Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1862-01-27
Our Army COrrespondence--Co
of Affairs at Bomney.
CAMP NORTH RIVER BRANCH,
MARYLAND, January 10, 90


CAMP NORTH RIVER BRANCH,
Maryland, January 10, 90
MR EDIroR-"Hoosier" is prompted to scrib-
bic again, out whether his thoughts will prove
either interesting or edifying to your readers will
depend upon how well they are advised of the
movements of this column of the "grand army
Romney is again in possession of the rebels after
having been thrice occupied by the Federal forces.
On two occasions it was evacuated for prudential
reasons-the last time some folks say the retro
grade movement was grand strategic perform
ance to entrap the secesh,' but not being mil
itary man, that is not having been educated and
larned in the art of war at West Point, where
Scott and Hardee's tactics are taught in con
junction with the productions of"grand strategic"
authors, il would be arrogant in to attempt
a criticism upon army OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
when an army starts at an unusual hour upon a
forced backward march over despicable roads,
crossing swollen streams for "near cut" aban
doning portion of its baggage, provisions and
ammunition to quicken locomoton, plain I'M
military Hoosier would. when asked what such
proceedings meant, naturally conclude thai" some
body was scared" but thea what does "Hoosier"
know about grand strategic" movements?
1t is now known that over two thousand Of the
enemy have entered and are occupying our old
Quarters at Romney, ENJOYING the reunion with
their friends, ..with none 10 modest or make them
afraid" while our army is encamped more than
twenty miles distant by the nearest approach.
Cungratulatng ourselves upon having success
fully made a grand strategic" movement, but
with what other results than fatiguing our men
and abandoning portion of the country pre-
viously occupied, time alone must develop
perhaps, after a while some Of the iarned folks
us-and your correspondent will anxiousiy await
the explanation AID duly chronicle it for the
benefit of unborn generations.
Now, to be serious, why or wherefore we left
Rornney IN such haste is beyond any compre-
hension. and moreover is none Of my business
soldier does ought to obey all orders from
superiors without question, il, 10 use Hash ex-
preston, ait breaks owners" and for more than
seven months such has been my conduct. You
who are untrammeled by army regulations can
"speak your minds fully without being threaten
ED with court-martial, or without disobedence
of orders, buta poor Hooser soldier must be con-
tent to move as the power is applied, first for
ward, then backward, wearing out his body with
no other consolation than theassurance of hav-
ing aided in the execution of grand strategic"
performance which has neither scared or hurt the
eDemy-so much for the apparent crawfishing
from Romney. IL has occurred TO me that our
officers concluded that the waters of the "South
Branch" were very unhealthy, and abandoned
the place with the hope that the rebels would
move in, and after awhile. when reduced and en-
feebled by the drastic properties of South Branch
water, they would prove an easy conquest.
General Lander is now here commanding this
column, and il is entirely unnecessary to say to
any one familiar with his antecedents that he Is a
man of "grit," suited to the occasion. and will
never turn his back upon the enemy unless in
obedience to orders or when he saw some over
whelming necessity for so doing. He is live
man. and If allowed will plough his way into
"Secessia' with the force now at his command