Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1863-04-09
CAMP OF TIE 3D. WISCONSIN VOLUNTEERS,

NEAR STAFFORD G. H., Va, March n, 1868.
The stereotyped announcement that the
"armies are getting ready to strike q
crushing blow to the rebellion" has be-
come about as significant as the sign that
creaks before deserted tavern, or the ad
vertisement of patent medicines-ever
before the eye, continually in the papers,
and yet meaning nothing. Nevertheless.
we realize now as never so fully before,
that we are preparing for an arduous cam
paign, and that at no far distant day we
shall be seeking the enemy. Superhuous
baggage, nice suits of clothing, the few
portables of comfort that officers have
enjoyed in camp are sent to the rear, to
be resumed at some future lull in opera
tons. Everything is to be dispensed with
| except the bare essentials of living and
fighting.
Gen. Hooker is tired of being hampered
with mud. He chafes under the DONNA.
tion of the sacred soil With the in
stincts of Californian, he is substituting
the pack saddle for the heavy army wap.
On. A number of pack mules are fur
nished each regiment to carry officers "a
lions and blankets, and large trains of
pack mules have been organized to trans
port supplies and ammunition. This ar
rangement gives the army mobility it
has never before Lad, declares our indie
pendence of Maud and bad roads, enables
us to move with celebrity before the enc
my, without bulky train to impede our
progress and demand protection.
A wonderful man is that Joe Hooker.
lndefatigable, slap dashical. off-hand. His
management since assuming command has
been mastery. His orders have been
few and simple, but they bring system
where once was chaos. His remedies are
severe, but they strike right to the core of
army vices and abuses. He has infused
his zeal and fire into his subordinates.
Corps commanders, division commanders.
brigadiers and colonies are striving with ali
zeal to bring their commands to the high
est state of discipline and efficiency. He
is shrewd, clear-headed, rollicking Yam
kee, knows the army by heart, its wants,
its foibles, its fortes. He is becoming its
idol.
He reviewed oar corps the other day.
AS he galloped down the lines, noncha-
lantly doffng his hat to every color, sit.
ting his horse so firmly, so forgetfuliy, the
men could hardly refrain from tumultu-
Gus cheer. Mounted on a long. bodied.
large-framed grey, he swept up aud down
the lines with an easy canter, without ap.
parent effort on the part of horse or rider.
The officers of bis escort and staff tried
to keep up, but it was no go. They fol-
lowed far behind, wheeling, blowing,
foaming and jostling each other as in
militia cavalry charge, while Old Joe,
with devil-may-esreish majesty, went
his rounds. His strong, portly msin of
perfect self-possesson. his rudy, sanguine
face, bespeaks the live general of hard
knocks. There is a hearty confidence in
the manner in which he assures his Off
GERS that ne shall whip the rebsls. Rest
assured there will be no drawn battles up-
der Hooker. Victories will amount TO
something when he wins them, and will
be followed up instanter. 1t will not be
thrust and lunch, but "aim! fire!
charged" His method will be the reverse
of McClellan's. Presenting that his force |
is superior to that of the rebels, be
will have Himself upon them. His metal |
will be fairly tested this season, and it will |
be !" a big win or big lose" Despite ali
former disaster, the confidence Of the ar.
my is great and their hopes high for q
brilliant and decisive campaign.