George W. Dyer in Eastern Maine

*If you haven't yet made the acquaintance of George W. Dyer, you can find out more about him by clicking on "What it takes To Be A General" elsewhere on this page.

By the winter of 1862, the supply of eager volunteers for the armed services had dwindled considerably, and small Maine towns found it difficult to find enough volunteers to meet the quotas apportioned to them under the most recent Federal call for troops. If the towns failed to meet their quotas it was up to the selectmen to make up the deficiency by "drafting" their fellow townsmen - which the selectmen were naturally reluctant to do. Hardest hit were the small fishing communities of Washington County, the easternmost and poorest region of the State. George Dyer, who was a native of the area, was sent to visit the "Delinquent" towns and determine the truth of the local selectmen's plaintive appeals that they could not meet their quotas. He set off in November, 1862, and by the 5th of December he had seen enough to provide Adjutant General John Hodsdon with the following description of Life in Washington County:

Machias, Dec 5th 1862

Dear General,

I am here in my travels. Have been to Lubec and Machiasport, go to Harrington and Addison tomorrow, and back here tomorrow night, when I meet the wise and Select men of Machiasport, in solemn Council, then take Cutler and Trescott on my way home next week.

The delinquent towns, as you will see by inspection of the map lie along the coast of the County, off of the State lines, and scattered about long rocky coves, where they cling to little oases of dirt, like fleas to the unscratchable parts of a dog. In these towns are no taverns, and few roads. the inhabitants dwelling at home, receiving no visitors from abroad, and traveling by water. They live on fresh fish in the summer, and on saltfish in the winter, wherefore their dialect is fishy. From such a point to such a point is about three or six "lines", (ie. fishing lines). And the tides are the natural demarkations of time. Such a man died yesterday, at "about half ebb" or "just in the turn", or at "dead low water." The young men take to the sea, and are wanderers, until they have spent their prime on drink and strange women in foreign ports, and then they sink into tobacco spitting & kippers. the women stay at home and bear children past belief. A stranger at this time of year, when none but fools travel there, is a marvel. In these towns there is now no snow, which is abundant every where else, so that I take a base line with my sleigh, and strike off at a tangent on basest lines to hit these God forsaken towns. By dint of wagoning, and much walking, and a deal of shivering I have got so far. I will write you fully on Sunday. (I forgot to say in its proper order, that these towns are the core of Democracy of Washington County.)

Yours truly,
Geo.W.D.

Some folks today say things haven't changed a bit! Three days later George had reached the village of Columbia, where things took a turn for the worse. We include this letter for all you former Mainers out there who may be sometimes homesick.

"Hail" Columbia, Monday, Dec. 8

Dear Genl.

I promised to write you fully on Sunday from Machias. I didn't, wouldn't and couldn't. The horse characters at Machias told me that a rain storm was coming, "take a wagon". I took a wagon and came over here Friday afternoon. Saturday morning, such a one'r* of a snow storm as put in for 24 hours. Snow said to be from one to six feet "according to". No track, no mail, no passer by since Friday. Can't hear of anything or anybody moving any where. "All quiet on the lines" here. Am the only lodger in the tavern, and eat alone. the Landlord don't talk, but he spits at the fire. That's something exciting, not much, for his aim is good. Landlady affects the Kitchen, and I bless her morning, noon and night. Whether liquor is out or not, can't say, but no loafers about, with their refreshing horse talk. Tobacco about done. Newspapers all read. By the way, there is a deal of reading in newspapers if you read the advertisements ponderingly. Also the life of Genl Scott. Also the Arabian nights. Also an old copy of Lady's book, for a year full of delicious love stories, all alike. Their remain an Almanac and a School Geography. These I reserve for the long evening. Haven't been out of the house for three days, nor seen a passer by for that time. Therefore I am turned to thinking. If I could get anybody to talk to, I think I could bore them to death in about half a day. My landlord now is afraid to stay in the same room with me. There are no temptations here. What a blessing, neither the attractive wine glass, the bewildering chance , or the bedevilling petticoat. Yes, there is one temptation. The river flows with a rush under the window, and tumbles over convenient falls. When I get out I will let you know.

Ora pro nobis. Hail Colombia.

Geo.W.D.

*Old-time slang for something singular, one-of-a-kind.

On the whole I am satisfied that these towns have not been deficient in patriotism, but are unfortunately situated, and really have done about all that they can do.

This County has furnished many men for the Navy of whom no account has been or can be rendered. In consideration of what the County has done, it would gratify me, if the account could be cancelled, or some means adopted to raise the men without draft.

Yours respectfully
Geo. W. Dyer
Draft Commissioner

George continued to be a very useful man, acting in many capacities for the Governor and Adjutant General. By the following summer he had been sent from Washington County to Washington, D.C. where he continued to send wry and trenchant reports to General Hodsdon. Perhaps we'll bring you some more of them in the future.