Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1861-12-23

And the other articles from % cents upwards and
downwards, according to the liberality and taste
OF the purchaser.
Great country this-and a wonderful place is
Philippi 1t has already acquired place in the
history of the country as the precise spot p
where the Federal forces first encountered the
rebels after the bOmbardment of Fort Sumter.
The affair is known here as the " Phillippi races.
Uncle Sam entering the old Union war horse,
Gen. Morris, JEFF. Davis & Co. backing the hack
Col. Scott, of Georgia-the rebel nag proved
himself regular secesh, both in speed and bot
tom, Tar outstripplng his competitor; but Uncle
Sam bagged the stakes. to-wit, viz: tents, arms,
ammunition. &c, including one piece of artil-
lery, an unique specimen deserving particular
mention. Ii was made by detaching musket
barrel from the wood work and mounting it on
wheels. and was doubtless moved from place to
place by yoking a live Western Virginia secesh
in the shafts; and from this doubtless originated
the idea of the celebrated huwbug-the . Coffee
Mill Gun "a full battery OF which, if properly
planted and vigorously manned, would suffice to
disperse flock of geese. The two species OF
guns differ chiefly in the motive power employed;
in the latter a mule being substituted for the
secesh-the difference being more in name than
reality.
The 18th are merry set, and belonging to the
f. I. F's which being interpreted means, they are
always ready for fun, frolic or fight, and every
night regularly, the violin and bones are heard
discoursing eloquent music from a dozen or more
buildings and the dance goes merrily on until the
inevitable tattoo is sounded, when lights 90 out
and all is quiet until reveille but it is hard to
be cheerful when we reflect that the noblest and
best men are here and wearing their lives away
for people who will not fight for themselves and
who at heart are opposed to the exertiOns being
made to preserve them from despotiSm. Indiana
has just cause to be proud of Der troops, and the
reputation they have earned---but cannot avoid
thinking, that this usefulness would be increas
ed by forming them into regular brigades and APP
pointing to the command OF each, an officer from
our own State instead of sending one regiment
here and another there, ms if the object was TO
support and give confidence to more doubtful
troops. A proper State pride demands that they be
placed in such a position as to give to theLl
the greatest proficiency and add most TO the repu-
tation of our men and State-"united we stand
divided we fall.'' Gen. Reynolds had under his
charge Brigade, the 18th, 18th, 18th and 18th
in whom be had full confidence and who had and
will ever have full confidence in him. If they are
! kept together under one command the highest
hopes of their friends for officers and men would
be fully realized, but separated and detached as
they are, all feel their efforts paralyzed and their
usefulness in measure destroyed.
Take all the antecedents of Gen. Reynolds
both before and since the war, his GOODNESS, kis
courage, his administrative ability, his sa9acity
and no man gives greater promise of success, o,
deserves more of his State. Then why not SO
use him as to result in the greatest good 70 the
State and nation? Why not put him in com
mand of an active division OF troopsl Indiana
as a matter of justice, is entitled to double heI
present number of Brigadier Generals, and, al
the very least, three Major Generals, and heI
troops feel that resort should not be had to Other
States until this material of our own State, suit
able and desirable, has been exhausted. Let ouI
troops fight under our own men. and when they
succeed as they will always, let them enjoy the
success. Let our own people feel proud of them
selves and their State, without being compelled to
remain in obscurity because commanded by supe
rior officers, made from Lieutenants of the regu
lar army )ioregn to her soil. and who do not par
ticipate in our State pride, and have no sympathy
with our troops.
Such is the say of one Hoosier ON the subject
LET all others say Amen. -
This letter is a queer medley. written very
hastily, but il serves to redeema promise. Take
it and make the best Won can of it.
Yours truly, HoosIER.