Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1862-02-03
Our Army Correspondence = Letter
from Western Virginia.
CAMP NORTH BRANCH,
To.,,a,.,. OI IScsl


January "a, 1862.
Mr. EDITOR: Since the "Romney races" day
after day has been spent in active preparation for
something desperate" but where the blow is to
fall is a secret not generally known, and should
not be told if it was you must, therefore, con-
lent yourself and Sait developments. One thing
may be safely said, we Hoosiers don't care when
We fight, or when or what numbers the enemy are,
blt are ready to obey order of "For-
wardl' and ever reluctant to turn back, disliking
nothing so much as rusting in camp so long as
there is work to be done
We are now provided with comfortable tents IA
luxury not enjoyed for the preceding six weeks,
and if suffered to remain in them much longer
the men will begin to murmur and ask "How
long are we going TO waltz" "What are we living
still for?" "Why don't the officers give us a
chanceY" Such expressions already begin to
greet ones ears in moving around the camp.
There are several regiments here who have
never seen live "secesh," and are almost crazy
for sight.
One of the Captains of a recently arrived regi-
ment had his company out for drill this afternoon,
and, desiring to form them in two ranks, gave his
commands as follows: Get in here Get ini Get
in, in two rowsI' Get up thickerl Get upl''
Bunch up! bunch upl so you can be counted
Such are not strictly according to Hardee, but are
perhaps intended as an improvement; be that as
it may, the men seemed to comprehend their
meaning. Having formed his men after a fashion,
Off he started, exclaiming "Lefti left" at every
step Before proceeding far, however, he turhed
his head, and finding some of his company were
not carrying their guns according to his idea OF
military accuracy he orders: "Stick back them
butts there; stick back the butts of them pieces
be quick, or I'll get back there and warm the wax
in some of your ears" Having delivered himself
of this warning Mr.. Brass Buttons again turns his
head to the front and marched forward, apparent
ly quite satisfied with his proficiency in military
exercises. He had not proceeded far, however,
when his ewes fell upon a crooked stick immedi
ately under his feet, which ne misIook fora snake
Instantly he sprang to one side exclaiming, "Holy
Jesus, whata sarpent" A general shout was the
response from his company.
A short time since a parcel of recruits were
posted pickets, when an officer, to test them,
approached and being challenged, gave the coun-
tersign incorrectly The soldier in advance, sup
posing him to be an enemy, it being dark replied,
"Mr. that's not right" and wishing to give the
order to fire upon the intruder, instead of giving
the appropriate command, commenced exclaim-
ing 'bang," "bang," bang" ano at the same mo
ment began a retrogade movement in "double
quick time" Such are some of the farcical incl
dents which relieve the dull monotony of camp
lite when the enemy are at a respectable distance
But while on the subject Of military ORDERS il
may not be amiss to mention that Gen. Lander
at the battle of Rich Mountain gave some com
mands not found in the books. Having ordered
portion of the command upon the enemy S right
flank, and when our men were protected by a
ledge of rocks, the General took his stand on
the rocks ane ordered 'down boys and load-now
up and give them h-ll, both cf which the boy:
did right calamity, and those who ought to know
assert that the very small loss of life on the part
of the Federal forces was chiefly to be attributed
to the terrible fire of his small squad from which
it may be fairly concluded that precision of Ian
guage, and strict conformity to the formulas in
the book are by no means necessary to effective
operations against the enemy. 1t has been often
remarked and with much truth ''that men in bar
tie swear unconscously," and It's not in the least
surprising they should. for it is enough to make
as piousy inclined man as my humble self swear
when he thinks of the objectionable wickedness
of those who brought about this unnatural war
swearing won't do, or else the Confederates were
certain of success; something more serious is nee
essary and General Lander is quite conscious OF
the fact--and hence he is determined to "hurt
somebody" or get somebody hurt"
We have Just received the news of the victory
at Somerset, and the boys are all freezing" fol
dash On their own account fearing that if al
opportunity do not soon offer they will forge
how the thing is done.
We have here the 18th and 7th Indiana, which
with the l4th insures victory whenever they en-
counter their foes. The 18th chaps have ne
more prudence than to believe that the Govern
ment could safely let out to them the contract fol
finishing this war, and il they had the job. woult
be too selfish to take any partners. The 7tt
think they are an army of themselves, and they
would soon make the same impression upon th'
'secesh," If they had permission to ''go in OF
their own hook" And as for the l4th, they Cal
clean them both out, with regiment or two o
rebels thrown in.
The weather for the last ten days had beer
disheartening enough, but appearances indicate
an improvement, and then look out for an end o
big talk, and the beginning Of "hot work"
Couldn't you come out and try camp-lfe for
few days?-twould do you good. We hav'
plenty and to spare. with solids and liquids, t
which you shall be welcome, particularly shoul,
you confne yourself 20 the former, in accord
ance with your well-known aversion to the latter
Dot't you think water was, after all, intende'
chiefly for navigation purposes?"
Yours &c HooslrR