Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1862-05-26
Our Army Correspondence
Pittsburg.
HEADQUARTERS NEAR CoRINTH,l
Nv 10 1880

HEADQUARTERS NEAR CoRINTHl
May ID, 1862.
EDTToR SEN1NEL:-The great Western army
now IN Tennessee, notwithstanding all the him
ORANGES by high waters and impossible roads, is
steadily advancing to the decisive struggle. The
advance pickets of the two armies between Pitts
burg aud Corinth are daily in conhicG. Some
prisoners have been taken, and a few killed.
Beauregard is being constantly reinforced and
may say the same of our army.
1t has been reported and believed by some that
the enemy would not make a stand at Corinth
and are actually evacuating that stronghold.
This report, however, needs confirmation, and
the generahimpression at this time is, that we are
on tie eve of a most fearful and bloody conflict.
We have today in front of Corinth an army
composed OF the best fighting material ever mar
shaded on this continent; and if Beauregard can
meet it, and place it hors dU combat, he may well
claim to be the Napoleon of the war. Such
result, however, is not dreamed of BIZ any Dor
ton of army.
would here remark that in this great army
the Indiana troops stand number one Their
gallant bearing upon every battle field, and es-
pecially upon the bloody field of Shiloh, is &C
knowedged by all. Gen. Wallace's command is
the first division of the army of the reserved
corps, which is equivalent to the "Old Napoleon
Guard position that any soldier NAV well be
pfOuu OF. In my last communication referred
to the gallant conduct of the oath Indiana in the
late battle. Gen. Hovey, late Colonel of this
regiment is at this time in temporary command
of an Ohio brigade. His cool, intrepid and sol
dierlike bearing in the late terrible battle has en-
deared him to every Indianian 1t is the earnest
wish of the Colonies commanding Indiana regi-
ments, in this division, that Gen. Hovey should
be placed in command of an Indiana brigade
trust their wishes may be consummated, the
public interest and the name of Indiana will thus
be secured. The 9th Indiana is now command
ed by Lieut. Colonel Spicely, Major Butler acting
Lieut.. Colonel, and Capt. Drill acting Major.
These officers are deservedly popular with the
regiment. having proved to be as brave aud gal
liant in battle, they are efficient in discipline.
l.deed regard this regiment as Il model one, in
all the attributes that constitute the true
soldier. You find no contrabands Struggled
into this regiment; private property and personal
rights are respected in every particular. This is
as it should be. And if the example of the 9th
should be followed by the entire army more will
have been done to win the people of the South
back to the Constitution and Union OF our fathers
! than an hundred victories. The North undoubt-
eddy has the power to overrun the Southern
States and dispense their armies. When this is
accomplished then comes the mighty crisis, which
will require more patriotism, more wisdom and
craftsmanship than all other questions combined.
1t does seem to me that the Abolitonists in and
out OF Congress, are determined to prolong this
unnatural struggle, and in the end crush out the
| last vesiSe of constitutional freedom. The Con-
stituton is the safety valve in which is garnered
up every principle dear to the American patriot,
and that it is in great danger there can be no
question And while our soldiers are periling all
in its defense, would call upon the conservative
meIi everywhere to take a stand against the tide
Of fanaticism that threatens to sweep over the
land, obliteratng constitutions and laws, ending
with the iron heel of despotsm upon the necks of
free people. FRANK.