Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1865-01-07
of the state Journal.
ARMY OF THE POToMAC,)
HEADQUARTERS 36TH REG. Wis. Vols,
December 10, 1864.


December 10, 1864.
Messrs. Editors The old proverb, An
quiet.on the Potomac" must be now totally
reversed for that which is quite as current,
if not so old, "All cOmmotion, activity,
change, on the Potomac" At the time of
nv last writing we were in winter (?) quar-
tiers, and were fitting them up very c0mforta-
bly, and nicely. but alas for all human hopes
and calculations, spring burst upon US very
suddenly and Unexpectedly in an order TO
move. So we broke camp and marched
about mile, little to the right OF our front,
and took possession of the very pleasant
winter IN quarters vacated by the 9TH Corps,
and congratulated ourselves ia reference to
our fortunate and agreeable position; still
we were continually shaking in our boots,
alias shoes, as we were all the time under
marching orders. The 9th Corps were en-
route from the Shenandoah for the front, on
or uear the AppomattOx, and as it would be
unmilitary, if not anti-military, to leave an
encampment in pleasant quarters when a
moving column needed them, we were sur
prised one cold afternoon, as though a thun-
derbolt or mortar shell had fallen and burst
among US, with an order to pack up, break
camp and prepare to move Immediately, to
make room for the 9Th Corps, as they were
then close at hand from City Point. So, as
when we enlisted, as good soldiers, as the I'd
Corps is acknowledged to be from high au-
thority, (see Gen. Hancock's farewell order
and others in good repute,) we moved off
cheerfully, not dog wagging his tail in de-
| fance of authority or orders, to the rear and
| left, past our former agreeable winter (!)
quarters, which we found all demolished and
| carried away, not even the wreck of their
| former selves remaining to tell the story OF
their existence and ruin-like many of the
| splendid mansions in this and other parts of
the Old Dominion once occupied by the +.
F. V.'s-not even the wrecks to be found, to
our present fine, dry, open camping ground,
on an elevated plain on the somewhat cele-
brated Vaughn road, near the Schenck House
and on the plantation of the same name,
where we are very busily engaged making
ourselves Just as comfortable as possible for
our winter ca quarters, which may last sew
eral days, and which we do not want to last
any longer than the interests of the service
( will warrant
ave are now south, and on the left of Pc
| tersburg some six or more miles, anxiously
| awaiting orders to cooperate with any gen.
| eral or special movements which may be in
cluded in the military plans, and the revela'
ton of which might be contraband, even if
your correspondent knew anything about
them, but which are developing themselves
almost daily with great clearness and rapidi-
| ty; in the brilliant successes of Gen. Thomas,
the hazardous and glorious achievements of
| Gen. Sherman, the movements of the gun
| boats and monitors, the completion OF the
| important preparations under General Butler,
| the full triumph of arms under Gen. Sheri-
| dan, the successful cavalry raid upon the
| Weldon road, the many and too numerous to
mention, less extended, but perhaps, in their
relation to the great whole, not less signii-
cant results secured upon the broad fields of
| this conflict, besides the vast military con-
/ ceptions that may not now be apparent in the
programme may they all harmoniously blend
i in one grand achievement and very soon cul-
inmate in a final decisive victory, which l
shall effectually and forever crush this wick
| ed and unjustiiable rebellion.
The past few days have been great inspec-
! ton days throughout the entire brigade and
| division, and it is an occasion of worthy
pride to the seth, as they stand merit to the
| best in the scale among all the regiments of
the division. They did indeed look nobly,
and with very rare exceptions, behaved ad
/ mirably Had il not been for these excep-
| tons, they might have stood best instead of
second best. Great credit is due to Captain
| George A. Fisk for their fine appearance and
| superior military precision. / witnessed the
| dress parade of the regiment, under the SUI
perior military tactics and rigid discipline of
| their lamented Col. Haskell, at Camp Ran
dali, the day but one before they left for the
| field of action, where so many of their gallant
| officers and privates have already found an
honorable death and soldiers grave. They
| then indeed looked well, and acted nobly;-
| but on last Saturday at brigade, and on Sun
| day at division inspection, though greatly re-
| duced in numbers, they really looked better
and acted nobler than then. Well remem-
Der the fine appearance of the field, staff and
| line officers, as they were assembled on the
| occasion of the sword presentation of the
other commissioned officers to their greatly
respected commander; well l remember the
beautiful and happy presentation speech OF
Lieut.. Col. Savage, and the soldierly, though
brief and modest reply Of Col. Haskell. As
they both rest from the service, may they rest