The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1865-02-23
Latter from tho HOld Dominion
CAMP DISTRIBUTION, Va Feb ~, 1855.
~ YJ;go<. of fbs praeo.

TO The Editor Of the Press:
As a matter of record, deem it proper to
note the extremely severe weather of the
past few weeks. Since the new year came in
we have had but little warm or pleasant
weather; and to-day the dwellers in this re-
gion have experienced many of the peculiar
rigors of northern winter. The Potomac
has been sealed for The last three weeks, and
is now frozen to its mouth, entirely stopping
navigation for some time to come, so that all
communication with the front or Fortress
Monroe will have to be uid Baltimore. Such
winter has not happened within the memory
of "the oldest inhabitant."
BY recent order of the War Department,
the Rendezvous of Distribution is to be dis
continued here, and all soldiers en- route to
the army will report to the Soldiers Rest at
Alexandria. This camp is to be used as
general hospital, and all public property is to
be turned over TO the Surgeon General of the
army. This changeis doubtless for the best
interests of the service, as regards the re-
cruiting and forwarding of men to the field.
Yesterday morning large number of sol
diers were sent from here to their regiments
in the front; there were about fifteen hum
dred in all, and it wal worthy of notice that
the white and colored soldiers marched to-
gether good-naturedly in the same file. No
contemptuous language or insulting demon
strations were observable. The negro soldier
marched as erect, and carried himself, in all
respects, as proudly as his white compatriot.
A few months ago this was not so. When a
squad of soldiers was sent to the field, the col
ored were placed in the rear, and the white
soldiers seemed to regard it as an indignity to
be mixed up in any way with black ones.
This change in public sentiment and feeling
is both remarkable and Instructive. 1t shows
the wonderful result of emancipation upon
the national mind, and it points to the glori-
rious career of the colored race in the future.
The negro soldier is the best Illustration of
true, patient heroism that can be found
Waiting in bonds, quietly watching for the
coming of the Lord" as they have so appro-
priately termed their deliverance from op-
preston, not joining in nor melting inusrrec-
! ton, but keeping the peace diligently, the
slave has disappointed both those who advo-
Gated his rights, as well as those who depre-
Gated emancipation, What visions of bloody
murder, of confagration, of all manner of
inhumanities were conjured up by the fright
ened public at the outbreak of the war, as the
result of the ave-holders' rebellion in the
South But is any one now justified in re-
peating such absurd prophecies as we heard
four years agop No; neither is any one ex-
cusable in Withholding for moment his
hearty confidence in the cause of the aboli-
ton of slavery, and his support of all mea-
sures to benefit the colored people of our
country. The negro has earned noble place
among the heroes of the republic. He has
fought his way to public confidence and favor,
and the man is a fool who disputes the right
Of the colered man to his life, liberty and all
that makes life desirable. I read the account
of the passage Of the resolution adopting the
constitutional amendment, in our Legislature
with great interest. The prophet who pre-
dicted that ga nation shall be born in day."
must have been contemplating these latter
days, the wonderful revolutions and rapid
growth of knowledge which characterizes
this special epoch. AlNl3alt M3s1
1t is very refreshing to such as have been
working and praying the last thirty years in
behalf of the bondman, to see the blessed fru-
ition of their labors, to behold eminent states
men, heretofore standing aloof, joining their
earnest support to the free movement, to wit
ness whole platoons of states wheeling into
line, and with the bayonet of Truth firmly
fixed, the banner OF Salvation flying aloft
marching shoulder to shoulder in grand
charge upon the strongholds of oppression
and intolerance.
Monday morning, Feb. 13.--Last night was
as all agree, the coolest of the season here
The fifteen hundred men sent off to City
Point Saturday, last night returned to camp
having been only two miles below Alexandria.
was intense, and it was with great difficulty
the steamers got back to wharf, with the aid
of a powerful ice-breaker.
The Notifications around Washington are
approaching completion. Already it is being
argued by Congressman that this means Of
|
extended or perfected. But these strong
holds are not to be very soon destroyed or
given up. 1t is said the President and Secre-
tary of War have an abiding faith in the eff
cacy of strong Notifications and big guns.
The letters OF your correspondent, ct. S.
Pr form a valuable feature OF the Press. Be-
sides containing only the most reliable infor-
nation concerning public affairs, they are
rarely exceled or equalled for elegance OF
composition. This feeble compliment to the
sincerity and literary abilities of your contri-
butor may appear like fattery, but it is only
humble testimonial of friendly admiration
of real appreciation OF the mind and heart OF
one whose high aims and aspirations, most
sadly checked while pursuing collegiate
course, by severe physical calamity, pre-
Guiding the possibility of study, whose life
for years thereafter was devoted to hard in
cessant labor, who is giving your readers from
day to day, those graphic pictures of life at
the Capitol, where his opportunities for OBJ
servation and gaining correct knowledge of
political matters are most excellent.
believe | have written you very dull
letter. But if you don't like it shall soon
find it out, and will endeavor 'to do better
next tine" Truly,
G. F.
COL Gilmore all Right.
A few days since we published letter from
AZ. nnt