Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1864-03-05
From the 18th Wisconsin.
% Of the State Journal.

Correspondence of the State Journal.
OLD INDIANoLA, Texas,
January 2sth, 1S64.5
Editors State Journal An event has Just
transpired of which as soldiers we feel so
proud, that communicate it through your
columns, in order that our friends may par
ticipate in our fortune. 1t is the publication
of the following order:
HEADQUARTERS U. s. FORCES, Texas,
Pass Cavallo, Jan. 2Sth, 1864.
General Orders No. II.
The field officers of the day, tor January 23d, 1864
has called the attention OF the Maj-General COM
handing, to the perfection of instruction discover
ed in the Picket Line and Guards of the 1lth Wis
cons sin volunteers. The Commanding General ac-
knowledges the great pleasure he feels at recognz
ing in soldiers the qualities which he has here
tofore heard they possessed. Such proficiency re-
fleets honor the officers and proves the existence
of an " Esprit du Corps" which not only makes
their States, but the Northwest, feel proud.
By order Of Maj General
N. j. L. DANA,
Official HUGH III. BROWN,
B. WILSON, Capt. Asst. Adjt. General.
Capt. A. A. q.
You cannot imagine how highly we esteem
this notice under the circumstances that have
surrounded US since our connection with this
department, not that We are not vain enough
to think that we deserve praise, but this dis
tinction is so marked that regiment might
90 through a series of hard campaigns with
out being fortunate enough to obtain such
notice, however well it might have deserved
it. Major Crooks, of the 2lst Iowa, was the
officer of the day who made the reposin We
shall ever remember him as an officer who
was not prevented by sectional jealousy from
awarding praise where he deemed it due, as
is to often the case
1t has taken many weary months of steady
Al, k..cl. n
men to become prominent in such an army as
this, but the receipt of such a tribute will be
esteemed by every soldier a full reeompense
thing that would give US more sincere gratii-
cation; that is, that our excellent colonel,
Harris, to whose skill and perseverance we
are mainly indebted for whatever superiority
we may possess, should be rewarded by pro-
motion to position we know he is eminently
qualified to fill. True, we should all regret
to lose him, but this feeling would be over
come by the knowledge that justice had been
done to an officer whom, through all the vi
cisitudes of a soldiers life, we have learned
to appreciate and esteem.
1t is now certain that we are going into the
veteran service, a sufficient number have al
ready re-enlisted, and Lieut.. Col. Whittlesey
is now at New Orleans to make arrangements
for our return home. As only two regiments
are allowed out of a corps within one month,
we may have to wait few weeks, but we all
anticipate spending the summer with you
Our visit may be short one, but am sure it
will be happy one. We are now so per-
sonally interested in this struggle that l do
not think we could rest satisfied until the
final victory is won, and we have been pres
ent to swell the shout of triumph. But after
having once again visited those whom we
hold most dear, hope we may return to duty
with as much pride as the people of a State
can feel in one regiment out of so many as
have been sent out by Wisconsin.
The winter is said to be almost over. We
have not had a "norther for some time, and
the weather lately has been so fine that it has
been common to see nude bather on the
shore in no hurry to dress after his bath
This place is a decided Improvement on De-
crows Point. Some one has lived here some
time; indeed, there are a few inhabitants
still left, who live among us quite peaceably.
The entire first division is now here. The
first and third brigades are stationed about
three miles down the coast, at place COM
monty called "Powder Horn"
The rebels often come within sight of us,
on the prairie, but seldom within range.
When the 18th first came here, and before
the balance of the brigade arrived, an at
tempt was made to cut them off, but sup
pose that they thought taking Lieut. Col.
Whittlesey, with his boys, would so much re-
semble the catching of Tartar that they
withdrew. The only evidences Of a fight
we're few dead and wounded of the enemy
that were found. We had not any casualties.
The health of the entire army is very good.
Our surgeons have had easy times this winter.
Our brigade looks finely; every man is well
clad, every n-commissioned officer wears
his appropriate e8eeerons. i do not sremem-
Der at any time before to have seen the brig
ade looking so well. / hope in my next to
be able to tell when we may be expected
home. CHARLIE.
A "ladies shoemaker adyertises him.
self boldly as one of " the sole her system |"