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+Letter of J. E. Mitchell to his Sister Persis
+Head-quarters Tenth Maine Regiment, Co. C Relay House
+Saturday Nov. 9 1861\\
+Dear Sister Persis
+I have a few spare moments now which I will improve by scribbling you a few lines to let you know that I am still in the land of the living and hope to continue so for some time. It is raining likes blazes and is about as uncomfortable as it can be. I came of picket guard this morning and got of just in time to save a wetting. We left Baltimore last monday morning for the relay House which is ten miles from Baltimore.
+Our business is to guard the RailRoad; We have a guard E extended about nine miles. to look out for the rebils and see that they do trouble track and bridges. It is getting dark now and I have got to wait  until morning before I finish
+Sunday morning Nov 10th I was sent down to the stone bridge with a guard this morning and have just got back. The left wing of the regimet has just left for Annapolis Junction We shall move up the line about a mile tomorrow. I wrote you a letter when we first arrived in Baltimore and as I have never received an answer I suppose you never recieved it. This is the nineth letter I have wrote and have got onely two and them were about as good as none. I have rathe more privliages than I had before. I was appointed sergeant in company C. they day before we started. I would like to have you look into my tent to day. There is five of us to are writing two sleeping and one sleeping. We have just got our tent fixed up in top top shape with a board floor and banked up all around. it is rather aggrivating to have to move and leave it all behind. I saw David this morning he looks well and healthy and sayes he likes first rate. We have got a first rate Band and it is improving every day I do not know how long we shall stay on this railroad;
+we may stay all winter; if we do I hope they will build us barracks for it is rather tough sleeping in thin canvas tents these cold nights. One of our men was shot through the hand on picket the other night he said he was fired at twice his gun would not go I shall have to stop now give my respects to Maria and all my acquaintances you may see. Good day  Your Humble Servt.
+J E Mitchell\\
+P.S. Address Sergt. JEM\\
+Camp Beal\\
+Co. C. 10th Me Regt. Relay House\\
+Maryland
+https://www.mainememory.net/media/pdf/35556.pdf
+----
 //Lewiston Daily Evening Journal//, November 11, 1861
@@ Line 140: / Line 164: @@
 Baltimore, Nov. 2, 1861.
-While sitting in my quarters this P. M., and sadly thinking of the probable fate of some of the ships of Gen. Sherman’s expedition, my mind was instantly relieved by our ever welcome Chaplain kindly handing me my mail of letters and papers, and very acceptable, among the number, was a copy of the Journal, the only one I have seen since I left Maine.  The Major at once seized it and read the general news, while Adjutant Shaw and some others are contending (slightly) as to who nest shall be the favored ones in looking over its columns; so you see my turn is not yet. Little do our friends at home know of the great treat they often furnish us in a short letter or a news-paper, especially when it comes from home, and favorably reminding us of things of things of which "we ourselves have seen and of which we have been a principal part." (Pardon the extract, fur Baltimore and not Troy is now our home.) In spite of the thousand and one rumors to the contrary, the Maine 10th is still at "Patterson Park," in the Eastern portion of the "monumental city," and is in every respect—except our proper fitout—in as good condition and pleasantly situated as we possibly can be.
+While sitting in my quarters this P. M., and sadly thinking of the probable fate of some of the ships of Gen. Sherman’s expedition, my mind was instantly relieved by our ever welcome Chaplain kindly handing me my mail of letters and papers, and very acceptable, among the number, was a copy of the Journal, the only one I have seen since I left Maine.  The Major at once seized it and read the general news, while Adjutant Shaw and some others are contending (slightly) as to who nest shall be the favored ones in looking over its columns; so you see my turn is not yet. Little do our friends at home know of the great treat they often furnish us in a short letter or a news-paper, especially when it comes from home, and favorably reminding us of things of things of which "we ourselves have seen and of which we have been a principal part." (Pardon the extract, for Baltimore and not Troy is now our home.) In spite of the thousand and one rumors to the contrary, the Maine 10th is still at "Patterson Park," in the Eastern portion of the "monumental city," and is in every respect—except our proper fitout—in as good condition and pleasantly situated as we possibly can be.
 We are among these beautiful shade trees: which protect us from the hot sun and the strong winds, with the grounds gently sloping to the east, with both hard and soft water in abundance, and our whole ground surrounded by a nice iron fence; thereby, permitting us to protect ourselves from foes without, and to establish good order within.
-We are indebted to Gen. Dix fur our position, for on our arrival here a telegram was received from Gen. Scott ordering us to Fort Monroe, and certain "eecesh" steamboat Captains were ordered to furnish transportation for us, and to insure our passage. They procured some half-dozen copies of the order, and begun to pass them in from time to time to the officers, but it so happened we "had seen the Elephant," and, believing the order for us to go to the fort was given from a wrong impression of our position, we at once took a carriage for "Fort McHenry," and explained to Gen. Dix our situation.
+We are indebted to Gen. Dix for our position, for on our arrival here a telegram was received from Gen. Scott ordering us to Fort Monroe, and certain "eecesh" steamboat Captains were ordered to furnish transportation for us, and to insure our passage. They procured some half-dozen copies of the order, and begun to pass them in from time to time to the officers, but it so happened we "had seen the Elephant," and, believing the order for us to go to the fort was given from a wrong impression of our position, we at once took a carriage for "Fort McHenry," and explained to Gen. Dix our situation.
 So much for the mystery of our whereabouts. We have been under a strict course of four hours’ daily drill in the manual, but in some ten days after our guns arrived, and now we are on five hours’ drill each day. and the very [...] among the men
@@ Line 192: / Line 216: @@
 We find our position here is of great importance to Government in protecting the Railroads and Bridges in this vicinity. Since the Potomac was closed, the transportation of all supplies for the army of the Potomac is over this road, and this massive bridge of stone masonry is the very place that certain "secesh" parties are anxious to undermine with a cask or two of powder, and should they be able to effect their object, the passage of thousands of troops and citizens, besides the daily transit of over five hundred tone of freight, would be stopped. It would surprise you to see the troops that pass here.
-It is now the most of six days since our arrival, and over Twelve Thousand soldiers have passed here en route for Washington during the daytime of our stay, Think you Gen. McClellan has sufficient force to protect Wash-
+It is now the most of six days since our arrival, and over Twelve Thousand soldiers have passed here en route for Washington during the daytime of our stay, Think you Gen. McClellan has sufficient force to protect Washington yet? Put him down at Three Hundred and Fifty Thousand and you do not underrate his command.
-ington yet? Put him down at Three Hundred and Fifty Thousand and you do not underrate his command.
 By an order from Gen. Dix we are to guard the road from Annapolis Junction to here, and to throw out Pickets for our protection as to our best judgment. Capt. Knowlton, with his command, is detailed to occupy the nine miles next Annapolis, and the Capt. has taught his men to be sharp and direct in their challenges; and should you present yourself near the line of the road after dark, at a distance of ten paces, you must "Halt" and answer the oft-repeated summons, "Who goes there?" Should you be able to give the countersign or satisfy the Patrol you are a friend, you will be allowed to pass, otherwise the guard tent is your home until the officer in command decides whether you are friend or foe. Capt. Black (of Portland Mechanic Blues) and his command are in charge of the Fort, Stone Bridge and Depot. The Fort is not quite completed, but a working party of one hundred and fifty men is detailed daily under command of Capt. Emerson of Company H., under whose charge it is progressing rapidly. The Captain is now mounting some twelve pound rifled cannon—six in all—to protect his position and command the Junction and each line of the road. He has already the consent of the Ordnance Officer to fire a grand salute at its completion; so look out for "big guns." Lieut. Turner of Company B., has a detachment of twenty men with him at Ellicott’s Mills, some six miles up on the Ohio road, to examine all contraband goods by teams or otherwise, and to maintain good order, &c. He has had one picket shot while on duty, which begins to show the men that they must be on guard.— The Depot is the principal place where great caution and care is to be used in the detection of deserters, rogues, &c, Every few hours down comes a dispatch from Gen. McClellan, ordering some one on the train to be arrested, and you would laugh and be sometimes vexed to see the arguments presented to elude detection, Deafness, intoxication, citizens’ clothes, foreign dialect, &c., are the means made use of, but if the guard ejects one from the cars, and his citizen's dress is donned for the soldier’s, if he answers the  "descriptive list" sent, and you bid him approach, and at the first step out comes the left foot, and on that left foot there should be a government boot, be sure you have the right man.
-Some eight or ten are thus taken from the train daily, either as deserters or persons trying to "check it" through. How long our men can endure this amount of work we can only surmise, for I can assure you the draft made on them in large. Were we in proper quarters fur the season of the year, had we been furnished with a decently warm blouse instead of the simple flannel at the enormous cost to the our State of $1.38 each, had we even a blanket that was sufficiently large to keep as warm, and if instead of five and one- half it was seven fret long, and of sufficient strength to hold together, which is not the case with some five hundred we now have— had we in some instances more than one under shirt to each man, and also a pair of good socks such as we used to get at home, had we some five hundred pairs of shoes for the ones we have actually worn out since we left Maine on that eventful Sabbath morning in the rain -we then might be expected to "act well our part." We are happy to know that this deficiency is soon in a measure to be made good, for on earning the condition of our fit-out, our Colonel immediately wrote the proper authorities at Augusta, and was assured that "as the regiment was now in the service of the General Government we should be obliged to look to it for additional supplies." He has therefore made 2 requisition for coats, blankets, shoes, and socks, and yesterday received the good news that the requisition had been approved, and the order made to have them all forwarded to us at the earliest possible moment.
+Some eight or ten are thus taken from the train daily, either as deserters or persons trying to "check it" through. How long our men can endure this amount of work we can only surmise, for I can assure you the draft made on them in large. Were we in proper quarters for the season of the year, had we been furnished with a decently warm blouse instead of the simple flannel at the enormous cost to the our State of $1.38 each, had we even a blanket that was sufficiently large to keep as warm, and if instead of five and one-half it was seven fret long, and of sufficient strength to hold together, which is not the case with some five hundred we now have— had we in some instances more than one under shirt to each man, and also a pair of good socks such as we used to get at home, had we some five hundred pairs of shoes for the ones we have actually worn out since we left Maine on that eventful Sabbath morning in the rain -we then might be expected to "act well our part." We are happy to know that this deficiency is soon in a measure to be made good, for on earning the condition of our fit-out, our Colonel immediately wrote the proper authorities at Augusta, and was assured that "as the regiment was now in the service of the General Government we should be obliged to look to it for additional supplies." He has therefore made 2 requisition for coats, blankets, shoes, and socks, and yesterday received the good news that the requisition had been approved, and the order made to have them all forwarded to us at the earliest possible moment.
 But here comes an order from Gen. Dix, stating that Col. Robinson of the Michigan 1st is put in command of the Baltimore and Ohio R. R., and that the Maine 10th will be under his command. Col. R. presents his most profound regards in writing, ordering the Maine 10th to place pickets every quarter of mile from the viaduct (Stone Bridge) to Annapolis Junction, a distance of 19 miles.— So Adj, Shaw and myself are ordered to hunt up a new camping ground. We have done so, and reported to Headquarters accordingly, and can now report to you. We have crossed the river some half mile from the Relay, and taken possession of a "secesh" farm and house, with a good barn and out buildings, water &. The house will be used as a hospital and Headquarters, and in my next I will give you an idea of our home on the other side of the Patapsco. S.
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 Soldiers’ Thanksgiving.
-The success which has followed the efforts of the gentlemen who had in charge the procuring of articles to make up a Thanksgiving Dinner for our four companies of volunteers at the seat  of war, has been most gratifying. This morning Lewiston sent nine boxes, one firkin and two kegs, weighing with their contents 1900 lbs., to the Infantry and the Zouaves in the 10th Regiment, at the Relay House, and the Guards in the 5th Regiment near Alexandria; and Auburn six boxes, weighing about 800 lbs., to the Artillery, in the 10th Regiment, The boxes and kegs contained roasted turkeys and chickens, pies and turn-overs, brown-bread, doughnuts, cheese, roasted pork, boiled ham, cranberry sauce, butter, pickles, &c., &¢., in sufficient quantities to give our Lewiston and Auburn soldiers Thanks- giving dinners fora week. These articles have been procured in two days. How the hearts of of our brave volunteers will beat, when they receive this evidence that they are held in fond remembrance at home! Their Thanksgiving in camp, on Thursday, will be one they will never forget. It is also proposed to send a Thanksgiving dinner to the volunteers from Lewiston in the Cavalry Regiment, in camp at Augusta— a suggestion which will be carried out in as successful a manner as our volunteers at the seat of war have been already provided.
+The success which has followed the efforts of the gentlemen who had in charge the procuring of articles to make up a Thanksgiving Dinner for our four companies of volunteers at the seat  of war, has been most gratifying. This morning Lewiston sent nine boxes, one firkin and two kegs, weighing with their contents 1900 lbs., to the Infantry and the Zouaves in the 10th Regiment, at the Relay House, and the Guards in the 5th Regiment near Alexandria; and Auburn six boxes, weighing about 800 lbs., to the Artillery, in the 10th Regiment, The boxes and kegs contained roasted turkeys and chickens, pies and turn-overs, brown-bread, doughnuts, cheese, roasted pork, boiled ham, cranberry sauce, butter, pickles, &c., &¢., in sufficient quantities to give our Lewiston and Auburn soldiers Thanksgiving dinners fora week. These articles have been procured in two days. How the hearts of of our brave volunteers will beat, when they receive this evidence that they are held in fond remembrance at home! Their Thanksgiving in camp, on Thursday, will be one they will never forget. It is also proposed to send a Thanksgiving dinner to the volunteers from Lewiston in the Cavalry Regiment, in camp at Augusta— a suggestion which will be carried out in as successful a manner as our volunteers at the seat of war have been already provided.
 {{:10_maine_inf:lewiston_daily_evening_journal_-_nov_18_1861.jpg?linkonly|}}
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+Letter of J. E. Mitchell to his Sister Persis
+Relay House, Nov. 21\\
+My Dear Sister
+I reiceved your kind letter last night. I began to think of you the same as you did of me It is a very pleasant morning and I expect the people in maine are having a big thanksgeiving. I rather guess we shall have a big one too If you could see what arrived for our mess of five last night three turkeyes baked in tiptop shape about a bushel of Cakes and pies but to tell you the truth Per's your letter done me more good than all the thanksgiving dinners in the state of maine. We lead a kind of steady life here no news and not much excitement I have been on the sick list for two days. haveing a very bad cold which about 9/10 of the men have. You dident believe I would go again well when I left you I had made up my mind to go and I was positive that I should not see you again but I dident like to say so They are haveing a meeting and while I write the band is playing Old Lang Syne. we have got a splendid band and they improve every day. Your talk about Neal Dows Regt. being so grand and nice. I dont see how that can be beacus the officers from the Colnel to the lance corp. have not a bit of military experience. It will be a good deal like the 5th? Me. which disgraced themselvs and the state at bull run God dliver me from being under green officers. And about the drinking part of it perhaps it will be like the crew that Dow had to work for him in his tan yard it alway had the name of being the worst drinkers in the city but never mind I am satisfide that we are the best officerd regt. from Maine. I would like to have seen your Old Folks kitchen it must have been a big affair about the carnoline there is not one woman out of a hundred wars it out here About your taking so much liberty lectuering me it is something that you always peristed In and I dont know as it is best to get mad now But I tell you Per's if you will onely write, you may lecture me as much as you please and it may do some good.  We have just been to dinner  a dinner and such. first came the turkey Baked in first rate style with cranberry sauce sweet pottatoes and home made bread and butter. Sardiens then came the plum puddin all it lacked was the sauce Apples peanuts chessnuts walnuts &c. take it all round we had just as good a dinner a anyone would wish If you dont believe we had a turkey I will send you the wish bone which I have just picked. Give my love to Maria I have thought of writing to her two or three times. This is a poor apology for a letter and I will try and do better next time as I do not feel very well after my big dinner I will stop now
+From Your Brother\\
+Ned
+https://www.mainememory.net/media/pdf/35557.pdf
+-----
 //Lewiston Daily Evening Journal//, November 27, 1861
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 Something Must be Done.
-That something must be done for our soldiers in the 10th Maine is believed by many who  have friends in the regiment. There are several ladies who have comforters, socks, &c., ready to send, and desire that some place of deposit shall be appointed, so that a box may be sent immediately, A lady, who has a son in the regiment, called at our office this morning, and stated that she had received a letter from her son in Capt. Nye’s Company, representing that he was in a suffering condition for socks, &c., and that many others were circumstanced as poorly.— All that is now wanted is some gentleman to take charge of the matter, appoint a place of deposit, and in two days we shall have a large box, of comfortable woolens ready for our suffering soldiers. We shall not doubt that such arrangements will be immediately made, Mothers who have sons, wives who have husbands, and sisters who have brothers suffering fur clothing feel that delay in sending comforts is dangerous, and desire that their packages may be forwarded immediately. Good woolens are the only medicine now that will keep our men out of the hospitals.
+That something must be done for our soldiers in the 10th Maine is believed by many who  have friends in the regiment. There are several ladies who have comforters, socks, &c., ready to send, and desire that some place of deposit shall be appointed, so that a box may be sent immediately, A lady, who has a son in the regiment, called at our office this morning, and stated that she had received a letter from her son in Capt. Nye’s Company, representing that he was in a suffering condition for socks, &c., and that many others were circumstanced as poorly.— All that is now wanted is some gentleman to take charge of the matter, appoint a place of deposit, and in two days we shall have a large box, of comfortable woolens ready for our suffering soldiers. We shall not doubt that such arrangements will be immediately made, Mothers who have sons, wives who have husbands, and sisters who have brothers suffering for clothing feel that delay in sending comforts is dangerous, and desire that their packages may be forwarded immediately. Good woolens are the only medicine now that will keep our men out of the hospitals.
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-Cambridge MA Chronicle, December 21, 1861
+//Cambridge MA Chronicle//, December 21, 1861
 Fort Dix, Relay Station, B.& 0, —
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 From the 10th Maine.
-A private letter from Stephen R. Estes of Co.H, (Auburn Artillery) 10th Maine informs us that this company "has returned to head quarters at the Relay House, having been out two weeks on picket service. The company will rest two weeks, and then return to the same service.  The duty required of us is very responsible, and the position held by the 10th Maine Regiment is called a post of honor. Several regiments have occupied the same position, and have not given the Government satisfaction, and have been ordered away. Our regiment has 9 miles of Rail Road to guard, our company having 1 1-2 miles in which is the Great Stone Bridge across the Patapsco River, which has eight spans each 40 feet, and cost over half a million dollars. It is a splendid structure and all important to our Government, as all troops and supplies have to pass over this railroad on account of the rebel blockade on the Potomac, We have built a small fort here which is called Fort Dix (named for Gen. John L. Dix) mounting six rifled cannon and capable of defending against one or two thousand Infantry. If is on an eminence about three hundred yards west from the entire settlement, both sides of the river. Exactly opposite on the other side of river is the mill where Ben Butler planted two pieces of cannon, when her first took possession of the Relay territory. But things present a different aspect now from what they did at that time, Maryland is now on the side of the Union. Yet there are a great many traitors, even here in this vicinity, bat they are obliged to keep quiet.
+A private letter from Stephen R. Estes of Co.H, (Auburn Artillery) 10th Maine informs us that this company "has returned to head quarters at the Relay House, having been out two weeks on picket service. The company will rest two weeks, and then return to the same service.  The duty required of us is very responsible, and the position held by the 10th Maine Regiment is called a post of honor. Several regiments have occupied the same position, and have not given the Government satisfaction, and have been ordered away. Our regiment has 9 miles of Rail Road to guard, our company having 1 1-2 miles in which is the Great Stone Bridge across the Patapsco River, which has eight spans each 40 feet, and cost over half a million dollars. It is a splendid structure and all important to our Government, as all troops and supplies have to pass over this railroad on account of the rebel blockade on the Potomac, We have built a small fort here which is called Fort Dix (named for Gen. John L. Dix) mounting six rifled cannon and capable of defending against one or two thousand Infantry. If is on an eminence about three hundred yards west from the entire settlement, both sides of the river. Exactly opposite on the other side of river is the mill where Ben Butler planted two pieces of cannon, when her first took possession of the Relay territory. But things present a different aspect now from what they did at that time, Maryland is now on the side of the Union. Yet there are a great many traitors, even here in this vicinity, but they are obliged to keep quiet.
 The health of the regiment is improving. — Complaints are made that the surgeon either does not know, or does not do his duty. If any of the men are sick, of which there is a number, they get board and attention at private houses, and other physicians to attend them. Some who have been out of camp as above, have returned to camp enjoying comparative health. The lumber has arrived from Baltimore to build our barracks, which will be appreciated by all the regiment.

Howard County, MD in the Civil War

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