Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1862-02-10

wicked motives some men have in being con-
nected with the army. Ii is not patriotism that
actuates their movements. Ii is not that peace
and prosperity may again bless US as a people.
Neither is it through desire to have the Con-
stitution and Union maintained But il is that
aUarieiOus and degraded nature may feast upon
the earnings Of those true patriots trO tiUe in small
tents and carry The musket
Ny time being limited will close this with
the promise TO give in future more detailed ard
interesting items of our camp-life
Ever hoping for the happiness of friends at
home, and the success of HOosier arms upon the
battlefield, ! am
Yours, SIXTEENTH INDIANA.
Our Army CorrespOndence---Le
from Cum be Characterization of Af-
fairs about ROmney--What is TO be
done with the Negro!
CAMP MONTH BRANCH, Feb ?, 1862.
EDITOR SENTINEL: This is an unusually gloomy
day, and should my letter partake of the general
dizziness which pervades the entire camp, you need
not be surprised.
TRANSPORTATION.
Day after day has been consumed in prepara-
/ ton for an important movement against the enc
my, but it is delayed for want of adequate means
for transporting the absolute necessaries to sub
/ sist life. Neither man or horses can move for
days at a time upon forced marches, over misera-
/ bic roads, in mid winter, without the proper sup
ply of food, which could not be obtained in
country so utterly barren of everything needed
as this. To push forward column of ten thou
sand men of necessity must employ not less than
six hundred horses, and when in addition to sup
/ plies you add the hauling of tents, cooking uten-
sis and every description of camp equipage and
hospital stores, al of which are of vital import
ance, you will readily perceive that wanting
| transportation" is something more than an ex-
cuse for inactiOn, and wait we must until the sup
! ply is furnished or the weather so improves that
men can with safety lay upon the ground in the
open air with the heavens alone for covering
/ Y GU will therefore record this division of the
grand army of the Potomac impatently awaiting
the tardy action OF the "bosses" who are pro
polling the machine"
| POSITION OF THE ENEMY.
! While heretofore the rebels have had
decided advantage in procuring in
formation of our strength and position,
such the measures now adopted that
we have the "tables turned" and know each
day and hour precisely where they are and what
they doing, and they are left to conjecture as
to our movements, or at least TO the uncertain in
formation gathered by scouts. Communication
! with those living within our lines, for once is
strictly prohibited; all regard it a good sign
and Cooking 10 business" speedily. There is at
Romnev, supported by from eight to ten thous-
and others, stationed at convenient points on the
road from that place to Winch, ster; but were
they twice as strong the "HOOsiers" and "Buck
eyes" can and will make them take the back
track in double quick time, when the order shall
be forward"
We have definite information that "crackers"
are getting scarce in and about Romney, and the
troops there are already complaining of their
half 10 fhar 6rht m
some point from which they can more readily pro-
cure supplies. An officer connected with this di-
/ vision of the army, few DAYS since, disguised
himself in citizens clothes and visited the rebels
in their own camp, spending several hours in So
cal chat with the "bg bugs" learning all about
their condition and contemplated action. and
then retired with many thanks for his visit and
an invitation to "call again" He will probably
call again, but when he does, he will be accom-
panied by larger number of friends than expec-
ted or will be welcome; and we all sincerely wish
the surprise may prove anything but agreeable
CAMP GOSSIP.
Last evening while sitting around a camp fire
ole of the men gave a recital of a recently arri-
we'd recruit, which NAV prove interesting.
Shortly after the arrival of the regi-
ment to which he is attached. in an
ticipation of active movements the several Cap
tains were filing the vacancies which existed in
the non commissioned officers of the several COM
panies The competition usual very spir-
tied, when a tall, raw boned specimen of the
Pennsylvania mountaneer quietly remarked that
those who wished to be corporal were welcome
TO the position; for his part, he intended to apply
/ TO the Captain to appoint him picket regard
ing il as by far the easier and more desirable
place. A few days only had gone by before he
was one of detail from his regiment for picket
duty, and being taken to the extreme outpost to-
ward the enemy was there stationed with his COM
panions. The remainder of the party, who were
to be put on interior posts being about to retire.
he seemed to be suddenly aroused to a conscious
ness of the fact that he to be left in so dan
gerous position-for the succeeding twenty four
hours-then suddenly vanished his exalted ideas
of being picket" and he begged loudly to be
reduced TO the ranks-but picket" he was, and
"picket" he continued to be for that day. If the
desire for position before reaching an enemy s
country and the disposition to "shirk' afterwards
was confined only to the unlettered and ambitious
private, the service would be sensibly improved.
RANK.
The same greediness for place, which some
times becomes so disgusting at home. finds no
abatement in the army, but in justice it must be
said that the higher the rank the less apparent
are the manifestations. It's absolutely disgust
ing to see inferior officers traducing and back
biting those who outrank them, and this
in violation of the army regulations,
which positively prohibits any expression of
appreciation or ceusure but regardless of their
obligations too many Systematically labor to
arouse feelings of dissatisfaction toward those in
command, hoping to profit thereby themselves,
while they are known MOTTO possess atenth part OF
the qualification for the place they so covetOusly
seek, as the present incumbents. Such however
is the character of mankind, and such exhibitions
of it will not cease until the influence of the
Chaplain becomes more controlling.
VISITORS.
Not few and of all classes of people, from
the gray haired father who seeks his only son to
find him wild and unconscious with fever, to the
white headed STRIPPING of sixteen summers, who
has escaped from home to find "glory or a
grave" Alas! how often and how soon do they
find the latter. Sometimes gay delaines and
silks are observed huttering around as the fair
forms encased therein pick their way through the
muddy thoroughfares of the camp, with their
skirts raised so high as to show more than it is
prudent for a soldiers eyes 10 gaze upon. " hat
brings them to camp or what induces them to re
main is known only to the initiated, and not being
of that favored number further comment cannot
be expected. Mud, mud. mud. knee deep and
getting no better daily-the subject is too pain
full to be elaborated
"REMINISCENCES OF RoNNEY.
They are not wholly of painful character, at
least to ''some folks" When our army moved
it was followed by quite number of "cOntra-
bands" of both sexes, who, with single excep-
ton, were dressed in the garb recognized as APP
propriate to the of the wearer-that one a
beautiful and fascinating saddle coored'
damse had donned boys apparel and
managed to make the disguise so complete,
that none suspected the trick. She had been dur
ing our stay, serving a waiting maid about one
MarshalPs hotel in Romney. but arriving at
this camp-if rumor be credited-she was fur