Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1864-11-10
From the Thirty-sixth Regiment-Its Part in
Grants Last Movement.

Correspondence of the State Journal.
ARMY OF THE PoToMAC, REGndENTALI
HEADERS, IN FRONT OF PETERSBURG, Va,
October 30, 1864. J
MEssRs. EDITORS: I desire through your
widely circulated paper, for the benefit of the
brave soldiers who constitute the seth 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 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. III. of
the 9th we came to the advanced line of the
rebels, and after short but sharp engage
ment they fed in great haste, leaving their
provisions, bacon, beef -four, &C., all on the
ground. Our army, under Gen. Hancock,
pressed on, diminishing through dense for
est Of pines and thick underbrush for some
general Acknowledgement cross fires from the
rebel batteries, placed on opposite hills MOI
more than 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 II o'clock
and fought with desperation until dark.
Our noble seth were in the extreme adj
vance line, under the continued fire of the
enemy, with Cen Hancock near at hand, who
complmented 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 or
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 anG
fearful conflict. None were killed in the
regiment the wounded are J. D. Weldon, Co
G, in thigh; NJ. 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 al
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 arr
the fortunes of war. In about fifty hours thu
army marched some 80 or more miles anC
fought one of the severest and most import
ant battles of the war. A Chaplain who hat
been in the service three years, remarked t.
me that he had never seen anything to com
pare with this in fearfulness and determine
ton. AS the rebel lines were so near togethe
it brought our advance lines very close t.
| theirs
Respectfully, P S. VAN NEST.