The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-08-31
COL. HARRY SMITH AS SENTRY.
Interesting Letter from the Old Sec
Ond Regiment at Knoxville.

Interesting Letter from the Old Sec
Ond Regiment at Knoxville.
Special to the indianapolis Journal.
CAMP POLAND, Knoxville, Tenn, Aug.
R9.-The Observation-Disclosures ty-eighth In
diana Volunteers is now comfortably quar-
tered at this place, and everybody is pleased
with the change Chckamauga was all
right, but constant going over the same
ground and seeing the same things over
and over brought a sense of weari-
ness and unrest. rendering any proposed
change welcome one. We are comfortably
situated here upon a hill where there is
fine cool breeze. 1t is counted one of the
most healthy places in the country. The
hospital, from which place 1 write con-
tains a number of Observation-Disclosures fifty
eighth boys suffering from slight touches of
malarial fever The hospital is a house
with a big, long hall for the cots. There
are no sides TO the hall, so we have plenty
of fresh air. Quartermaster Hopkins comes
over frequently, both his helpers, Sergeant
Bridges and Clerk Johnson, being on the
sick list l think Lieutenant Hopkins one
of the best men that ever lived He will
give up the last thing he has in the world
for sick friend.
We have floors in our tents, water handy
and only have guard mount and dress
parade. No other drills. 1t Is not hard to
get a pass TO town, so we will have pleas
ant time mere. The food is good. particular
IN so in the hospital where soups and milk
take the place of regulation fare. There are
plenty of nurses, who seem to understand
their business.
There is a good joke on somebody here.
Yesterday a member of our regiment came
10 the hospital for some quinine for COM
panion. and an attendant thinking him
sick put him To bed. He has been here
ever since making things lively by cutting
up all sorts of monkeyshines when the
nurses backs are turned, running around
making a regular monkey OF himself. His
actions have a better effect on the patients
than all the medicine that can be given
them Just before leaving Chickamauga we
had. another shirttail parade. with Col.
Harry b. Smith at the head of the process
sion. The night was made hldeouS with the
rafting OF tin pans as the brigade made the
rounds waking up all the soldiers in camp.
Colonel Smith is not afraid TO get out
among the boys and have some run. Every
body in camp likes him. He takes a joke
with becoming grace ana always manage:
10 have his share of the fun out or II. "A
few days ago an old farmer who had lost
some chickens came into camp and informed
the colonel that his men were foraglng and
had been feasting off his chickens. The
colonel promptly eApIessSu ms 10 q =.
told the farmer to search the tents and II
The fowls were found the occupants OF the
tent would be required TO pay for them
After a long search the farmer found the
missing chickens in the tent or Colone
smith This raised a great laugh at the
colonel's expense, in which he heartily
5oined The scamp who had stolen the
chickens made a ilne double play by screen
ing himself from the job and getting joke
on the commanding officer by placing the
s'swag'' in the latters tent. Though lenten
and ioxiai with the boys at al times, Col
Smith never permits any remtssness II
disclpline Cne day he found guard OF
duty without his full equipment and asked
him where his poncho The guard re
niied that ii was in his tent. Give me tina
eunp said the colonel and you go ge
znllr poncho. 1t WAS raining pllchforks a