Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1865-01-30
$4,000 90
Thc treatment Of soldiers.

\ body OF veteran troops from Tennessee have
been passing through Cincinnati during this
week. Among them were twelve regiments
from Indiana For some reason they have suf
fered privatiens and hardships. which seem to be
without excuse. The soldier who goes to the
field and endures the privations and encounters
the risks of war, is certainly entitled to respect
not only, but the kindest treatment. Every
thing should be done for bis comfort that can
be. He should be made to feel by acts of kind
ness, that be has the respect and sympathy OF
those he represents, and for whose interests he il
contending The Cincinnati Commercial IN no
ticing the fare Of the veterans who have Just
passed through that city, aIludes in just and in
dignant terms to their treatment. 1t is due to
those gallant men that the occasion
of the neglect should be ascertain
ed, and the parties responsible for it
should be held TO a strict and rigid accountable
ity. Ii is stated, Notwithstanding the recent
cold weather. that many of these soldiers have
been transported ia cattle cars. The CONNER
cial, in abiding to the condition of these men
remarks:
1t will very much surprise our readers TO learn
thas there has been much actual suffering among
the troops iu this city white awaiting transporta-
ton by rail that they have suffered for shelter
and warmth. and in some cases for provision,
and that there are now on steamboats,, at the
public landing. several thousand veteran troops.
whose N lations are less comfortable than
any humane farmer would provide for his cattle.
l. - oeeoptial 20 ADM, that tbo slo.la
be kept together. aud not allowed the freedom of
the town; but il surpasses wonder that proper
barracks we're not made ready, under the friend
" shelter of which they could be made comfort
able. Ii it was necessary that they be kept on
board the boats, would il at all compromise the
dignits and ease of the officers If the cabins we're
thrown open, and the men permitted the use OF
the floor during nights like these? With all de
ference 70 gentlemen who have been so for,u-
nate as TO enter the service with commissions ia
their pockets. we must say that public respect for
the soldier who has no distinction but his bronzed
face and well Kept muske,. is immensurably
greater than for any officer. no matter what his
rank. whose wiliiul or indolent indifference ex-
poses bis men 10 needless privation. La plain
terms. it is inhumanity. and OF the cruelest kind.
1t IL is essential that the men be kept aboard
the boats. the best guards TO prevent their scat
tering over the city, are good full ratiOns and
warm quarters. The neglect 10 provide these
has resulted, as might have been expected, in
disobedience of orders. The men break guard
TO secure for themselves what IL is the first duty
OF their officers TO see that they have. They
were to be seen in all qus rters of the CITY yester-
day, In squads of five TO twenty, huddled about
stoves in public offices, saloons. stores. bakers
shops, and wherever a cheerful fire and good seat
invited them. Their behavior was uniformly
such as 10 command the respect and sympathy
OF people made scouainted with their condition.
lfthere is any excuse tor the miserable quar-
tiers provided for the men. there certainly can be
none for any neglect in furnishing sufficient IA
tons. Yet We were told by A score OF soldiers.
who had taken refuge in a bake-shop, that the
rations issued to them for three DAYS past were
less than they received when on short allowance
in the mountains of Georgia. Fourteen crack
ers. numbering nine to the pound, is a scaBt
provision of food for a healthy. hearty man for
three DAYS. even If he have full rations of
pork, coffee and sugar. His pork and coffee
ere very valuable, OF course, when a single
stove is the only article provided 10 cook
them for from four TO six hundred men, aud that
made 10 do double duty in keeping them warm
and preparing the meals. The misery of this
is aggravated by t.c fact that most of the troops
now here have not been paid of for from four TO
six months, AMI they are without a cent OF
moneY. In the mi1s, OF abundance, these have
not the means 10 procure a single article that
they esteem luxuric--such as soft bread. fresh
meat. and tobacco. IL was a novel and sgg-
gestive sight TO see them exchanging their unu
sed ratlons for these articles, or selliog them for
a little money with which to supply more press
ing necessities.