Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1862-01-06

our Army ACKNOWLEDGMENT Four
teenth Indiana at ESomney The
Thoughts Of n soldier
RonxEr. Dec %, 1861.
Ma EDrroR: You kept your prOmise-am sor-
~ as much can not be said Of all your profession
Would inform you how the PHILIPPIANS received
the compliments paid them in my letter, bat our
regiment left before they we're advised of my
kindness toward them.
We were sorry TO quit our comfortable quar-
tiers for the uncertain accommodations awaiting
us here, but if we were sorry then, we were both
sorry and angry upon our arrival in Romney,
where we are slowed and packed away in dirty
and Jisagreeable holes, recently quilted by the
lowest order of the late inhabitants of this vii
lage. The capture of Romney has been three
several times chroncled by the press of the
country, but you must excuse me for saying
greater falsehood has never been uttered.
We have now CHARTERED in and around the
town large force with none "to modest or make
us afraid, I" but nevertheless, Romney is untaken,
uncaptured, unsubdued, but remains as disloyal
as before the sound of the first Union muske;
was echoed along the river bank and through the
mountain gorges. The men of stout hearts and
strong arms are gone TO swell the ranks OF the
secession army, but the old and feeble, the wo-
men and children, remain to hiss treason in our
ears, and insult the Union soldiers with sneers
and taunts which make the blood boil. They
severally occupy their respective homes, and il
an Union officer or soldier seeks lodging or
meal, although ready with Union gold to pay for
it, the doors are rudely closed, except by such as
are driven by want to receive you, snd they do it
| with an insulting apology that IL is /" hanIiGfing
H.. fha
same time of their departed aristocratic ele-
gance.
Why are people suffered to remain in houses,
Justly forfeited 10 the Government, when they are
wanted tor protection to soldiers without tents?-
and why are they suffered to say it is disgrace
to feed an Union soldier for pay, even, and re
main unmolested2 Why this great tenderness for
the families of men who swell the ranks OF the
rebel armyg
There is a better time coming. Ger. Reynolds
has been appointed to command here, and when
he arrives he will understand soldiers wants
and know how to provide for them, so long as he
has Hoosier soldiers and Hoosier bayonets to en-
force his commands and demands.
The very house which shelters me while this is
written, is kept by Mrs. Garfield, whose husband.
Connecticut Yankee by BIRTH is now a rebel
Captain of artillery, and retreated from the town
when our troops entered. Their youngest child,
boy about eleven years old. when asked where
his father has gone, replies, "Doicn in Dirie,
fohfino the Yankee" and the very bread which
his vile and children eat is bought with Union
gold-and the house which they occupy is pro-
tected with Union bayonets, while miserable ac-
commodaton is hired to Union officers at the rate
of S4 so per week, and at that rate. the
very FIRE wood which is burned in the house
for all purposes must be furnished them by
the hands Of the Union soldiers, and without
charge Instances might be multiplied until
this letter would be heightened too much, OF
families I'm like condition. Why not occupy such
houses by our troops, and give TO both officers
and men the opportunity of comfortably provi
ding for themselves? But as has already been re-
marked there is a better time coming, when
due and proper regard to the wants of our soldiers
such as a common humanity prompts, Will not bt
regarded in high places, cruelty 10 traitors and
10 the families Of traitors.
A time is coming when Union soldiers will not
be told by Provost Marshal, clothed with
Little and very brief authority, that he ha:
been invested with his Office expressly to protec
priDote property, the private property OF men who
would cut our throats. When viii the public mine
be educated to the point of declaring to those in
power that TRAITORS have no rights which should
or ought to be respected" Such things as exist
here are enough 10 sdampen the ardor of Union
soldiers and discourage them in their efforts to
putdown rebellion and protect the Government
but again let it be said, "there is a better time
coming"
This country for many miles around abound.
in all the products necessary to subsist an army
but if rumor can be believed, passes have beer
given to parties to drive their cattle beyond the
lines of our army toward the enemy, that they
NAV be out of the reach OF the Federal soldier
and serves to feed our enemies.
Ii is also currently reported that persons taker
with arms only required to take an oath, to b'
allowed to 60 their way again, under protection
of a pass from the authorities. the old farce
again, of swearing the rattlesnake not to bit,
anybody and turning him loose" Does anybod,
believe that the Confederate authorities would
allow such men TO respect such an obligation
forced upon them. even if the parties themselr e
were inclined to do so? But wait little Will,
and change will occur-traitors will be treates
as traitors should be-and the Union soldier viii
feel that when he risks his life to capture rebel
he will have some other guarantee than an oath
that he will not be required to do the work owe
agan-then will he spring with life and zeal u
the contest and always return from it victorious
But enough of grumbling. N
The signs of the times indicate that the Go,
eminent must disavow the arrest of the Confede
rate Commissioners and return them, els
Great Britain will take a part in the contest. II
disavow that Commodore Wilkes was directed {,
make the arrest, is easy enough, if the facts war
rant it, but return Mason and SIidell to a British
vessel or TO the Confederates-neper
As Government we should always have tn
courage to do what is right, however often
compel us to acknowledge our error. but we shou'
not even do right upon threat of compulson. 4
distinguished Kentuckian cnce said: He coult
not be compelled to say he loved his own mother
but would promptly give the lie to any one VIII,
denied that he did," The application is easy
The English Government, with many profession
of kindness for the American people, still smart
uncnr the recollection of two unsuccessful war
with our people, and for years past has manifesto
an increasing jealousey of our growing power an
prosperity. We are regarded as the rival of Eng
land, and when English pride is hurt and Englis
cupidity assailed, we must expect Englis
growl True it may reluctantly be followed by
declaration of war. but disastrous as foreign wa
at this time might be, better let il come that for
felt our self-respect and the respect of the Who'll
world for our nationality, by the surrender G
known traitors into the hands of anti America
sympathisers. and that. too under compusior
The very act OF surrender would give greater i'm
petus to treason and greater confidence to traitor
than u dozen .,Bull runs" Better stand by on
position and our principles, let success or defea
follow, and if perady enture defeat shall follow
let US feel that we have at least maintained on
selfrespect and are entitled to the respect of th
civilized world. Il sl .,ss..s q.
Such is nv say. You are not asked to er
dorse it. Yours, &c, HoosIER.
our Army correspondence Bards
town, Kentucky,itsA Attractions am
Historical Reminiscelscesss 8.
ssst -s BARDsrows, KY, Dec. 25, 1861.
EDfroH SENTINEL: Bardstown is one Of th
most remarkable places in the West, famous fc