The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-07-11
THE FIRST MAINE.
How the Boys Spent the Fourth OF
July.

July.
Indications That the Regiment Will Move
soon-Particu1ars of Capt. Bartlett's
Death-How the Troops Received the
News of Cerveras' Surrender.
Chickamauga Park,
Lytle, Ga, July 5.
The Glorious Fourth was celebrated IN
as quiet way as possible by the poys
here yesterday, owing to the death, as al
ready reported of Captain BARTLETT OF COM
pany D last Sunday. He had been com
planning for the last few days OF internal
pains, but 1t was not thought that his ILL
ness would terminate fatally, for he re-
manned at his post discharging his duties
up to Wednesday last when he was COM
PEELED to give up and called into requisi-
ton the services of Major Bradbury, chief
surgeon. and DR.. O'Neil. Under their
treatment he rallied and continued to i'm
prove, being able to be around Saturday
Sunday he was suddenly attacked again
and although the physicians exerted all
their power he rapidly sank and about
noon breathed his last. He was popular
officer, making friends with all those with
whom he came in contact Much sorrow
was expressed for his wife and children.
Our officers went to Chattanooga yester-
day to perform the last act of respect
which they could show by escorting the
body of their deceased brother officer to
the depot to be forwarded to his home in
Norway, Me. On this account our cele-
bration was on quiet footing but taking
all things into consideration the boys had
a very pleasant, agreeable day.
Towards evening the eruption took place
and the feelings of the boys were overcome
for in the large tent of the Y. NJ. @. A. a
correspondent of the New York World
was reading the latest dispatches from
Washington regarding the crushing defeat
of the Spanish warships by Admiral
Sampson's fleet The enthusiasm of the
men knew no bounds, cheers rent the air,
and hats were thrown up, amid excitement
and patriotism which would have made
Napoleon proud of such men, men on
whom one can rely in supporting the flag
now are only waiting in suspense to
move from here in time to ASST t in the
fall of Havana,
The boys are in excellent spirits, each
wearing happy smile, for they expect
the paymaster to make a call between
and 'hJrre 10 ,ioa hni,
supply of funds, one man in particular
asking me whether the U. S. were still
making quarters round. He said it was
such long time since he saw one and
thought perhaps they might have made a
change in the form of coming. There are
no complaints. Things are yurning out
as expected in soldier life, and the boys
have settled down to it with feeling of
contentment Through the wise sugges,
ton OF Captain Baker, who always looks
after the interest of his men, in protecting
them in this southern state, where the
dust lies four and five inches in depth
a shower bath has been placed, which is
kept constantly running from early morn
till late at night, the boys TAX
ing advantagej of it's cool waters.
The boys are enjoying good health and
expect to make a move soon. l learned
on good authority that this is SO, our
destination being Cuba. We had inspec-
ton for that purpose last Sunday. and
papers had to be filed in as to the number
Of rifles needed and other articles of equip
ment necessary to completing the regi
ment by the captains of each company SO
the time is nearby when the First
Maine regiment will probably have the
opportunity which every officer and man
desires of showing Our country what class
of men the State of Maine can send forth
in answer to the Presidents call to de-
fend that which we will always honor,
"our dag,' the Stars and Stripes.
The logs appreciate the acts of kindness
shown by the people of Portland. am
sure the ladies deserve great praise for the
noble way they have rendered aid in the
way of handy needlework and supplying
other necessities to make soldiers ex-
istence endurable. The 500 forwarded
from Portland to the boys was great
help to them in celebrating the Fourth,
and provided the men with good many
home luxuries such as ice cream, cake,
lemonade, cigars, tobacco and other deli
cacies which have been unknown here of
late.
The weather has been very hot for the
past few days but towards evening we
have taken advantage cool breeZs
which has been drifting in our direction.
Everything is calm in camp and we
only await further developments.
HERBERT w. LAMBOURNE,.