Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1863-09-14
Our Army Correspondence from Al
ALBANIA.
CAMP IN LITTLE Wills VALLEY, ALA !
Sentemher 6. lS63-

CAMP IN LITTLE ILLS VALLEY, ALA Il
September 6, 1868.
EDITOR SENTINEL: 1t may perhaps be interest
ing To your readers to follow the march of Geu
eral McCook's corps through the mountains.
With that consideration l submit you the fol
lowing:
IL is of the ID brigade of Johnston's (2d) divis
ion that | would speak more particularly. We
left the little county own of Bellefonte. fla :,
(irum which place | last addressed YOU on the
Both OF August After n march of thirteen miles
under a scorrhiDg sun, we reached the banks of
the Tennessee river. three miles south of Steven
son, where Il pontoon bridge had been thrown
across ready for our passage The river at this
point is about three hundred yards wide, with
high and solid banks upon each side. The rebel
pickets remained on the opposite shore until they
saw the bridge swing toward them, when, without
even firing a salute, they made a hasty retreat
toward the mountains, but some fifteen or twenty
of them we e taken prisoners.
Our division went iuto camp on the bank of
the river TO make preparations for crossing Sand
Mountain. which lay before us These prepare
tiOirs consisted IN a general curtail of all kinds of
baggage, by which operation the officers were
deprived of some triding Injuries. But three
wagons were allowed 10 each regiment Eighty
pounds of baggage (including mess chest, pro
visions, clothing and b~edding.) was allowed to
officers The men were compelled to throw away
all the clothing they could not carry with ten
days rations One tent to "a regiment, and five
hundred pounds were allowed for hospital stores.
Under this new regulation we commenced the
scout of the mountain. Ii was necessary to
double The teams here. as in crossing the other
moui taiDs. which occupied the greater part of the
day. before the brigade reached the summit.
About half way np--the distance being about one
and a hilf miles fine little rivulei of excellent
cool water ruus across the rold-ihe most refresh
in. luxurs. iy the wnv, ia this business. is good
water; AMI when met with so Opportunely it is
dOubl, valuable
The few citizens encountered here we're much
surprised at the appe france OF the Yankees in
such a De ola,e regi m. and they will doubtless
be much more surprised when they discover that
MANY ct lheir hidden deiicscieS were carried off.
Some ct our boys hid been plnn'lering a house
on line mountain side. and when The provost guard
made a descent upon them. they made their es-
cape in the woods and took shelter from the pur
suing guard in a cave. where they found a cask
of brandy, preserves. peaches. apples and a va
rietv ofchOice delicaries, of u h,eh delectable arti
cies. in such a wild place, they partook sumptu-
ously.
A party of some twenty or thirty rebel cavalry
hung upon oI front and flank whilst we were
crossing the mountain. but they kept at a very
respectful distance, allowing themselves to be
reported by the citizens rather than to incur the
risk OF repairing IN person.
There are but few settlements upon this noun
tain, although it has a surface of fifteen miles of
tolerahle good soil of the sand stone variety,
well wooded and waiered. The soil ia thin and
verv liable to wash The corn growing looked
well. but the quantities. observed were very small.
Sweet potatoes appear to do well.
Gen J. G D,vis' division. which was in ad-
vance Of us, encountered rebel pickets on the
south side of the mountain, and he halted and
drew np in line of battle. Our division camped
on The IN 'untain side. ready to support him, if
necessary.
Gen. Hardee appears to offer some objection to
our march toward Rome, Georgia, which is our
destination il allow ed TO continue.
After one DAYS delay, Davis division advanced
to the front of Lookout Mountain, the rebels
having disappeared for the present. Between
these two mountains lays a narrow valley con-
tanning a number of small farms with a lit
tie corn. all Of which is being appropriated for
forage for nur use.
The m .%inritv of the inhabitants are very hostile
to our operations, and but very few of them have
any desire To return to the Uninn The colored
population have been rennye'i further south
The large number of rebels entering our lines,
as reported IN some OF the Journals, must be a
myth. They have never come within nv OBJ
servaiion. and ! have certainly made some effort
to see them Those who have come IN. as a gen
eral thing. appear more anxious 10 see their fam
lilies than % Join our army. After they have
seen their families. il j. = m liter OF considerable
doubt whether they will enlist with the army
which has carried off their corn and robbed their
family, or rejoin their own army. There is the
leas, encouragement 90 them whilst our men sub
sist upon the little all their wives and children
have gotten together fr their use during the
coming winter.
Contrabsnds are exceedingly scarce in our de-
part meut of the army. Where they have all
gone 70, il more than | can tell.
AS the rebels under Gen. Jobuston are concen
trating at Chattanooga. and az Gen. McCook's
corps is sweeping around them, preceded by some
1850 cavalry under Staniy and others. Important
news may I've expected from Rosecran's army,
within a short period of time
The weather is sultry-hot-very. The heat
Is more oppressive now than ut any other period
during the summer The nights. however, are
cool; were il not for scorpions. wood ticks, ants
and other small annoyances, which occupy our
grassy and lesfy beds, We mi yht enjoy uuspeak-
able pleasures during our hours of repose.l These
little pests are not to be scared by tribes We
are constantly reminded that we are soldiers try
ing to sleep. WrsDES.
IF Democrats are such mean men why do