Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1864-11-12
From the Thirty-sixth Regiments Part in
Grants Last Movement.

correspondence OF the state Journal.
ARMY OF TIE PoToMAc, REGIMENTAL)
HEADo' RS, IN FRONT OF PETERSBURG, Va,
r--.--,~--, October 20, 1864. y.
MEssRs. EDIToRs: desire through your
widely circulated paper, for the benefitof the
brave soldiers who constitute the Both Regi-
ment Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, Of which
l am the Chaplain, to contribute occasionally,
as | may have opportunity, such facts per-
tanning to the regiment and army as may be
of general interest.
On the 25th, at o'clock p NJ, orders
came to our camp to be ready to move at
dark. All was in readiness in due time.-
About 2 o'clock A. NJ, amid the thick dark
ness, the army moved, and before daylight
encamped again. On the Goth, at 2 O'clock,
the march commenced for the rear, south of
Petersburg. After marching all night, with
an occasional rest; about 10 o'clock A. NJ. of
the 9th we came to the advanced line of the
rebels, and'after a short but Sharp engage
ment they fled in great haste, leaving their
provisions, bacon, beef, flour, &C., all ON the
grouud. Our army, under Gen. Hancock,
pressed on, skirmishing through dense for
est of pines and thick underbrush for some
three miles, when it came to the scene of
general action-between cross fires from the
rebel batteries, placed on opposite hills not
more than 1 ] or miles apart, with deep ra-
vines at their base and an open plain be-
tween. Here on this plain our brave army
received its first salutation, about IL O'Clock,
and fought with desperation until dark
!, Our noble 36th were in the extreme ad-
vance line, under the continued fire of the
enemy, with Gen. Hancock near at hand, who
eOmplimented them finely the next morning
for their GOODNESS and bravery, and gave them
credit for capturing a rebel flag At one
time they drove the enemy across the entire
field of action, to their Notifications, and thus
gained the day at that point. The Seth in
this engagement was led by the highly popu-
lar, greatly beloved and truly brave Senior
Captain, George A. Fisk, whose conduct on
this occasion is worthy of honorable mention,
as also is that of Lieutenants VIM. A. Lane
and A. S. Ripley, and Surgeon E. A. Wood
ward, not to mention other names of officers
and privates, who, without exception, honor
ed themselves, the army and their country.
The casualties are small for so long and
fearful conflict None were killed in the
regiment; the wounded are j. d. Weldon, Co.
G., in thigh; M. Hoffman, Co. G, in knee.
Some are reported missing, whether they are
prisoners or simply scattered, is not yet de-
termined.
The battle was fought on what is known as
the Raney farm, in Dinwiddie County, some
seven miles South of Petersburg Very
many prisoners were taken by us, and doubt
less many brave men have fallen, for such are
the fortunes of war. In about fifty hours the
army marched some 80 or more miles and
fought one of the severest and most import
ant battles of the war. A Chaplain who had
been in,the service three years, remarked to
me that he had never seen anything to COM
pare with this in fearfulness and determine
ton. AS the rebel lines were so near together
| it brought our advance lines very close to
theirs. 1As+ rt,tf, sttt -sa
Respectfully. P S. VAN NEsr. /.