Chaplain Arthur Sanford letter´s from Tony Meeks
Chaplain Arthur Sanford of the 8th Indiana Infantry wrote a series of letters to the Indianapolis Daily Journal chronicling the experiences of the regiment in the Trans-Mississippi Theater during 1862. In this letter he describes the duties and living conditions of a chaplain in winter camp.
Arthur Sanford was a Presbyterian minister who served as chaplain for two Indiana infantry regiments, the 8th and the 36th. His service with the 8th was from September 1861 to August 1862 and with the 36th from April 1863 to February 1864. Sanford resigned his post of chaplain in February 1864 due to health problems. He died in Detroit, Michigan on November 28, 1887.
This letter appeared in the Indianapolis Daily Journal on January 14, 1862 on page 2 columns 1and 2. The spelling and punctuation are unchanged from the original publication.
Correspondence 8th Regiment.
Camp Lamine, Mo., Jan 8th, 1862.
Ed. Journal: Although still without my “Sibley tent,” the obtention of which is quite problematical, I will, nevertheless, venture a line for the purpose of keeping our friends posted as to our locality and condition.
We are still in camp some two miles below Lamine bridge, on the west bank of the river, and except heavy daily details for labor on the fortifications at the bridge, guard duty, and the supplying ourselves with forage and fuel, we are in a state of “masterly inactivity.” Company and squad drill will probably be soon inaugurated as a permanent institution; but our camp is entirely too small for maneuvering a battalion. Our camp is on high, rolling ground, well protected from the wind by timber on every side; fuel convenient and plenty; the Lamine furnishes us with excellent water; and, altogether, we could probably have found no eligible situation for winter quarters in Western Missouri. The most serious drawback upon our comfort is the lack of capacious, comfortable tents for the men. They still inhabit the small ordinary tents, issued to them at Camp McClellan, many of which are well night worn out, or are of too limited capacity to be conveniently fitted up for winter use: we still hope this will be soon remedied. The health of the men is steadily improving. There are but two seriously sick, and they are now convalescent.
The number in hospital is diminishing, and there are very few cases which are considered dangerous. Assistant Surgeon Bruce, of Winchester, Ind., is always at his post in camp, and ready at a moment’s warning, day or night, to render medical aid to all who need it, and the success attending his treatment of the men seems to demonstrate his skill and efficiency.
Of the moral status of the regiment it is proper that I should speak with some caution, in view of the relation I sustain. I think, however, that it is to some extent improving. Profanity is either decreasing or is practiced at a greater distance from my presence. Gambling, which, at a game called “chuckaluck,” was a few weeks since extensively in vogue, is prohibited by regimental order, rigidly enforced by the company officers, and the men seem resigned to, if not pleased with, the prohibition.
Eight Sabbaths have intervened since I entered upon my duties as Chaplain. Four of them have been occupied in marching; upon one, the order for preaching was recalled to permit me to go seven miles, at the special request of his Captain, to attend the funeral of one of our soldiers; on two we had public service, including short sermons, at which nearly every officer and man in the regiment were in attendance, except those necessarily on duty, and the quiet, order, decorum and apparent interest that characterized their behavior far exceeded that which I have frequently witnessed on similar occasions in civil life. Last Sabbath a continued snow storm rendered service impracticable.
I visit our sick in the hospitals as frequently as I have opportunity, and when consistent, introduce religious exercises, and these visits seem to be gratefully appreciated by the patients; and, at all events, I deem them an essential part of my duty. Through the agency of benevolent associations and individuals I have been enabled to distribute a considerable amount of religious reading, and have arrangements for a stated supply and an increase of the amount; and am happy to say that the men generally avail themselves of it with avidity.
Two things every faithful Chaplain will learn in a very brief experience. First, that although regular public services, when practicable, are very important in forming and perpetuating religious influences, yet it is by exhibiting on all the thousand occasions that occur, a deep interest in the temporal, as well as spiritual interest and welfare of the soldier, and demonstrating it in all his private intercourse, by all those words and acts of kindness for which he has constant opportunity, that he is to win their confidence and esteem, and thereby give efficacy to his public labors.
Second, he must not wait for opportunities to come along, but always be on the alert to make and improve them. Work systematically when he can, but work without system when he can do no better.
How long we shall remain here is not known, but there are no present indications of a removal.
nbsp; A. W. Sanford, Chaplain
Chaplain Arthur Sanford of the 8th Indiana Infantry wrote a series of letters to the Indianapolis Daily Journal chronicling the experiences of the regiment in the Trans-Mississippi Theater during 1862. In this letter he the movements of the regiment in January and February of that year.
Arthur Sanford was a Presbyterian minister who served as chaplain for two Indiana infantry regiments, the 8th and the 36th. His service with the 8th was from September 1861 to August 1862 and with the 36th from April 1863 to February 1864. Sanford resigned his post of chaplain in February 1864 due to health problems. He died in Detroit, Michigan on November 28, 1887.
This letter appeared in the Indianapolis Daily Journal on March 5, 1862 on page 2 column 2. The spelling and punctuation are unchanged from the original publication.
Letter from Arkansas.
The Eight Regiment After Price.
Camp On Little Sugar, Ark., Feb. 19.
Dear Journal: I improve an accidental opportunity to pencil a line informing those who have friends in the Eight Indiana where they may call upon us to pay their respects.
They are already aware that we were marched on January 24, as part of the force designed, under Gen. Curtis, to whip Price or drive him out of Missouri. We formed a junction with the forces moving from Rolla under Sigel and Asboth, at Lebanon, on the 7th of February. Moved toward Springfield on the 10th—arrived within some seven miles of it on the 12—some skirmishing about sundown between cavalry and Price’s pickets in the brush—detailed heavy pickets to guard against surprise—no disturbance through the night—moved on Springfield at 4 a. m. on the 13th, taking across fields to avoid a masked battery—formed line of battle about 11/2 miles north of the town—expecting every moment to see smoke and flame belching from a concealed battery in our front, and were waiting with stern coolness the order to charge, when it was announced the enemy had retired and our forces were in possession of the town.
We then moved into and through Springfield, and planted the flag of the 22d Indiana on the Court House, amid the clangor of martial music and the cheers of manly voices.
About a mile and a half South of town we took possession of one of Price’s hastily evacuated camps, found plenty of wood, forage, &c., and rested till next morning. Learned that Price’s forces commenced their retreat early last evening, the 14th. Pushed on in pursuit 26 miles. The cavalry discovered their camp, and mounting howitzers, threw a few shells. Continued the pursuit on the 15th—making 21 miles—overtook their rear guard on Little Flat Creek: had a skirmish, killing three or four, and routing them completely.
Pushed on again on the 16th; passing through Cassville about noon, found it almost deserted—Price having occupied it the night before and prepared for battle, had we come up with him. Had a little skirmish with his rear guard near Keatsville, 5 miles further on, and Gen, Davis, with some 300 cavalry, had another brush with them about 10 miles further South, on the Arkansas border.
Moved on again about 12 mile on the 17th to this place, where, about noon, the rebels made a stand in the brush. The 1st Missouri cavalry charged them, and after a sharp skirmish routed them, losing 13 killed and 30 or 40 wounded, and killing probably many more of the rebels, as they are still being found in the woods.
Our march has been one of unprecedented hardship, under which the men, especially the Hoosiers, have stood up manfully. If we catch Price or not, we have driven him in hot haste into Arkansas, and do not expect to permit him to revisit Missouri. We are lying here some 5 or 6 miles South of the line, not knowing what is our future destination.
It is reported in camp that an advance, under Asboth, captured two pieces of Price’s artillery yesterday.
Capt. N. Bransen of Muncie, and Sergeant John Edwards, of company H, 8th Indiana,
voluntarily headed the cavalry charge here, and the latter was very seriously wounded in the right arm and left thigh. We hope he will recover.
We are generally of the opinion that we shall pursue Price until he finds some place, say Fort Smith or Little Rock, where he will dare to fight.
At the first convenient opportunity I will furnish a detailed account of this expedition.
In haste, A. W. Sanford,
Chaplain 8th Indiana.
Chaplain Arthur Sanford of the 8th Indiana Infantry wrote a series of letters to the Indianapolis Daily Journal chronicling the experiences of the regiment in the Trans-Mississippi Theater during 1862. In this letter he describes the events prior to Hill’s Plantation and the battle itself. The result of the battle on July 7, 1862 was a victory for the Union.
Arthur Sanford was a Presbyterian minister who served as chaplain for two Indiana infantry regiments, the 8th and the 36th. His service with the 8th was from September 1861 to August 1862 and with the 36th from April 1863 to February 1864. Sanford resigned his post of chaplain in February 1864 due to health problems. He died in Detroit, Michigan on November 28, 1887.
These letters appeared in the Indianapolis Daily Journal on July 21, 1862 on page 2 columns 1 and 2. The spelling and punctuation are unchanged from the original publication.
Letters from Curtis’s Army.
The Eighth Indiana in Arkansas.
Augusta, Ark., July 5, 1862.
Dear Journal: My last, date of 15th June, left us at Sulphur Rock; having not written since, simply because there has been no opportunity to send out mail, nor have we received letters from home of later date than May 26th.
By the transition from Missouri railroads to Arkansas rivers, as channels of transportation, we have been mostly effectually cut off from communication with the outer world and “the rest of mankind,” and many a poor soldier’s heart has thereby been made to ache with anxiety about the condition of “loved ones at home.”
But, to resume the narrative our migration. We marched from Sulphur Rock to Jacksonport, on Sunday, June 22d;--(could not some of this Sabbath marching be dispensed with?) Jacksonport, county seat of Jackson county is situate on the east bank of White river [sic], just below the mouth of Black, and, in peaceful times, has evidently been a point of considerable business importance, but its citizens, intensely “secesh,” are now reaping most bitterly the fruits of their folly and wickedness.
On the 25th, our bridge having been put down, we crossed Black river in the morning, and, on the 26th, marched down the east side of White river[sic], and encamped on Village Creek; our cavalry advance driving in the enemy’s pickets and capturing two “of them.”
On the 27th, about twilight in the evening, a portion of the 9th Illinois and 3d Iowa Cavalry, escorting a forage train, had a severe skirmish with Hooker’s guerrillas some seven miles below here—fighting them at a great disadvantage, both in position and numbers, until too dark to distinguish them, and losing four killed and over thirty wounded. The rebels retreated under cover of darkness, carrying off all their dead and wounded except two.
Both officers and men of the cavalry thus engaged, are regarded by all as having conducted themselves most gallantly, of which their loss is palpable evidence. The enemy’s loss will probably never be known, but must have been very severe, as our men rode almost into their very faces to deliver their fire and emptied their revolvers.
The 28th, was occupied by the 8th Indiana, 33d Illinois, 1st Indiana Cavalry, and Klauss’ Indiana Battery, in an endeavor to find and capture, or cut up this band of rebels, but ineffectually, they having ran too fast and hidden themselves too well to be overtaken or discovered.
July 1st, we moved some ten miles in the direction of Augusta, driving back the enemy’s pickets and taking some twenty-five prisoners, when we encamped on Dr. Pickett’s plantation, comprising some 1,600 acres of land. Here we found some eighty s[l]aves of all ages, from three to sixty-six years of age, deserted by their master, and having things pretty much their own way, and who seemed most hugely to enjoy the display miltaire, especially the music. Whenever the band commenced playing, little imps, as black as the ace of spades, clad with but one garment, and that, “in longitude most sorely scanty,” might be seen putting down a flat-foot in as accurate consonance with the time, and as utter an abandon
as ever Terpsichore inspired in her most accomplished votaries.
We were compelled to lie here over the 2d, while a pioneer party removed timber, felled by the rebels across the road to hinder our pursuit. On the 3d we marched under scorching sun, through dust about six inches deep, to this place, where we still remain, but expect to move toward Des Are to morrow [sic].
Yesterday the glorious old “Fourth,” was celebrated by a nation salute by Manter’s battery 12 m., and at 3 p.m. the greater part of Gen. Steele’s Division assembled in an extensive grove, where, after prayer, General Benton delivered an impromptu oration in his happiest vein, followed by Col. Hovey, 33d Illinois, Col. Bussey, 3d Iowa Cavalry and Lt. Colonel Washburne, of the 18th Indiana, in very appropriate remarks, all of which were enthusiastically received by the soldierly audience, the whole being interspersed with excellent music, by the well-trained and talented band of the 18th Indiana.
Laban Garner, of Co. C, Capt. Riley on yesterday, sent one rebel to his last account. His name was Bland, resides here, and was one concerned in the attack of our transports at St. Charles Bluff. Garner and a comrade had gone down the river some two miles, and called for dinner at a Mr. Reiff’s; while waiting for it Bland, who had been hiding in the brush, came up, passed into the house and asked Mrs. Reiff for a gun. On being told there was none he came out and seized an axe, which he drew on Garner, demanding his surrender, and calling on Reiff to secure his comrade. Reiff declined. Garner seized the axe with one hand and Bland’s throat with the other, and his comrade having wrenched the axe from Bland, Garner pitched into him and beat him so nearly dead with his fist, that when he released him he staggered to the river bank and tumbled in and drowned.
The health of the regiment remains extremely good. Out of seven hundred enlisted men, only eighteen are unable to march, and there are no cases of dangerous or even severe sickness among them. The weather is very uniformly hot—about like our Indiana extreme midsummer—but the boys have become so gradually accustomed to it that they seem to mind it no more than an ordinary summer at home.
Where we are going, or by what route, is a military secret, which Gen. Curtis does not yet permit to transpire. As it becomes developed, I will endeavor to keep your readers posted, so far as opportunity serves.
A. W. Sanford,
Chaplain 8th Indiana.
Helena, Ark., July 14, 1862.
Dear Journal: My last, mailed with this, left us at Augusta on the 5th inst. On the 6th we marched to Cache river [sic] on the road to Clarendon. Our cavalry advance had a little skirmish on the river bank, with a party of rebels, killing three—no lost to themselves, though one of the 3d Iowa cavalry was shot while watering his horse, and in return Capt. Klauss shelled the woods, whether with effect we did not stay long enough to inquire. On the 7th we marched some two or three miles, when our advance guard, composed the 1st Indiana Cavalry and detachments of the 33d Illinois and 11th Wisconsin, became engaged with a rebel force of 7,000, into whom they pitched most gallantly and never lost an inch of ground, but, after an obstinate fight, drove them off, killing from 150 to 200—we buried 103 on the ground.
On the commencement of the action Col. Hovey sent back for reinforcements, when Gen. Benton, at the head of the “Old Eighth,” set forward at “double quick,” but being too far in the rear, could not get up in time to participate in the principal fight. They pushed on, however, after the retreating foe for several miles, to where it was supposed they were making a stand, and formed line of battle, deploying skirmishers and offering battle, which not being accepted, Gen. Benton ordered their cover shelled by the 1st Indiana cavalry’s [sic] howitzers—the result of which, is said by captured rebels, to have been the killing of 40 to 50 of their number. From rebel sources, regarded as reliable, we learn that they lost in killed alone, from 260 to 300 in the entire affair.
Particular credit is due Col. Hovey, 33d Illinois, who is in command of the 2nd Brigade of the 1st Division, for the courage, coolness and skill with which he conducted the fight, until the arrival of Gen. Benton, who, of course, then assumed command; and who informed me that Col. Hovey on being directed to deploy skirmishers to feel the enemy’s position and develop their fire, placed himself at their head, and remained in front until it became evident the rebels had no further intention of fighting.
Gen. Benton is justly entitled to all praise, for making every exertion, on this and all other occasions, to get himself and his command into action, and it is only because it was impossible, without disobedience of orders, that he has not exposed himself to all danger in accomplishing this object. Still, with all his impetuous daring, I know of no other commander who takes more pains, or displays more coolness in arranging everything for the safety and comfort of his men, in the battlefield, on march and in camp.
I must not forget to most honorably mention the 1st Indiana Cavalry, Colonel Baker. They are always ready to go anywhere, and “go in on their muscle” on every practicable occasion. It is said by those who ought to know, that they have performed more active and efficient service, than the dozen other cavalry regiments in the Southwest. I know that they are the terror of rebeldom, from Pilot Knob to Jacksonport—not for stealing, but for fighting.
From Mound Hill, or Cache Crossing, the place of the above-named fight, we arrived at Clarendon, on White river, on the 9th, only to find that we had moved so slow that the boats from which we had expected supplies of provisions and clothing had gone down the river so far that our signal guns could not reach them.
On the 11th we moved toward Helena, on the Mississippi River, which we reached yesterday. By some miserable blunder (outside of our brigade, however,) our division was sent on one road and our wagons on another. This resulted in our making a march of some fifty miles or more without tents, blankets, or provisions, except four crackers per man, which, providentially, Col. Carr happened to be able to furnish us-his Division taking the same road in our rear.
I do not pretend to locate the responsibility for this blinder, but simply it is the most inexcusable outrage upon the men of the First Division that I have ever known perpetuated in the service.
There is another fact which I state with pain, and only from a sense of justice to others—particularly to vindicate Indianaians from charges which the impartial historian must hereafter make against the Army of the South-West. It pains me particularly because I must implicate, primarily, those whom I have always heretofore sought to vindicate. I allude to the German soldiers under Gen. Osterhaus. Their outrageous violation of the rules of civilized warfare on our march from Jacksonport to this place has been too intolerable to pass without notice. That they have plundered and burnt private dwellings, stolen and destroyed property not contraband of war or capable of being used in the army, and marked the line of their march with terror and devastation, seems to be a fact admitting of no dispute; while the dark cloud of contrabands intermingled with the command—riding in ambulances and wagons and following in the in the rear, while sick soldiers walk—indicate that this Division at least has taken the business of negro confiscation into its own hands most effectively.
The health of the regiment, previous to the last four days, has been remarkably good, but I fear that our starvation march will result in considerable sickness.
I will write again in a few days if we remain here, till when au revoir.
A. W. Sanford,
Chaplain 8th Indiana.
N. B.--Country papers, in counties from which the regiment was raised, please copy—I have no further time to write.
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                                                                                                                                                              A. W. S.
Chaplain Arthur Sanford of the 8th Indiana Infantry wrote a series of letters to the Indianapolis Daily Journal chronicling the experiences of the regiment in the Trans-Mississippi Theater during 1862. In this letter he describes the activities of the regiment in June 1862.
Sanford was a Presbyterian minister who served as chaplain for two Indiana infantry regiments, the 8th and the 36th. His service with the 8th was from September 1861 to August 1862 and with the 36th from April 1863 to February 1864. Sanford resigned his post of chaplain in February 1864 due to health problems. He died in Detroit, Michigan on November 28, 1887.
These letters appeared in the Indianapolis Daily Journal on June 27, 1862 on page 2 columns 1, 2, and 3. The spelling and punctuation is unchanged from the original publication.
Letters From Arkansas.
The Eight Indiana-Where it is, and What it has been Doing.
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.
Camp Near Sulphur Rock, Ark.,
June 16th, 1862.
Dear Journal: I wrote you one week ago from Jacksonport, since which time but little of importance to your readers has transpired in this vicinity.
There appearing to be no immediate occupation for infantry at Jacksonport, we were marched back to this place on the 9th inst., and have been lying in camp ever since. The location is dry and healthy—water tolerably good, and altogether superior to that at Jacksonport. The miserable little backwoods town here takes its name from a sulphur spring, which rises in the rocky margin of a small stream near our camp. The inhabitants are, of course, all Union, since we came here, and will so remain while we stay, unless an overwhelming rebel force should appear. That might make a very great change in their political sentiments and position.
Really, one must conclude that a great proportion of the population here are either most consummate hypocrites, or else the most pusillanimous, cowardly, and time-serving selfish wretches alive—every ready to cry “good Lord or good Devil,” so that they may remain unmolested, and be required to make no sacrifices for the government. That there are some few who are unconditionally loyal I have no doubt—but they hardly amount to more than Lot’s family in Sodom.
There are some bands of guerrillas hovering about the country, one of which, commanded by the notorious Hooker, has a fastness in the Village Creek swamps, southeast of Jacksonport, and is said to number perhaps some four hundred. A portion of this gang, perhaps all, attacked a forage train a few days since, which was guarded by a part of the 9th Illinois Cavalry, Col. Brackett. They held the rebels in check until the Colonel forwarded reinforcements from his own regiment, supported by part of Bowen’s battalion with two mountain howitzers, or, as the boys call them, “bull pups.” A sharp skirmish ensued, in which the rebels were driven into the swamp where the cavalry could not follow them, with a loss of twenty-eight killed and captured—our loss one taken prisoner and twelve wounded.
There is also a force, estimated from 4,000 to 10,000—most of them extemporized under the conscript law of Arkansas, commanded by Hindman, an ex-member of Congress, and said to be moving toward Batesville. We most ardently hope they are—and should it be the case, you may hear of some fun in these “parts” are long. Gen. Hindman, if he does not watch the corners, may find the old proverb of “the d—l take the hindmost,” and foremost too, to be no joke.
When and where we shall move from here I do not know, and if I did, it would not be proper for me at this time to tell—but, for the benefit of those who have dear friends in this command, I will say that there is almost no sickness at all in the regiment—the boys are in high spirits—the officers as kind and indulgent as consists with good discipline, and there is not the least fear of any force with which we cannot promptly and successfully cope.
Yesterday we had public religious service, which was attended by nearly every officer and man not on necessary duty, from General Benton down, and which was characterized by order and decorum which would compare very favorably with that usually attendant upon like occasions in the walks of civil life. I am happy to say that the officers give the men a good example in this regard, and that they seem well disposed to imitate it.
We are living in hope of the opening of communication by way of the rivers, and a consequent improvement in the regularity of our mail facilities, when you may hear from us more interestingly, if not more frequently.
A. W. Sanford,
Chaplain 8th Indiana.
Sword Presentation.
Camp Near Sulphur Rock, Ark.,
June 16, 1862.
Dear Journal: The ceremony of presenting the splendid sword, heretofore noticed in the Journal, to Brigadier General William P. Benton, commanding the 1st brigade, 1st Division, Army of the Southwest, came off about a week since, and was an occasion very interestingly relieving to the monotony of camp life.
The gift was originally designed to be a compliment, tendered by the officers of the old brigade, composed of the 8th, 18th, and 22d Indiana regiments, of which he had command during the mid-winter march from Central Missouri to Cross Hollows, Arkansas.
The officers of all these regiments subscribed liberally for that purpose, just before the battle of Pea Ridge, during which, and before any collections had been made, except from the 8th regiment, this subscription was accidentally lost by the officers having it in possession.
Taking advantage of my visit to Indiana on sick leave, I procured the sword; and on my return to the command, the old brigade having been dismembered by the transfer of the 22d to another division, it was concluded to make it a regimental testimonial of the estimation in which Gen. Benton was held by the “Old Eight,” of which he had so long been in honored command.
The regiment being formed on its “parade,” was marched to the General’s headquarters, and properly disposed, when Col. Shunk, who prefers a hard fight to a long speech, presented the sword, with a few plain, direct, and well timed remarks, worth of the man, and befitting the occasion.
The General, who by the way, can talk as well as fight, reverted modestly to his military career, his services in the ranks in Mexico, and his progressive elevation to his present position, but declared that to be the proudest moment of his life.
Briefly reviewing the hardships, exposures, and peril incident to the campaign in Western Virginia—the fight at Rich Mountain—the expedition under Fremont to Springfield—the terrible winter march to Cross Hollows—the bloody battle of Pea Ridge, and the subsequent tedious migration of the command to this point; the toils, privations, and dangers of which had been shared by himself, and uncomplaingly borne by the brave men whom he was addressing; that these men, said he, should thus unite in this expression of confidence and regard, gave the costly and beautiful present a value, in his estimation, infinitely above its intrinsic worth.
In conclusion, he pledged himself never to betray that confidence, or become unworthy that regard. Accepting the sword in a spirit responsive to that in which it was bestowed, he would part with it but with life, and dying, bequeath it to his son, never to be drawn but in defense of his country’s honor—never sheathed while a foreign or domestic foe, in arms threatened her existence or integrity.
After three hearty cheers for the General, and three also for Col. Shunk, a new and beautiful flag, donated by the ladies of Terre Haute and Indianapolis, on which was inscribed Rich Mountain and Pea Ridge, was presented to the regiment by Gen. Benton, in a brief, but patriotic and expressive address. This was responded to appropriately by Col. Shunk, when, after three deafening cheers for the “Stars and Stripes,” all quietly retired to their quarters, evidently pleased and gratified with the spirit which characterized the occasion. A. W. Sanford,
Chaplain 8th Indiana.
Chaplain Arthur Sanford of the 8th Indiana Infantry wrote a series of letters to the Indianapolis Daily Journal chronicling the experiences of the regiment in the Trans-Mississippi Theater during 1862. In these two letters Sanford describes General Curtis’ advance to Springfield and the pursuit of the Confederate forces under Sterling Price.
Sanford was a Presbyterian minister who served as chaplain for two Indiana infantry regiments, the 8th and the 36th. His service with the 8th was from September 1861 to August 1862 and with the 36th from April 1863 to February 1864. Sanford resigned his post of chaplain in February 1864 due to health problems. He died in Detroit, Michigan on November 28, 1887.
This letter appeared in the Indianapolis Daily Journal on March 11, 1862 on page 2 columns 3 to 5. The spelling and punctuation are unchanged from the original publication.
History of the Campaign After Price.
Eighth Indiana Correspondence.
Dear Journal: Some days since I sent you a hasty pencil sketch of our wanderings in search of Sterling Price and a fight; but, as it was very much imperfect, and so much condensed as to be scarcely intelligible as to details, I will, by your leave, present your readers with a more extensive account of this Expedition [sic].
On the 24th of January we left our encampment on the Lamine, of course ignorant of our destination, which was a matter of various speculation, until, on the day following, we struck a southern direction from Tipton, when the conclusion that we were going to Springfield to attack Price, became almost universal.
Our Division [sic], Gen. Davis commanding, consisted of the 1st Brigade, Lieut. Col. Washburne commanding, comprising the 8th, 18th, and 22nd Indiana regiments, with Klaus’s battery, and the 2nd Brigade, Col. White, composed of the 39th Illinois and 9th Missouri regiments, and Davidson’s battery, and four companies of the 1st Missouri cavalry. Nothing of special note occurred on our march, until the night of the 27th. We were encamped on the south side of the Gravoix, in a low bottom, when about 7 P. M. a most fearful rain storm commenced which continued all night, pouring down a perfect deluge. Many of the tents had been pitched in little hallows which soon filled, and many a poor fellow had to make his bed on rails, logs and coarse brush, or lie half submerged in water. To add to our tribulation, several of the company teams could not get up, and, consequently, they had neither tents nor cooking utensils, and but little provisions.
However, other companies strained their accommodations to the utmost, and the 18th generously tendered all their spare room so that all eventually found shelter.
Next day the camp presented a most desolate appearance. The rain still falling at intervals, the mud nearly deep enough to mire an ox, and the boys trying to kindle their cook fires in the midst of it, ever and anon casting rueful looks to the lowering clouds above, and the continent of mud and water around them, furnished a scene worthy the pencil of Hogarth. Col. Benton arrived today, and being the senior field officer the command of the Brigade was transferred to him. It began to freeze during the night, some snow falling on the 29th, during which all our company and provision wagons got up.
On the 30th we marched at 8 A. M., but, after making some two miles, were detained until 4 P. M., waiting for the train of the 2nd Brigade to get up the Gravoix hills; the wagons being drawn up, one by one, with long ropes attached, by the men. We then sent forward and marched until about 10 P. M., making some twelve miles. Not a single wagon got up—and a bitterly cold night; we all lay upon the ground by such fires as we could make with rails, without supper, and sheltered only by the starry canopy above us, and the stars themselves pretty much played out” by obscuring clouds.
Late on the afternoon of the 31st our train got up, when we merely moved across the Gravoix again and encamped. Reached the Osage on February 2nd, and encamped on its north bank, opposite the town of Linn Creek, Camden county [sic], the residence of the noted Federal partisan, McClurg, whose business house was plundered last summer by the rebels.
Here we lay until the 5th, during the night of which the last of the command got over, the ferriage being as much in advance of that at Ball’s Bluff as a little dilapidated steamer in addition to our two scows could make it.—Here, encamped on a muddy bottom, feed scarce, with a heavy rain and wind storm which capsized several of our tents, we had another rich experience of the beauties of a winter campaign in Missouri.
Feb. 7.—We reached the vicinity of Lebanon, forming a junction with the forces from Rolla, consisting of Asboth’s, Sigel’s and Carr’s divisions, numbering from 10,000 to 12,000 men, with a large complement of artillery.
Feb. 10.—The whole force moved in the direction of Springfield, reaching a point some seven miles north of it, on the 12th, with no noteworthy incidents except a heavy skirmish between our advance and a party of rebels, on the evening of the 10th, in which it was reported 300 of our men completely routed 500 of the enemy.
As we were going into camp on the 12th sharp firing was heard in the direction of the road taken by Asboth and Sigel, which proved to be a demonstration made by our cavalry with small arms and howitzers upon a supposed rebel force posted in the brush, and which, it was said, resulted in some damage to them in killed and wounded, without loss to our force. Two companies from each regiment in our brigade were detailed under Major Parrish as pickets, and also to make reconnaissance in direction of the firing, who were at midnight relieved by another like detail, but no further disturbances occurred during the night.
It was exceedingly interesting to witness the effect of the firing upon our men. After hard marching, much loss of sleep and many scarce able to drag one foot after another, some seized their arms and mounted horses and mules and made for the fight on their “own hook,” while others grumbled bitterly because they were prohibited from going, and every company was eager to be detailed as pickets.
Feb. 13.—At 4 a. m. we moved on towards Springfield, taking through fields to avoid a masked battery, which, the evening previous, doubtless commanded the road, and halting in front of a bushy thicket where the enemy had been, and where we still believed them to be in force with heavy batteries. Here the Indiana brigade, which had been assigned the honorable but dangerous duty of storming the batteries, was promptly formed in line of battle by Col. Benton, the regimental staff and line officers of the command coolly and efficiently co-operating, and, indeed, every man seemed to feel as if a large share of the responsibility rested upon himself, and all came to time promptly.
I rode along the line while forming and carefully noted the manner of both officers and men. There were no faces bleaching with fear—no muscle quivering, save with eager anxiety for the fray. There may have been a little more stern energy in the tone and manner of the officers in giving and repeating the commands, and of nervous promptitude in obeying them on the part of the men, then on a dress parade, but nothing more. Col. White’s brigade formed on our left, and, our batteries properly planted, we were waiting with eager impatience for the onset, and many an eye was bent on the thicket in front to catch a glance of the first curling wreath of smoke, or stream of “sulphurous flame,” which should be the signal for the commencement of the deadly fray.
Oh, it was a gallant sight to behold that stern, immovable line of men, with bristling bayonets and glittering fire-locks—officers all in their places save the General and his staff, and the irrepressible Benton remaining until the last practicable moment in front, and all momentarily expecting the signal to move irresistibly down upon the rebellious foe. But alas!
“The best laid schemes o’ mice and men gang aft agley.”
After a few minutes’ suspense it was announced that the enemy had fallen back, evacuating Springfield, and in full retreat toward Arkansas. Our expectations of glory and renown were dashed to the earth again, and curses upon the cowardice (or prudence, “as the case may be,”) of Price, both loud and deep, were heard all along the line.
How we marched into Springfield and ran up the stars and stripes—how we chased Price and his minions out of the State in hot haste, hoping to fight him at Wilson’s Creek, Cassville, Cross Timbers, Sugar Creek and Cross Hollows—how we charged upon and shelled his rear-guard, with some loss to ourselves and much more to him—together with all and singular, the principal hardships and sufferings of our brave boys in this expedition, including our then present locus in quo-behold! they shall all be written in such subsequent epistles as “time and chance, which happeneth to all,” may enable me to forward to thee.
We went into camp here, near Cross Hollows, six miles south-east of Bentonville, Ark., on the 22d, and shall probably remain here some days yet. We are waiting the arrival of supplies, and perhaps orders from General Halleck. It is not known whether we will fall back and take position in Missouri, or push on after Price. I think the former most probable.
A. W. Sanford,
Chaplain, 8th Indiana.
February 27, 1862.
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Camp Halleck, Ark., Feb. 28.
My last concluded with our disappointment in regard to a fight near Springfield on the 13th of February, from which point I now complete my rambling narrative.
Leaving the field of the second battle, which was not fought at, on, near or about Springfield, we marched into and through the town, planting the national flag on the courthouse, and receiving the congratulations of numerous Union citizens, particularly the ladies, prominent among whom was the wife of Col. Phelps, himself now in command of a Federal regiment of Missourians raised in that vicinity. She assured us that Price was a coward, that she had told him so, and that he would run when we approached, (he, meanwhile, protesting that he would fight us there,) that if we pressed on we might overtake him, and that we were abundantly able to whip him. The town bore evidences of rebel occupation—houses deserted, many of them dismantled, doors and fences down, and indeed every indication of vandal barbarism and outrage.
Passing through and south of the town, a mile or more, we halted and encamped on the ground recently vacated by a portion of Price’s forces, finding fires yet burning, plenty of wood, and considerable forage, for all of which we were, like the old woman with her bread, truly “thankful to God, though the devil prepared it.” At 7 A. M. on the 14th we resume our pursuit of Price. Ten miles brought us to Wilson’s Creek, where fell that pure and brave patriot, the gallant Lyon.—Halting here for the Second Brigade to pass us, many explored the battle field, finding abundant evidence of the fierceness of the fight, though but few mementoes which they could carry away. About 4 P. M. we came to the enemy’s camp of the preceding night. About dark our cavalry came up with the rebels some four miles in advance, and we could hear our mountain howitzers shelling their camp, doing, as we subsequently learned, considerable damage. It was reported by a prisoner that one shell killed fifteen of them. Having marched twenty-six miles we bivouacked by the roadside, hoping our cavalry would hold them until morning.
February 15.—Moved early, but found it no easy matter for cavalry to hold the enemy until infantry could overtake them, even by hard forced marches. Price vamosed [sic] about midnight from his camp on Cane Creek, so hastily that he left many tents, cooking utensils, wagons, and a large quantity of fresh beef. About 4 P. M. the mountain howitzers belonging to Col. Ellia’s 1st Missouri Cavalry opened fire on the enemy’s rear guard, some two miles in advance, and were replied to by their field pieces. We pressed forward rapidly, the 18th in advance, Klauss’s battery being between it and the 8th. While the 8th was detained a few moments in crossing Flat Creek an Iowa regiment moved forward in advance of it, when Lt. Col. Shunk, waving his cap, shouted “Forward! my bully boys, double quick.” Through the creek they then plunged, and through the Iowa regiment they rushed, hoping to have a “put” in this skirmish, but only arriving in time to see the smoke clearing away from the field, the enemy having made another hasty “skedaddle.” I several times heard men of the regiment we so unceremoniously cut in two remarking that those Indiana boys beat the d—l on a “double quick,” whenever a fight was on hand. In this affair three of the rebels, at least, were killed, without any loss to us except the wounding of an artillery man by overturning of a battery wagon.
Having marched 21 miles we encamped on Little Flat Creek. Next morning we marched at about 5 o’clock, passing through Cassville, the county seat of Barry county [sic], about noon. Nearly all the houses were deserted, Price having expected us to follow his rear guard there last night sent the woman and children away. Our Commissary took possession of considerable quantities of provisions here. Heard cannon, as we supposed, some four or five miles ahead, but found after pushing on rapidly for seven miles to Keatsville, that it commenced there. Results, if any, not known. One of Gen. Curtis’s bodyguards was shot here, by a rebel, from the bushes.
Passing on three miles further, and marching 18 miles to day, we bivouacked on the waters of Big Sugar Creek.
Gen. Davis, with some 300 cavalry, made a reconnaissance some seven miles in advance, where he found a rebel force which he estimated at some 4,000, very strongly posted, and with a portion of which some skirmishing was had, led by the gallant Col. Pease, but with what results I have been unable to ascertain. We lay down to rest, with what we regarded as a tolerable certainty, that we should at last be gratified with a fight on the morrow.
But alas for all human hopes! The morrow came, but so did not the big fight. Moving early on the morning of the 17th, we passed the hills on which the rebel army was said to have been posted (and probably were) on the evening before, but all had fled, leaving, “like the baseless fabric of a vision, no wreck behind.” There were no frowning batteries nor bristling bayonets to mark the presence of a hostile force. About 10 a. m. we crossed the north line of Arkansas, and passed into the land of Dixie. We halted a few moments while the boys sent up deafening cheers for the Union, and the bands discoursed “Hail Columbia,” “Yankee Doodle,” “Red, White and Blue,” &c., thus investing, with due solemnity, our first invasion of the “sacred soil” of the Confederate States.
A little after noon the report of cannon informed us that our advance had again overtaken the rear guard of the rebel force. The infantry hastened with all practicable speed, but, as usual, arrived just in time to be too late. Price’s bushwhacking dragoons can beat us in running, especially when they have several hours start. Here occurred the only casualty to any Indianan, so far as I am informed, during the entire march.
It appears that when our cavalry advance reached the hills on the north side of Little Sugar Creek, they found the enemy posted in some force on the hills opposite. Gen. Curtis ordered them to advance, but they seemed to hesitate. Quartermaster Branson, of Muncie, and Sergeant John A. Edwards, Co, H, 8th Indiana, who had been detailed, temporarily, as Commissary Sergeant, both of whom happened to be there with the cavalry, dashed forward in the direction of the enemy. First only individuals, and soon several companies of the cavalry followed and the fight began. Edwards, with his Enfield, brought down a rebel, mounted on a gray horse, pointed out to him by Col. Ellis, at a very long range.
On reaching the top of the hill, he received a shot in his right arm, just above the elbow, breaking the bone. He, however continued to fight, and charged with the cavalry fully a mile after he was wounded, when he was brought down by a musket ball, which passed diagonally through his left thigh, well up, and fracturing the bone. He was then on the third horse he had mounted during the fight, having remounted once after being shot in the arm. Although so severely wounded, his brave and indomitable spirit is bearing him up, and he bids fair to recover. He has ever been one of the very best and most valuable soldiers in the whole command, and his heroism should entitle him to the grateful remembrance of every Indianian and every lover of the country for which he so bravely perilled [sic] his life.
Capt. Branson, notwithstanding he bravely pushed on until the rebels fled, and possesses, witnal [sic] a portly person, escaped without injury to himself, though he lost one revolver, and had his horse shot in the head, though not fatally. Our loss in this affair foots up, to this date, nine dead and some six or seven wounded, most, if not all of whom will recover, while thirty-seven rebels killed are said to have been found and buried, and one or more of their wounded are here. After the skirmish we went into camp in the creek bottom, where we rested until the 20th, when, it being reported that Price was preparing to make a stand at Cross Hollows, some twelve miles farther south, our columns again moved out on different roads, with a view to flank him and compel a fight; but as usual, before we arrived—probably before we started—the bird had again flown. ____ ____ [two words not legible in copy] and apparently hopeless pursuit now seems to be abandoned.
We have been lying encamped in this vicinity ever since, and, to-night, it is said, we move back to Sugar Creek day after to-morrow.
Although we have not succeeded in capturing Price, we have driven him out of Missouri with a vengeance, and from the best information of his present location, nearly eighty miles into Arkansas. We have invaded Confederate soil some twenty odd miles, and lain here a week inviting an attack from doubtless a largely superior force which has fled from our approach like the timid hare before the hounds.
If this retreat does not demoralize and disband Price’s army, it must be because it is “like rotten eggs—hard to spoil.” Southern Missouri is now free from organized, armed rebellion, and if we keep it so—especially as we cannot fight Price unless he chooses, and he don’t choose “worth a cent,” nor catch him while there is room to run—I think that our almost unparalleled winter campaign has been crowned, if not with brilliant, yet with highly important and valuable results.
A. W. Sanford,
                                                                        Chaplain