Eastman, A. W., fl. 1862 Soldier's News-Letter

Edited by Eastman with editorial assistance by Charles Giles of Belfast, Maine. Soldiers' newspaper (Vol. 1, No. 2). Front page and part of 4th page contains a proclamation from 1 May 1862 by Major General Benjamin Butler which says "it has been found necessary to preserve order and maintain quiet by the administration of law Martial." Says the commanding general of occupying troops will govern the town until muncipal authority is reinstated. Goes on to list rules involving such areas as public and private property, foreigners, and the keepers of coffee houses and saloons. Other miscelleanous news tidbits throughout. Includes an account from the "New York Times" that says "Secretary Stanton will propose to enlist negroes four months to do garrison duty in forts and other places where the yellow fever may be expected to come. His theory is stated to be that the blacks, being acclimated, will be safe from the risks of climates, besides being placed in situations where the laws of order will restrain them from excesses the Southern people fear as the result of negro freedom." Ends with news on the 13th Maine regiment and a letter to the editor with an update on the 8th New Hampshire regiement. Editorial note claims the newspaper is "not a local institution. Our next issue may come from the Cresent City, and we hope still to travel on in company with the brave men with whom we have formed so brief and pleasant an acquintance."