Chaplain 8th Indiana

Camp Near Jacksonport Ark June 9

Dear Journal: Having again reached my command, with health partially restored, I resume my narrative of the migrations and experiences of the “Bloody Eight.�

I left the regiment on the 4th of April, at Cross Timbers, near Pea Ridge, Ark., for the purpose of recuperating my physical energies, prostrated by over exertion in the hospital at Cassville, and rejoined it on the 2d instant.—During this time the command has been marched from that point to this, via Forsyth and West Plains, a distance of at least three hundred miles by this route, over the roughest roads this Heaven-forsaken country affords, fording swollen streams, short of transportation and forage, and frequently as much so of rations. Yet here it is, without any material decrease of its numbers on the march, and with only some six or seven on the sick list, and none of those considered dangerous.

The boys are more eager for another fight now than ever, and the least intimation of even the prospect of a skirmish will bring them out of quarters in “double quick.�—Whether they are destined to be gratified is exceedingly problematical—as there are no indications of other hostile forces here than some guerrilla parties, who rarely show themselves except in overwhelming numbers against small parties of our men, and even then, if resolutely attacked, they generally “skedaddle� to the swamps.

Captain C. O. Howard, General Benton’s Adjutant, at the head of a party of the Ninth Illinois Cavalry, overhauled a party of twelve of them on the 7th, some eight miles below Jacksonport, and, before they could make good their escape, handled them very severely. He reports ten of the twelve seriously, if not mortally wounded. Our loss was only one horse killed and one man slightly hurt.

A rebel gunboat came up a few days ago and destroyed a considerable quantity of cotton, sugar and molasses at Jacksonport, which was then held by a part of the 9th Illinois Cavalry, with one section of an Ohio battery, but being unsupported by infantry they fell back out of range of her shot and shell.—Having accomplished her object she retreated down the river again, just where to we do not yet know, but if she is within striking distance we shall “go for her� as soon as the necessary arrangements can be made.

The command at present assigned to Brigadier General Benton consists of the Eight and Eighteenth Indiana infantry, the 1st Indiana battery, Captain Klauss, and the Peoria Light Artillery, Capt. Davidson, while as ranking officer here he has under his direction two battalions of 9th Illinois cavalry and two pieces of Ohio artillery.

The General bears his “blushing honors� very gracefully, is always accessible to everybody, ever ready to make every effort for the comfort of his men; and, should opportunity offer, will most assuredly justify the confidence of the Government evidenced by his commission, by his disposition and bearing on the field of battle.

While his promotion is a matter of rejoicing to his friends, it is also exceedingly fortunate that the consequent promotions in the regiment still place it in the command of officers of ability and experience, in whom the men have the utmost confidence.

Batesville is still the headquarters of the army of the South west, and may remain so for some time to come, possibly, unless communication should be opened by way of the rivers with some base of supplies. This however, we hope will soon be accomplished, and then we shall probably take possession of Little Rock; and, if need be, Gen Curtis may establish a Provisional Government for the State.

Unless rebel refugees from Corinth should find their way to Arkansas in considerable force, and evince more pluck than they seem to have shown there, I apprehend no general conflict in this State. It is not proper to state the number of Curtis’ command, but I may say that if the rebels have the temerity to attack us, we are able to give them more than Pea Ridge. Nothing would please the boys better than again to try their mettle before the war closes; an event, which is generally regarded here as not very far in the future, judging from the recent succession of brilliant achievements in Virginia and the Mississippi valley [sic].

To those who have loved ones in this command, I will say that, though they have endured hardships that ought to command the esteem of a grateful country, yet their health is generally unimpaired, and their moral and physical constitution as favorable as could be expected in a campaign of this character.

I will endeavor to keep the people posted as to our condition and movements, as opportunity may serve, so far as consists with the public service.
A. W. Sanford,
Chaplain 8th Indiana.