Sulphur Rock

Sulphur Rock

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