Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1862-09-17
DEPARTCRES. .
The Northwestern Campaign.
A Journal ofthe Eighteenth Indiana Regime
BY WALTER STANLEY.

The Eighteenth Regiment of Foot Indi-
ana Volunteers was mustered into the United
States service, for the period of three years
at Indianapolis, August 10th, 1861. Colonel
Thomas Pattison was chosen by the unanimous
vote of the Regiment. Henry ID. Washburn
was elected Lieutenant Colonel, and c. ID.
Thomas Major. Our Adjutant sported the
fashionable, and highly aristocratie title of
George S. Marshal. Having introduced the
gallant 18th, and her commanders, will now
proceed without further ceremony.
August 7th we received I" marching orders"
for Missouri, Our own dear, but erring sister,
now doubly dear to us from having been con-
secrated by the hearts-blood of the first and
bravest martyr of the West. With cheer,
we flung parting kiss to old Indiana, drew
the flaming sword of liberty, and swore that
it should not be sheathed until liberty's last
foe had emgrated to the ''Styx" and the
Flag of the free hearts hope and home" kiss
ed the breeze from our own blue lakes, to
the Rio -Grande, and from the Atlantic to her
twin sister on the West. The boys were all
in fine spirits generally: Whisky was in pref
ty good demand, and lager beer disappeared
with rapidity truly marvellous. But every
thing in this world must come to an end sooner
or later, and this, according the general rule
was drawing to close, from the fact that it
was time for us to leave. The cars were wait
ING, and now comes a scene to which we look
back with mingled sorrow and pleasure. 'Tis
the last, fond memory which clings to the dy-
ing soldier" A last Farewell to all he
loves. Perhaps tear has sealed parting
kiss, but he steps aboard with a light heart,
the engine whistles-the bell rings-and he is
gone.
Now amid whirl of excitement, the rattle
and crash of the train, rises the rude, wild
"song of the volunteer"
We are going to the
And may never more return,
Our mothers and our sisters
And sweethearts too will mourn
Our battle cryi Liberty -
To die we do not mind,
Here's to thee old Indiana
And the I" girls we leave behind
We have no wild ambition,
Nor do We live TO rule:
We kneel TO no proud tvrant
OF Despotism's school;
Let merit, truth and honor
Our hearts forever bind,
And our love for Indiana
And tie girls we leave behind. +"
Our hag, as vet unsulhed,
Shall proudly kiss the breeze
When meath the sod we moulder
No more the brand to seize.
Then on the field Of battle
To fallen foe be kind
Here's a cheer for Indiana
And the girls we leave behind.
Aug. 10th we arrived at st. Louis, and
went into camp at Lafayette park. 1t had
received the poetical name of scamp Jessie,
as a compliment TO the wife of the Rocky
Mountain-Ranger II was the prettiest camp
we ever saw in Missouri. Charles Purcell
made his debut" here as +" Drill Master" Ton
the Eighteenth. He was fine military man,
and could handle Sword. Musket, Battal-
ion, or bottle of Brandy in the most ex-
quisite manner. But the poor fellow had toe
many enemies, and was finally hissed off the
stage.
Aug. 2sth, the orders came to pull w
stakes and 90 to Jefferson CITY. All was bus
tie and confusion. tents were finally struck
and we were az last slowed away on the cars
in tie same manner as any other kind OF
. live stock" After humping and crashing
along the road until IL o'clock A. NJ. the
next day, we slept off the cars and took a
good look at jefferson City. Ii viii be a waste
of time for me TO attempt a description
I Everybody knows how the Capital of Mis-
souri, looks, and if any " down-easter" feel.
+ his curiosity awakened advise him to cal
and satisfy himself We encamped one mile
above town on the river. or bank as | should
say. While here We had pretty lively time
of il. Dress Parade and Battalion Drill were
the standing orders of the day. Nothing O
interest occurred, if we except few death,
from accidental shooting, and a quarrel. in
which our Sergeant Major " Davis " was killed
! Sept. 18th, we received marching orders