Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1861-08-14
WHOLE NO. 1,153.
Our ARMY Correspondence.
Hore,aeHfs er fle Isdiand Doos IA Western IfrVai1
TFGARr's YALLET, Randolph Co, Val
f.,1.- ~ EC1


TFGARr's VALLEF, Randolph Co, Vai
July 81, ISL
Part ofthe 18th regiment Indiana volunteers was
yesterday moved out to occupy position near
the head of this valley, whose arrival few days
since was heartily welcomed by our Brigade.
The position will be strengthened by some field
pieces. and probably portion Of Capt. Bracken's
cavalry the remainder aiding to protect the Cheat
Mountain Pass, occupied by the Fourteenth Indi-
ana volunteers, under Col. Kimball. These con
stitute the main entrance from Eastern to West
ern Virginia, and these we shall probably main
tain, until an advance movement Is ordered South
in connection with the progress of other columns.
The above is offered as a mere opinion, not as
resulting from any official knowledge or commu-
nieatiOn. Conforming to the rule for good sol
diers, let patiently await orders and cheerfully
comply with them promptly as practicable.
This is better farming country than the cir
cumscribed valley formerly occupied by our regi-
ment at the foot of Cheat Mountain Pass. The
growth of fine grapes is developed through the
moisture constantly arrested by the adjacent
mountain ranges; and the cOolneSs, induced by
our altitude, probably 5000 feet above the level
of the ocean, favOrs a rank herbage even in July
and August. The inhabitants, therefore, depend
for their profits mainly upon feeding cattle, which
they drive to the Eastern markets The valley,
however. produces good small grain, and the
farmers here claim 20 raise fair corn. We saw
corn growing several hundred feet above the val
ley, ON hill side having a slope of at least AS.
Ii seemed to have been hOed, the work, doubt
less, of the negroes, who seem plentiful enough
on the farms. At one place we saw a moving
machine, and at another revolving hay rake,
but other portions seemed to depend ON a very
q
potato crop was formerly abundant in TINS region,
but recently has suffered much from the rot. We
have to pay 81 per bushel for potatoes, 75c. per
bushel for corn and oats. Some of the Govern
ment horses have to depend chiefly on pasturase
when not on heavy duty.
Although many secessioniSts reside around
here, private property has been strictly pected
ard if fields have TO be taken for camp occupa
ton, fair estimate is placed on them. and the
amount paid to the owner in hard currency. Yes
teriay, some secession paper money, bank notes
not yet signed, were distributed among our In
diana BOYS. curiosities easily transported home
The health of troops is improving. and
when We have time to build our oven and have
light bread instead of doughy, indigestible clap
jacks" doubtless the improvement will be more
rapid.
A party of Captain Brackens cavalry las just
passed on a accommodating expedition; they seem
in good health and spirits, well mounted and
coutered. The service for mounted men in
Western Virginia is severe, as the thick under
growth obliges them 30 keep mainly to the road
when out scouting and they can be readily picked
off by concealed secessionsts, who prefer this
sef-prOtection system to open warfare In this
manner two of the Cincinnati cavalry were killed
recently, a short distance torn the mountain camp
of the 18th Indiana; and one Of our men, while
picking blackberries near our hospital, "a vacant
house about a mile from our camp, protected at
night by pckets,) received a rifle ball. fired from
the hillside through his jacket and two folds Of
his under shirt; the bullet (which appeared to be
from hunting rife, running about 100 20 the
pOund) just grazed his breast.
Should anything new occur to stir the monotO-
ny of everyday camp life, YOU shall receive
the earliast practicable information of the same;
but our communication with Beverly or Buck
hannon, our nearest postofice, is not very fire.
quent or regular, and the probability is that moth
ing very noteworthy will occur soon, unless an
attack should be made upon us by the Virginia
militia, which we learn is congregating in con
siderable force, perhaps 5000 strong at eighteen
or twenty miles distance.
Our Regmental QuarterBaster, passing through
indianapolis on business, will be able to give you
more detailed particulars. Yesterday our Sutler,
after long absence, pitched his tent and sustain
ed long siege from snch Of our boys as could
raise credit or dimes for the purchase of tobacco
and other little items of camp luxury. They
anxiOusly await the arrival of a Paymaster, TO
replenish their faccid purses, and enable them to
qualify beef or pOrk and hard bread with few
of the comforts proffered at the Suffers counter.
You are thus posted to date regarding the
movements of the
The 18th REG. ISD. VOLUNTEERS