The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1861-06-18
Letter from the 11th Regiment.

CUMBERLAND, Md, June Is, 1861.
EDITOR JoURNAL-Dsar Sir The IIth
(Zouave) Regiment is encamped on one of
the many elevated and beautiful sites over
looking the city. The men are enjoying
good health, and are in fine spirits. Our
regiment is now the first on the line Of
march. in this direction, towards the antici-
pated battle-ground, having passed the
Ohio and other Indiana volunteers at Graf
ton. From the time we crossed the river
we found the road lined all the way to Graf
ton with .sentinels, guarding the bridges and
other works along the route. From Graf
ton to this point we met with nothing to OBJ
struct our journey, although our train was
the first which had passed to this point
since the bridges were destroyed. Colonel
Wallace mounted the engine at Benwood,
and stood at the post all the way through,
keeping a vigilant watch against danger,
and, upon our arrival at Cumberland, he
looked like an apparition from the charcoal
region rather than the trim military officer
that he is. The people along the entire way
greeted US with shouts of welcome and way-
ing of flags and handkerchiefs, and at one
point near the summit of the mountains in
Virginia. a large party of men, women, and
children appeared at the station and sung
patriotic airs, and otherwise manifested their
enthusiasm. On Monday morning the long
train Of cars halted at the outskirts of Cum
berland, and the regiment turned out to cook
and eat their breakfast The news of their
arrival spread to the city, and before the
train was again in motion, thousands Of
people We're on the grounds gazing curious
ly at the tawny and stalwart Hoosier boys,
who were miscellaneously distributed along
a space of nearly mile, busily engaged in
cooking, eating, and other duties. The pic
turesque appearance of the country, the
Arab looks of the soldiers, and the large
number of spectators made it a scene worthy
the pencil of an artist. After breakfast the
regiment moved into town, where they re-
manned all day in the cars, without any
thing to eat or drink, except what the
soldiers stole at the eating houses and
bought. About shutdown the train started
in a Westerly direction and Immediately all
were on the qlfi Uipe to know what was up,
that the regiment should thus take the back
ward track. We were halted some 20 miles
distant, when we ascertaiued that business
was on hand; that the Colonel had concu-
ded to attack and clean out a secession
can or 800 or 1000 men, who had been
encamped in that vicinity for some time,
threatening and terrifying the country
But after awaiting for several hours the ar
rival Of scouts the boys returned to Cum
berland without the luxury of 4 fight, the
rebels having got wind of the contempla-
ted attack, and quickly removed further
back into the rocky Businesses of the Ale
ghanies. After a grand parade yesterday,
through the streets of Cumberland, we
marched to our present encampment, where
we have been visited by thousands of peo-
pie OF all sexes and colors. The boys have
been nobly treated by the citizens of Cum
berland, who are indeed a courteous and
hosptable people. The ladies, in large num-
bers, have visited the camp aud take kind
ly interest in the Indiana boys. Yesterday
the squad turned out and marched to ho-
tel kept by a notorious traitor, and COM
PEELED MIN to hoist the stars and stripes
Eight companies are now out on a scouting
expedition and are hourly expected back.
\ ours truly,
TN0 NJ REaTT1-