The Portland daily press., 1865-12-29
Tribute to the Maine Twelfth.
. SAVANNAH. Dec. IL. 1Se5

-tta-f SAVANNAH, Dec. IL, 1866.
To the Edstorof the Press:
Although not regular correspondent al
low me, please, to ask permission to contrib
ute one word for the gallant 18th Maine which
tor some time has been doing duty in Savan-
nah, Ga. To write of the Twelfth gives us
much pleasure; for wherever duty has called
its men, there have they manfully discharged
their duty.
From the very commencement of its career,
= its record has been an excellent one; its Off
GERS and men commanding the respect of ev-
erybody. During the present month orders
came for the regiment TO start for home and
preparations necessary for the Journey were
Immediately commenced. But neither gov
eminent nor the people of Savannah were
ready to part with these gallant troops, and
much to the disappointment OF many, whose
expectations OF seeing home again had been
suddenly raised to the utmost, the order was
countermanded, and the men, though thus
disappointed, quietly and like well disciplined
soldiers as they are, acquiesced in the later
decision of superiors. The duties of camp
life continued as before and all together await
patiently other and final orders for mastering
out. The regiment is now under command of
Col. Illsley, than whom no other officer in the
regiment is more beloved and respected. Ever
looking after the interests of his men, he
commands their respect while presenting to
them his own worthy example. We esteem
him highly as gentleman, soldier and
friend and can but wish him success in every
undertaking. Col. Kimball has been much OF
the time, while the regiment has been in this
state, ON detached service. He, too, we I'M
derstaEd is worthy of much honor. Never
having passed any time in his society, how
ever, we cannot speak of him from personal
observation. We, nevertheless, believe him
worthy Of his honorable position, and hope
soon to make his acquaintance. OF no officer
or company can we speak disparagingly Each
deserves the highest praise. Co. b, is now on
duty at Darien. Though alone in that desc
lated place once bitter against the North. its
presence commands silence in the ranks of the
yet uneasy secessionists and at least passive
allegiance foflG
This company under command of Capt. j. W.
Thompson of Bangor, one week ago relieved
a company of colored troops for sometime
stationed here, who, having been somewhat
remiss in the discharge of their duty, allowed
the dissatisfied citizens of this vicinity to be-
come little insolent but Co. BIS presence at
once acted like charm and to all appearance
the citizens are extremely loyal. A close OBJ
server cannot fail to notice, however, that it is
not yet time to let Georgia act for herself
Though confident that they have been whip
ped, majority of the people feel not a little
sour to think they must remain So Loyal
men are few in numbers here yet. 5 ie
1t has been our pleasure to meet with the
officers ofCo. B. often, and for their courteous,
ness towards us, Capt. Thompson and Lieuts.
Jordan and Hodsdon have our heartfelt graft
itude We feel confident that all questions
arising among the Freedmen-so tar as they
come within the jurisdictions of these officers
whether presented to them as negro versus
negro or as negro versus white man, will be
settled with a spirit of Justice and with due re-
gard to the demands of duty. Co. B, while in
unison with the other companies holding in
high esteem the superior officers of the regi-
ment, is also ready to stand by her immediate
officers to the last. They too have our good
wishes for the future. rs IA
Company l., under command of Lieut..
Doughty, is now stationed at Brunswick, hay
ing left Savannah with company B.
One other officer in the regiment merits our
notice, both for his qualities as gentleman,
and for his highly efficient services during his
connection with the army. We have refer
ence to DIR. Towle, of Fryburg,-Acting As
sistant Surgeon. In every situation has this
gentleman conducted himself with honor; and
had promotion been the reward of his skilful /
services he would have been, long ere this, in
advance OF his present position. We write of
him In no spirit of selfish prejudice. The rec
ords OF the past demands that his services 1
meet with greater reward; and sooner or lat
er, though it be not till the army has no more
to do with him, success must crown his efforts. |
For proof of his worth, we would refer to
written testimonials from Surgeons with
whom he has been at times associated. Ever
prompt in administering to the wants of the
sick and wounded, whether in camp or on the
= field,-all who know him concur with us in
giving him praise.
Other companies of the, regiment are soon
to be detached from it | understand. Yet
wherever the Old Twelfth is represented there
you may be sure, is there need of men who can
be depended upon. Let no citizen of Maine
feel otherwise than proud of the "Twelth."
M AN OBsERvER It