Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1861-12-23
Our Army CorrespOndence--COn
of the 33d Regiment at Crab Or
CRAB ORcHARD, Ky.
Decemher 18th. 1851 /


December 18th, 1868
EDITOR SENTINEL: presume the letters from
the army are numerous you can scarcely find
room in your paper to publish them. Perhaps
you have been troubled as little by communica-
tons from this regiment any other that has
been as long in the service. Our men are not
much at newspaper correspondence. Indeed, if
we had had ever so much inclination to write, we
have very seldom been in condition to crafty
it. We have seen very rough service; and it is
to tell you of the effect OF that service that /
write this letter. No one else seems to have
made our condition public, though petition after
petition have been sent to high officials begging
them to take away from here.
The condition of the 33d is truly distressing
There are not, this very day, over 100 we'll men
in the entire regiment True there are more
than that number in quarters who, through
dislike to going TO the hospital, do not report
themselves sick at the morning roll CALL but yes
terday morning the number actually reported by
the Orderly Sergeants was .fUe hundred and forty
men, Since the beginning of the month over
thirty have been buried, making an average of
two each day. As many as five have died in one
day and night. L have lost four out of my COM
pauy. Other companies have Jared much worse
some a little better. Yesterday | visited our
grave yard. Thirty-three newly made graves
(tbree being from other regiments) told their sad
tale. Three new graves were then being dug
and this morning their occupants are sleeping
the sleep of death beyond the tolls and privatlons
of soldiers life. This day three more graves
are to be dug, and tonight three more soldiers
will sleep beneath the sod of Kentucky. To-
morrow, in all human probability, three more
graves will be dug and three more of our regi-
ment placed in their narrow home. Scores are
yet dangerously sick and many more must die.
One Lieutenant has died. COL COburn has
been lying dangerously i'll at Lexington. Lieut..
Col. Henderson, worn down with the cares of the
regiment, took to his bed yesterday, and Maj.
Marker is nearly tired out The whole regiment
looks careworn and discouraged and matters do
not mend.
This state Of facts were reported to Gov. Nor
ton He sent out number of eminent physi-
cians--some to help US cut OF our troubles, and
others to investigate and report The latter have
gone back after having pledged their influence to
have us removed from here Gen. Thomas has
also had medical gentlemen here to look at
Last night an order came for our sick to be
moved to Camp Dick Robinson. Every one here
was thunderstruck. The order, if obeyed, will
will be equivalent TO moving the whole regiment,
/ lOr every man VINO Is not SICK, Deeueu 10 at
tend, one way or the other, to those who are.
Camp Dick is not fit for well regiment. There
are not buildings sufficient to hold fifty sick men,
besides it is not healthy there Our regiment
left it once before, because our men were all
"tal1en down" To take our sick men back there,
when nearly every one believes that it will re-
suit in the death of scores, looks like a murder
Gus move. But the key to the mystery has been
furnished in the fact that some man down there
is to be enriched by the move. he owns a little
land he wants to rent, has Few bushels of corn
to sell and perhaps keeps bust-head whisky. 1t
will be dear price paid for those articles If the
sick are sent there. Bad as we are doing here it
would, in my judgment and the Judgment of ev-
cry man in, or in any way connected with the
regiment, be ten times as bad to move US to
Camp Dick but the sack haze not gone get We
trust in Providence ant the good sense of some
one to have the order countermanded.
Go and read the official reports of our condi-
ton in the hands of Gov. Morton and see how
fairly have stated it. .fe i'1f1ff
Yours truly, W B. n. Polk,
ls.t Of Co T. 33d Indiana regiment Is