In this letter Chaplain Sanford described the camp life of the 36th Indiana Infantry. This letter appeared in the Indianapolis Daily Journal on May 27, 1863 on page 2 column 4. The spelling and punctuation are unchanged from the original publication.
Letter from the 36th Regiment.
Camp 36th Ind., Cripple Creek, Tenn.,
May 21st, 1863.
Dear Journal: About ten days since we were ordered to be ready to move at midnight – camp equipage to be all taken, movement to be permanent, and about three hours to prepare. Tents were promptly struck, baggage packed, and wagons loaded; everybody on the qui vive, and a general suspicion that it was the intention to “gobble up” and incontinently “take somebody in.”
About midnight “the assembly” sounded, and then “there was mounting in hot haste,” and away moved the 3d brigade in the direction of Cripple Creek. As near as could be guessed in the dim light of a waning moon, the cavalcade moved along very majestically, resting in a dignified manner at proper intervals, for some six miles, when at about 3 a. m., by regiments, we filed right and left into the cedar groves, halted, stacked arms, and upon the soft side of Silurian, Devonian, or some other kind of rocks, we endeavored to woo “tired nature’s sweet restorer.”
After a day spent in prospecting we moved about a mile further to our present location and went into camp. We have rather a pleasant and healthy location, nicely shaded by large forest trees; water tolerably good, but rather scarce, there being none in the creek except in pools.
The health of the officers and men is generally very good – none in the hospital, and but few at the Post. I have looked in upon the hospitals at Murfreesboro, and find evidences of excellent management. Large, airy, and well ventilated rooms-everything scrupulously clean, and plenty of proper stores and attendants, and all under kind and scientific supervision.
I think I may safely say to all, that their friends, who may unfortunately be compelled to occupy hospital quarters, will have all the care and attention that the service, when well ordered, admits of.
As the result of more extended acquaintance, I most cordially aver that it has never been my fortune to be associated with a like number of men who more happily combine all the elements of the soldier and gentleman than the 36th Ind.
Sabbath service is marked by a full attendance, good order and respectful attention; and, though idle to deny that the usual army immoralities exist here as well as elsewhere, I am happy to say that it is to a much more limited extent than I had anticipated.
The enemy is undoubtedly in force a few miles in front, but as yet makes no formidable demonstrations ; and in view of the present position of Hooker’s, Burnside’s and Grant’s forces, I have no doubt General Rosecrans has good reasons for declining for the present any extended operations.
How soon, however, before this calm may be broken by “the voice of the deep-mouthed cannon, the roar of musketry, the clash of sabers and the horrid clangor of war,” no one can tell. The elements are here arrayed, and in such close proximity, that a trifling advance on either side, may at any hour, bring on a most terrific conflict. Midst all the hardships incident to military life, in field and in camp, and with a prospect of any amount of it yet ahead, the boys find time for reading and thinking, and even discussing the war, its conduct and results ; and especially, as involving Northern Butternuts and Copperheads. I assure you their conclusions are anything but favorable to the good health and long life of those, who, in the nation’s trial hour, have dared to propose the nation’s dishonor. Let those beware the return of the soldiers of the Cumberland.
A. W. Sanford,
Chaplain 36th Indiana.