July 2024

“Can hear heavy guns occasionally, sounds about three miles away, half the distance to the city.”–Army Life of an Illinois Soldier, Charles Wright Wills.

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Army Life of an Illinois Soldier, Charles Wright Wills, (8th Illinois Infantry)

July 20, 1864. Assembly has just sounded. In a few hours we will know if it is to be a fight. Frank says we are detailed for train guard. If the army marches right into Atlanta, I’ll think it d—d mean, but if there is a fight will not feel so badly, unless we can [...]

Diary of Belle Edmondson

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Diaries and Letters of Belle Edmondson

July, Wednesday 20, 1864 Another happy and beautiful morning. Miss Lou gave me some Cotton to knit Eddie a pr of socks. I began them, but did not get much done, most of the time playing Bagammon, Chess, or having some Music, learned Miss L. two pieces, “Brightest Eyes Quick Step,” “Rosebud Waltz,” she was [...]

“We have passed over the same miserable looking country to-day.”–Army Life of an Illinois Soldier, Charles Wright Wills.

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Army Life of an Illinois Soldier, Charles Wright Wills, (8th Illinois Infantry)

Decatur, Ga., July 19, 1864. To-night we are in Decatur, six miles from Atlanta. The Rebels were yet in Atlanta this morning, for they ran a train to this burg this morning, but they may now be gone. Our line of battle crosses the railroad nearly at right angles, facing Atlanta. I think the 23d [...]

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Charles Lynch
Civil War Diary of Charles H. Lynch, 18th Conn. Vol’s.

July 19th. This hot morning finds us at Snicker’s Gap. Everything quiet. The enemy on one side of the river and we the other. Both armies where we see one another. Later in the day batteries were put in position on both sides, and occasionally open fire on one another. One shell from the enemy [...]

Diary of Belle Edmondson

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Diaries and Letters of Belle Edmondson

July, Tuesday 19, 1864 A bright and beautiful morning—my heart seems as light and happy as the sunshine is lovely. I am perfectly in love with this charming family. Mrs. Reynolds is so warm hearted and good, though our acquaintance has been so short, it seems we have always been friends, and Miss Lou, ah! [...]

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Charles Lynch
Civil War Diary of Charles H. Lynch, 18th Conn. Vol’s.

July 18th. Up and early on the march this fine morning. Pushing on to the south in the direction of Snicker’s Gap, Blue Ridge Mountains, eighteen miles south of Harper’s Ferry. We cannot tell what an hour may bring forth. As we approach Snicker’s Gap we came to a halt. Here we meet a part [...]

“It is evident to me that the Army of the Tennessee is doing the “flanking them out” this time.”–Army Life of an Illinois Soldier, Charles Wright Wills.

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Army Life of an Illinois Soldier, Charles Wright Wills, (8th Illinois Infantry)

Near Stone Mountain, July 18, 1864. Osterhaus (or his division, for I hear that he resigned and yesterday started for the North, en route for Mexico, where he formerly resided, and that he intends entering the Mexican Army to fight “Johnny Crapeau”) was ahead to-day, and only lost a dozen or 50 men. Our brigade [...]

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Charles Lynch
Civil War Diary of Charles H. Lynch, 18th Conn. Vol’s.

July 17th. Sunday morning. Late last night we were ordered to march. Estimated we marched about five miles, when we came to a halt in a wooded field. Fine large trees. During the night we heard the rattling of the wheels of artillery and wagons, being driven very rapid, going south. This morning report reached [...]

“I have been a deluded believer in the hoax of fine “Georgia plantations,” but I assure you I am now thoroughly convalescent.”–Army Life of an Illinois Soldier, Charles Wright Wills.

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Army Life of an Illinois Soldier, Charles Wright Wills, (8th Illinois Infantry)

June 17, 1864. After erecting some good works at Roswell (the best we have yet built), capable of holding at least 25,000 men, we were provided with three days’ rations and cartridges “ad libitum,” for another of what an Augusta paper calls “Sherman leap-frog-like advance.” Our corps is the extreme left of the army. We [...]

A Rebel War Clerk’s Diary

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A likeness of Jones when he was editor and majority owner of the Daily Madisonian during President John Tyler’s administration.
A Rebel War Clerk’s Diary at the Confederate States Capital, By John Beauchamp Jones

JULY 17th.—Dry—the sky bright and brassy—the gardens almost ruined. Last evening definite news came in the Washington Chronicle of the 14th. Gen. Early was recrossing the Potomac with an immense amount of stores levied in the enemy’s country, including thousands of horses, etc. This, the Chronicle thinks, will be beneficial to the United States, as [...]

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Charles Lynch
Civil War Diary of Charles H. Lynch, 18th Conn. Vol’s.

July 16th. Yesterday we had a long tedious march, putting in a hard day. Last night we were glad to drop on the ground for rest and sleep. This is a hot morning out here in the open fields. Our cavalry boys brought in a captured rebel wagon train. The rebel teamsters were driving as [...]