Thursday, June 30, 1864
Regiment still in rear line of works. I have become very sick with an attack of bilious colic. It is because a pain in my guts has driven me half-mad with misery. McCook badly wounded in that ghastly thing on Monday. There are many awful men in the command, but he was good. Very good! I have been obliged to go to the rear again for medical aid and suffer much.
The rebels made another approach on our line and were forced back. Signed another inventory plat which covers camp equipage that must be discarded because of heavy wear. Also obtained more shirts, drawers and stockings for the boys.
Friday, July 1, 1864
Regiment again in the front line, within about forty yards of
the rebels. Everything was quieter today than usual, until about
sunset, when our artillery opened a brisk cannonade on the southerners.
Saturday, July 2, 1864
All quiet today except slight musketry along the line, until nearly
six o'clock. Then the rebels made a heavy attack with artillery.
This was maintained until darkness closed the scene. Some apprehension
of a big attack is felt.
Sunday, July 3, 1864
This morning again, the enemy is missing. At three o'clock a.m.,
a rebel called our pickets and asked permission to come in, which
was granted. the man told us that the enemy had retreated two
hours before, at one o'clock in the morning.
Monday, July 4, 1864
I still find myself very weak, but rapidly improving in strength.
Moved in pursuit of the rebel army at daylight. Came up to them
about ten a.m.
Parked the outfit and began to celebrate the Fourth. Had plenty
to drink and eat, furnished by our kind and hospitable friend,
Captain Davis.
Tuesday, July 5, 1864
This morning again reveals that the enemy have evacuated their
lines on our front and are in retreat toward the river. We expect
them to make another stand at the river, to enable them to get
across.
Wednesday, July 6, 1864
Regiment on skirmish. Weather pleasant. I am not on duty.
Thursday, July 7, 1864
Received detail as Provost Marshal on the staff of Colonel Connolly,
Brigade. About the usual amount of skirmish firing going on.
Friday, July 8, 1864
All quiet today, until dark, when the rebs made a move towards
advancing their lines.
Saturday, July 9, 1864
All quiet during the forenoon. Then the rebs opened with artillery.
Sunday, July 10, 1864
All quiet. Rebels have again evacuated and moved south of the
Chattahoochee River, burnt all bridges and obstructed crossing.
Picked up a few deserters and captured a few prisoners.
Some runaway slaves came through our lines this morning and went
all through camp, seeking work. Chester, a boy of about 15, followed
by an older man, around 50, came to see me.
The man is called by Chester "Uncle Tom," but from the
way Uncle Tom watches the boy, I am inclined to think that he
is really Chester's father. Chester is hungry and ragged and so
is the man. Uncle Tom said they had run away from a bad master
named Ewing. I am going to put them down as Chester and Tom Ewing.
Chester is a willing lad. I would like to help him, but it is
very hard to save any young person from the bitterness of life.
He will share with Tom. Chester will be paid ten dollars a month
and found.
Monday, July 11, 1864
Brigade quietly in camp and men resting. Generals McPherson and
Schofield are supposed to be across the river and harassing the
enemy's right flank. Rebels are not presumed to be in any great
force on our front.
Tuesday, July 12, 1864
Still quiet along the front, except for occasional picket firing
which amounted to very little. Our artillery consisted of heavy
Parrot guns - twenty pounders - and these opened vigorously. No
reply.
Wednesday, July 13, 1864
Everything unusually quiet today on the north side of the river.
A few shots of artillery, but no particularly offensive demonstrations.
Thursday, July 14, 1864
this has been a day of idleness for me, though the main army,
consisting of the 20th, 4th, 15th, 16th, 17th, and 23rd Army Corps
is moving across the river, or is at least moving to our left
as a preparatory step toward crossing over in a day or two.
Friday, July 15, 1864
Had a heavy shower of rain last night, which has cooled the air
some, today. Not much fighting . Movement to the left still is
in progress. 4th and 23d Army corps across the Chattahoochee River.
Saturday, July 16, 1864
Stayed in camp all day. Men are much relieved by the few days
of rest which we have had.
Sunday, July 17, 1864
Division moved to Pace's Ferry and crossed the river. 85th Illinois
deployed as skirmishers on the north side of the Chattahoochee.
3rd Brigade remained in camp on the north side of the river.
McCook died today.
Monday, July 18, 1864
3rd Brigade crossed the river and joined division. Division advanced
and occupied Nancy's Creek.
22d Indiana deployed as skirmishers.
No loss during the day.
Tuesday, July 19, 1864
Second Division ordered to cross Peach Tree Creek. Movement began
about 1:00 a.m. 3rd Brigade crossed first and met strong opposition.
Had a desperate fight, was greatly outnumbered and flanked on
both right and left. Our loss: 256 - killed, wounded and missing.
Wednesday, July 20, 1864
Second Division made new drives toward the railroad. Found the
enemy in force and returned to our old line of works. Advanced
our picket line about 1/2 mile. The front is on a high hill.
Thursday, July 21, 1864
Second Division made a reconnaissance toward the railroad. found
the rebels in force there and then retired to our old line of
works. Advanced the picket line about 1/2 mile.
Friday, July 22, 1864
Everything quiet along the line. Report came about 10 a.m. that
Atlanta had fallen into our possession. Very heavy fighting heard
all day on our left. Supposed to be on McPherson's line. Result
not known. 2nd Division moved forward and took position on Proctor's
Creek.
Saturday, July 23, 1864
Sent out one regiment as picket on a hill about 1/2 mile in advance
of the main line of works. Position not very secure. Can be easily
flanked and possibly the force might be captured. Little firing
on the front today. McPherson has had a very heavy fight. 125th
Illinois on picket on hill in front of 2d Brigade.
Sunday, July 24, 1864
Nothing unusual has transpired today. No heavy fighting. 3rd Brigade
lay in reserve except one regiment on picket duty. 86th Illinois
on picket relieved the 125th Illinois.
Monday, July 25, 1864
Nothing out of the ordinary has occurred today. 22d Indiana has
relieved the 86th Illinois.
Very little fighting.
Tuesday, July 26, 1864
Still in camp and in reserve. 85th Illinois has relieved the 22d
Indiana from picket.
Wednesday, July 27, 1864
2nd Division ordered to make reconnaissance towards Kelly's Ferry
and from there towards Atlanta, and form on the right of the 15th
Army Corps. The march was very heavy.
Got into position at 2:30 a.m. in the morning of the 29th.
Many stragglers dropped out along the route of march.
Friday, July 29, 1864
Visited the front of the 15th Army Corps, where yesterday's fight
occurred. Counted seventy dead rebels on about two acres of ground.
The carnage must have been terrible and the loss heavy, and must
count by the thousands the dead and wounded. 52d Ohio took up
picket line, in front of Whitehall Road.
Saturday, July 30, 1864
Moved Division some distance towards the right and again entrenched.
Picket line nearly half-mile in advance. No enemy found. 110th
Illinois on picket and also on skirmish. Found no resistance.
Sunday, July 31, 1864
2nd Division , 14th Army Corps supported by 3rd Division, 20th
Army Corps, made a reconnaissance on East Point Road. Had a slight
skirmish with enemy infantry and again returned to camp or trenches.
125th Illinois on picket relieved 110th Illinois. No rebs in sight.
Monday, August 1, 1864
Lay in the trenches all day. Heard heavy firing on the left at
intervals during the day. 86th Illinois relieved 125th Illinois
at 8 a.m.
Tuesday, August 2, 1864
Inactive today. Relieved from picket by 23rd Army Corps moving
in on our front and right. Heard very little firing. Weather nice,
but very warm. 22nd Indiana relieved 86th Illinios and was relieved
by 23rd Army Corps.
Wednesday, August 3, 1864
In reserve all day. Nothing unusual happened.
Thursday, August 4, 1864
85th Illinois detailed for picket. Moved out about 6 o'clock in
the evening. Took position two hundred yards in front of breastworks.
Division is in reserve of 3rd Division, 14th Army Corps. Found
no enemy.
Friday, August 5, 1864
Advanced skirmish line at daylight and drove the enemy from Sandtown
Road. 52nd Ohio relieved the 85th Illinois at six p.m. Skirmish
line within two hundred yards of enemy's main-work.
Saturday, August 6, 1864
110th Illinois relieved 52d Ohio at six p.m. Heavy musketry on
the right. Supposed to be 23rd Army Corps. Nothing unusual has
transpired on the lines, except constant firing.
Sunday, August 7, 1864
86th Illinois relieved 110th Illinois from picket. 125th Illinois
in on fatigue duty and excused from regular turn of picket. Advanced
skirmishers so as to occupy the enemy's outer works. Has a brisk
little fight. Brigade lost about thirty-five men.
Monday, August 8, 1864
125th Illinois furnished thirty men for picket. 85th Illinois
is manning the outer works, which were at first constructed for
skirmish reserve and afterwards for the main line for works.
Tuesday, August 9, 1864
22d Indiana relieved 125th Illinois from picket with thirty men
at 6 p.m. Had twelve men from 86th Illinois and six men from 110th
Illinois for fatigue duty, constructing works in front of the
advance on the left.
Wednesday, August 10, 1864
85th Illinois relieved 22d Indiana with thirty men. Line advanced
on the left about three rods.
Thursday, August 11, 1864
110th Illinois relieved 85th Illinois with twenty men and were
relieved early next morning by the 84th Indiana.
Friday, August 12, 1864
Division advanced to the right and relieved General Cox's division
of 23d, at six a.m. 125th Illinois furnished sixty men for picket
and relieved the same number from 128th Indiana.
Very little firing on the picket line.
Saturday, August 13, 1864
86th Illinois relieved 125th Illinois with three companies commanded
by Major Thomas.
Sunday, August 14, 1864
22d Indiana relieved 86th Illinois with three companies. Very
little firing on the line. A reb deserter came in and gave an
encouraging report of Confederate desertions.
Monday, August 15, 1864
85th Illinois relieved 22d Indiana with three companies at 7 a.m.
Received two rebel deserters and sent them to Division Headquarters.
Tuesday, August 16, 1864
52d Ohio relieved 85th Illinois from pickets with three companies.
No firing on the line during the day.
Wednesday, August 17, 1864
110th Illinois relieved 52d Ohio from picket with sixty men. Inspected
four regiments of the Brigade. Visited 86th Illinois at 8 a.m.,
85th Illinois at 11 a.m., 125th Illinois at 2 p.m., and the 52nd
Ohio at 4:30 p.m. Condition of arms is very good, but men's clothing
is much worn.
Thursday, August 18, 1864
125th Illinois relieved 110th Illinois from picket: two companies.
The rebel force on our front is supposed to be very light. Opened
fire on the rebels at 8 a.m., received but a very feeble reply.
Friday, August 19, 1864
125th Illinois remained on picket. Brigade moved to the right
in support of the 23rd Army Corps. Returned in the evening after
dark.
Saturday, August 10, 1864
86th Illinois relieved 125th Illinois from picket: three companies.
Brigade made a reconnaissance to Red Oaks Station on the Atlanta
& West Point Railroad. Moved in the direction of Mt. Gilead
Church.
I was in charge of the skirmishers this morning, after the division
pulled out on a raid. When the outfit had been gone awhile, the
silence around here became downright oppressive.
I decided to ride after the boys and see what was going on. Got
to within three or four miles of the railroad, when the Georgia
skies unleashed 'an August rainstorm.' This is distinguished from
the variety of a Georgia July rainstorm, a June rainstorm, a May
rainstorm, and any other time of year that this salubrious State
thinks should be wet.
At any rate, when the downpour began, I took shelter under the
vast branches of an old tree. Within a few minutes, the rain let
up, so I mounted again and rode off. I though I was on the road
which Division had taken, but the rain had washed away all the
usual signs. Naturally, I had no business there in the first place,
but having gone that far, I rode on.
After some little distance, I had found no more evidence of the
division's passage and was just about to turn back when a reb
jumped out from behind a tree. He had a pistol at the ready.
"Put 'em up, Cap'n," says he. "And get of the horse."
I couldn't have been more surprised. Couldn't do a thing, having
brilliantly left my pistol and sword back at camp. I dismounted
and gave him the reins.
"You can just hand over yer watch and wallet, too."
Guess I must have sighed a little as I gave the reb what he wanted,
'cause he smiled.
That made me sore as hell, but all for naught. For a while, I
walked down the road, followed by the gunman. He kept his pistol
on my back and walked after me, leading the horse. But the horse
shied, so the reb had me mount again. He remained on the road
and gave the orders.
We had gone nearly a mile or so, when we heard someone riding
toward us. The reb expected to see a cohort, but, the rider drawing
nearer, I recognized - my Orderly. The reb put his gun on my lad
and demanded his surrender. My fellow said not a word, but dropped
the reins on his horse's neck, then came near the reb's pistol,
seemingly to give up. In a twinkling, though, he knocked the reb's
gun to one side. The impact caused the gun to fire aimlessly.
At that point, the reb saw that he was lost and took off running.
But we chased him on horseback. My Orderly tried to shoot the
scalawag, but his pistol jammed.
However, we caught that devil and I got my possessions back. Then
we found the Division shortly after, and I couldn't resist showing
my prisoner off a little. Never saw a Confederate in such a state.
He was mad enough to take on the whole 86th, barehanded.
Returned to camp at sundown.
Sunday, August 21, 1864
22d Indiana relieved 86th Illinois from picket: three companies.
No move today. Nice weather.
Monday, August 22, 1864
85th Illinois relieved 22d Indiana from picket: three companies.
No firing on our front today.
Visited Division Hospital.
Tuesday, August 23, 1864
52d Ohio relieved 85th Illinois from picket: 3 companies. All
quiet on our line.
Had a full view of our position.
Wednesday , August 24, 1864
110th Illinois relieved 52d Ohio from picket with detail of sixty
men and three company officers. All quiet. Rebels say they are
not allowed to communicate, but agreed not to shoot.
Thursday, August 25, 1864
86th Illinois relieved 110th Illinois from picket duty with two
companies. Colonel Dilworth visited the lines and examined position.
He appeared satisfied.
Friday, August 26, 1864
22d Indiana relieved 86th Illinois from picket: three companies.
A general move was begun on the extreme left of the line by the
4th Army Corps and 20th Army Corps, the latter moving back to
the river to protect the crossings. We were much annoyed by 14th
Army Corps headquarters' trains leaving our front.
Saturday, August 28, 1864
Division ordered to move at 5 in the morning to move to the right
on Campbelltown Road. Arrived at Mt. Gilead Church at 10 a.m.
Rested and again moved forward. Crossed the West Point Railroad,
half-mile above Red Oak and moved one mile east and took position.
Picket detailed from brigade.
Monday, August 29, 1864
52d Ohio put out four companies on picket. Brigade lay in camp
all day. No enemy in sight. Forage plenty. Men and horses doing
well.
Tuesday, August 30, 1864
Division ordered to march in the direction of Jonesboro at 5:40
a.m. Took position near Flint Creek, threw up works and bivouacked
for the night. Brigade furnished no pickets.
Wednesday, August 31, 1864
Marched from position on creeks towards Jonesboro. Halted and
bivouacked for the night.
Put out four companies as pickets from the 52d Ohio.
Thursday, September 1, 1864
Moved to the left and crossed Flint Creek towards Jonesboro. Had
marched within two miles of town.
Deployed one regiment as flank skirmishers from 1st Division,
14th Army Corps. Returned and had a fight near Jonesboro. Colonel
Dilworth was wounded, a loss much to be regretted by the Brigade.
Command thrown into temporary confusion by the loss of 150 men.
Friday, September 2, 1864
At daylight, found the enemy had evacuated. Brigade lay in trenches
until about 9 o'clock, then moved on to Jonesboro, approximately
one down mile distant. Army of the Tennessee moved on down the
railroad. Heard distant cannonading. No report from it.
Saturday, September 3, 1864
lay in camp at Jonesboro. deployed five companies of 22d Indiana
as pickets. Received orders to march to Atlanta about 3 o'clock.
p.m. Men and prisoners were much fatigued from fast marching.
Sunday, September 4, 1864
In Atlanta:
Established headquarters in brick house near the railroad. Nothing
new has transpired. Troops lay inactive for the first time in
many days. Weather quite warm.