Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1865-01-06
THIRD DIV. HOSPITAL,
Near Petersburg, Va, Dec,
oSih, 1864.


Having leisure, thought that perhaps
your readers might be pleased to hear from
the Isl Maine 1eavy Artillery. regi-
ment that has seen as much hard service
as any in the same length of time at tho
front.
arrived at the regiment the same even
ing that it returned from its raid, under
General Warren, on the Weldon railroad.
Our tired boys had just pitched their tents
and lain down TO rest, when arrived. but
We're ready 10. rouse up and provide supper
and share lodgings with comrade, who
had shared the dangers and wounds of our
first battle.
Our regiment belongs to the Cd Brigade,
3D. Division aud I'd Corps, and when We
were ordered on the raid. had already
built two sets of winter quarters, just get
ting them finished when We were ordered
to war. so that this time our boys did not
feel much like going to work to build up
other and new quarters. though after resting
several days ono company after another
commenced to fell the trees and erect
camps. Our encampmcnt is in n beautiful
pinery, where not more than 25 years ago.
the slave cultivated the soil and watcred
it with his blood and tears. The trees are
pitch pine, very straight, and so far apart
that q team could he driven almost any
where. A few days served to lay tho
whole forest fiat, and in-,he place Of trees
from q to 20 inches in diameter. there APP
peared the log camps covered with the
cloth tent for roof. As far as You car
see, there is nothing but camps, army
wagons, mules, horses and men, Probably
There arr 10000 or 10000 troops cncampcd
on range ef 3 to / inilcs. The soil il n
very loose sandy loam. Heavy teams cut
into it anywhere, and especially after
rain. cur encampmcut is about a.iuilc
from The railroad. he tuck and engine
i"ii"Hs lie array, 80 that all supplies.
m1ils, troops, etc, arrive daily from City
Point The railroad is built upon the top
Of the soil, graded up by frame work over
STAYS and sn!ehes. The land is rolling and
therefore favorable te railroad grading.
lie soldiers fare consists While in camp
.! eoiice and sugar three times day. For
breakfast, hand tacl, and hoi ed beef. or
poi., or soft bread baked at City Point.
t9kcd beans or steWcd meat; dinner,much
tie SAINT, aud supper, perhaps fried "har.l
Tick" ltis prepared IN tins wise,-frst
the tack i soaked, then fried in pork fat.
Fish and other luxnrics are served ou; once
OF twice week. 50 tina, the soldier, by the
aid OF n leeching sailer, can live very well
and have the swcetmeats, hy paving from
two to ten times rs much as they arc
worth to these licensed rcgmcntal pick
pockets.
Ihe army, so FAR Us have been able to
observe, is sick and tired of the war; and
many would pay boot 10 &c, honorally out.
They want TO see it out. and if the North
will only send men enough, they will
eheeriuliy lead in another campaign TO
victory victory, The news from Sher-
man, Thomas and the rest. though most
encouraging. is not so clating as the call
for 100000 more troops-ihereiorres my
dear patriotic friends at home, lust show
your love OF country by coming out hero
aud sharing tie hardships of war, bloody
war, and thus pa to silence the army fault
finders, by following the veteran into
Ricimohd : Richmoad!
/ must say word about the Sanitary
and Christian Commissions. Nv obserya-
tons are that no religious OF phlanthropio
enterprise is iraught with 20 much of
good and humanity as are these. know
they are doing an immense amount Of
good, and are relieving the suiierings of
thousands of our poor. sick and wounded
soldiers. The, Just follow the army and
administer to al sick and suffering, indis.
criminately. They are Heavens alnoners,
IN this our country's suffering home.
Friends at home, say, give TO these
causes not sparingly, and you shall. not
lose Your reward
Very respectfully yours,
&. w. MADDOX.