Indiana State sentinel., 1861-06-05
Correspondence Daily State Sentinel.
Letter from Camp Wallace.
CAxP WALLACE, Evansville, Ind


DEAR SrNrINEL:-Heat and the mosquitoes
have been the themes of much complaint within
the past few days, and both seem to be on the
increase, especially the latter. Had we such
weather as this always our tents would be useless,
as they are almost tenantless of evenings now.
The boys find they can obtain better nights
rest rolled up in their blankets beneath a tree
than in tent. The mosquitoes are large and in
abundance-none of your little White River mus
quitoes, that come around your ears as if 10th to
take hold, but of the regular Zouave kind-they
come at you in regiments on the "double quick, /"
and with blood-thrsty appetites that causes one
to 90 after them on the double quick" Stop
ping boats, searching them, and unloading such
as are contraband goods, has become so common
that il is of but little interest to any but those de-
tailed for that purpose. All that pass either way,
however, are stopped and thoroughly examined.
All manner of reports get into circulation through
the small towns up and down the river. One
young fellow arrived here on Friday from some
village up the river, with sorrowful countenance
n search of the lifeless bodies of friends whom
he supposed to have been killed or drowned on
board the Eugene The report had reached him
that we had fred into the Eugene and sunk her,
and that about twenty-five lives were lost. de
seemed to be well pleased to learn that there was
not one word of truth in it, and that we were not
such heartless set of fellows as he supposed.
On Friday evening number of the citizens OF
Evansville gave us pick nick supper, consisting
of well filed baskets of cake and other delicacies.
Your humble servant acknowledges the receipt OF
box of sardines from the hands OF 4 fair one.
Don't know whether anything was meant or not.
Major Wood sent in his resignation on Friday
evening, and started for Washington on Satur
day, to take the position of Lieutenant in the
regular army. No election has been held yet to
fill the vacancy. 1t is impossible TO say who will
be the fortunate man, as there are many aspiring
candidates.
Saturday evening the City Greys' quarters were
enlivened by the arrival of their much esteemed
friend, Charley Russell, with one or two other In
dianapolis boys. They were the bearers of many
kind words and letters from "the dear ones at
home" To-day we have had the largest crowd
of visitors of any day yet. Some services were
held at O'Clock, conducted by Rev. Mr.. White
who was favored by large audience, including
many ladies from the city. To witness the wa
vering crowd as they promenaded through the
camp. inspecting our quarters, strongly reminded
one of the State fairs.
Quite serious accident occurred this afternoon
which resulted in the shooting of a man by the
name of Harper, from indianapolis. The partic-
ulars are as follows: A squad of some half-doz
en- of Capt Fahnestock's company were in front OF
their quarters, going through the fancy Zouave
drill of falling and shooting, for the amusement OF
the crowd, when man by the name of Abrams
went into his tent for his musket to join them, but
by mistake took the gun of another, which was
loaded, and while lying upon his belley, at the
word "6re." discharged his piece, the ball passing
through the arm of his comrade. Harper. 1t en-
tered Just at the elbow and came out about three
inches below Fortunately it did not strike the
bone. but passed along beside it, making hor-
rible looking flesh wound, but one which
the physicians declare will not require
amputation. The ball, after passing through the
arm, struck the cap on the head OF small boy,
who was sitting close by, tearing the cap so close
to his head as to even cut the hair 1t seems
almost miraculous that there were not Others
hurt, as the muskets were pointed directly to-
ward the crowd The Colonel issued orders this
evening" forbiddng any loaded firearms inside
the lines, except under the command of officers
"a little nonsense now andthen,
Is relished by the best Of men,"
So think the soldiers, and to wear away the
monotony of cvmp life, they are guilty of perpe-
trating numerous jokes-the first of which was
with the officers and guard. The watchword was
given out in the evening, Okeechopee"-the
name of one of General Jackson's battles-bui
but the guards, who are not very well versed in
the Indian dialect got il into all manner of shapes
and sounds. One of the officers. wishing to pass
the lines in the evening, advanced and gave the
couItersign, but told to stand back, that
wouldn't do" He then repaired to head-quar.
tiers, stated the case, when another officer tried
it, but he, too, was halted. One after another
tried it, until finally the Colonel and officers OF
the guard tried it. But all to no purpose
the guard was firm. What to do, they did not
know. Finally, who suspected where the
mistake occurred, advanced and whispered "Od
Chicopee" "All right" responded the guard
" pass on.
Another, of more serious, and, at the same
time, more laughable character, was perpetrated
upon a private, whose vanity prevented him from
sacrificing his hair for comforts sake, the rest
of us did He could have been seen almost tv-
cry morning, consulting the mirror, and grace
fully stroking his fine black whskers, as if con-
tending i'm his mind "a to whether the man
added beauty to the whiskers, or the whiskers
added beauty TO the man, with slight difference
in favor of the whiskers. Even OH dress parade
his hands were frequently "out of dress" just ia
give one more delicate stroke to his goatee. But
alas for his pride. On Friday evening some
cruel wretches, to crafty their mischievous hearts
crept to his tent and with pair of scissors clip
ped one half of the whskers of, before lie awoke
They then fed and he after them, helping curses
upon them at every breath. Such another com
motion as they made, falling over camp kettles
tables, stools, &c. as they ran, waking all in the
vicinity. Officers with drawn swords rushed fran
tically out of their marques, and prvates, minus
their pants and with drawn revolvers, focked to
the scene. all eagerly yinquiring-"What'sth the mat
ter? What's the matter?" "A thief" cried one;
"a spy,' cried another. NO" replied the poor
victim, as he gazed down at the sad remains OF
his once beautiful goatee; mo, Captain, they're
round cuftin of peoples rhiskers." A more
laughable sight / never witnessed, and such a
shout as went up as they beheld poor L. minus his
.whiskersl He, through malice, duplicates the
City Greys as beng the guilty ones. but it Ger
tainly could not have been them, for they were
all asleep. HlGH PRIVATE.
%Upon the receipt of the Of Col Esworths death
a general feeling of manifested all through