Patriotism and the exercise of my every energy in the direction of this army, aided by the full and hearty coöperation of its officers and men, will, I hope, under the blessing of God, ensure its success.
Having been a sharer of the privations, and a witness of the bravery, of the old Army of the Potomac in the Maryland campaign, and fully identified in their feelings of respect and esteem for General McClellan, entertained through a long and most friendly association with him, I feel that it is not as a stranger that I assume this command.
To the Ninth Corps, so long and intimately associated with me, I need say nothing; our histories are identical.
With diffidence for myself, but with a proud confidence in the unswerving loyalty and determination of the gallant army now entrusted to my care, I accept its control with the steadfast assurance that the just cause must prevail.
A. E. BURNSIDE,
Major-General Commanding.
This order was not received by us until Tuesday, November 11th, and while we were still in camp near Waterloo. We shared in the general esteem in which General McClellan was held throughout the army; but we loved Burnside, and had confidence in his ability to lead us on to victory. On this day there was no bread for the men. Our supply-train had been delayed, and for several days the ration for each man was two ears of corn and a small piece of fresh meat. This place will always be known to the survivors of the Thirty-sixth by the suggestive name of "Hungry Hollow."
On Thursday, November 13th, the supply-train arrived, and the Thirty-sixth received eight boxes of hard bread. In the morning of that day Corporal Perry, of Company G, died. He had been sick only since Saturday. The burial occurred that night.
November 15th, while at breakfast, we received orders to march; and, with the rest of our division, now under the command of General W. W. Burns (Colonel Welch commanding the brigade), we moved forward to White Sulphur Springs,—a noted watering-place, whose buildings had been nearly destroyed by General Sigel's troops in an engagement with the enemy in passing through the place in August. While on the march we heard sharp musketry ahead, and as we approached the Springs a few shots were fired. We accordingly left the main road, and formed in line of battle behind a hill; but the enemy fell back, and in a little while we received orders to go into camp.
Sunday, November 16th, we were aroused early with orders to march. The teams were sent off before light, but the regiment did not leave camp until ten o'clock. At noon we rested at Fayetteville. The afternoon's march was a most wearisome one; and it was not until after dark, when near Warrenton Junction, that we halted for the night.
The next day, November 17th, we marched at noon, and were four hours on the road without any rest. The whole corps seemed to be in motion. The artillery and wagons occupied the road, while the infantry moved in two columns, one on each side of the road. A rainy night followed.