The Portland daily press., 1865-04-15
Letter from Cen. sherman's Army,
GoLDsBoRo, n. c., April 2. 1ee5


suppose the name Goldsboro' at the head
of letter at this time will attract the atten-
ton OF most readers. Sherman's grand ar
my has distinguished the place by ending here
the Carolina Campaign. Nearly two weeks
ago It's lines were established about this point
III sucn manner as to cover both the railroad
TO Newbern and that to Wilmington. wnicn
form junction here. Fortifying is almost an
instructive operation with this army SO tuat
wherever it halts earthw works seem TO grOto up,
like Jonsh's gourd, i'll a single hlgnt. a re-
connoisance in force from Johnson Wouid re-
veal now fortified line scarcely INFERIOR 10
the elaborate works before hicnmond ana re-
rersburg.
The cheerful aspect of this army is notice
able, from the commanding General to the
last private, or even "bummer." The latter
has become recognized fact and a name
This species of nondescript soldier has been
developed by the late peculiar campaigns.
He is lawless and reckless in the extreme, and
generally as useless as the old species of
"straggler." The latter does not prevail in
Sherman's army the hummer" stands in his
stead, and is found upon the TANKS and in ad-
vance of the marching column, whereas the
ordinary 'straggler" is always in the rear.
The horses picked up by the "bummers," as
well as those In use Of the more legitimate
since our arrival here, and go far towards re-
mounting his entire command. Many bug
gies and carriages Of different patterns were
accumulated on the march. For few days,
there was lively scene in the streets, from
the prevalence of these vehicles, " hich the
soldiers seemed to enjoy as much as little boys
in their first experience of riding and div
ing.
But although there is feeling Of leniency
on the partNOf most officers towards the little
follies and unmilitary pranks of the men who
have passed through this most difficult and
arduous campaign with so much cheerful har-
dihood, yet now the reins of discipline are be-
ing steadily drawn in, and it is generally be-
leved that this army will move forward scarce
ly less effective than when these same brave
men swept over the rebel works at Mission
airy Ridge and Lookout Mountain, or pressed
in around the forts of Atlanta, and flDally
compelled the REIMBURSEMENT OF that strong
hold.
THE TOWN OF GoLDsBoRo'
smacks very little of the industry and thrift
of Northern village. The brick Court
house looks old. The two or three churches
are not remarkable for beauty or costliness-
Tho hoasoe- m0sJiy or wood, and few
give evidence of much wealth. The Weldon
and Wilmington railroad runs through the
center of the town--nearly North and SOUTH
the Newbern and Raleigh railroad cuts the
other nearly at right angles, passing through
the Northern part of the town. The beauty
OF the town is of course marred by the neces-
sary devastation from the army. There are
some handsome gardens with the shrubbery
now in full Leaf, and the trees fast decking
themselves in their Spring attire. Some old
gentlemen are at home, and few ladies; the
latter more positive in their rebel sympathy
Than the former. In fact, the old men in
North Carolina have never got fully weaned
from the flag they had learned to love and
honor SO many years,
THE SURROUNDING COUNTRY
is uninteresting. Pine woods abound, with no
variety uf hill and valley. The soil is rather
light, and farming apparently Improbable.
SUNDAY SERVICES
were held in some of the churches to- day
In one delegate of the Christian Commits.
sion officiated, and was followed by a negro
preacher, addressing his colored friends, after
such OF the audience as desired had retired
AT GEN. HowARD's HEADQUARTERS
this afternoon an interesting religious service
was held. A regiment or two-probably
comprising the Army. Provost Guard and
other head quartz de.achments--were march
ed into the enclosure OF the garden before
the house, and forming three sides of square
the men sat down upon the grass. A fine
bandlfrom the brigade of Gen. W. r. Clark (late
Adlutant General OF the Army of the Tenne
see) was In attendance and took position SO as
to I'LL portion of the remaining side of the
square. Then came the table for the preach
er. Two Chaplains were present; Gen. How.
ard and staff, with large number of officers
among whom noticed two generals, were
seated at the left of the preacher. Some of.
hcers sat upon the steps of the verandah; and
upon the latter the ladies OF the house, and
some of the neighbors had gathered by invita-
ton to hear Yankee Chaplain. The after.
noon was fine. Occasionally mocking bird
would alight upon the limb of tree near, and
send forth his clear note as if it were his time
OF worship and he had as good right as any
The band played in good taste some of ouI
best old hymns, and after the services com
menced, its members, laying aside their instru
ments, assisted in singing. The picture would
be incomplete to .eave out group of little
boys, who brought some camp stools, quite
near to the General, and seemed to enjoy the
novel way OF " attending church."
At the sound of the music and the speak
ing, the audience began to increase. Soldiers
passing along the road would draw up to the
iron fence, take off their hats, and remain to
listen. Some on horseback refined up their
horses, and, sitting upon Them, looked over
the heads of others. Officers and citizens, as
well as soldiers, pausiDg in this way were min
gled. Among the citizens | saw white haired
old men-their heads uncovered. Many me-
groes of both sexes assembled, but most of
these went away when the music ceased and
the preaching began.
When the Chaplain had closed Gen. How
ard arose and addressed the soldiers. There
was general stir in the effort of the out
siders to close in nearer, in order now to hear
every word. Officers and men were all atten-
ton. Gen. 81. spoke in clear, distinct tone,
not very loud. He said that he had been
gratifed and proud of the fearless and hearty
spirit displayed by the men of this army, un-
der all circumstances; their cheerful endur-
ance and their earnest devotion to the cause
OF their country; that he himself desired to
be inspired by the same enthusiasm in duty
and that he never would expect a single SOL
der to endure or do what he himself would not
be willing to undertake when duty should de-
mand. But in one respect he feared our
young men in the army did not show the
same manliness and independence of charac-
acter. He referred to matters of religion.
He feared, too, there was kind of sophis.
try getting into the minds OF many; viz ::
because they were offering themselves a sac
rifce for their country, too many, he feared,
thought that this included all other virtues
and was an antidote to all vices.
We should beware of such fallacy. 1t is
not necessary that we should lose our hopes of
heaven and sill preparation therefor because
we have nobly left our homes to battle for our
country's honor. He alluded to the evils and
sins OF our soldiers incident to our late cam
paigns.
Thieving and robbery. depriving poor wo-
mar ~ =, IcoA
and all manner of cruelty to the helpless, he
must denounce as utterly unworthy of men
fighting in such cause as ours.
An american soldier should neuer be ouiltu
of a mean action.
Gen. 81. closed with an appeal to all who
heard his voice to be as manly and indepen-
dent in matters of right and wrong-in re-
ligion-as in their military duty.
As has been his won't from the beginning of
the war whenever opportunity is presented
Gen. Howard spent the morning and again a
mart of the avapinO in visit;po fho bo,,:t.I.