The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1865-05-11
Established June 2s, ls6s.-Vol. A. g

| was passed In constructing quarters for the
men, performing fatigue duty on forts, breast
works, and abattis, drilling and picket duty,
| &c. We also had very good stockade chap
| eli erected and covered with canvas furnish
| ed by the kindness OF the Christian Commis.
sion. The Development OF events were such
| as to cause general fee ling of an early ana a
| vigorous campaign which began in earnest IN
Saturday, the 25th Of March, when general
advance OF troops along the entire line Of Po-
tomac army was ordered, resulting in driving
the enemy nom their strongly fortified niclr,
ct line and holding their line of works.
During the scenes of this dav this Veteran
regiment occupied an advanced and verv
mucn exposed position, being subject to al,
enniading IRE from rebel batteries, causing q
ioss IN ~ lew hours of fifty-eight In killed and
wounded being more than one fifth of the en-
.l, .,Ie loss OF the Division. In one week from
this time, April 1st 1t was understood amonc
the officers that the rebels works were to be
charged at daylight on Sunday morning. 1t
now became evident that an important page
N the history of events was to be opened to
the world. sv ~ I
1t would take volumes in which to record
the thoughts and emotions of the brave army
In view of the results soon to be witnessed.
In our front was line of rebel breastworks
and strong Notifications, protected by ditch
es and abattis extending more than thirty
miles. Artillery was In motion all along this
extended line. Behind these breastworks and
in these forts was an army of veterans, con-
trolled BY the spirit of desperation in their
leaders. At ten o'clock in the evening bat
teries began to operate. At the hour of mid
night the regimental line was formed, and the
troops began to mass for the onward move.
ment. Batteries continued to open along the
entire line, until three o'clock in the morning,
when gunboats opened with the land batteries
and field artillery and the cannonadinQ be-
came indescribable and terrific. The innu-
merable and rapid discharges produced con-
slant surging sound analogous to the surging
Of ocean waves against rocky promontory
In a gale of wind. sk .FQ9
OH what night was that which preceded
the first Sabbath in April, memorable in per
sonal and national history. The power that
sought to assassinate civil liberty, and put
chains upon the oracles of God, and annihi-
late the purposes Of Jehovah, was itself to be
hurled from its self-constituted throne by the
hosts of Freedom, marshaled under the guild
ing counsel OF their able commander, Lieut..
Gen. U..S. Grant. Na
ust as the dawn appeared the advance was
made, the abattis removed, and the Union
troops mounted the breastworks, bearded the
lion in his den," and planted our glorious flag
in the very fortifcations that had defed our
national authority. As is found in the official
report OF the brigade, the 1st Maine Veterans
wee the first to gain the works. The rebel
line was soon broken, their guns turned uu-
on themselves, manned by veterans who un-
derstood their position and were determined
to hold it.. The results OF the day along the
who.e line was one of triumph unsurpassed
in the annals of war. The work, however,
was not yet finished. The rebel chieftain,
failing to hold his position, sought to escape
by flight. EARLY on Monday morning our ar
my was on the move 10 capture the retreating
army, which was successfully done on the
next Sabbath the 9th of April.
The 9th Of April, 1855, will be memorable
day, especially with the Army of the Poto-
mac. In after years often will memory call
up the event OF the surrender of Gen. Lees
army. We shall remember as the rebel foe
was pressed beyond the possibility OF escape,
the voice of the cannon became hushed, and
the stiffness of the midnight hour and the
quiet of the New England Sabbath seemed
10 pervade our martial hosts. The natural
anxiety of the American heart sought to
know what the great change meant. Soon it
was rumored that Lee was having an inter-
view with Gen. Grant, and arranging terms
OF surrender; following this the confirmation
reached us of an unconditional surrender of
himself and the army of Northern Virginia.
Long shall we remember the acclamations of
JOY, the huzzas, throwing up hats and caps,
the waving OF flags, the music of many bands,
and firing of cannon over the event.
On the 1lth we took sp the line of march
for this place where we arrived ON the 18th,
and went into camp to rest. We have q very
pleasant encampment and are passing the
the crcustancss BGf sn now ffsi ta MRdss
virtually ended, our hearts yearn for return
to domestic and civil life, where we can ex-
change greetings and share the society of low
ed ones from whom we have been SO long sep
arated by the fortunes of war.
We're 1t not for the great length Of this ar
ticle, l wonld like to bear testimony to the
officers in detail, and also to the noble men
who have SO faithfully borne up amidst
the fatigues and perils of the weary march
and terrible battle. A grateful country can
not too highly estimate or sacredly cherish
the names of those who have fallen in the
conflict, and those who survive to return to
their homes. ALI honor to the noble defend
ers of our noble flag Future generations
will listen with feelings of patriotic alteration
to recital of their deeds of valor and endu-
rance. They are to have in the hearts of ev-
cry futnre American patriot a monument of
grateful remembrance that shall live after
monuments OF brass and marble shall have
crumbled to dust.
In returning, as we now expect soon to do
to our native State, it is pleasant to feel that
no jars or discord havei place in our hearts.
United by sympathy the scenes through which
we have passed will furnish many pleasant
recolections IL we live; remembrances which
we shall like to cherish as years pass and we
advance In the path of life. at4o
Rejoicing in the success with which, God has
crowned our arms 1 will now close this ar
ticie. CoLLAbfoRE PURRINGToN,
Chaplain LIST Me. Yet. Vosl.