8th Indiana Camp Little Sugar Feb 19 1862

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 during 1862.  In this letter he the movements of the regiment in January and February of that year.  

Arthur 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 5, 1862 on page 2 column 2.  The spelling and punctuation are unchanged from the original publication.

Letter from Arkansas.

The Eight Regiment After Price.

Camp On Little Sugar, Ark., Feb. 19.

Dear Journal: I improve an accidental opportunity to pencil a line informing those who have friends in the Eight Indiana where they may call upon us to pay their respects.

They are already aware that we were marched on January 24, as part of the force designed, under Gen. Curtis, to whip Price or drive him out of Missouri.  We formed a junction with the forces moving from Rolla under Sigel and Asboth, at Lebanon, on the 7th of February.  Moved toward Springfield on the 10th—arrived within some seven miles of it on the 12—some skirmishing about sundown between cavalry and Price’s pickets in the brush—detailed heavy pickets to guard against surprise—no disturbance through the night—moved on Springfield at 4 a. m. on the 13th, taking across fields to avoid a masked battery—formed line of battle about 11/2 miles north of the town—expecting every moment to see smoke and flame belching from a concealed battery in our front, and were waiting with stern coolness the order to charge, when it was announced the enemy had retired and our forces were in possession of the town.

We then moved into and through Springfield, and planted the flag of the 22d Indiana on the Court House, amid the clangor of martial music and the cheers of manly voices. 

About a mile and a half South of town we took possession of one of Price’s hastily evacuated camps, found plenty of wood, forage, &c., and rested till next morning.  Learned that Price’s forces commenced their retreat early last evening, the 14th.  Pushed on in pursuit 26 miles.  The cavalry discovered their camp, and mounting howitzers, threw a few shells.  Continued the pursuit on the 15th—making 21 miles—overtook their rear guard on Little Flat Creek: had a skirmish, killing three or four, and routing them completely.

Pushed on again on the 16th; passing through Cassville about noon, found it almost deserted—Price having occupied it the night before and prepared for battle, had we come up with him.  Had a little skirmish with his rear guard near Keatsville, 5 miles further on, and Gen, Davis, with some 300 cavalry, had another brush with them about 10 miles further South, on the Arkansas border. 

Moved on again about 12 mile on the 17th to this place, where, about noon, the rebels made a stand in the brush.  The 1st Missouri cavalry charged them, and after a sharp skirmish routed them, losing 13 killed and 30 or 40 wounded, and killing probably many more of the rebels, as they are still being found in the woods. 

Our march has been one of unprecedented hardship, under which the men, especially the Hoosiers, have stood up manfully.  If we catch Price or not, we have driven him in hot haste into Arkansas, and do not expect to permit him to revisit Missouri.  We are lying here some 5 or 6 miles South of the line, not knowing what is our future destination.

It is reported in camp that an advance, under Asboth, captured two pieces of Price’s artillery yesterday.

Capt. N. Bransen of Muncie, and Sergeant John Edwards, of company H, 8th Indiana,
voluntarily headed the cavalry charge here, and the latter was very seriously wounded in the right arm and left thigh.  We hope he will recover. 

We are generally of the opinion that we shall pursue Price until he finds some place, say Fort Smith or Little Rock, where he will dare to fight. 

At the first convenient opportunity I will furnish a detailed account of this expedition.
                            In haste,                                                A. W. Sanford,
                                                                                    Chaplain 8th Indiana.