Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1864-12-22
Affairs I. in the Potomac Army.
The Campaign i'm Tennessee.
Prom the Thirty-Slxth b. limsat.

lHc .siAiu
Slated rom Right to L6tt-THe Situation Fa-
gorable -4ss,sary OltFciat Docamaezts-Ha7l-
-cock's are,esH to tiIe .Sgeo5d .orps-Report
of the Battls q Rataler's RRn-Aorat sHd
RhySscGl Condition q the Regiment. Il
Correspondents OF the state jour- al
ARMY OF THE PoToNAc, !
READo'Rs S6Ta REC. WIS. VeLs.
AT THE LEFT OF PETERSBURG, Va,
December ), 1864.
Ngssra Editors Since my last letter, We
have changed our position, from the right to
the left OF Petersburg, near the Weldon i
South Side railroad. Our front here, facing
the rebel lines, is pretty much all around Us,
or at least, in Semi-circle, incIosing three
sides Of Us.
There Is not much strictly war news that
will not reach you before this will be re-
ceived. Our camp for a few days has been
all activity, preparing winter O. quarters, to
which, however, there may be a 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 ioy
This morning the intelligence comes that a
successful cavalry reconnaissance has taken
station on the Weldon road, capturing ITO
prisoners, spiking eight guns, and burning a
depot and some cars, and obtaining a quaint
tY of ammunition. The name of the station
was Stony Greek,
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, and 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. 26, 1864. {
General Orders No. A.
Soldiers Of the Second Corps:
Being about to avail myself of brief leave of
Absence previous to en eIing upon another field of
duty, in accorda with instructions, transfer
the command Of this corps to Major General A A
Humphreys, U. S. Vols [ desire at parting with
you to express the regret l feel at the necessity
which calls for cur separation. Intimately associ
ated with you in the dangers, privations and glory
which have fallen to your lot during the Bile
campaigns of the past two years, now leave Won
with the warmest feelings of affection and esteem
Since / have had the honor to serve with YOU Won
have won the right to place upon your banners the
historic names OF Antietam, fredericksburg, Chan
cellorsville, Gettysburg, Wilderness Po Spottsyl-
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 blooiest fields of
the war, the dauntess valor dis played by them in
many brilliant assault the enemy's strongest
positions the great mum Der of guns, colors pris-
oners, and other tro phies of tured by them
in many desperate combats, their answering deyo.
ton to duty, and heroic constancy under all the
dangers and hardships which such campaigns entail
have won for them an imperisha bic renown and
the grateful admiration of heir count rymen The
story of the Second Corps will live in hist ory an
to its officers and will be ascribed the honor
having served their country with rpassed fdel
ity and courage.
Concious that whatever military honor has fal-
len to during my association with the Second
Corps, has been won by the gallantry OF the Off
GERS and soldiers have commanded, I feel that in
parting from them I severing the stronges ties
of military life. The distin guished 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,
Maj. Gen. Vols