Camp near Jacinto, Aug. 6, 1862.
Ed. Sentinel:—As we are about to pull up stakes and move to a different locality, I thought a few lines from the 22d would not be uninteresting.
Three regiments of our brigade, including the 22d, three sections of our battery, a squadron of cavalry, are now out. This is the third day since they left. They are now at Iuka, twenty miles south-east of this on the Memphis and Charleston Railroad, whither we follow with our camp equipage, and, as I understand, will remain at that point for some time. Our brigade. the 1st, under Gen. Robert B. Mitchell, is to hold that point, while the 2d and 3d remain here. The headquarters of Gen. Davis, commanding the Division (4th) remains as before at Jacinto.
Our men had a terrible march. Some twenty or thirty were prostrated by sun-stroke, several of whom will hardly recover. I hear of one or two dying already. The weather is excessively hot just now, and we, lying in camp for so long a time here, protected from the ardent rays of old Sol by the umbrageous pine and oak, were hardly prepared for such a scorching march. Although Iuka is only the short distance of 30 miles, no march at all for us, one-third that distance was quite sufficient to tip over those of our brave fellows who were prostrated. One or two little marches will suffice to put us in condition again.
The proximity of one Bragg with a considerable force of rebel butternuts is whispered around amongst us as the occasion of this movement. Should he show himself, he will be very apt to get a warm reception from a host of loyal Hoosier butternuts. In that case, without doubt, you will hear a good report of the 22d Indiana, and their energetic Colonel, M. Gooding, who. by his persevering assiduity, is perfecting more and more the efficiency of the regiment. We have to-day received new arms, the Austrian rifle, for all except the flanking companies of the regiment, who are already armed with the Enfield rifle. Everything is going on swimmingly with us. Our Colonel and all our officers have the unbounded confidence of the men. Roasting-ears and peaches are becoming plentiful. We issue rations of the former twice a week. My limited candle ration reminds me that I must call a halt right here, as other pressing duties of the day deprive me of that time.
—Occassional
Indiana State Sentinel, Indianapolis, IN