Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1861-07-03
Our Army Correspondence.

same condition, save what communication we get
through the mi-occasionaL by mails that go by
coach and on horse back into the country towns
of Pennsylvania.
You have no doubt already published an ac-
count Of the burning of the railroad bridge at
Piedmont, Tuesday night last. Arrangements
had been made for or two officers OF each
company to leave for Indiana on Wednesday
morning for the purpose of obtaining recruits to
fill up their companies with three years men, but
upon reaching Piedmont found the bridge brun-
ing. and were obliged to return. A great many
letters and packages were in their possession to
be delivered to our friends throughout the State
among them were many to you, Mr.. Editor
but they have now been kept on hands so long
and become so stale that they were consigned to
the flames.
Wednesday was great day with us-one long
to be remembered. We were more excited that day
in anticipation of big fight than we have ever be-
fore been since our enlistment. The whole city
and country around were filled with hundreds of
wild and exaggerated rumors in reference to the
approach of rebel troops and their numbers
Persons living between Piedmont and Cumber-
land had been alarmed, and fled to this
place for protection, bringing with them many
of the rebels; all, however, seemed to concur
in the opinion that they were marching
upon Cumberland and for the purpose of attacking
US By ten O'Clock the excitement became so
great as to induce us to strike tents and take
up our march towards Pennsylvania. The wa
CONS, containing our camp equippage and pro-
visions, was sent with advance guard on ahead,
and proceeded about two miles out upon the road
leading to Bedford, while the rest of the regiment
oil IN lo "a took DOStiOn the
mountain side Just above the city. Here we re-
manned during the afternoon and night anxiously
awaiting the enemy, determined to give them
fight at least, and place ourselves in a favorable
position for a retreat in case they were too many
for us. Trains were dispatched to Mt Savage,
Frostburg, and other small places situated on the
branch railroad, for assistance, and arrived about
3 O'Clock with some $50 troops, some OF them
armed with regular United States muskets and
Others with rifles, &c. With those and what force
could be raised in the city we felt as though we
could give them pretty nice fight, and whip them
il they were not more than 1900 in numbers.
The people in the city were terribly alarmed, and
as we passed through all presented busy scene
of action. making preparations for hasty re-
treat. Among the female portion of the inhabi-
tants scarcely dry eve to be seen. Excite
ment ran so high that at one time they were re-
ported to be within three miles of town, and word
was passed along the line that guard was
being fired upon. All. however, proved to be
merely false rumors originating with the excited
inhabitants. Late at night portion of the guard
who were at the bridge arrived, and stated that
the rebels, after burning the bridge and commit
ting various depredatons in the vicinity OF Pied
mont, had marched towards Romney again.
Piedmont il situated about 81 miles above
Cumberland, and between Cumberland and Graf
ton. 1t is about one mile from the New Creek
bridge where the railroad crosses the Potomac.
This is the bridge that was burned. The guards
who were stationed there to prevent it, say there
we're about 5000 of the rebels. They arrived
there about 5 O'Clock in the morning, and burned
the bridge about 6 o'clock. The guard. as soon
as they discovered them, spiked their cannon Ia
small iron piece,) and threw it into the river.
They fired but one shot at them, and fed to the
mountains, confident their numbers were too small
to attempt further resistance. The citizens of
Piedmont say the shot fired was fatal one, kill
ing ore of the rebels instantly. Word was re-
ceived in camp on Tuesday evening that il was
the intention of the rebels to burn the bridge that
night, but as the same report had been sent us
three times before, and men sent there to protect
it, who had each time returned to inform US that
there was no truth in the report, little or no re-
lance was placed in it, and men were kept at
home.
| was mistaken in stating in my last letter that
we were going to Chambersburg. That was the
intention, however, that time, and we even went
so far as to pack and load our baggage, when
countermanding orders were received, and we
again pitched our tents. The soldiers are becom
ing very impatient to know where we are to go
and what we are to do New and conflicting re-
ports as to our destiny are being circulated hourly
throughout the camp. In the morning we hear
that we are to march for Hagerstown within "a
hours; by noon we hear that our direction is
changed to Grafton, and by night we are
informed that renforcements are on the way to
join us, and that we are to remain here Yester-
day orders received from Gen. Patterson
ordering us to leave for Hagerstown, Md. imme
diately, and join him there scarcely had we COM
menced preparations for march, when message
received from Gen. Mcclellan, at Grafton,
telling us to remain here until we should hear
further from him, and that "the evacuation of
Cumberland at present would be great military
error" To-day Col. Wallace has been telegraph
ing all day, trying to find out which officer he is
to obey. To tell the truth am inclined to think
there is entirely too much quibbling among the
commanding officers and that they too frequent
ly sacrifice the welfare of the country and their
troops for the purpose of promoting their own
personal ends, and in trying to enlarge their
sphere Of command.
Last week received positive information
that two Rhode Island regiments were on their
way to reinforce us, but few days after learned
that they had been ordered to Washington when
within day and half march of us. By whose
authority it was done, can not say.
Last evening Mr.. George Everson arrived at
camp, direct from Indianapolis, bringing letters
and few copies of the Sentinel, of the 2lst Tor
the boys. They were the first copies of an In
dianapolis paper received in camp for ten days,
and you may rest assured, were read with delight
by all. With the exception of a welcome pack
age from NJ. L. Ohr, of Adams Express, / have
received neither paper nor letter since our arrival
here. We take it for granted that the Sentinel
is still mailed regularly, but in the circuitous
route they were obliged to go in order to reach
US, they get lost or mislaid.
Our officers commemorate enlistng their compa-
MES the other day under the three years arrange
ment, and / am sorry to say it does not meet with
much success. Various excuses are offered by
the men for not enlisting Some who are tired
of soldering and some whose business at home
demands their attention, while Others who are
willing to go for the war, but dislike the idea of
binding themselves for three years. They appear
TO be impressed with the idea that in case the
is terminated within year, that they will still be
at the disposal of the Government, and will be
quartered in some barracks to serve their time
out, and can assure you that they have no very
exalted opinion of soldering lucrative bust
ness to follow for a living. 1t is the intention of
some of the officers to start home tomorrow for
the purpose of recruiting men to fill up their
companies, so that any of our men who are anx-
ious to soldier, and who are enraptured with the
Zouave drill, can now have fine opportunity to
learn more of its merits. BY all means, send all
your dyspeptics and consumptives along. We
will warrant cure in less than three months.
Since last wrote you, we have to record two
more accidents from the careless use of firearms.
The first was caused by one of the relief guards
letting his gun fall upon the ground, discharging
the contents "a ball and two buck -shot) into the
hips of young man by the name of McRawlson,
from Terre Haute, who sitting by tree in
front. 1t is only flesh wound, yet very seri-
one.
The other happened in the Frostburg company.
AS they were getting aboard the to return
home, one of their company was placing his mus
ket in the car breech foremost when il was dis
charged, the ball passing directly through his
head, yet strange to say he "'still lives with
fair prospect of recovery.
Great anxiety is felt among the troops as to
the arrangements Uncle Sam is making
for furnishing us with /" little tin. -
Finances are at a very low ebb, and do not be-