The daily Wabash express. (Terre-Haute, Ind.) 1857-1867, 1861-10-25

Tnx following letter was not written for
publication. but the gentleman 20 whom IA i
addressed. has kindly eonsented that Is may
be published. as due to Col. kIxBALI. in
view Of the attempt which has been made,
BY few dissatisfied revilers. 10 deprive him
Of the fame which he has Justly won as a
commander and soldier The letter i writ
ten by vel! Known citixea OF our city
thar whom there IL 10 more impartial or
competent Judge. IL Is generous and car
did tribute. not only to a gallant regiment.
but sotheir gallant and distinguished leader:
Carr HrrroNvmLE. WrsrEnS Va
October 10. 1861.
Nv Dear Sr Having now had > ne ex
per.ence in tho mountainous Willis. amid
camps and camp life. think have scbered
down sufficiently 10 judge di-pa.sionstely. at
leas, Of some OF the things which nov sur
round me.
This section OF the country is one OF IA
ture ; holiday creations, and the las, place in
which grand army could form line OF bat
tie. There IS not level country enough be
tween this and the Ohio river fcra force OF any
considerable size to engage in anything like
modern warfare. Scouting and picket duties
are the chief enployments Of the soldiers,
away from camp, and these test, in the se-
verest manner possible. their strength and
courage can compare these expeditions to
nothing they resemble. so much TO my mind,
As lion hunting amid jungles. only that the
foo q more to be feared in the encounter
In camp. the Notifications built by our hardy
men. exceed any idea you can possibly have
Of them without seeing their work The
camps chosen are the passes between the
mountains. There are pal!isadcd for hun
dreds Of yards-the platforms Tor cannon
buiit-foors for muskctry and perches for
sharp shooters excite surprise and admiration
at every step. Hundreds of acres of the
densest forest have been cut down to furnish
the material for these immense works. a.
well az 70 command the approaches to them
Every uan works. and harder too than eve,
in his life before.
Amongst these regiments the post Of mos
dnger and labor has been assigned 10 the li,t
Indiana. under Col kxssLL, that OF Chea
Mountain Summit. Aud right nobiy hav.
thew sustained themselvcs. Working an,
scouting. through The dsv. q. = 1cks the
kept al bay. at night. .os the same !eng tn o
time. vastly superior force Col KixsALL
| need not add, was the master spirit through
this protracted period Of Herrulcan iahoi
and suspense. Having command OF the pos
and brigade, he infused. everywhere. into tn,
soldiers. the daring aud energy of his owr
undagging and intrepid spirit. till the recon
noissance on Green Briar. when he led N,
gallant Ifth againt an entrrncaed foe. ioubl.
his own command. driving them like bats ia
20 tAeir holes. During tha, entire day lodi
ana migi.. well have been proud of him.
Whercvcr danger vas greatest. or Toe thick
est. thee he might BE scen-his splendid
lsure looking and acting the soldier TO per
tection-ths balls passing over, under and
around him and the shells scattering death
about him: but still hc stood and rode about
aamoved and. thank God, unharmed. We
need ne energy j. this war We need hi.
courage. and cannot do without his skill IN
the geld. NOT dispense isith hs- wonderful
control over the men, Therefore. am free
- say and that without Encouragement q
others. that, TO my mind. he possesses NOR,
Of the elements combined for command
ing General than any man OF nv acqaaius
ance IL ! we're called en- TO select maa q
lead me ia bs,slc. he would be that man.-
1. he lives lie vii n. surely leave IA. name
inscribed GA tho h.>tofis' I..ge OF oar conn
Try. a. We have history
We are uoa encampc,i in valley. Tn,
heal;h Of the regiment has much impro, ed
since Nc reached here. AID our poor fellow.
are hsvinc sono rest The brigade j.. a,
present. under the CONN and % Gen Ray
NoLps. Us Own health = exceilens-no
more aguc. We have white fro~s. ever,
night, bal. through the Gss. wr forsifs our
selves sca.ast 'hc night. ~.sh crackers. ba
con. coffee. a. generally - - bod
while the pands ssc plsf.ns. sul an serena
ded 70 sleep. On she ~Aoi. r.'her Ike tho
sxci.emeat OF a camo r.