Juliet signal. [volume] (Juliet [i.e. Joliet], Ill.) 1844-1???, 1862-09-30
From tho Ioo:h Regiment.
Camp Near Louisville. KY, !
Sppt IN 1870

Sept. 10, 1862.
EDITORS SIGNAL:
Having a little time to spare | sit myself
in the dirt to give you Lrief history of the
doings of the Tooth Regiment since we en-
tered the field
After crossing the Ohio. we encamned
about two miles from Louisville, where we
lay on our arms two nights, without tents
and IN a feverish state of excitement,
everybody except our Colonel having a
vague idea that something was going to be
"the matter" AT midnight we were reused
up and ordered to march. We repassed
the city as quietly as possible to the east
ward. We mot an Indiana Regimane on
the road returning from the battle of Rich
mond. We drew up in line across the road
were ordered to fix bayonet and load.
Some Bit off the wrong end of the cartrige.
Others put down the ball first. Many got
leave to quit the ranks a short time. The
idea you sec prevailed that the Secesh were
coming. They came up pretty close when
the front rank made "ready" and the Off
GERS were obliged to get hold Of somo Of
their men to prevent them from firing at
once.
Tho HoosierS halted-and when we
found out they were friends-the reaction
caused by this sudden change of idea on
our minds, 1t is said, did not cause single
man to faint.
We halted at daylight to rest, to steal
fruit, and dig and roast sweet potatoes for
breakfast, then move into Camp Yates.
Here we were provided with uniforms and
tents.
The first day we got into camp somebody
commenced shooting at mark over the
hill. We couldn't see what they were do
ing, and unanimously came to the Oonclu-
sion that something serious was in the
wind, and that the rebels were fright upon
us." The long roll commenced beating.
we tumbled into the ranks in splendid dis
order and won't to firing with will at
something in the air Some fred AID load
ed to fire again. Some guns went off before
they were elevated properly. Whiskers got
burnt, eyes and nose filled with powder
dust and smoke, bullets came back from
above like rain shower, making holes
through tents, fence boards and various
other things. The other Regiments drew
up in line of battle and looked on with
astonIshment. Some thought there was
mutny 10 our camp. The fools didn't know
that we were only getting ready and spoil
ing for fight. But all things must have
have an end-and SO did this. No one hurt
except darkey who happened to be in tho
way of one of the bullets. Our Colonel came
round and told us we did wrong. So we
sImmered down and came to the concluA
sion that we had made an impression.
have not time 70 give you all the mar.
tlculars OF cur doiDgs-hOw VIC marched
through the blazing sun TO the CITY and
back-how hundreds fell exhausted Inv the
wayside overcome by the fatigue, and how
the dust rose higher than the tree tons On
the route and choked Us. How the ladies'
OF Louisville turned out with water and
ians, beld the heads of fainting and al
most dying men How they cbeered us
as we dragged through the streets-everv
mans heart beating almost to choke him
how our Generals pushed US on that we
might pass their hotels and be reviewed
and bow mad we got about it.
! We are now encamped on the Sonth s;da
of the city, in pleasant fi9ld. Yesterday
! the soldiers and population of Lonisv;lle
/ turned out aud threw up entertainments m
around the city. The country is in fever.
| ish state Of excitement and the exmns fuIl
/ OF Wild rumors of battles lost and Wa closa
! By us. And there is no knowing what ,be
morrow may bring forth.
We are under marching orders. but
have an idea that it will be some time he.
fore We smell an enemy's powder Onr
Regiment is improving finely in dTill and
] believe has arrived at that partienla,
turning point at which it would either figbt
like tigers,if it happened to take the notion
or run like Falstaff at the drop of the hat
More annon,
PRESTON GUARDS.