Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1862-02-10
Our Army COrrespOndence--Th Six
teenth indiana in Mary land--Sharp
Practice of N SuIler.
"CANTONMEHT Hicks" MD. !
Near Eraderick City Feb | 1850


Near Frederick City, Feb. l, 1926
Ed. SENTINEL: Feeling assured that the people
of Indiana having friends in this (l6th) regiment
would be pleased TO hear from them and know if
they are made comfortable for the winter whilst
absent from their homes. take the liberty of
writing yoL few facts which if you deem wor-
thy of place in your paper you may publish.
The health of the men is very good, considering
that the weather for the last month has been ex-
ceedngly severe, rendering our camp and the
several roads approaching it at times quite i'm
passable for footmen. Immediately on arriving
here from camp near Seneca in December, dis
tant about 2S miles, the several companies COM
menced and in a few days finished comfortable
though rude winter huts The grounds of our
encampment afforded abundance of building tim
Der in the way of logs, and. being within four
miles of the city, an excellent article of lumber
was there purchased for roofing, doors, windows,
&c We have small building called the
''church house," constructed of rough boards,
and none the less ornamental than useful-being
used during the week as drill house for the
commissioned and non commissioned officers, be
sides being the hall of Literary society" CON-
posed of the young men belonging to the regi-
ment. The society is fourishing finely under
the administration of an able and gentemanly
Captain who was chosen President. On the Sab
bath we have divine services by Chaplain,
Rev. Mr. Jones, who is much esteemed by the
men for his generosity and goodness. He is a
native of Wales, and is of the Baptist persua-
sion. His influence and ability marked
wherever he visits and by all with whom he be-
comes acquainted.
On enc occasion, when asked his opinion as to
the propriety of using the church for drill
house, he facetiously replied by saying, Il think
/ can drive the devil out as fast you can bring
him in"
| The efficiency of our regiment in drill discip-
| line and all the qualifications for trusty soldiery
is applauded and acknowledged by all the officers
of the division. Having been in the service
/ quite nine months, there could be no reasonable
excuse for being inefficient in anything connected
with the duties imposed by military rules and
usages. With such good and loved Colonel as
ours we could under all circumstances prove the
greatest willingness and delight in discharging a
soldiers duties, and doubt not when this regi-
ment is called upon TO "iace the music" there
will be additional laurels wreathed upon the brow
of old Indiana. The strength of Western men
is often felt here, at times when the selt-infatu-
ated Yankee treads on game "Hoosiers' toes
| These fellows from Massachusetts are trequenty y
induced to interfere with our men. and as often
as the otfense Is committed OtGck marx Is made
over Yankees eve.
We have just been paid for two months last
past service, and as there great dissatisfaction
manifested and expressed in the regiment regard
ing the conduct of the sutler whilst collecting the
accounts of the men, | will give the particulars
of the Hl0dus operandi, and leave the friends oil
the soldiers at home TO judge OF the justice or in
justice of such practices.
The army regulations say that suffers are to be
allowed to sell enlisted man one third the
amount of his monthly pay with the written APP
prevail of the commanding officer of the company
to which such enlisted man may belong, and moi
10 erceed one halfOf such monthly pay 10Th such
approval Our regiment was paid by Major Nc
Kiben and clerk, Dwight klink, and from the
manner in which the men were compelled to pay
their suffers bills one could not help knowing the
Paymaster and sutler were in collision. Many
of the soldiers had contracted bills amounting to
within IA few cents of their two months wages,
which is 500, and these for articles of food most
unhealthy to the system and pocket particularly
being sold at most exorbitant prices. The Pay
master would first ask for the suffers account
against individuals as they were called i'll to re-
ceive their hard earnings. and the amount was
taken from his dues and checked upon the pay
roll with pencil to be paid TO the sutler after the
troops were settled with. BY this collusion--for
it can be called by no other Dame-numbers were
compelled to pay all their wages to the suter and
leave other debts unpaid and the soldier without
a dollar to purchase neeessares in case of the
| regiment being called to march.