Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1864-12-24
Affairs in the Potomac Army.
: The Campaign In Tennessee.
From tha Thirty-Sixth Rt,lment.


Shifted from Right TO Lett-7ze Situation Ftr-
vora6le-sSsusdyy Official Decentralization
cocks FareusB 10 the Second Loqps-Report
of tie Battle If Hatcler's Rxa--MoraL and
Physical Condition Of TIE Regiment.
Correspondence of the State Journal.
ARMY OF THE PoToMAC,
HEADo'Rs 36TH Rec. Wis. Vols,
Ar TIE LEFT OF PETERSBURG, Va,
December 5, 1864.
Ksssrs. Editors Since my last letter, we
have changed our position, from the right to
the left of Peters ourg, near the Weldon q
South Side railroad. Our front here, facing
the rebel lines, is pretty much all around US,
or at least, in a semi-circle, inclosing three
sides of US.
There is not much strictly war news that
will not reach you before this will be re-
ceiyed. Our camp for a few days has been
all activity, preparing winter ~ quarters, to
which, however, there may be broad mar
gin. An immense number of troops are
massed here together, and at night, with
their camp-fres all ablaze, spreading over so
many thousand acres, the scene is truly sub
lime. A few nights since the report came
from headquarters, that Gen. Thomas had
achieved splendid victory over Hood, and
as the report spread, cheers rung out from
tens of thousands of rejoicing soldiers, and
thousands of signal fires at once sent up their
glowing flames to the very heavens, adding a
splendid illumination to the general joy.
This morning the intelligence comes that a
successful cavalry reconnaissance has taken
a station ON the Weldon road, capturing ITO
prisoners, spiking eight guns, and burning a
depot and some cars, and obtaining quanti-
ty of ammunition. The name of the station
was Stony Creek.
The increasing interest attaching to Gen.
sherman's important move keeps the army
constantly awake, especially as there may be
more in the plans than appears The wealth
er is delightful, aud Providence seems in
MANY WAYS to be favoring the Union cause.
On an examination of some official papers
at regimental headquarters, find some orders
and reports which it occurred to ME would
be of interest to the many friends of the Seth
at home, and so they are herewith sent for
publication in your columns:
HEADQUARTERS SECOND Army CoRPs,)
BEFORE PETERSBURG, Nov. 20, 1864.
General Orders No. Al.
Soldiers Of the Second Corps:
Being about to avail myself of brief leave Of
absence, previous to en eTing upon another field Of
the command of this corps to Major General A. A.
Humphreys, u. s. Vols. desire at parting with
you to express the regret feel at the necessity
which calls for cur separation. Intimate associ-
ated with you in The dangers, pr;vations and glory
which have fallen to your lot during the memorable
campaigns of the past two years, now leave you
with the warmest feelings of affection and esteem
Since have had the honor to serve with you, you
have won the right to place upon your banners the
historic names Of Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chan
ceIlorsvlle, Gettysburg, Wilderness, Pc, Spottsy-
vania, North Anna, Cold Harbor, Petersburg,
Reams Station, Boydton Road, and many other
contests.
The gallant bearing of the intrepid officers and
men OF the Second Corps on the bloodest fields OF
the war, the dauntless valor displayed by them in
many brilliant assaults on the enemy's strongest
positions, the great number of guns, colors, pfis-
Oners, and other trophies of war captured by them
in many desperate combats, their answering devo-
tion to duty, aud heroic constancy under all the
dangers and hardships which such campaigns entail,
have won for them imperishable Tenown and
the grateful admiration of their count rymen. The
story OF the Second Corps will live in hist ory and
to its officers and men will be ascTibed the honor
having served their country with urpassed fde-
ty and courage.
Concious that whatever military honor has fall
len to me during my association with the Second
Corps, has been wen by the gallantry OF the Off
GERS and so dIers have commanded, 1 feel that in
parting from them, am severing the strongest ties
of military life. The distinguished officer who sue
ceeds me is entitled to your entire confidence. His
record assures you that in the hour of battle he
will lead you to victory.
WINFIELD s. HANCOCK,
Mai Gen. Vols