young man on seat before me
made remark to that effect, aud in few
moments the eastern train whizzed by us
with lightning speed. Led on by his impa.
tient spirit one moment would have made
fearful havoc among us, too terrible for our
contemplation. We are fast people living
IN fast ago. II We are on the right track,
and all is clear, we may 90 ahead with sale.
ty. II not, woe betido us! and destruction
is ours. Even SO In these troublOus times
we should keep our eyes upon the track. and
move forward keeping pace with the "sisns
of the times. Too much haste ere the way
is clear, and too much delay when it Is, are
equally destructive. Radicalism and Con-
servatism fcrcely contending are opening up
to us the road to success and security.
Just rs We entered Springfield, my eyes
caught sight of this sign, "Asawam Foun.
dry" Ordinarily should never have thought
of IL again. had not finished DR.. Hollands
charming story, 1.-The Bay PATH" only a
few days before. Immediately my thoughts
went back two hundred years to the days OF
"Witchcraft," and those stern o.d puritan
settlers were travelling the EBAY Path" to
Springfield, there to form q colony whose in
lucnce should be felt in the Connecticut val
ley to-day. Stern old Puritans were Rev.
Mr.. Maxon, Squire Pynchow, and Dsa.
Chaplin! Erring in many things, their errors
were Of the head rather than Of the heart.
But we wonder how men, seeking u new
country for religious freedom could have he
come 80 ntolerant of others desiring the full
liberty of conscienco Now in the same
BEAUTIFUL valley Of the Connecticut the nu-
mcrous church spires pointing heavenward
show that freedom OF conscience has been es
tablshed on this western continent.
At Havre de-grace we had our first evidence
of military power. Our furloughs or passes
were examined by the guard stationed there.
We have very little snow here, and thnt Is
last disappearing. Weather is comfortable.
News to-day is gloSious. Asslute was fired
to-day in honor of the victories Of rho rs
and Sherman. In my next will tell you
something about this Hospital, and life here.
Yours, as ever, Re.