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over an old lame horse, because, forsooth [underlined], it was the private property of the surgeon, as if the loss of a horse, was to be compared with the life of one of the brave sons of Maine. It was painful, truly painful, to be compelled to witness such abuse. I could name very many more, such as driving out these helpless victims to bury one of their comrades, telling them with horrid oaths, that if they were not expeditious in hustling him into the ground, he would cause a hole to be dug in which to inter them. The haste commanded [underlined], was the more painful, as the spirit had but just departed and the body was not yet cold. I am aware that many have censured their young, but gallant and brave Colonel, but this, as far as my knowledge extends, is unjust, I have never yet observed anything that would lead me to think that these charges were correct. On the contrary he has acted on every suggestion we have given for the comfort of his men, especially the sick, & he has given us every facility in his power to carry out [underlined] our plans for their relief. But this Quartermaster has never failed to tell the men, even in my hearing, that all these outrages were ordered by the Colonel, himself, (which I have every reason to believe was wholly untrue,) and hence the discontent there has existed in regard to their commanding Officer. Being well assured that