Year: 1862

SOurmdnsm, fOutlcs, Religion, General


Howard and Brother, The Rebellion,


&C..


LEWISTON, June 25th, 1862.


Editors of the Portland Press Your
neatly printed journal has made Its appearance
In our village, and hundreds are seen eagerly
pcrusing its columns, to find out what it saws
in relation to the important questions which
now agitate our great Republic. From all 1
can learn on the subject the masses of the
people in this vicinity highly commend your
political doctrines, and wish you great success
in your new enterprise. Our paper here is
beautifully printed sheet, and its mechanical
execution does much credit to the publishers
but the headings in the news department are
sometimes more startling than the dispatches
will justly warrant. A great man once said in
answer to political opponent, who had boast
ed of what be intended to do, at is not the
first time in the history Of the world that the
war did not come up TO the high sounding
manifestocs." But let me not be misunder-
stood. 1t is only single fault to which I have
alluded, and ifno more can be found, our Jour
nal is quite as fortunate as most newspapers
In our land. Let the publishers be assured
that the hint is friendly one and given in the
utmost kindness. We feel proud of our Jour
nal, and thank the proprietors for their spirit
and enterprise.


One would hardly imagine, while walking
through our streets and witnessing the evil
dences Of thrift and prosperity in many
t,rop IF all ,,,J. Al
try was engaged in war of such magnitude
as to arrest the attention and fix the eyes of the
whole civilized world upon us. The truth is,
we do not yet realize the greatness of the con-
test in which we are engaged, to sustain the
life Of our nation; especially we do not who
live so far away from the battle fields. But
the rebels begin to realize IL, and to feel that
the end is drawing near. But my object is
not to discuss such matters.


The political sea is quite calm in this region,
although the people begin to cast about for
candidates to represent their interests in Con-
gress. So far as ! can learn, public opinion
here seems TO be concentrating on Judge Z.
T. Little, of Auburn, to fill the vacancy occa-
stoned be the resignation of Judge Walton
Mr.. Little is whole hearted Republican, and
would fill the vacancy to the entire satisfaction
of the people in his district. He is well post
up on the questions of the day, and his talents
admirably qualify him to occupy such posi-
tion.


Religious matters here have recently assum-
ed an interesting aspect, and hundreds are
anxiously inquiring "what they shall do to be
saved" Many have made up their minds and
resolved upon new course of life A few
sabbaths ago more than one hundred were
immersed in q single day in the waters
of the Androscoggin-- greater number than
was ever baptised in one day, in our State, if
not in New England. The churches have
been much united in the revival, and the work
Is still progressing. Many converts will join
other churches whose members do not believe
that Immersion is the only door that opens in
to the evangelism church. Surely a great
change has come over the spirit of hundreds,
and no doubt much good has already been
done.


often see Gen. Howard and his younger
brother at the Maine Hotel, Auburn, who
fought so bravely at the battle of Fair Oaks.
The Generals arm is fast healing up and his
health Is quite good. He owns his country
has given him military education, and he
feels it to be his imperative duty to fight its
battles, and If need be, to lay down his life
upon its altar He expects to he strong
enough, ere long, to enter the battle Held
again and to lend his aid in crushing out this
wicked rebellion. The wound his brother re-
ceiyed was al ugly one, and heals slowly. 1t
was occasioned by Mimic ball through his
thigh, boring hole clear through nearly as
large as an inch augur makes, and probably
grazing the bone. He is patient and pleasant
in his affiiction. / asked him how near he was
to the rebels when he received his wound
"They were all round me-" was his reply
Before this, he says they had driven the reb-
els through the swamp and upon higher
ground, where he and the General received
ther wounds. 1t was terrible battle, more
terrible than we dreamed of in our philosophy.
To hear young Howard's story of the bloody
fight makes the blood run cold and gives one
some idea of the awful struggle. The rebels
fought desperately and stood the fire of our
artillery, readily filling up the ranks as fast as
our grape and canister moved them down, and
showing bold front worthy of better cause.
They can stand fire WELL much better than