Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1861-09-11
Our Army Correspondence-.L n
from Jefferson City.

CAMP NEAR JEFFERSON CRY, Mo-, Sept. 4.
Mr. EDIroR: Here on the banks of that dirtiest
of streams, the Missouri, the 22d Indiana regi-
ment is encamped, having been ordered here by
Gen. Fremont to repel an anticipated attack by
Ben. McCulluch, who is reported to be advancing
on the place with a force of $4,000 men. The
18th Indiana, 25th Illinois and an artillery COM
pany from Ohio, together with regiment of
Home Guards are encamped in our vicinity. The
9Th Iowa and Chicago Irish brigade were ordered
from here up the river toward Boonyille few
days since. We are expecting reinforcements
from St. Louis daily, with which we confidently
expect we can hold this place against the rebels
Col. jeff c. Davis is in command of all the Uni
ted States military forces in this vicinity, and
acquts himself with credit.
doubt whether McCulloch will advance upon
this city at present His commissar;at is so sadly
deficient that he has been compelled to levy con-
trIbutions on the country about Springfield. His
manner of operations is decidedly suggestive of
the true spirit OF secessionism. He appropriates
all the wheat he can find, whether threshed or
not If in the stack or shock he makes his men
thresh it, and then forces the mills in the neigh
borhood to grind it, The truth is his army is
chiefly composed of the desperadoes ofthe South
west, WIFI NDOm NJ lilne lucas OF Uteuu CT
feum are strangely vague. Strip his army of
hopes of plumber and he could not hold them to-
gether week. To day | was informed from
high quarters that he had quarreled with the Mis-
souri, troops in his command and had retired with
his Arkansas and Texas thieves into Arkansas.
This information is based upon camp rumors, the
most unreliable source of truth. Those from
whom got the news were high in command, but
derived il from Jhe camp"
L. - 81, d..
sion notability, is advancing with large force to
take this city. l give credit to the report, and
have reason to know that it is regarded unreliable
at headquarters
| That we are surrounded bv rowing bands of Sc
cessionists bent upon pilage, is fact well un-
derstood here. Across the river from us the peO-
pie are said to be unit in favor of the Southern
Confederacy. Two preachers, Methodist and a
Baptist are active in iniaming the people against
the Union. Within view of the camp crowds OF
the "secesh'' ''do congregate" on the opposite
shore, connecting mischief The other night
their movements excited such suspicion that our
regiment and the 18th Indiana were called out in
anticipation of an attack. The men responded
promptly, giving evidence that Indiana will have
no occasion to be ashamed of them.
Patrick Sweeny, private in Capt. Cooling
company, from Jennings county, had both his
legs broken at the ankles September 2 by the
/ accuental 0lScnarge OF n mucket IN tne OF
soldier, of which wound he died on the same
night
There was a meeting, Saturday last, i'm the
! Chicago Irish brigade on account of the non
payment of their wages by the Government, re-
suiting in the death of one private and the
wounding OF another, by shot from a Lieuten-
ant in queling the disturbance.
Our regiment is very much dissatisfied with
their guns and on account of other arrangements
I liz Ia
to publicly at present. We were promised rifles
when reached st. Louis. There we were fur
nished with guns bought by General Fremont in
| Europe; many of them are over ifty years old,
/ and all of them are utterly worthless. l would
rather have "branch rocks" for offensive opera
tons Deficient locks. calibre too large for the
| American cartridge furnished with them, and
other objections. visible OH inspection, render
them wholly usees 1t will be recollected that
these guns were bought in Europe at marveously
low prices, leaving wide margin for speculation,
if Government accepts them.
We are promised other weapons from home
soon; and well know if Gov. Morton were ap-
prised of our wants, in the premises, he would
promptly respond. Indeed. lndianians, through
! his promptness, have reason to be proud of their
State Our troops are better clothed, and except
ing our regiment, better armed than any have
met with in Gen. Fremont's department. If he
would allow regiments larger voice" in select
ing their officers, he would still further enhance
his growing reputation in the management OF In
! diana share i'm this war. You know | didn {
vote for him, and have no affinity whatever with
his party but am glad to bear testimony to his
promptness and fidelity, since have had connec-
ton with the Indiana volunteers in this war. |
am aware that he has incurred the hatred or Ger
tain disappointed partisans among the Republi-
cans. but he will find their places on the list OF
his friends abundantly supplied by worthier men.
If ever there was time when We needed true
men, capable of rising above the mere partisan,
that time has come upon the country; and all
honor to the "public functionary' who sinks his
political preiudices in the patriot.
When you next hear from me, look cut for
"war and rumors of war"
! Hickory WIrHE