Year: 1862

geon of the 5ed regiment and by Col.


Veatch Of the 25th.


Gov. Morton finding that our dead had
been buried. and our wounded carefully
and gently cared for there and elsewhere.
and being told that all the wounded were


doing we'll, that no farther aid was required


he ordered the party to be at the boat as


O'Clock TO return home.


will here mention for the benefit OF


friends, that the dead we're buried by the


company to which they belonged. Each


company was marched past the dead whore
they were lain out to be recognized by their
own comrades. They buried them, and
placed at the head of each grave board to
designate where, who, to what regiment


and company they belonged.


Our mission being ended, all returned to
the boat, according TO orders, having been


permitted to visit the battle field.


Mr.. L NJ Vance, and Two or three of our


party, wished to rem ain and see the 1ith


Indiana, W hich WAS ordered over to Fort


Donelson from Fort Henry; on Friday. the


following day. and taking on board Col.


Hovey, We started for the Colonel's camp


about one mile above. on the river AS the


boat landed, the regimental band welcomed


the Governor with those soul lstirring strains


OF the Star Spangled Banner.


After a short stay. during which time


many kind greetings took place and ques-


tons asked of friends and loved ones at


home. the Governor came on board. But


he was not destined to pass from that gal


liant regiment without speaking to them a
kind word of cheering hope. The regiment
and passengers all having their patriotic
blood reused by the music of the band,
united in ons loud call for Governor Nor.
ton" Gov. Norton


The Governor made his appearance on
the boat. and addressed the regiment in
few words, telling them that We had come
to them in that land far from home TO see to
their wants and provide for them and pro-
tect them. They had not been forgotten.--|
Indiana was watching her soldiery with the
fondness and love Of a father, and they
should never suffer if she could get to them.
Her sons, on whatever. b,itle field they had
been called. had met the enemy wi h firm
ness AMI daring, and they had never been
defeated. Indiana was proud o! them, and
ever would she love them.


With few congratulatory words for Col
Hovey. the Governor retired amid ear
nest cheering and amens.


Col Hovey was then called forward. and
in few words thanked the Governor for
remembering them. He knew that they
would be cared for. wherever they might
60, aud where they would, the name of
Hos ser shall be made SYNONYMOUS with
chvalry. "God bless you" Good bye's.
..Farewells" were spoken and cheered bac
from shore TO water and water to shore,
when the bell tapped. and the boat swung
around in the stream homeward bound. the
h., a trsE i'll IuEe Ill.
me-" 1t was a soul-stirring scene. The
memory OF that hour win live in the hearts
of many of the Indianians who Witnessed
the scene aud its associations. At night we
seem to draw nearer TO each other. and are
more willing to commune together. So it
is at the camp Of the 24th when we parted
from them. there in the enemy's country
far away from home. l felt more seriously
than ever before how great was the sacrifice
of our soldiers who are now braving the
storm and the battle field for our country
Let soldier be ever so humble in the pri-
vate walk of life-let him be ever so vicious
and depraved-there is spot within that
heart that will command your respect and
love; aye. veneration--n IS his patriotic
lore Of country. 1t is this that carries him
into battle. And for his country he dies
Where is the ran, il man he is, who cannot
would not take such man by the hand,
and bid him God speed, "and invoke Gods
blessing upon him? Such were the feelings
of many Indianians when we turned from
the brave men Of the 24th Indiana.


In passing down. the camp fires Of the
many thousand soldiers presented scene
of grandeur never before Witnessed. As
far as tine lines extended, some two miles
out from the river upon Hill side and in val
lev could be seen the bright. blazing camp
fires and heard the camp song of many
10, ful heart. The broad battle field by /
night is scene that few can realize, and
" hich fewer sill can describe. Aud upon
the scene OF every struggle. the
formidable redoubts interlaced as they were
with the cane. brush, logs packed with yel. 7
low clay earth, the advantages accruing 10
the enemy from the hills and ravines inside
the entertainments, and the almost impreg
nable fort. we were left with no other con-
clusion than that nature had first formed
for them their defense. and by art they
male it as formidable as any fort erected on
our continent. Connecting then. all these
events and couple them with the tramp of
Federal soldiery upon that blood dyed sum-
nit, measure his strength and that OF the
enemy, and you must confess that He who
rules the storm and is the God Of battles,
crowned our arms with victory.