The Portland daily press., 1865-03-29
Letter from the Federal Capital.

The opening campaign-Matne Soldiers Re-
tteT ssoctatsep--AP peisstnso,ata z,,d per
= soYol items. ASe-.Ai - M"
WASHINGTON, March 25. 1865. .
To the Editor Of the Press: -A-se~
The army is at present the object Of univer-
sal interest, and military movements the
theme of universal comment. Although with
respect to General Sherman's forces, the anx-
ious conjectures Of the public are now pretty
we'll replaced by assured certainties, and our
hopes made good by glorious results, the part
to be borne by the Army Of the Potomac in
che impending struggle is still involved in un-
certainty. Extensive and deliberate prepare
lions for active operations were making in
that army ten days ago, but, up to our latest
accounts, the winter camps had not been bro
zen. Aside from these indications, the pres
ence in the lines before Petersburg OF force
believed to be twice or thrice as large as is
necessary to hold them, clearly portends often
sive measures. A very intelligent officer of
the 10th Maine writes as follows: "Unless the
enemy evacuates or very materially weakens
the force in front Of us, a direct advance is not
very probable. The experience of this corps
in charging lines of earthworks protected by
slashers, cheoGur de frise, abattis and bitches,
and defended by rifed cannon and double
row of rebel bayonets, mas not been such as
to give them relish for such adventures
From the best information we can get, the en-
emy's defences of the South Side Road are
very formidable" .e 4
\ Deserters from the rebel army are arriving
in this city and going north daily. The exact
number of such arrivals is not easy to ascer-
tain, but 1 have good authority for estimating
the daily average during this month at from
one hundred and fifty to two hundreds Such
drain upon the rebel army must be severely
telt, especially as by their own official state
ments, the loss cannot be repaired.
1t is hard to say whether the late message
of JEFF. Davis. explaining very clearly that
the Coniederacy is so far gone that desperate
measures are Indispensable to its longer ex-
istence, or the retort of his so-caled Congress
explaining quite as conclusively that said des-
perate measures are wholly impracticable and
futile, is most adapted to cheer the lovers and
defenders of the Union. Putting this with
that we may easily come at tolerably correct
idea of the yaunted strength and resources of
the death-struck concern. sis sf
The Maine Soldiers Relief Association is
preparing for the work of the opening cam
paign, or rather has already entered vigorous
ly upon it. In addition to the force EMPLOYED
by it during the winter, consisting of the
Agent, Mr., Watson, and Mr.. Holden, his as
sistant, Mr.. G.. W. Wormelle, of Dexter, Me =,
lately employed in the Department of the
Comissary General, is now engaged in sys-
tematically visiting the hospitals and attend
ing to the wants of their inmates and Mrs.
Sampson, having returned to the city, has
again resumed her labors in the same direc-
ton. go rissoaY f5g-sfln sfas15
The Military State Agent, Lieut.. Col. Hem
ry A. Worcester, arrived on Thursday, the
2Sl inst, and has entered upon the discharge
OF his duties 1t may be proper to state here
that the Relief Association and the Military
State Agency occupy the same office and
store room. Cooperate cordially in their com
mon labors, and are practically nearly one and
the same. r-' aa edsg - 10
Inc Association needs funds and supplies
order to be prepared for those emergenc les
mat are almost certain to arise. Most of the
/ supplies IS received by it are for the Camp Hos
pltal Association, and are forwarded immedi.
ateiy., Of fifteen packages received a few
days since, fourteen were ior the front Tho
wants Of the Camp Association are of course
both more numerous and more urgent thai
those Of its kindred ORGANIZATION here. vs.
supplies are certainly needed here. Whatev
er is sent TO either viii be promptly and di.
rectly applied to the purpose intended, and
these organizations seem to me to be as wor
thy of the earnest and liberal support of our
people as any other whatever. may men,
ton here, what perhaps omitted IN the state
ment OF the receipts of the Association for
last year, that, many Of the donations having
been received in aggregate sums, through the
hands Of third persons, the contributions of