The Portland daily press., 1865-03-25
I.ot+o, from the Shenandoah Valley.

WINCHESTER. Va, March 10, 1866.
To the Editor of the Press:
Being citizen of Maine, engaged here in
the service of the Christian Commission. I
write this note for the benefit Of some at
home who may be anxious about their friends
In the army.
1t has been reported here that your Press
had by some means been made to saw that athe
First Maine Battery ~as safely lodged in the
Richmond jail" 5sp
NOW whoever so reports must have made
slight mistake, for within week have seen
and conversed with Capt. E. D. Haley and
Lieut., John Snow. The Battery was at large
on the battlefield of Winchester, yesterday,
not In deadly strife with the enemy, but in the
pleasant sunshine, having bit of ''drill," Off
GERS and men all in splendid health aud spirits,
only regretting that the Virginia mud was so
deep as to make 1t impossible for them to go
marching along" with Sheridan towards
that Richmond in whose jail they were said 10
be SAFELY lodged" But the first Maine
Battery did have the pleasure of firing a sa-
Lutte the other day in honor of Sheridan's sue
cess, when fifteen hundred captured rebels
were marching into and through this city as
prisoners of war.
The reputation of this Battery stands too
high on the roll Of fame t, need word of
praise from me. 90 iaH iaiaL
And yet it may be said without detriment
to the good name of either, that the officers,
men, and horses, of the entire Battery, are
safely lodged in Jail" the horses having the
liberty OF the yard" but not in Richmond.
The Winchester Jail, where offenders, both
black and white, used to resort for stripes and
correction according to the laws of the State
or the will of "Massa, is now the comforta-
bic barracks of the First Maine Battery. The
officers occupy the jailor's rooms, and the
cells are nicely fitted up with hunks for the
men. The location is elevated, airy, and sun
ny, on the south side Of the town, and much
more comfortable than most soldiers can pos
sibly have.
Be so kind, Mr.. Editor, as to say to the
good people of Maine, that being SIN jail" is
not the worse thing that might happen to
good solaier. Besides, this Battery recently
received a visit from a certain functionary
whose presence, though too long delayed,
made all hearts glad; and that gladness reach
ed even to the homes of many, in the far off
State Of Maine. The Christian Commission
has in the last four days sent home for the
soldiers eighty thousand dollars, besides much
sent in other ways. In this way we are able,
without money and without price, to add an
other item to the Comfort of our men in addi-
ton to the usual work OF the Commission.
The 30th Maine is in camp less than half
mile from the JAIL" with pretty full ranks,
1.-THE 18th is now consolidated with the 30th.l
and more healthy and noble class of men
can scarcely be found in the army.
The agent of the Christian Commission here
Is Rev. N. c. Bracket, of our own State, and
q more ardent, earnest, and faithful worker for
the soldiers good cannot be found. His I'M
varying kindness make all feel that in him
they have generous brother. His office is
daily thronged with men of all wants, and
none are turned away empty so long as the
supplies are not exhausted. Maine is also
largely represented in the number Of dele.
ga es working in this department.
Now, as the ministers say, "one word more
and am donen 1t is in reference to sending
packages to the soldiers here. If they are di-
rected simply to the persons for whom they
are meant, they never come nearer than Har-
per's Ferry, which is thirty miles distant; but
II directed to the care of the Christian Com
mission, we transport them from the Ferry
here and deliver them free of expense, fact
which the people ought to know, for much is
lost, or so long delayed as to be worthless to
the soldiers. a9 i iss8 aaA % ae
Our forces here arc constantly gobbling up
squads Of guerilla's as well as taking in many
who each day ask to be admitted into our lines.
The feeling here is decided that the rebellion
has well nigh "gone up" a5 sg
Yours respectfully, Eae
c1flsfN4Oaq 40 YHkEfErss A. REDLoN.