Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1862-09-19
DEPARTURES.
The Northwestern Campaign.
4 Journal Of the Eighteenth Indiana Regiment
BY WALTER STANLEY.
IContinued.1

Continued
On the 10th we pulled up stakes and raised
cheer for Springfield. On the 18th we
drove in the enemies pickets, and encamped
about four miles from town. The next day
we came up in fine style, formed our - line OF
battle" close under the enemies batteries, and
waited in the most excruciating suspense for
the ball. (or grape, we did not know which,
to open A dozen horsemen now dashed into
the fortifcations with '.drawn sabres," and
found them to consist of a strip OF prlIneval
oak, covered with browning batteries" which
had made their exit tho night previous. The
word passed along the line, Price has ske-
daddled" And so it was. He had left town
in the night, and now host OF avenging
demons are on his trail. Curtis has sworn
that Price must fight. And Price has sworn
that he will not fight. This caused misun-
derstanding very annoying to both parties
The Feds kept eurSing Price for running,
and the "Confeds' kept cursing Curtis for fol-
lowing then. so close. Each was doing his
level best in the way of travelling. and every
night, the two armies, completely used up, lay
down to rest, scarcely hailing distance apart.
The next morning we would sound his reveille
with few mountain howitzers, which we had
taken along for that purpose, and this had the
effect of accelerating his movements.
But we viii leave them for moment, and
take glance back along the road.
To the honor OF Indiana and Illinois, they
were not cruel TO the conquered. They be-
haved like American soldiers-men who
fought for principles, and could look death as
proudly in the face rs If she were twin sister
of liberty.
The Germans, on the other hand, were
guilty of the most brutal outrages. leaving
one scene of desolation to mark their path
taking the last morSel of food from the wife
and children of the rebel soldier. and warm
ing themselves by the smoking ruins OF his
once happy home-making them, in the truly
significant language OF Lane, ''teel the horrors
of war; But why attempt TO describe the
scene? When the historian shall dip his pen
to record the passing events of to-day, truth
will take the place of romance, and every
day scenes will throw the highest flights OF
tragedy into the shade 1t is a well known
fact that, while many fight for their country.
there are plenty who fight for money. Some
fight for the love of fighting. others for re-
venge. and not a few carry muSket or wear
a sword who never intended TO fight at all.
and would not under any circumstances If
they could possibly avoid it.
February 9Th. we crossed the State Line,
close on the retreating column of the enemy.
Our batteries are pouring shot, shell and can
ister into their disorlered ranks they cross
Sugar Greek, and now for moment the
thunder of artillery has ceased. The heavy
clank of steel. and the rattling OF steel-clad
hooiS on the frozen ground, announce the
the serried columns OF our cavalry. On, on
:hey sweep like whirlwind, pass the now ST.
lent batteries. and. with wild. piercing vel,
dash over the stream. up the bank, and into
the dense chaparral. Another deafening
cheer, and they are among the ''bUaerpu,S, .
hand to hand and steel to steel. scattering
death and destruction on every side. Fainter
rings the clashing steel. and victorv's wild
'huzza," and now all is still. Long. black
columns of infantry are winding down the
sepentne path in close column, with arms at
a right shoulder SHIFT. The Grand Army of
the Southwest come to halt, camps are Sc
lected, divisions are assigned their positions,
and we encamp. but poorly pleased with the
results of our terrible campaign.
February 2Oth, Sigel took up has quarters
in Benionville, and the next day we went into
camp three miles northwest OF Cross Hollows.
This was christened Camp Halleck." Moth
inc of interest occurred I'LL the lst of March,
when we pulled up stakes. and countermarched
to Sugar Greek. The weather grew cold and
rainy, provisions were scarce, and feeling
of utter desolation crept over the stoutesi
hearts. Here we were, an immense army
on the extreme outskirts of civilization, and
every morsel of food we eat had TO come from
81. Louis The road was covered with ma
rauding parties, who captured our mail time
or two, and also provision train, which latter
act placed the Grand Army in state of star