Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1862-04-07
our Army OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES


NASHVILLE, March 2Sth, 1862.
]. ]. BINGHAM ESQ.,, DEAR SIR:-The capital
of Tennessee, one of the prettiest locations by
the way in the Union, presents at the present mo-
meDt lively and animated picture. The stir
and hustle of military preparation meets one at
every turn. Onwardis the word with our military
leaders and the prospect seems now that Nash
vile will be the base line of extended operations
in the Cotton States instead of being the seat of
Government of the Southern Confederacy as at
one time the insurgents of the South assured their
deluded followers-t would be. But did not sit
down TO write about army operations, or specu-
late upon the probable plans of the campaign.
This part of a correspondents duty has been. and
| think wisely, forbidden If the powers that be
could discipline the reportorial corps of the lead
ing commercial cities as well as they can the les
ser rights of the provincial press, it would be
well. But that has not been done. The Tri-
bune or the Herald of New York, or the Gazette
or Commercial of Cinncinati, may say hundred
things that would be construed into treason if
published in the Sentinel We obey orders-they
DON'T and obedience to orders at the present time,
is. probably, after all, the best test OF mans pa
triotism.
There is much to interest a stranger in this
city and its surroundings 1t has evidently been
the great granery and storehouse for the South
ern army, and although at no period of the rebel
lion depot for troops, vet the defenses on the
lines leading to it show that its value was appre-
ciated and that its abandonment was the result of
stern necessity. Ii is city tied in feeling to the
South. Of that there can be no doubt, and care
will be taken that this subdued sentiment is not
suffered to break out again into open treason.
Gen. Dumont, of our city, is in command of the
forces in and around it. When our army first
arrived, the male citizens scowied darkly upon
our soldiers, while the women let no opportunity
pass to express their contempt of the Northern
Barbarians-" Now things are better. The har-
dy soldiers who had suffered every privation
cheerfully to reach here, behaved so well and
paid so little attention to the coquettish airs of
the Dixie damses that the dear creatures have
changed their tactics and are now taking lessons
in good breeding from the "Hessians." The
conduct of the army here-the sobriety. order and
the respect paid to private rights is not only COM
mendable, but it is glorious, and the credit thus
gained will be enduring The bitterest enemies
to the Government freely admit that they were
disappointed IN the conduct of our troops.
have visited the camps in the vicinity and
find everything working smoothly. General
Wo0ds's division is a model of order. He has
several Indiana regiments, and | need not say
that they among the best. Colonel Hascall,
of the 18th, and Colonel Wagner, of the 18th,
command brigades in it, | was delighted to see
the veterans from Western Virginia looking so
we'll. The regiments from that region in
ured to toil-hard marching and harder scout
ing--and having gone through their seasoning,
there is no fear that they will break down now.
the camping grounds are delighttul-the wealth
er equally So and the brief stay here is being adj
vantageously used to perfect the brigade and
division organizations. There is no such word as
inaction or idleness on the army register now
have visited every place of interest in and
about the city and have pocket full of notes
that have not time at present to fill out, and
leave this evening for Cairo and all along shore.
If anything of especial interest occurs, you will
hear from me, particularly if l should chance to
be present when our feet passes Island No. 10.