The Evansville daily journal., 1861-12-23
ARMY CORRESPONDENCE
CAMF SHAEKtIS. CALHOUN, Kg.,9
42D IND. REG'T.. Dec. 18th. 81.

the subject on s.half-rations.D
must now pay compliment to Capt.
Genung and our Brass Band. This insti-
tuition Is ous Of ftheindispensables we could
not get along without It. When We hear
& Hail Columbia" g Yankee Doodle" the
Is Red, White and Blue" and such ike pa.
triotic airs; we an feel about two inches
taller, and 20 the effect of the music attrib-
ute. the fact that" Uncle Sam has not been
under the necessity nor to the expense, of
purchasing for US /" dog collars as the boys
call them. Oar Band must lead while we
have that most accomplished gentleman and
prince Of good fellows" for its Captain.
have noticed that there is a great deal
of conjecture in camp, as to what my real
name Is. For the benefit Of all the curious,
| will give my real name, this tins, in full,
Uer9atsas ct ktsrat5m. 1t is L. <. Juniper
WiggIns-a regularly "mustered I'M high
private; however, that, OF course, Is. not the
name go By in the regiment; but man is
not obliged 70 give his real uame when be
enlists III the service Of 81 Uncle Sam" like
he is when be writes for a newspaper.
In case We have some promotion of OH
GERS, | would suggest to Gov. Morton, Gen.
Buell. and Uncle Abe that we would feel
proud for the line' to extend to our &C.
compIished Adjutant, De Evans, who, in
my humble judgment, would fill the otice
OF Brigade AdjuEant, or OF Major, with Dig
nifty, honor, credit and valor. Under the
Immediate supervision of that most sffable
gentleman, DR.. Taylor, whose kindness to
the sick is only exceeded by his strict at
tentiOn TO the brave who have fallen victims
I ~ r
/ Aatteringiy, for competent assistance has en-
abled the DR.. to do much good already in
the glorious work of healing the sick; so
Let those friends as home know that this
| important department. is not, by any means,
neglected.
Since my last writing, we have made a
very great change in our camp comforts,
aud now, strange as it may seem, the boys
are very nearly as comfortably situated az
| # they were in houses. All have good fire.
l places, and are proud in the enjoyment of
their comfortable quarters. To those who
care after us be the praise.
l discover that there are several Justly
I ambitious company officers in our regiment,
who would like TO be (and ! hope all will
| be) considered in the s line of promotion p
land such ambition is Away laudabIe !
however, there is one thing to be observed:
| once knew three fellows who went out to
catch wild hogs, and one was 80 ambitious
for fame that he rushed right into gang Of
tha said undomesticated swine, and seized
upon huge one, OF male persuasiou.;i - but
no sooner had he done this, thaa be was sur
rounded by, at least, Que hundred infariated
| champers and he received a most voeifer
Gus SALUTE" for his extraordinary success
| in the line Of ambition. Seeing his per-
picking situation, be cried out most Justify,
TO his comrades, who had climbed a tree,
| "BiIl Bob for Almighty's sake. come
and help me let this hog GO"
Let me speak a word of praise for our
non-com missioned staff and say that in that
selection we are most fortunate, for the
true gentleman deserves praise wherever he
may be found, and of each of our non-com-
nissioned staff can speak thus. And here
let me pay compliment to the brave boys
who compose the 42nd. Friends at home,
you should feel proud of sons, brothers,
husband, and friends who are here. There
IS an unusual amount of intelligence
amongst the last named class, aud though
they do not all wear visable distinguishing
marks, they prove by noble, generous good
heartedness, that they fully understand their
duty and ii ever an opportunity affords it.
self, will win bright laureis on the Grim
! soned battle field and make visable distin-
1 gushing marks there which will endure so
i long as the pages of history continues to
i glow with deeds of valos and high re-
/ nown.h
Through all the varied vicissitudes Of
camp life, We have our fun, and for one
i believe in life, real liVs life in a camp, not
of course to an encroachment upon duty,
| but just enough to obviate the necessity OF
having to whistle to keep our couage up y
/ =
convivIal, jovial spirit win fatten in camp.
while a grave, unsmiling Individual viii
soon become so lean that il {: will take two
| like him to cast a shadow
Once in a while l get a chance 10 90 be-
ycnd the guard lines-a privilege which
every soldier should use with caution. and
\ try 70 improve. l mix with the citiz.ns.
and they " mix with me" and thereby there
| is mutual improvement. | tell them
some things they don't know, and they in
| turn tell me some fen things don't know.
! A native told me that in g Sery early day.
! il was customary in this part of The State in
adjoining counties, to elect once year
public reader whose duty it was to assem-
bic " a mill, still house, or some other
knowledge diffusing" institution, and
read to the /" guide people the news az
printed in the nearest county newspaper,
and that SC soon as said " elect" became
perhcient in county newspaper lore be was
elected to the Legislature. q Il occurred -
(said my iuformant) q long time ago" that
one of these seif-made," land people |
made) Legislators visited the capital of the
State to s" take his seat Having heard /
that the Stata House was very fine BALD /
ing, be after having arrived, selected the /
market house as being the identical 'every /
zine building, and accordingly walked in
and found it all very nice. There were /
stunps (msat blocks) for stump speaking, I
hooks to hang overcoats and hats on, and /
hunks, (meat stalis) for each member SO |
our friend selected his spot and took up
quarters for the night. Ia the morning
very early, butcher brought in bullock
and threw it down on block, when be was
Immediately aecosted by our member"
who said, " live great distance and
could not bring my provisions, but would
like to go "snooks with you seeing you
have a plenty" What do you mean
incurred the butcher Mean y ranIiad the Z