The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1871-08-16

HISTORY OF THE FIRST, TENTH AND TwKN-
TY-NINTH MAINE REGIMENT.-We have tre-
Quently noticed this work while it was passing
through the press, but but now we have it be-
fore us in single volume. Without intend
ing any reflection upon the excellence of other
histories OF Maine and other regiments in the
late war, this is beyond question one of the
most faithful, accurate aud elaborate of any
we have yet seen. Indeed we cannot see where
it can be Improved. Its chapters take up GER
tain periods or epochs and relate every Incl
dent SO far as the regiments were concerned.
1t is not dry compilation of official reports.
1t relds like novel, only better, for we once
more drop back into camp lie and imagine
that we are again living volunteers life.
Without an acquaintance with more than a
score of the members of the regiments, so
pleasantly are its incidents related, SO charm
ngly are some of its pictures of camp life
drawn, that we have read the advance sheets as
eagerly as though it was first class romance.
1t has that chiefest charm of a readable book,
which is that it does not seem book but a
personal account by rare conversational. :
Nor does it stop with stories, incidents and
personal matters, but there is a. rare minute
ness in its Historical matter. 1t tells us the
position of the companies in the line, of the
camps, of the losses by battle disease, of the
marches. Itspeaks freely of general officers,
never in factious spirit but nevertheless CIV
ing a clear insight into the characters of these
men that we have seen elsewhere The book
has not been written to build up any officer or
officers of the command, it is essentially the
history of the regiment in which men are con-
| sidered irrespective of rank and title. The en-
listed man who did generous or brave act,
| gets as worthy mention as if he wore stars.
One of the notable features of the work is that
it is not marred by any ambitious attempts at
authorship, but is rather a labor of love on the
| part, citizen who has faithfully and brave
| ly done his duty and has an honorable pride in
| the record of his organization. !Of course to
| him there is no regiment like his own, no COIN.
rades like those with whom he touched the
elbow" no men so brave and manly as those
that fell at his SIDE. This is right, because he
gives to others the same right and only claims
to snatch from forgetfulness the fame and val
orous deeds of his own comrades. s.H
The author is Maj. John M. Gould. who ems
tered the service with the first regiment from,
Mdluc, anu SoTN6u uuttf OOuuuy CdnC mdICh-
ing home, being rarely absent from his regi-
ment, and then only for a few days. He en-
tered as private and won his way by faithful
and meritoriOus service. 1t seems almost i'm
possible that man in business could so de-
vote himself to this work; for the amount Of
labor required is almost incredible. Not only
are the members of the organization under
| great obligation to Major Gould but the State
is deeply indebted to him for this history Of
three of its organizations that had helped to
| make tie history of Maine illustrious The
work contains 7O9 pages and a number of en-
cravings of its prominent officers. 1t is pub
hShed by Stephen Berry, Portland. The book
Is re ndered attractive to the eye by the exeeA
'ence OF It's execution, both in printing and
pihdihg-the latter being done by Small &,
Shacktord. No member of The regiments or
any OF those who had friends in the same can
/ afford to do without the work.
| WOLFE Tone AssocIArIoN.-One of III. G.,
est programmes of the season is offered to ex
| cursionsts by the Wolfe Tone Association
who make their first annual trip to Sebagc
| Lake to-day. We say Zone of the finest pro
grammes" because they offer SO great variety
of amusements. Besides the usual pleasure.
| of sailing on the lake, rambling in the grove
bowling, &C., there will be grand four-oared
boat race, between the West End and Long
| shoremen's boat clubs for a purse of $3.50; {
hurting match, shooting match for a Smith
| & Weston's revolver, game of base ball for &
| goblet, a foot race for gentleman's walking
cane and sack race for nice silk hat THAI
| there will be a great rush for tickets there car