Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1862-01-22
Our Army COrrespende nce--C ON Il ion
Of Affairs AT tsomney.
GAMP NORTH RIVER BRANCH,
MARYLAND January I6 %

Ma. EDIToR-"Hoosier" is prompted TO serb
bic again. but whether his thoughts will prove
either interesting or edfying to your readers will
depend upon how well they advised of the
movements of this column OF tie grand army
Romney is again in possession of the rebels after
having been thrice occupied by the Federal forces.
On two occasions IL 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
laTned IN the art Of war at West Point where
Scott and Hardee's tactics are taught, in con
jun ction with the productions OF grand strategic
authors. it would be arrogant ia me To attempt
a criticism upon army ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
when an army starts at an unusual hour upon u
forced backward march over despicable roads,
crossing swollen streams for NEAR cut. aban
doning portion of It's baggage, provisions and
ammunition 10 quicken locomOtiOn, plain un-
military HoOser would, when asked what such !,
proceedings meant, naturally conclude that some
body was scared, but then what does Hoosier'
know about grand strategic" mOvementsg
IL 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 to modest or make them
afraid. while our army is encamped more than
twenty miles distant by the nearest approach.
COngratulating ourselves upon having success
fully made grand Strategic movement, but
with what other results than fatiguing our men
and abandoning a portion of the country pre-
viOusly occupied, time alone must develop
perhaps after while some of the IaTRed folks
who were running the macbue will enllghten
us--and your correspondent will anxiOusly await
the explanation and duly chronicle it for the
benefit OF un ,orn generations.
Now, To be serious why or wherefore we left
Romney in such haste is beyond any compre-
hension and moreover Is none OF my business
a soldier does ought to obey all orders from
superiors without question, ii, To use flash ex-
preston, 10 breaks owners, and Tor more than
seven months such has been my conduct. on
who are untrsmmeed by army regulations can
speak your minds fully without being threaten
ed with court martial. or without dsObellenee
OF orders, but poor HOOsler soldier must be con-
tent To move the power As applied, first tor
ward. then backward, wearing out his body with
no other consolation than the assurance OF hav
ing aided IN the execution vi grand strategic"
performance which has neither scared or hurt the
euemy-so much tor the apparent crawiishing
from ROmney. It has occurred 10 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 an, and after awhlle, when reduced and en-
teebled by the drastic properties OF South Branch
water, they would prove an easy conquest
General Lander Is now here cOmmar ling this
column. anu II Is entirely unnecessary 10 SAY u
any one tamil lr with bis antecedents that lie is a
man OF grit. suited TO the occasion, and will
never turn his back upon the enemy unless in
obedience 10 orders or when he saw some over
whelming necessity tor so doing He is live
man. and If allowed will plough his way into
"Secessia" with .iie force now at his command
his army being both willing and abe--to 20 when
he peases and where he plelSes.
The regiments here have been brigaded, Col
y himball commanding the LIST brigade com
posed OF the bloody l3.h the veteran lith, the
c4th PennSy lyania and 9TH Virginia, and he Is
already popular with our new friends Is he
was with our old ones OF Cheat Mountain, with
whom anu 10y whom ne suffered and fought and
conquered. Should We meet the enemy with our
present organization YOU may hope for a good re-
port from the lst brigade, tor let others act As
they may the 18th ana i4th will never disappoint
their friends Al home Colonel kimball for the
greater portion Oi the time have been in an
euemys country has been performing the dute.
of Brigadier General without either the rank OF
emoumerts uf the position. but under all the re
spOIIsibiiities attaching 10 such e. service Some
OF the Colonies friends have hoped that after a
time ms services would be appreciated and re
Wardel, bat poor innocentS, that they are not
TO know that such expectations would never be
realized True, he has experience, he has ca
pacity he holds the oldest three years commits
sion from the State, if not from any other State
he served his country honorably in the war OF
10 with Mexico: ne i and has always been ready
60 are for his country-but for good and cogeut
reasons fully appreciated by the powers that be
he will continue 70 be sighted and inferior men
appointed over him Having said what he Is let
me- also say what he j. not and has not been. He
i not and has not been the boon companion and
tool OF those Who surround State and National
officials, he has not iawned and cringed and bar.
gained; he has no powerful relations II court he
j. not man 81 fortune: he j. no Democrat, no
Republican, but m old-iaShionei Clay Wing aud
has ever been consistent and modest: he is no
fossil. aud no coward but courageous and full OF
visoF, and how can such man hone or his friend,
hope that he will succeed in commanding position
Such men, Il they live through the war. might
prove dangerous 70 tie hopes and aspirations of
'Aid -lovet" office seekers. Who keep NJ ne
Specialize distance iron danger. and grumble
them be warned that people vii appreciate and
honor tie men sho expose their lives daily
AID Aour.y "a The defense oi the Government
White Generals ~ho are appointed from political
and personal considerations, anu 0i whom il
would be a compliment 20 say they know tho diff
ference betw cen right IA front. aud len ia
front. vii sink int1 nler.ted obscurity, II they
don't sink the Government With them Let ali
the newsIrier world CRY out ami demand that