Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1862-04-04

THE following letter from Maj. Fr. Jordan,
though only OF private nature and not in
tended for publication, Oh account Of its ih-
terresting nature, We take the liberty to IN
sert 10 thes Inquarer--D. ..
LouIsvILhR, Ky, March 81, 1862.
DAVID OVER, ESQ
Ny Lear Sir: | believe promised to
drop you a line occasionally, when l had lei
sure, a time which seldom occurs here. Since
my arrival at this place, my headquarters have
been in this city, and have paid two ken-
tucky Regiments, both of which have since
gone South. One | paid at Lebanon. some
sixty-seYen miles from here and the other at
Bardstown, dissaut forty mics. In the
main the interior of the State, so far as have
been, is poorer, and more indifferently improV-
ed, than had expected to find it. The I'M
ediate vicinity of Bardstown IS an exception.
! Ii is one Of the oldest towns in the State; aud
the Court House erected seventy years ago,
4 yet stands 10 the public square, quite small 10
size, but ia good state of preservation. It
| is celebrated as the building in which Aaron
+, Burr was tried for treason, and where Clay aud
4 Writ distinguished themselves for forensic
ability. Bsn. Harden, one Of the noted CO.
teulpoIarles of Gay, lived at Bardstown; aud
Charles Wickiffe, ex-governor, and now mem
of Congress-, resides close BY, 10 hne county
seat. The town has some two tloasand lnDapi-
( tants; and the buildings in the maiu lo2K oia'
but there are number of very fine country
seats in The edge Of tue corporate limits, and
close around The contrast between The rich
aud the poor is much greater, aad the lines
/ separating them far more clearly defined, than
/ 10 our State, or in the South or West. The
| few are rich: and the many are poor. The
4 rich exercise great influence by reason of the
! positions they hold; aud unfortunately il Is
I amongst this class that the leaders of modern
/ rebellion aud treason are found. The hum
/ tler classes ate almost uniformly loyal, except
uader the Influence of, aud imposed upon, By
thuse whom they regard their superiors =
/ louisville is fno city, of some 10000 inhab-
4 itants, and exhibits mauy unmistAkable marks
Eof substantial thrift, aud inconsiderabe rehne-
ment. The people are much divided 10 pOli-
4 teal sentiment, the majority protesting loyalty.
! but goody number sympathizing with re-
! belhoD, and free in the expression of then
/ opinions. This feeling is most marked IN
many who are regarded wealthy, and of these
the ladies are especially bitterly maligaant.--
Quite rhmber Of young men were seduced
from this city into the rebel army by General
Buekner and Col. Blant Duncan, aud many of
them we're captured at Fort Donelson, and are
now with those prisoners at Indianapolis and
I other places. This seems to have ih no wise
notified the reoes, whilst the uniouists whose
sons aud brothers were taken away, are exceed-
iugly exaspcrated 1t is admitted by all
shades of opinion here, that if Buckner on
his way North had been brought throu gh this
city, be would never have got out of il alive.
MANY were awaiting his arrival anxious to ass
sassinaie him whenever opportunity occurred.
OGt Of the city, manufactures, agriculture,
and every other branch of industry, seems to
be conducted in gloomy, sbipshod manner,
aud everything you aud hear goes to fasten
the impression upon your mind that tue State
| Is fifty years behind the Western aud North
ern States in ali the elements of intellectual
development and social progress, which go to
G'ake up modern eivzltio This is true, al
SO, Of military organization, and efficiency,
so far as ny observation and information ena-
bic me TO Judge. No candid man can question
the courage of the Kentucky troops, but in
I the main they are lamentably deficient ia dis
cipiine, with little or no prospect they will
ever be materially improved. | am cfsdibly
informed also, by those who have had opportu-
nifty 10 learn, that this Is substantially true, Of
all Southern troops, whether union or rebel.-
They seen to have no proper ideas of subor-
dination Every seeEs TO think he Is as
good as every other man, and that he can obey
orders OF not according to bis notions OF The
necessity therefor. They say, 'We entered
the service, not to guard bridges, watel rail-
roads or tramp through the mud, or idle our
time III encampments, but TO fight" Tney are
all keen to dght, but seem TO have no adequate
conception Of the proper training, or syste,
matte preparation for 6ghtiGg scientifically -
Even the most elementary sanitary regulations
of we'll conducted camps, are either unholly
neglected, or 80 indifferently enforced, that
the consequences are disastrous. Tie result
is, there are about four or five sick men, and
as many deaths, for every one among Northern
or Western troops, or as there need be or
would be amongst them, with proper care and
discipline At Bardstown there are some 4OU
10 the hospitals, and at the little town Of Leb-
anon there are ITe0 more, and it rs no uncom-
mou thing wheD a Kentucky Regiment 900
strong on the rolls is ordered TO march, to lnd
only about three hundred fit for duty.
But, must close. am under orders fol
duty ct Nashville the capital of Tennessee, aud
have engaged my passage on the Boat Z. b.
Hillman, to 60 by way of the Ohio and Cum
berland Rivers. take with me this trip some-
thing over quarter of million of money, and
/ feel somewhat anxious about The great res
possibility. But, have enlisted for the wal
and must do as best can, whatever duty re.
quires. Hoping the end of the war is not eal
off, and to get houo sgain safely to family and
friends, | am,
: Yours truly,
FR. JORDAN,