May 28, 1864, 9 a.m. Still in rifle pits. We have been treated to a terrific storm of shells, spherical case, and solid shot. The batteries are in plain sight of each other, and the gunners call it a thousand yards between them. I don’t think either battery does very fine work, but they make [...]
Near Dallas, Ga., May 27, 1864, 8 a.m. There has been some very heavy fighting on our left this morning, and everywhere along the line. We have been moving in line since 6 o’clock, supporting skirmishers and the 3d Brigade. Have driven the Rebels about three-quarters of a mile. The 14th Corps must have had [...]
Pumpkin Vine Creek, near Dallas, Ga., May 26, 1864, 8 a.m. We did not make more than seven or eight miles yesterday, on account of some bad road that troubled the trains very much. We got into camp at dark, just as a thunderstorm broke. We hurried up our arrangements for the night–kicking out a [...]
Four miles southeast of Van Wirt, Ga., May 24, 1864. Short march to-day–because it is a full day’s march from here to water. At Van Wirt we turned east on the Atlanta road. Will pass through Dallas to-morrow. My company was rear guard to-day for the brigade. One of my men spilled a kettle of [...]
Four miles northwest of Van Wirt, Ga., May 23, 1864. Weather is getting very hot. We have made 21 miles today, and the distance, heat and dust have made it by far the hardest march we have had for a year. Excepting about six miles of dense pine woods the country we have passed through [...]
May 22, 1864. Two regiments of three-year’s men who did not “veteran” started home to-day. The loss of the army in this way will not be much. Not more than one or two regiments in any corps refused to veteran. We are drawing 20 days’ rations, sending sick back to convalescent camp at Chattanooga, and [...]
May 21, 1864. The 23d Army Corps moved South yesterday. I hear that they found the enemy on the south bank of the Etowah river, and that he disputes the crossing. Grant seems to be checked in his “on to Richmond.” It seems that Rebel Iverson, whom I saw dead near Adairsville, was a brigadier [...]
Kingston, May 20, 1864. Our cars got here this morning; the whistle woke me. One of the most improbable rumors afloat is that letters will be allowed to go North to-day. I know you are anxious, so will not lose the rumor of a chance. Billy Fox returned to-day. My things are all right at [...]
Kingston, Cass County, Ga., May 19, 1864, 5 p.m. The artillery has been working all day, but have not heard how much of a fight. That dead Rebel colonel was Iverson, of the Second Georgia Cavalry; we think he was formerly a M. C. of this State, and a secessionist. The citizens here have most [...]
May 18, 1864. Our division has had the advance to-day, but no infantry fighting. At noon we get into Adairsville and meet the 4th Army Corps. Saw Generals Howard, Thomas, Sickles and a hundred others. We are camped five miles southwest of town and by the prettiest place I ever saw. The house is excellent, [...]
May 17, 1864, 10 a.m. Our regiment moves in rear of the division to-day and we are still waiting for the trains to pass. We can hear firing in front occasionally, and although we have seen fighting enough to satisfy us for a time, still it’s more disagreeable to be away in the rear and [...]
May 16, 1864, 6 p.m. The old story—the Rebels evacuated last night. They made two or three big feints of attacking during the night, but are all gone this morning. It is said they have taken up a position some five miles ahead. Prisoners and deserters are coming in. At Resaca we captured eight cannon, [...]
May 15, 1864, 1:30 a.m. At 11 p.m. went again on the skirmish line with Captain Post and superintended the construction of rifle pits for our skirmishers. A good deal of fun between our boys and the Rebels talking only 50 yards apart. Five thirty a.m.—At 3 a.m. moved and are now supporting Osterhaus, who [...]
May 14, 1864, Daylight. We have just been in line and the intention was to charge the Rebel position, but two batteries were discovered in front of us. The skirmishers advanced a little and brought down a heavy fire. A battery is now getting into position in our front, right in front of our company, [...]
Still in Snake Creek Gap, May 13, 1864. Moved forward a half mile and our regiment built a strong line of log works. We have had a perfect rush of generals along the line to-day: Hooker, Sickles, McPherson, Thomas, Palmer, Sherman and a dozen of smaller fry. The boys crowded around Sherman and he could [...]
May 12th.—We are in just such a camp as I was in once near Jacinto, Miss. Hills, hollows and splendid pines. Pine knots can be picked up by the bushel, and the pitch smoke will soon enable us to pass for members of the “Corps d’Afrique.” I am perfectly disgusted with this whole business. Everything [...]
Six miles from Resaca, May 11, 1864. We had a real hurricane last night, and a tremendous rain-storm. We lay right in the woods, and of course thought of the Point Pleasant storm and falling trees, but were too lazy to move, and thanks to a bed of pine boughs, slept good and sound. There [...]
Same camp, May 10, 1864. The 9th Illinois Infantry lost about 30 men, killed, wounded and missing, yesterday. We find the enemy too strong on the railroad to take, but have succeeded in breaking it so no trains can pass. Gerry’s division, of the 20th Corps, came up at dark, and the rest of the [...]
Seven miles west of Resaca, 15 miles from Dalton, May 9, 1864. Yesterday we traveled southeast, crossing six or seven ridges, one or two of which were quite high. Taylor’s was the highest. To-day we have made only about eight miles all the way through a pass in Rocky Face ridge, which is a high [...]
May 8, 1864, 1:30 a.m. Have about given up the train before daylight, so will curl down and take a cool snooze, minus blankets. Made 11 miles to-day. Fifteen miles southwest of Dalton, May 8, 1864. We traveled to-day over a better country than I have seen for five months; the Yanks were never seen [...]
Two miles south of the Gordon’s Mills crossing of the Chickamauga, May 7, 1864, 12 m. We started at 8 this morning and made this by 11. We are now waiting for two or more divisions of the 16th Corps to file into the road ahead of us. I think they are coming from Ringold. [...]
Camp at “Gordon’s Mills,” Ga., May 6, 1864. We lay in camp on Chattanooga creek, two and one-fourth miles this side of Chattanooga, until 11 this morning, waiting for the division train to be loaded and turning the bulk of our camp and garrison equipage over to the corps quartermaster to store for us until [...]
Between Chattanooga and Rossville, May 5, 1864. It has been a very warm day, and the 16 miles between 8 a. m. and 4 p.m. counts a hard march. The dust in many places has been ankle deep. We again crossed the point of old Lookout. I think since yesterday morning at least 20 trains [...]
Whiteside, May 4, 1864. The day’s march has been much more pleasant than any of us expected. Most of the dead mules have been buried, and the road much improved, especially through the narrows. We smelled a number of mules, though, after all the improvements. This, Whiteside, is like Bridgeport, a portable town, with canvas [...]
Twelve miles east of Bridgeport, May 3, 1864. Have made about 15 miles to-day. This is the fourth time I have been over the same ground, have ridden over it five times. This is the first time I ever started on a march where real judgment was used in breaking the men in. We always [...]