Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1863-04-09

CAMP OF THE 7TH REGIMENT INDIANA Vols
Pratf's Point Va Anril ? 1863

CAsP OF THE 7TH REGIMESr INDIANA Vols Z
Pratt's Point, Va, April ? 1863.
EpIToR SENTINEL: make the venture TO write
few items volunteer correspondent from
this regiment. and IL | escape the abuse and Will
ication OF a class of correspondents of Repubii-
can journals, of whom shall hereafter speak, |
will be made an exception 20 the general rule.
There have been so many communications writ
ten from this regiment lately, disavowIDg every
thing that would seem to indicate decentralization
IN the regiment, that some have construed their
persistent efforts Of the mind to Indicate that all
was not right among the To those who
have become thus erroneous impressed in regard
to the regiment, would ask them TO divest their
minds of all such notions more tractable ard
obedient set OF men we're never mustered INTO the
service than those composing the fth Indiana
regiment, and To day they are just as loyal and
patriotic mot enthnsiastic) as they were the day
they were mustered into the service. There ex-
listed and still exists among the men dit
ference Of opinion upon questions OF policy and
exDedency, in the conduct Of the war. and with
regard 10 the Administration which thew have
not been reluctant in publishing TO the world; and
those who have professed their continued adher-
ence to the Democratic organization. and de
sire to restore the National Union it was, with
the Constitution intact, have been the subjects of
the vilest vituperations and aspersions of their
private character. by some of the fanatcal por
ton of the Abolition party.
This partisan animpSitv has even induced COM
missioned officers whose dignity has been com
promised with the excessive indulgence Of slim
ulants-which probably Superinduced their cour-
age-to so far forget their honor and proper
respect for their official character, to indulge
themselves i'm so base a calling "a to attempt to
asperse the character of prvates in a newspaper
journal An instance of this kind is to be found
nv referring 10 a recent number of the Journal OF
your CITY. 4 reioinder to the article would re
quire the person making il, to get down into a
cess pool and throw filth into the face of black
guard don't envy the military honor and glory
our citizens will ascribe to such heroes when they
return home. With such exceptions all is per
feet niifaire with us
In looking over Republican journals. ones
eye meets on every page, an epistle from some
valiant son of Mars who has nobly split his life's
blood "a la mode de Fa!stag) with displayed
heading, "A Soldiers opinion of Copperhead
Peacemakers" We naturally inquire of our
selves, how il il that soldiers will abuse the
parry which has always been the soldiers friend :;
which has done honor to them that no other or
ganizat0n ever did. or ever WILL which prevented
them from meeting in Mexico, - welcome with
bloody hands to hospitable graves de
sired bv some who now loudly profess ~ be their
friends This matter is readily explained There
soldiers believe that the Democracy sympathize
with secession and that the Legislature wished
to take the State out Of the Union. last winter.
and Gust Governor Morton, the soldiers friend,
from the Governorship These correspondents,
seized with cacocfhes scribendi wish to establish
an unquestionable patriotism BY denouncing 9th
ers; and. not unfrequently, their epstles TO
newspapers are made precursors to the sequel
which is to follow. when there is a sufficient time
81 a.
ties in the shape of a recommendation of Mr.
Squibs private of company - for "A commission
This manner of procedure has no doubt had It's
effect 10 fOiSt upon the service some men who
have never smelt gunpowder. only when pur
posey applied to their olfictories No doubt
many of these will make efficient officers: but it
would look more like unbiased Justice if the old
Nanoleonic rule was observed, of giving promo
ton to those who have shared the dangers of
battle. and the fatigues of marche- and proven
their unqrestonable bravery by heroic actions
So far personal consideration is concerned.
feel the most stoical indifference as to who shall
become line officers, but. fiat justitai. ct ruat
coelum
Governor Morton made visit to the limits of
our camp on Sunday last The irreguarity of
the streets. and the promiscuous Settlement of
domicils throughout our city Of tents.
might call our camp, prevented our Governor
paid me visit Had he been so fortunate as to
have called on me he would have found the
latch string of my door hanging out, and enter
ing. would have received my kndest hospitslites
and partaken OF share of nv sumptnOus repast
such only soldiers afford. But if his appe
tite is rs voracious as his appearance would seem
tn indicate. | wonld rather not have him prolong
his stay His Excelencv certainly could not
have been appriztd Of nv whereaboutS, "a mitter
I 18Th IN inf, hin, of ba would curalv
have acted npon the red tape system and trans
mitted TO me through endless mazes Of officials
his carte de visite, the lest respect he could
have shown to occupying the honorable posi-
ton of high" private. like myself
The first intimation We had Of the arrival Of a
distinguished visitor. was the long roll that
meant to fall in. aud were told we were to be
trotted out for the Governor of Indiana 10 see
our personole The most of the men turned ont,
and were marched to the parade grounds, where
the regiment was formed into close column by
division. His Excelency. mounted on dashing
charger. accompanied by cOrtege of officers,
rode up and was introduced TO the troops by NJ
jor, now Lieut. Col Grover, commanding the
regiment He made some few remarks to the
men. telling them they had done noble service,
and would be expected to do more But little
qualification and encouragement was felt from
what he said. and all might have been responded
to in few words He said the people at home
had not forgotten US We could have told him
we had not forgotten them, and long 10 be with
them At the conclusion the Msior proposed
three cheers for the Governor. which was re
Sponded 10 bv wells that made the welkin ring,
and frightened his Excellencys steed 50 that it
came near dismounting is rider | would have
caught the restless animal by the bit and held
him from rrancng and endangering the life and
limbs of His Excellencv, only that | didn't know
but might be one of the guests that might be
invited in the evening to show him proper re
spect. and disliked To perform office mental.
that might have him suppose me some officials
waiter
| made due allowance for all neglect shown
me by His Excellency. but seeing so many reso-
lutions of thanks voted him by Republican
semhlies for his uutring efforts in ministering
10 the sick and wounded soldiers ] hardly sus
pectei the Governor would neglect TO visit our
hospital When he rode close 10 the hospital.
and could hear through the curtain walls. the
groan Of suffering soldiers, | thought he would
be reminded OF his ministerial Office of mercy 20
the sick and dismOunt aud go in administer,
at least. some words OF consolation TO the re
cumbent inmates but not so. for like the Priest
and the Levite. he passed the suffering. trusting
thev MI ut receive the care of some good Sauna
ritan AT night the regiment was called out and
marched the Headquarters Of the brigade.
where the Governor was stopping. accompanied
by a brass band that dscourSed good music. play
ing the tune Hail to the Chief" The Governor
was called tor and. making his appearance. gave
them speech: what he said. | am unable TO saw.
for had no invitation and was not present.