Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1861-06-26

The greatest complaint arises from sore feet.
Wading through streams sometimes to the depth
of two and three feet, without stopping to drain
the water from their boots, undoubtedly did more
to injure them than the march. ALI now, how
ever, have pretty much recovered, and the usual
animation is apparent in every quarter. We
were amused, this morning, at the telegraph re
ports in the papers, saying that the rebels rallied
after leaving the town, and came back upon US,
compelling us 10 retreat I'm quite confident
not Zouave would have left the place if there
had been any prospects of getting shot at the
rebels for the next "a hours. The only time they
caused US to run, was when they made their
hasty retreat up the mountains, and compelled us
60 "double-quick" in order to get a shot at them
Ii is impossible to learn positively the number
killed or wounded but / heard from reliable
citizen yesterday, that there were six funerals at
Romney the following day. and that one Arm
strong who one of the leaders, and the same
person who has been offciOus in shipping ammu-
milton, &C., to the rebels, of those shot
We have now in camp three kegs and several
canisters of powder, that were found concealed in
some grain, consigned to him.
1t is shameful to see what horrible lies and re-
ports they circulate to work up the feelings of
their poor ignorant friends. beheld several wo-
SONS, and with eyes beseechingly turned to heaven
begged us to spare their lives, as though they ex
pected the next moment to see their floor be
spattered with their own children's brains. Ii is
with such horrible stories these that they appeal
to fathers and SONS to protect their homes, and
ensnare many an honest man to turn traitor who
would otherwise be good Union loving citizen.
The people of Virginia swear eternal vengeance
against the Zouave regiment. The fact of us
MT heart of fhap tate md Of
lacking them has incensed them wonderfully.
Many of the troops at Harper's Ferry are now
marching to Romney. The stage driver says
that he passed fifteen hundred within three miles
Of Romney yesterday evening who had left the
Ferry rs soon as the news of our flight reached
them. We have positive information that they
anticipate attack upon us soon, and we have
been sleeping in our clothes with our arms
ready in hourly expectation for the past forty
eight hours. We certainly are now in the most dan
gerous position of any regiment in the United
States. Col. Wallace has telegraphed General
Morris at Grafton for men and cannon, but with
out avail. 1t looks to US if all Indiana troops
were trying to show anything but friendship to-
ward Here we are, 100 miles from any
assistance, almost every chance of retreat cut off,
surrounded by a secession country, and within IL
miles of a body of upwards of 1000 rebels,
which is hourly being increased Why we should
be refused assistance i can not see. Orders were
received from Gen. Patterson last evening in
structing Col Wallace to march us to Chambers
burg, Pennsylvania We do not like the idea of
leaving here, and the Colonel does not wish TO-,
but seems to wisely think it much be ter to do so,
than to have his men slaughtered ! y four times
our number of rebels, just 10 show them that we
can and will fight.
We have scouting parties out every day and
night, both on foot and on horseback. great
many suspicious persons have been arrested; all
of them are sworn in to "true allegiance to the
United States;" many do it reluctantly-others
willingly as though they placed little value upon
their oath. The Major whom we took prisoner
at Romney is still with us and we now have some
dozen or more companions with him. To-day
eleven were brought in one squad to our camp.
They were arrested by the Home Guards from
Cumberland, who stationed at Piedmont to
guard the bridge. They are very interesting
looking set of fellows, Just such cOuntenances as
the Common Pleas Court of Indiana would SEN
tence to the Penitentary on suspicion for horse
| thieves. One of them, understand, is the Com
missary General, and from the swords and other
indications of military rank, | Judge them all to
be officers. They had evidently come down with
the intention of burning the railroad bridge.
What is to be done with them / can not
say. Our officers have no instructions except
to treat them all kindly. There seems 10 be
much feeling among our soldiers in reference to
the restrictions placed upon us in regard to this.
We frequently arrest persons against whom we
have strong and positive evidence of secession
sentiments, and are obliged to release them after
they swear allegiance to the United States, while
the least suspicion that one OF their prisoners is
a "Northerner" is ample evidence for the rebels
to hang him.
1t is now pretty generally understood that we
will start for Chambersburg very soon. To those
of our friends who anticipate writing to us, L
would recommend to defer il for day or so, un-
| till they hear that We are reinforced, or are
marching to Pennsylvania. The very best health
prevails throughout the regiment.
Yours, &C., HIGH PRIVATE.