Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1861-09-19
Letter from a Volunteer.
CAMP BELGER, CocKEYsvIrLE. Md.
Sent. @. 1861.

Il
thing particular to do at present conclu-
ded would improve the opportunity by
writing to you; and as we are to leave
here some time this week for Washington.
probably Thursday. it may be the last
chance will have for some time. For
some reasons am sorry to leave here. one
of which is the healthfulness of our loca-
tion. but at the same time / am glad that
we are to be put forward where we can
have chance Of testing the mettle Of the
secesh. and at the same time give them
taste Of ours. think we can show them
that Indianians are not the towards they
take them to be. We will be, as told
you before. part Of the Advance Guard
Of the Grand Army of the U. o.. and it is
therefore quite likely we viii have some
fighting il there is any to DO done. We
won't have chance to run if we should
desire it. the danger of being shot down
being greater in the rear than in front. /
was mistaken in my former letter in say
ing that we would be a portion of Gen.
Lander's Brigade. We do not know as
yet under whose command we will be-
Should we be furnished with good rifles.
as we have been promised we would be.
you may look for good account from
the Goth. Certain it is that il all will do
their duty as well as our Colonel. defeat
will be. if not an impossibility. at least an
improbability. do not wish to be con-
sidcred as Dragging when say candidly
believe that we have the best commanding
officer that has yet left Indiana. The best
evidence of that could be found by a visit
to our camp. Here all is order and deco
} rum. every one knows his place and he has
to be in it. AS to drill. we far surpsss
in every respect any regiment that has yet
Left the Hoosier State. (except in skirmish
drill. J nor do | think we will be found
much behind any of them when it comes
: to fighting.
1 suppose that some Of your readers
would like to hear something Of she gallant
little band from Marshall that have left
their quiet ZONES and firesides to peril their
lives in defence of the Constitution and
Laws. 1 wish had something miracu-
lous to relate about them, but rs we have
not had any hair breadth escapes. mol
bloody encounters, in short not having
hardly seen a "seecsh." l can write very
little that would be interesting. OF course
might tell Of the happy times the boys
have. playing. singing. and in whatever
else that may for the time contribute to
their enjoyment. but imagine this would
be Of little interest to any not specially in
terested. Still, will mention that we
that is the Marshall County Bloods." Or.
generally enjoying good health, and be-
sides being the finest looking company il
the regiment, we are the happiest and mer
ricst fellows alive. You would no doub,
stare If you could only see our once digni
fled Orderly mixing with the boys in thei'
sports. taking and giving jokes on all sides
The boys think he is about the best fellow
:, in Camp. and am very sure that l vii
not quarrel with them about that Johr
Turner has gained about 25 pounds il
i flesh since he left home. You know h,
e was a big fellow before. imagine what h,
; is now. Laugh and grow fat is an ole
e adage. and John seems to have proven it
4 truth. ft' '
j Tell the people in Marshall to rest easy
I about us. as we are determined to give I
y good account Of ourselves when the chan
! ces to do so are in our reach. All we AL
: is for our friends to keep down the FIRE il
the rear" and we will try to silence tAa
in front. e.ts.
In few days. am told. we are to re
ccive our pay and overcoats. Both will b
!. very acceptable and will be received by al
of us without particle of dissent. Whcr
we get another uniforms which will be II
abeut two months, It will be of the rcgula
army color. biue.-gray having boon pro
hibited by Gen. Mcclellan. it being th'
. color used by the "secesh." l ann told
that our present uniform is almost exactly
like that of the erGeorgians. lrs
By way of serving my comrades / weult
suggest that If their friends at home woult
: answer their letters more promptly, aut
also send them papers, etc.. either religious
literary or political, they would consider
II favor ever to be Remembered. Herr
in Camp we get very few papers. and what
: few we do get are eagerly sought after. anl
before getting half round Arc completely
worn out. Any kind will Be sceeptsble
We are also suffering very much in iinan'
y cial way. (your humble servant among tht
!. rest.) many of them not even having
: enough to buy postage stamps. Any f.
: vors in that line will also b fully sppreci.
:. ated.
AS I said before. have not much to