Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1862-01-27
our Army Correspondence-Let
from the Seventh Indiana, in Nlr-


from the Sefcnth
giuia.
SPRISGFrKLD. HAxPsHIKE Co Va,
January 10. 1862
Enron SENTINEL: For several days past we
have had the monotony rufled considerably. All
is now quiet, but how soon the waters may be
again disturbed. know not. The Big CAcapOn
bridge, 10 which referred to in former letter,
as having been guarded by the 7th regiment, while
being rebuilt has been the scene another farce
on both sides. Last Saturday the 18th Indiana
regiment went down from Green Spring river
where they were stationed, 10 meet the enemy and
give them battle; but, on arriving there, found
they were opposed by ten thousand troops and
eighteen pieces of artillery. They accordingly
had but one course to pursue, which was to return
home by the same road they came by, which they
promptly did, arriving at their camp at : O'Clock
p. NJ, when they found tie 9TH regiment, Colo
mel Gavin, waiting for the cars, to return so they
might also partake in the But making
war, is like making lore, being attended with
much uncertainty The cbilvaric 7th were doom
ed to disappointment and their seven miles march,
through the snow and cold wind from here to the
B. a o. R. R., late on Saturday evening, avail
ed them naught, for after enduring the cold all
night without shelter of any kind, they were ear
ly in the morning ordered back to this place.
where they arrived at u NJ, weary and hun
CRY. The Marylanders have rather good one on
the 18th Indiana, il runs in this wise: compsny,
or part of one belonging to the second Maryland,
under Captain b, accompanied the force of the
18th, and in the hustle of leaving, nine OF Capt.
BIS men were accidently left and they conclu
ded 10 defend the bridge on their own hook, which
they did and at last accounts the bridge was still
standing. the truth Il understand, being that the
secessionists Withdrew about the same time our
forces did. Why they did so we are at loss to
determine, unless their attention was directed to
Hancock, Maryland, which was at the time being
beseized by portion OF their forces, and defend
ed by much less force under command of Gen.
Lander. On Saturday evening last the feeling
again all secessiondom rose to fever heat. A cav
airy company under command of Captain Sachl
started out in the morning, toward Winches-
ter, and went some ten miles, in fact, ventured
so far as TO be near the pckets OF the enemys
camp some four miles beyond, and had no tro1b-
lie until late in she afternoon when in returning
home about eight miles from town, they were ut
tackled by an unseen enemy, and the Captain and
six men together with number OF horses badly
wounded.
The Captain and ore man are very seriously
wounded, the balance but slightly hurt who are
here but three of the six were taken prisoners.
The conduct of the rebels toward Capt. Sachl
was barbarous and inhaman in the extreme. One
of them took his gold watch and thirty seven dol
lars in money, and then another ruffianly scoun-
drel attempted to pull his ring from his finger,
when he resisted, saying they might kill him, but
they could not have that, at the same time ne
stated the eth Indiana regiment would ayenge his
DEATH and they were Just behind coming TO at
tack the rebel camp. On this they fed ard lett
him living in a creek, where he lay four hours, in
fact until one of the band whose father lives
here, went to a Union family and told them where
he was, when they took sled and hauled him to
their home and on the next day brought him and
one of his men here, where they both CON-
fortably situated as could be expected. The
private is in the hospital and the Captain at Sc
cesh house where he and bis wife were boarding
at the time, and his father, accompanied by sur
geon from Pittsburg. Pa, arrived here last night
The probabilities now are favorable for bis re-
covery without amputation, though there is one
of the bullets still remaining in his body.
went in company with Capt McClelland to-
day, on picket duty, and travelled about fifteen
miles all told; met n goodly number of the enemy
all swearing devotion to the Union; visited very
large, fine old stone house. which was built in
l773, at least said appearances as well as an an
scription on the chimney | arrived home about
dark and ate meal that might be considered
sizeable for even chicken eating divine, and
while at supper in came an order to pack up i'm
medately and be ready at moments notice to
march All of which labor is accomplished the
wagons expected every moment, and this letter
being finished as the last job, and without any
knowledge of how j shall get tstarted toward the
Capital City. Every thing is on the qui cipe, and
it is with the utmost difficulty the soldiers cnn be
prevented from burning the town we leave it
Nothing but the fact of having to leave our sick
here prevented it, They have been as well pro-
vided for as possible and are left in the care of
Dr. Banta, a good physician and clever gentle
man. DR.. New, our excellent surgeon. will Of
course accompany the regiment, as in the event
of battle skill in his line will be in demand, and
every one in the regiment knows and feels he has
it in a pre- eminent degree Where going 1
know not, although / have frequently been told
by every body from the Colonel down to the cook.
Ny private impression is we will endeavor to ''get
out of the wilderness"
1t is now ii o'clock P. NJ, and during the
evening / lave frequently ruminated on the uu-
certainties CT war and wondered who would be my
mourners IL The event of my fall. My creditors
God bless them numerous body of respecta-
bic and estimable citizens, might feel sorry. but
whether they would prove their devotion suff-
GENTLY 10 make a respectable turn out on my de-
mise, like many other momentous questions, re-
mains in the womb ofthe future
will write at the first opportunity.
Yours, II. K. X.