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this regiment honorably discharged if possible, now I will give you my reasons for the above course. Since the late disastrous battle at Stone Bridge we have been shamefully treated, particularly for men who at a moments notice bravely marched forth to defend their country. Altho. we the 28th day of June last made a requisition on government for clothing none as yet has been furnished us. We are now ragged without shoes. Encamped upon a miserable, and unhealthy spot which during a rain is hardly fordable, we are daily promised a change but none comes. We are from time to time promised clothing but none appears, while the third and fourth Maine regiments received a thorough new outfit before the late engagement. In the meantime the military spirit & rigor of our men has gradually wasted away, until it has dwindled into a mere skeleton. I am truly ashamed to have any of my Eastern friends visit us particularly as we have a good name which we have honorably gained, the official reports of Genl Tyler & Col. Keyes bearing witness to the same, besides we have lost many prominent men, including Chaplain, standard bearer, Lieutenants, and Captain. Notwithstanding all these misfortunes we have until yesterday