Nebraska advertiser., 1862-10-18
Letter from the Nebraska First.
In CAMP NEAR HELENA, ARK.

line, and march, the General only knows
where. Madam Rumor says to Missouri.
New Madrid or Springfield but Dame
Rumor sometimes prophesies..falsely, and
we mag go elsewhere. The Regiment
would be better off could it go to some
Northern climate, and stay two or three
months to recruit It's health. This South
ern climate has told fearfully on a large
number of our men, as car lie vlsibly
seen in their pale faces and attenuated
limbs. The raging chills and fever"
are the bold victOrs now. The men who
stood many a long and tiresOme march,
fearless and hardy; and the men who
have passed many a long night on dan
gerous picket-duty, through cold and
rain-whom bullets, canister, grape and
shell failed to COVER have now sue
cumbed to the pervading malavia of this
region, and SILVER though the days ire
warm. Debility stalks abroad, and is
not choice in victims. The tall and
strong are as liable to its ravages al the
little and weak. II has. been observed in
our Regiment hat the large and strong
are the snrest victims Of the shafts of
death shot from the full sling of disease.
1t is a great pity to send a Regiment like
ours, which has not more than two hun
dred effective men, into the field of &C.
ton, when there are so many able-bodied
men in Nebraska who ought to be in our
ranks, but who will remain at home to
have the satisfaction of learning that
daily we grow less in numbers, and less
able to cope with a cunning and vindic-
tive enemy.
For thirteen months we have seen &C.
tive service. For thirteen months it can
be truly said that we have been in the
field. In marches and scouts unnum-
bered; on picket IN summer and winter;
on guard and fatigue daily, and in two
battles terrible to behold. And yet our
friends in Nebraska seem to think that
our is a full Regiment yet, mighty and
brave, for never a recruit have they sent
US! What are left of the Regiment are
certainly as brave as Death himself dare
be, but there are not enough to be of
very great might in a regular pitched
battle. But it seems we are 10 90 into
another battle with the number we have,
we know not how soon. The time for
battles in the Westhas come again. The
hours of mobility are at hand, and we
must bear a part in the great drama. As
the army ia The East have done, we must
reirograde and fight our battles oyer
again. Another winter in Missouri is
awaiting US, perhaps. The prospect is
striving 10 make George N. Sanders's
story true. He has told in England that
it would require a hundred and fifty
thousand of our men to hold ST. Louis
against the rebels. Holmes and Hind
a appear TO be swooping down from
the sou Invest on Springfield, not ~deigning
to notice this Army of the Southwest"
1t has been thought that the Indian
troubles would recall this Regiment to
Nebraska; but long ago we gave up all
hopes of going back until our three years
expire. There is a rumor that the 18th
Missouri has been ordered TO Omaha, but
it must be false. The most OF this army
will move somewhere, and shortly, too.
Col. Livingston has gone on sick leave to
Chicago. Major Banner is now in COM
mand of the Regiment. Col. Thayer
commands the Cd Brigade of the lst Di-
vision of this army. II consists of the
1st Nebraska, oath Missouri Infantry,
9Th Missouri and 9th Illinois Cavalry
Regiment. Captain Allen Blacker is his
Acting Assistant Adjutent General
Lieut.. Berger's resignation was accepted
and he has gone TO Ohio. Quite a num-
Der of promotions have lately been made.
Some who formerly we're Sergeants are
now Lieutenants, and some who are
Sergeants now, will be Lieutenants ere
many months pass. G. H. 7.