Nebraska advertiser., 1862-10-25
ARMY COrresDOndence.
CAMP NEAR SuLPHUR SPRINGs, Mo-,
October 20th, 1862. J

Mr.. Editor : Since my lest was written
the regiment has removed several de-
grees north, and-now the bracing winds
impart the healthy vigor to the frame,
and conjure.up thes flush of health upon
the wealher-beaten cheeks of the patient
soldier. On the 9Th of the present month
we struck tents at camp near Helena,
Ark, packed our wagons, and marched on
board. steamer Rocket, and steamed up
the river to this point. Five hundred
miles of steamboat travel added a little
spice to our life's variety, and made us
"momentarily forgetful of the weary past.
Indeed it proved a Sabbath to the wearied
frames of the "rump'' of the regiment;
and during our thirteen months of active
service, such Sabbaths as that only, our
men have known! 1t may sound strange
ly to civil ears, but It's a fact beyond re-
futalion that there are men in the army
who live week in and week out, without
knowing the name of the day that glides
so swiftly onward. Why. even the pres
ent writer, who WI a moral observer of
the sacred day in civil life, has "breathed
the breath of life" on several Sabbaths,
in the army, without knowing them as
such. But those were days when cannon
Numbered, and the sound of strife was
heard, when bang the muskets spoke, and
whiz the bullets hew, when peril lowered
near and grim death stalked abroad, when
picketIpg was rife, and excitement was
the chief, when all made up the clangor
of fierce, intestine war;" One year ago
to-day, our regiment broke up camp at
Syracuse in this State, and took up the
line of march for Springfield, as a part
of that grand army which the genius of
Fremont called together so quickly, and
which gave promise fair of deeds heroic
and sublime under the leadership of its
chosen chiefs Alas! its star of destiny
which rose SO resplendently soon sank OBJ
scurely beneath a cloud of jealous hate
and, though a year has well nigh gone,
it still remains unseen. The grand army
scattered, and though in fragments under
other names 1t has performed glorious
deeds, it exists only in name, and will
only thus be known in history: THE
grand army of the West led by General
Fremont effected nothing and was broken
up"
1t seems that we are to go over some,
if not all, the ground we trod before, our
first camping ground in Missouri was at
Pilot Knob, and we are to go there again.
Tomorrow or next day we are to go by
rail to that point. We may there remain
awhile, and may not. 1t was hoped our
regiment would be stationed somewhere
until filled up, but it seems our destiny is
to continue in active service until annihi.
lated or our term OF service expires. We
do not expect very desperate fighting this
side the river, unless the rebels leave
Tennessee and Mississippi by way of
Vicksburg and make a determined stand
in Arkansas, or attempt to capture St.
Louis. The latter effort will prove very
futile should they undertake it. The for
mer may answer for a time, but eventu
ally they must succumb.
Col. Thayer did not come with US, and
we have heard that be has been appoint
ed Brigadier General. We expect him
every day. We are here waiting for cur
transportation. When that comes we
will go on. Col. Livingston is absent,
sick, and Major Banner commands the
Regiment. 1t is presumed if Thayer is
Brigadier General that Lieut-C Col. Living
ston will be our Colonel, Maj. Banner,
Lieutenant Colonel, and Capt. Majors,
Major. The Governor could make no
better appointments than those for the
Regiment, and none that would suit the
men better. Those officers have been
with the Regiment all the time, have
"been tried, weighed in the balance and
not found wanting"
However, you will be informed here
after of the above, and of our peregri-
nations and doings from time to time.
We have yet had no recruits from Ne
braska. The time has fully come when
they should be forthcoming.
G. H. T.