The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1865-05-11

Thursday Morning, May II, 1866.
History Of tho LIST Me. Vet. Vols.
HEADQUARTERS 1sT ME. VET. Vols.
In the Field, Va, April 80, 1855.
To The Editor Of The Press

To the Editor Of the Press:
Knowing that the friends of our brave sol.
diers in the fine Tree State are anxious to be
informed of the passing events in the progress
of the war, and especially so In reference to
scenes In which taeir own particular and es-
teemed friends have taken conspicuous part
in the terrible conflict, 1 take the liberty to
forward you brief sketch OF the LIST Me. Vet.
Vols, from its original Organization to the
present time, extending through period of
seven months.
There is now in the field from Maine three
regiments designated as the LIST Me-, to wit
1st Ne. cavalry, LIST Ne. heavy artillery, and
LIST Me. vet. vols. infantry.
The 1st Me. vet. vols. infantry, is an organ
ization embracing the veterans or re-enlisted
men OF the former 9th, 9th, and 7th Me. vols,
together with those who had Joined those
regiments after their Organization but had not
vice expired on, the 21st of August, last, at
which time those who remained in service
were organized into battalion, those in the 9Th
and 9th having been previously thus organic
ed and temporarily attached to the 7th until
its term OF service expired, after which the
two battallions as described were organized
into new regiment, and by special order
from the War Department were to be called
the 1st Maine Ueterdn Uotunteers infantry.
Lieut.. Col. Thomas W., Hyde, OF the 7th,
aud Provost Marshal of the 9Th corps, who
c5uld have been retained in command of the
new organization, returned to Maine with the
old 7th, with the understanding that he would
return to the field as Colonel of the veteran
regiment. The command now devolved upon
Major-Stephen G. Fletcher, who had lust been
promoted from the rank Of Captain In the 7th
Under his command the veteran regimen,
rendered important service and won for itsell
name with which a warrior may feel highly
honored, at Winchester, Fishers Hill, and
Cedar Greek. atl ta7 "a ers4u "a
Immediately following the battle of Cedar
Creek, Col. T. W. Hyde returned to the fiell
with commission as Colonel, but Gen. Bid
we'll, who commanded the brigade, having
been killed in battle, Col. Hyde was at once
assigned to that command, which position he
has honored with the exhibition of dignity
and with the skill and bravery which indicates
him as eminently adapted to military life
and we're 1t not that the number of Brigadiei
Generals were now greater than the demand
we might expect to see the "star" bestowed
upon one who has already exhibited the abil
tv and the merit which would Justify the be
stowment OF such an honor. immediately
following the battle of Cedar Creek, Mai
Fletcher was promoted to the position of Lieut.
Colonel, retaining the command of the reg
ment, and Captain Alex. B. Sumner, formerly
X the 9th Me. yVols~s WAS apporrp1a Axsjo..
Tie promotion OF these two gentlemen were
lhonorably earned in the faithful exercise ol
ability and integrity Ia the camp, on the
march and amidst the storm of deadly mis-
siles in which they have nobly done their duty
upon many battle fields. Col. Fletcher was
formerly Of and from Skowhegan, at which
place he had been engaged as a Preceptor
In the Acadamy and Normal School. Recog-
nizing the claims of the government when its
authority and supremacy were ignored by
armed rebels, and moved by impulses Of noble
patriotism, he decided to tender his services
TO his country and accept the fortunes OF wal
as the allotment Of Divine Providence. Re.
ceiving authority from the State to recruit o
company for the service, he accomplished
that object, received Captains commission
and proceeded to the seat of war, sharing will
his command the hardships and dangers at
tending terrible war, and the respect and af
fections Of those under his command. As
regimental commander he combines sagacity
bravery and integrity with polished scholas
tic mind and Christian heart. he is modes
and unassuming, would be underrated by tn
masses at first sight, but upon an acquaint
tance will be found a polished gentleman
worthy place in the highest circle of social
literarylor Christian society. have frequent
ly heard the remark made to the Chaplain, b,
Chaplains of other regiments, "that he wa
highly favored by having a Colonel who sym
pathized with him in his Christian mission i
the army. ~. 5, 1. $50. .,.r
Maj. Alex. B. Sumner is native Of Lube.
Maine. Previous to entering the army hi
life was divided between sea-g0ing and mel
camille business He is modest and gentle
manly, understands his duty as soldier an
officer and faithfully performs it, He CON
mands the respect of officers and soldiers.
can be honestly said of him that in morals b
Is worthy of imitation. Not allowing himse
to gamble, drink or use profane language, b
manifests a generous respect for law and OF
der and for the institutions of the gospel.
Our Adj't. is Lit. j. A. Grenier, from Port
land. He was formerly connected with th
5th Me. regt:, and was seriously wounded il
the leg in the Wilderness, and Joined the Vet
regt. Sept. 22d-the day of the fight at Win
chester. Although still lame from his woun
he went into the battle of that day and exhih
tied bravery that was truly heroic, and Of
pecialy so as the natare of his lameness woul
iully Justify his stopping in the rear withor
staining his character as q brave and heroi
soldier. We feel that Adjt. Grenier Is th
right man in the right place. Always neat
his personal appearance, soldierly in his beal
ing. active and efficient in the discharge {
every duty in his sphere, generous and syn
pathizing with officers and privates, he is uni
versally respected and beloved.
Our Quarter-master is 1t. Franklin Glaziel
from Gardiner. He was Lit. in the old 1t
and carries upon his person the scars Of bal
tie received at Spotsylvania during the men
orable Wilderness campaign. Although er
titled to an honorable discharge from the Sci
vice, having served three years amidst tn
periis incident to terrible war, he still fe
anxious to serve In the army II he could
narmitted first to return TO Maine with b
4l,of ffr,o Of ifa hal
ont. He returned to the field and joined th
Vet. regt. Immediately after the battle of c.
dar Creek, bringing with him commissio
from Gov. Cony as 1t. and @. M. The actiy
hnsiness talent of Lieut.. Glazier eminent
onalifes him to serve in his present positiC
and we feel assured that if the claims of Il
rept through the @. M. Department are N
supplied it is not 1t. Glazier's fault.
Our Surgeon is Doctor T. M. Everleth
Presque Isle. He is on the brigade staff ar
has charge of the Division Hospital. Posses
ing genius and tact, polished by close stud
and an extensive practice and association,
takes rank among the highest class OF arm
surgeons.
Our Asst. Surgeons are Doct. Stillman
Z Getchel of Vienna, and Alpheus Packar
Brunswick. Their experience in field Sc
vice as yet is quite limited, neither havir
served in their present capacity one year,
They are gentlemanly and companionabl
sharing the confidence and respect ofthe reg
and will evidently prove valuable represents
tives of the medical profession.
On the 9th of Dec. we left the valley OF Il
Shenandoah, and came by cars to Washingto
and took transports for City Point where v
arrived on the evening of the 18th and pr
ceeded by cars about twelve miles to Parke
Station and bivouaced for the night. Th
next day we marched about two miles an
went into camp behind breastworks aboutthre
miles from Petersburg. and one mile west