The southern sentinel. (Winnfield, La.) 1883-1910, 1885-05-01

ten a short while before he was killed. at
tie hard fought little battle of Iuka Miss,
in which many of the above mentioned
Regiment. were killed and wounded.
lie was brother Of our friends, III. ",
J. NJ, F. NJ, j. L., aud w. Y. Mccain,
which we give to our readers, as he was
soldier from this parish, and among the
first that volunteed from the parish.
Camp near Saliillo. Miss. I
August 2ist. 1862. /
Dear Pa:---.is have a few leisure mo
ments, take the opportunity of address
ing you few lines. / have no news of
much importance, but hope in answer to
this. l may receive some gratifying news
from that dear and lovely spot, home.
There is something melodious and sweet
in the name of home, place of real en-
joyment and comfort, when compared
to the hustle of camp. When one is sick
whilst at home, they can receive the at
tention Of an ever faithful parent, and the
sympathy OF loving brothers and sisters;
but the case is widely different here. Few
and very few, are the attentions that one
receives whilst the parching fever is burn
ing him up. Thousands die here in camp
for want Of attention.
The health Of our regiment is very good,
and not cnly our little regiment, but the
whole Army of the West, commanded by
Gen. Price. A forward movement is ex-
pected at an early date, but / am forced
TO believe that our movement here de-
pends considerably on the movement at
Chattanooga. If we are successful i'm
whipping ont the enemy at the above
mentioned place, this army under Gen.
Price. will Immediately make forward
movement up the Mobile & Ohio Railroad.
expect we will have some fighting to do
before we advance far, as it is stated the
Federals can run a force of 30, 900 to Cor
inth in twenty-four hours. They have
only Il small force there now, probably 4
division, consisting of about 6,O00 men,
have no idea that they can have the
above number run into Corinth in so short
q period. We are about forty miles south
Of Corinth, on the Mobile & Ohio Rail-
road. do not think when we advance
that we will fight, until we get some dis
tance into Tennessee.
They are not going to fight ms unless
they have superior force to ours, and
do not believe they can concentrate a
force superior in numbers to ours, before
we can advance some distance into Ten
nessee; therefore, I think it doubtful
whether we have regular engagement
before We get as far up as middle Tennes-
see, and perchance We may get further on
than that.
Our army is in good condition to fight
now. We have had several grand re-
views. One about a month ago, by Gen.
Braxton Rragg. while we were camped
Mt Tupelo, and another yesterday, by
Gen. Price. Both say we are in good
condition for fighting. Gen. Bragg is the
fiercest looking old fellow ever saw, and
you had better believe he don't deceive
his looks. He is very tight on his men,
and expect the strictest disciplinarian
in the Confederate service. believe he |
is too strict, although. good discipline is
the making Of an army. Since the pas
sage Of the conscript law, our Generals,
and especially Bragg, have been endeav-
oring to gradually bring us under the
regular service, that is under the law
regulars. All officers, accor-
ding to Gen. Bragg's orders, have to be
appointed, as in the regular army, and
all vacancies filed by promotion. This
il causing some dissatisfaction.
There has been preaching in the Brig
adc every night for nearly week, and /
am proud to say that considerable revi-
val has broken out. Several have Joined
the church, and there are many yet that
crowd the mourner,s bench when called
FOR. / thought the small spark Of reli-
gion brought into camps, had gone out,
but the refreshing breeze Of religion has
kindled the small spark into flame. AL
though l do not make any pretentiens at
religion, like to see it in prosperous
way. rs it has tendency to morslize the
army. There are men in camps who
;hink they have no character to sustain,
md are throwing themselves away in the
vices Of the world.
Pa, could write all day, had I but
lime, but the fast lowering sun advises
ne to close, as it is nearly time to drill.
do not deem it necessary to ask you to
answer this, as am confident you will
10 it without. have been ordering my
etters to the 18th, but as can. not effect
n exchange, you will please address
hem to Company &C. srd Reg, La,
.nfantry, Saltillo, Miss.
remain your ever obt son,
A. w. MCCAIN.
- The Southern Sentinel:
Dear Editor:-Knowing that you are