Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1862-12-08
Especial Correspondence Of the Chicago
From Washington.

ETOm "
RGFoRMs NEEDED IL THE ARMY-SUFFERISG OF
THE SoLDfERs-How "VIGoR" Is TAKING
FHEDERlcKsBuRG AND WHAT THE NEGLECT HAS
CosT-SoME fruits or THE New STRATEGY
NOW IN VOGUE.
WASHINGTON November 2S
It is the universal testimony of all the army
officers with whom have conversed for week
past-and many of them were direct from the
army-that no period during the war have there
been so much suffering, desttution and sickness
in the army as during the whole of the present
month. Those who went through the entire Pen
insula campaign, with all its malaria, poisonous
swamps and clinging damps say that that was
nothing compared TO this. In that campaign
some attention WAS paid TO the comfort and health
of che soldiers. II they were sick or wounded,
there were skillfu surgeons at hand to minister
TO their wants, and there were proper medi-
cines 10 relieve them Transport vessels were
constantly employed in carrying to the Northern
hospitals all cases which required better treat
ment than they could have in camp. The con
sequence was that the sick and wounded were
speedily restored TO health. and soon returned to
their duty The soldiers had, besides, comfort
able tents and plenty OF good food, and they oc.
casiOnally, at least, saw Paymaster. The con.
sequence was, they always strong and Wig
OrOus; while the presence OF a commander whose
care for their comfort secured them these things
inspired them with his own dauntess spirit, and
made them invncible.
IL is very different now. Tents are abolished
lin winter tool and shelter tents have been sub
stituted, because the men can carry them on their
backs in addition to that already burdensOme
weight Of over sixty pounds. And, pray, what is
"A shelter tent? IL il piece of thin canvas in the
shape and size of one OF the sheets on your bed.
"Thlt and nothing more" The shivering sol
dier is expected to FIX it somehow over him, in
the form of inverted V thus 4, and his shelter
tent IS complete Under this miserable rag TWO
of the brave soldiers crawl, wet and uncomforta-
BILE. Ii is open at both ends The bleak, cold
wind howls over them in mockery. The rain
beats In both at the head and feet, and soaks the
wretched rag ill its drips water like a sponge
The men rise in the morning, wet. stiff and unre
fresbed. This cause alone has added fearfully TO
the patients in the hospitals. Rheumatism, in
fuenzas lung fevers all in consequence Of this
Inhuman and unnecessary exposure, have disabled
so many of our brave fellows that according to
the last report sent to the Adjutant Generals
Office, there are now in the hospitals and on the
sick list no less than 900 men, vino, with
proper care, might now be in the field. They
constitute of themselves army sufficiently
large TO tike Richmond, and they form one
sixth of all the forces now under pay j should
all assertions to the contrary, know that most
Of the old troops have not been paid for the Last
six months These are some of the abuses
that call loudly for reformation at the hands Of
Congress
III one half Of the care that is thrown away q"
courts of investigation of officers was bestowed
on the comfort OF the soldiers, and the officers
sent back TO their commands, it would be pro-
ductive of the happiest results. The country may
rely upon it, our armies cannot achieve great re-
suits unless the men are kept in good condition,
and their health and comfort properly cared for.
Soldiers are machines indeed, or ought TO be.
But no machine can well unless it is kept
properly oiled and cleaned. What member of
Congress will bring this matter before the
country
It Is curious to read now the querulous com
plants against Burnside, made by those who ex-
tOlled his appointment an Indication Of the
"yigOr" with which the campaign was to be pros
ecuted The New York Times admits that, Il
Gen. Sumner had been allowed to cross the Rap
pahanock and take possession of Fredericksburg
when he first arrived at Falmouth-now ten days
ago-he could have done without opposition
while now the crossing can only be done at a
terrible loss of life. "a squadron of cavalry. >
says the Times, ''and four guns, composed the
contemplate force then present TO bar or pas
sage" N0r, Burnside Is confronted by 5O,OOC
troops and hundred pieces of artillery. The
Times then describes the admirable position helc
by the Confelerates-twO gently sOping plains
rising one above the other. each crowned by leve
plateau; rebel batteries planted on these plateau
and other points so to sweep both them anC
every point in the river where a crossing can b'
attempted, the whole arrangement, in fact. in
vitng second Balls Bluff affair.
Let it be remembered that. ii Sumner had beer
permitted TO cross on the 18th, as ne wished 10
his corps could and would have held this admira
bic position Who was il that was wanting il
vigorf The story is indusiriously circulated tha
Burnside has been waiting for boats to arrive Oh
which to build a bridge across the streams Bu
this cannot be so, for when the head OF his col
umns reached Falmouth. ten days ago. the rive
was easily fordable. The subsequent rains hav
greatly swollen il, aud bridgeis becessary now
But why were these boats not on hand whe
wantedf Burnside declares that he was solemnl
promised by the authorities at Washington tina
the boats should be there before him. But up 9
the 24th they had not arrived, and now the tas
of laying them across will not be an easy one
The rebel batteries are so placed as 10 blow eac
one TO atoms as IL Is put in position. Truly
vigOr at Falmouth is not worth much, if iudgmen
and foresight be wanting here.
During all this time. too. the rebels are receiv
ing, every night, all the Eastern newspapers an
full verbal intelligence OF all that is taking pac
in our lines. Thus they know what Generals ar
at Falmouth, what troops there. and exactl
what our strength is; and they no doubt know
also, what troops there are near this city for il
defense. IL is no wonder that the New Yor
Tribune says everybody wonders why Fredel
icksburg was not attacked at once, and why it
that even our army seems to be waitin
until the whole force Of the rebels shall arriv
theref"