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 three letters Sanford describes the activity of the regiment during 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.