Year: 1862

lELENA, AtsA-y ANON' ~, 1OO<s


DEAR Observation-Disclosures it has been
some time since | scribbled any for your
readers edifcation, it is not because 1
have forgotten the old familiar face
which even here in far off Dixie land
often makes its appearance to cheer the
soldiers heart and bring him news from
that place of all places-Home.


The lst Indiana is now comfortably
situated in winter quarters, which l sup
pose means that we are to stay here for
several months, while it will no doubt
be more pleasant than to be in the field
this winter. You will find but few in the
command who would not prefer an ac-
tive campaign if thereby the war could
be sooner brought to close Active,
vigorous, and, if need be, extreme meas
ures, is what the army calls for; and if
there is set or party of men who have
staid at home for the purpose of aiding
and assisting the South by dividing the
North and producing dissension among
ourselves, day of reckoning is. surely
coming compared with which the pres
ent state of affairs, is as nothing. Men
of all parties, of all creeds, have left all
and risked all in defense of law and
order A few months campaigning has
made them as a unit on that question.
The Union shall be maintained, cost
what it may, cost what it will; you that
stay at home, quarrel as you like about
party names and party measures, but get
not in the way of this one great object
Beware how you attempt to hinder the
operations of the army or stop its sup
plies. Did the crusaders show deter
mination in their efforts to recover the
Holy Sepulchre? Did the followers of
Mahomet show enthusiasm in their un-
dertakings? Not more determination
did the one have, not more enthusiasm
did the other show, than what is exhibited
in the Army or the Northwest At pres
ent, in regard to the maintenance of
the Union, the undimned lustre of the
old flag, let France, let England, let all
who may wish TO, take advantage of our
troubles, but get not up fire in our
rear let not those whom we have al
ways thought our friends, turn against
us, or else bitter indeed will be the. cup
to drink--fearful will be the reaction.


Scouting and forage parties 60 out
almost every day and Skirmishes are of
frequent occurrence within a few miles
of camp Forage trains already have to
90 from ten to fifteen miles, the corn be-
ing all gathered Nearer than that i'm
mense cotton fields can be seen in every
direction perfectly white and ready for
the harvest, but alas, the laborers are
few, and indeed, it is but poor encour-
agement any one has for work, for as
fast as a bale of cotton is picked, some
guerrilla party would be along and burn
it. But it is beautiful sight, these large
fields of cotton with the pod burst open,
and the great staple free from its prison
house, hanging in bunches and fakes
and rivaling in purity and whiteness the
snow which we often see on the forest
trees soon after it has fallen.


A your readers are all probably aware
Major Forth has been promoted to the
Lieutenant Colonelcy of the 9TH Cavalry
He went bearing with him the best wishes
of all the officers in the regiment Lieu.
tenant Colonel Wood has been away on
the recruiting service for several months
and rumor has it that some of the faiI
damsels in old Hoosier are about to en-
trap him in matrimonial alliance, which
indeed, if he is as ready to pitch into as
he is in fight, will not be very hard
work to do. Col Baker is now absent
on furlough, which leaves the com
mand of the brigade to Col. Spicely OF
the 34th Indiana. Capt Well II. Walker
of company B, has command of the reg
iment, he being senior Captain We
have had considerable cold weather this
month, very windy and clustering, re-
minding US of March weather further
North.


Since writing the above, the regiment
has received orders to prepare for long
trip somewhere down in Dixie. We
start in two or three days, whether it be
Vicksburg or Little Rock is not knoSn
The First Indiana are always ready
Hoping to be able to address you from
one of the above places ere many days
roll round,


Iremain yours respectfully,


SPENCER COUNTY