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. In these two letters Sanford describes the pursuit of Sterling Price’s forces after the Confederates abandoned Springfield, Missouri

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.

_____________

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 Eight Indiana.