Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1864-11-24
From the Fifth Regiment.
CAMP 9TH REGIMENT WISCONSIN Vol. j
NEAR STRAsBURG, VIRGINIA,
November 5, 1864.

CAMP OH REGIMENT w ISCONSIN OIL
NEAR STRAsBURG, VIRGINIA,
November 5, 1864.
EDS. STATE JoURNAL-We came to this place
about week since, after the regiment had
been together but few DAYS, from Winches
ter, where the old veterans had been doing
guard duty since the battle of Fishers Hill,
as reward for gallantry displayed in that
hotly contested engagement.
We are now encamped on the battle ground
Of Cedar Greek, the scene of glorious Phil.
Sheridan's victory Of the 18th. Our regi-
ment is IN the Sd brigade, 1st division, 9th
army corps. Major Kempf is in command of
our regiment, and is popular with the boys,
the Lieut.. Colonel not having reached the
regiment. Colonel Allen commands the bri-
gade. The corps commander is Gen. Wright
Our regiment is much larger than many of
the regiments around us The most of them
in their thinned ranks bear but too painful evil
dence OF the great price extOrted from US by
armed traitors, for freedom and national unity
The true soldier and citizen knows this price
has not been paid in vain. Instead of falling
in with the copperhead cry that the war is a
failure, they are only nerved to Drawer deeds
for home and country. Their united excla-
nation is, "Too much blood has been already
spilled to give up the contest now" We
feel fully equal to the contest I speak en-
phatically for the Army of the Shenandoah.
As the same causes operate everywhere do
not for a moment doubt this feeling in our
army is universal. Ii oar army | know this
is the enthusiastic sentiment of its thousands
of Union defenders.
We are equal to any force the enemy can
send against u.s. [ know, and every one
knows who has had an opportunity to Judge
of the morale of this army, that we are able
to whip easily and handsomely any army
half greater than our own. You may be sur
prised at the sentiment, but from actual OBJ
servation | believe there is such general
enthusiastic confidence in their leaders and
their comrades, that the army generally is
DESTROYS that the rebels, even though rein
forced by two divisions, as stated by our
scouts, should attack US, for all feel that in
so doing they would meet with but little less
than annihilatlOn.
Our home friends and our country's friends
NAV conclude once for all that Sheridan and
his army cannot be aOhipped Early may scold
his men again, and upbraid them for unsol-
dierly conduct-he may be reinforced by
twice two divisions, and still the job cannot
be done There are those who think the re-
bells have better Generals and Drawer men
than our Union army affords. Be this true or
not we begin to recognize the fact that God
is on the side of the right-that there is a
Providence in this war-that victory is ours
when we have so far conquered our prejudic-
es and become morally educated as to pre-
pare US to receive it. -a-
There has been quite a general anticipation
of an attack for some days past-twice have
different parts of our army been formed in
line of battle. 1t is more than probable the
rebels will attempt to regain their supremacy
in the Valley. 1t is almost, If not quite, In
dispensable to the afety ofVirginia. Should
we continue to hold the Valley, as we sure
ly shall, either this fall or in early spring we
shall sieze Lynchburg, the key to Richmond,
and then, if not sooner, must the rebels re-
lease their hold upon the Old Dominion.
The future is to US clothed IN perplexlng
uncertainties. 1t seems to be almost mat
ter of certainty that we shall not stay just
here, in consequence of the lack of wood,
and hay for beasts, and the difficulties at
| tending the transportation Of supplies
whether we shall make a retrogade move
| ment to Winchester or further or go out on
the Manassas Gap Railroad, or go to rein
force Grant, or march to Lynchburg, or North
Daroiina the wisest are unable to determine
| Tug merits OF all Of these are discussed in
camp At present appearances a retro
s"4e movement seems the more probable.
Le' an VINO value the welfare of the regi-
49, seno Us plenty of reading matter of all
hinas. cannot those living In localities
whence the several companies have come
gather up Tor these companies boxes of hooks
ana magazines, getting second handed ones of
all xmas, histories, biographies, &C., &c. and
seno them to my address Rememher
friends, that for yo,n' home and rights, for the
home and rights of all, they are making sac
rinees that could ociy be written by pen
dipped IN blood. Were 1 gifted above NOR
tai, had the tongue of an angel or pen of
fire, I could not appeal to you too earnestly
to remember the wants of these men I
know that such requests are apt, because OF
their too general nature, to fall to the ground,