Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1863-11-23
Our Army COrrespondence--kr the
Army OF the umberIand- - Faimer's
Division going into winterQaarters.
CAMP isr BRIGApE PALxER's DfvIsIoS,l
Forum AMY Conps
IoOhAd Ami SOhFcs
Rridrannrt- Alahama. Nov Ii. iR6


FoURTH ARMY CoRrs,
Bridgeport. Alabama, Nov. l3, 1863
ED1roR SENTINEL: Going into winter quarters
Il is really refreshing to know that at least for
brief while we are to march no more. The
mountains before US give US the heartache when
we view them and review the events of the late
campaign. Some Of US were born and reared
upon the mountains. sported upon them in youth
and in manhood-their tall shadows swept over
us so oft that we looked upon them with crate
ful reverence. loved them, and often whilst jour-
neying upon the sandy and sterile plains in dis
tant countries, we have affectioDately sighed for
the companionship, the shelter and protection of
the far distant cloud banks in the horizon so
often mistaken for mountains. Now alas. the
ideas of them are horrbe--dreadful; even the
memory of the silver brooks that play among
the moss covered rocks, the sedgey and vine-
clad banks along the darkly shaded ravines which
has so often gaddened the heart of the thirsty
aud toil-worn soldier. is not remembered with
that degree of pleasure that in less toilsome days
we priced so much The poetic fancy of the vine
clad cot beneath the hill has lost its charms es-
pecially the hill.
Well, sir On a little hill upon the south bank
of the Tennessee river, near Bridgeport, you
could see, if your vision should stretch this far,
neat little village composed of neat little log
houses, constructed BY the industrious 0c
cupants in less time than army contractor or
quartermaster would require TO decide upon the
feasibility OF spoils, or how much less a starved
soldier could bear of hard tack and live. The
population of this aforesaid village will not ex-
coed one thousand men. "all men, none of the
gentler sex dare ntrude their gentle persons
among those merry boys, however muchsoever
their sweet and cheering presence might serve to
enliven the scene, it would be highly unmilitary.
And inasmuch as these inhabitants not all
stared upon the shoulders, the thing would not
be tolerated even for moment, in consequence
of which, the unspeakable presence of Gods
last gift to man" has, according to the revised
regulations of the army, 70 be eschewed by the
members OF the LIST brigade of Palmers division.
When we first camped here we were entirely des-
titute Of means and shelter, and almost so of
clothing and food, but BY the untireing energy OF
our excellent Brigadier General Cruft. we can
now sit by our own iresides in comfort and Sc
cnrity from the peltings of the pitiless storms
without that so often made fearful havoc upon
unfed sides, smoke our pipes, aud receive
our full daily ratiOnS of w-belly and hard tack
Such a consummation but twenty days ago at
Chattanooga, (however much we dreamed of it,
was devoutly TO be desired, yet could not for
love or money be attained Our SICK. through
the consideration of the U. s. Sanitary Commits
sion have been favored with sprinkle Of Onions
and Potatoes for which favors. though small.
all do pray. Each regiment of this brigade is
now engaged in constructing hospitals. Do not
imagine deaI reader that we are all going to be
sick. are suffering from the numerous ills that
hampered flesh is heir to. Oh. no! Our diseases
are simple as the diet on which we live and our
sick list is (tbanks the beueficient Providence
correSpondingly small Indeed the medical fees
Of the whole brigade would not furnish one of
your home physicians with two FIVE centers daily,
TO say nothing of the collateral uxuries on which
we are told that they subsist No, but hospitals
are a part and parcel of the institutions of war
and must 6e maintained
/ am told upon very good authority that Chat
tanooga is still question of much serious doubt.
to whether General Thomas will hold it or
General Bragg.
Lookout Mountain appears to be a property of
joint partnership between two very contentious
occupants, whilst Gen Hooker holds the valley
and It's base and moiety of the activity, Bragg
persisteutly maintains his position on the end
next the Clouds where he was when we left the
town That place gives him excellent range over
every part of the town. which he manages to
keep in constant state OF uneasness by sending
solid shot end she'll among the hungry inhabitants
from some sixty four Founders
The wounded men are being removed as fast
as the means of transportation and the condition
OF the patients will permit, so that shortly there
will be but few inhabitants there except soldiers
Whether the place will then be held remains vet
to be seen. 1t has cost more lives aod suffering
already shan any human power is capable of es
timating
Two roads are now open from here to that
place for wagons; one locomotive and two cars
plies daily half way, and a stea mboat is
making regular trips within a short distance of
the town. so that plenty provisions and supplies
are being forwarded These means of intercourse
are not free from the depredatiOns of rebel sharp
shooters who, secreLed upon the mountains, make
themselves very troublesome. but our forces are
so strong along the lines that their operations
cannot become serious or interrupt the communi
cation now permanently opened.
The weather has been delightful here for the
past ten days, and altogether we are enjoying
ourselves hugely. WINDES.