13. Civil War Diary Part XIII (Sept. (1864)- Nov.(1864))



Page 1

Lovejoy’s Station, Sep 1, 1864


Sept 1, 1864, Thursday (date of rank as Hosp. Steward)


At intervals last night we heard heavy explosions in the direction of Atlanta + suspect the rebels are blowing up their ammunition. At daylight, we discover the enemy has left our front. We cross over their breastworks + enter Jonesboro. The town is greatly torn by shot + the large (Presbyterian Church) is full of dead confederates. We are rapidly moved on through + out beyond Lovejoy’s station. Here on a range of hills beyond a considerable swamp the rebels have fortified + make a stand. Our Regt. is deployed as skirmishers + drive in the rebel skirmish line + hold it close up to their breastworks. Then the 15th A.C. supported by the 17th is drawn up in 4 splendid lines extending along an open field all in full view. The sun shines brightly the flags + banners wave in the breeze. The guns (???) (???). In front a little ways is a large cornfield – the corn high as ones head – beyond that the swamp ground – hen the rise of a hill, open ground + along the top, the red line of rebel breastworks.


It is a magnificent site + our regt. being relieved from duty, I stand where I can see it all, near a hill on which is General Sherman + staff.


Presently, Gen. Logan’s staff ride along his line swinging his hat. The men cheer him as he passes to the other end. The word is given + the line advances, the 1st, 2nd, + 3rd +c the enter the cornfield + are lost to view, except for the swaying of stalks + dipping forward of flags – then, the 1st + 2nd lines appear beyond – they begin to run. A cheer floats back + the next instant there is a flash + then all is smoke at the rebel breastworks.


Soon the red, white, blue appears on the smoky works + this line of rebel works is won + held



Page 2

Sketch –

Attack at Lovejoy Station 1864



Page 3

Map –

Layout of Atlanta



Page 4

Loose paper –

Page from book, information about Atlanta



Page 5

Sept 2, 1864 – Friday,


Hear that the 20th A.C. have entered Atlanta/ The rebel army being drawn off to fight us. We lay quiet today in front of Lovejoy’s Station. Sherman finds pursuit of Hood beyond Lovejoy Station Impracticable. In this flank movement he lost 1500 men, Captured 3,000 priosners + 16 guns. Our regiment captured 8 prisoners today..


Sept 3rd 1864 – Saturday,


A little lazy skirmishing going on. Sherman says Atlanta was occupied today, the 3rd. 126 days from the time when we left Pulaski, Tenn.


Sept 4th, Sunday.


We go out to right + get on wing of enemy + skirmish – have 2 killed + 3 wounded. All inhabitants of Atlanta ordered out of city today.


Sep. 5, Monday.


Have orders to move back. Leave our pits in a heavy shower at night + in the muddiest of mud + blackest of darkness move back some 4 miles + halt, until sunrise, when we march into Jonesboro + halt, leaving Hood + Confederate army at Lovejoy station 20 miles S.E. of Atlanta on the Savannah R.R. with about 40,000 men.


Sep 6, Tues.


Lay at Jonesboro all day from. From April 29th 1864 to Sept 6, 1864, the regiment lost 6 officers killed + 6 wounded. 38 men killed + 140 wounded, 13 missing. A total of 203. The regiment captured in this time 254 prisoners.


Sep 7, Wednesday.


Begin our march back to Atlanta. Forage for sweet potatoes + fresh pork.


Sep 8, Thursday


Arrive at East Point + Camp


Sept 9. Friday


Camp Rode over to Atlanta + Found Fr. Pogue + Div. Hosp, in a large house.


Sep 10, Saturday.


Remained at Atlanta with Dr. Pogue in Div. Hospital.



Page 6

Our non-commissioned staff now are


Thomas H. Robinson – Sergeant Major


Smith Minton Quartermaster Sergeant


Ordinance Sergeant


Myself – Hospital Steward


Benjamin Marot former arm. Sergeant –promoted Adjutant.


sketch –

Smith Minturn


Battle line – copied from “Halt on the Line of Battle”



Page 7

map of disposition of 3 Union armies – Sketch –

Allatoona Pass – “Hold the Fort” Western + Atlantic R.R. military switch on right (in 1864)


Our troops strung out in detachments at Atlanta, Marietta, Kinesaw, Allatoonya, Etorrah Bridge, Kingston, Rome, Resacca, Dalton, Ringold, Chattanooga – The Atlanta campaign began officially May 6 + ended Sept 15, 1864, i.e. -132 days – 5 mos + 7 days.


Total loss to U.S. forces k 4,423, w 22,822 m 4,442


To C.S. forces k. 3,044 w18,952, total k+ w 21,996


Prisoners 12,983


Loss total 34,979


Picture of Allatoona Pass, on the W&A, R.R. 1913


Newspaper Clipping

Detailing a monument in memory of Gen. John Murray Corse



Page 8

Rome, GA, Oct 6, 1864, Thursday

Sep, 28, 1864, Wednesday


Lay in Bivouac in our Hill, The entire Div. arrives today –


Sep, 29 – Thursday, - Gen. Thomas + a Div. of the 14th Corps, sent back to guard Nashville Tenn, + one Div. of the 4 corps to Chattanooga.


In our bivouac – look over the town some. Large cotton factories were here, Gen. J.C. Davis + the Div. of the __ A.C. entered here capturing considerable stuff + work (???) which were sent north. The town lies at the junction of the Itowa and Oosenaula rivers which form the Coosa. It is a very pretty town, built on 7 hills, with the factories between on the banks of the rivers. The outlook over the country from the hills is very fine. Woods on all sides.


Sep, 30, Friday


Our tents + stuff come from Atlanta + we fixed up a very fine camp on a hills


Oct 1st, 1864, Saturday – Today Hoods, Cavalry crossed the Chattahoocha river + Campbelltown, + the main army went onto Dallas, sending a detachment which destroyed 15 miles of R.R. above Marietta – while Frenches’ Div went onto Allatoona to Capture the R.R. there.


Oct 2nd – 1864, Sunday.


There are rumors that hood has rallied his army + is on his way North to regain the ground taken by Sherman.


Oct 3. Monday


In camp at Rome Gen. Sherman at (???) station signalls to Kenesaw + thence to Rome ordering Gen. Corse to hasten to Alltoona to reinforce Col. (???) who is about to be attacked by (???) division of Stewart’s Corps.


Oct 4, - Tuesday


All the Brigade except our regt. ordered to Allatoona Pass. + take their departure on freight cars –( assuring) of (???)


Oct 5, - Wednesday


The Battle at Allatoona Pass. “Hold the Fort”


Oct 6, - Thursday – Jno E. Corse our Div. Comdr. With a part of the Div. defeated the attempt of Frenche’s Div. of Hoods army to capture the Western + Atlantic R.R.


In Camp at Rome, GA



Page 9

Sketch –

Cavalry Skirmish near Rome GA


Oct 25, 1864 – I am in the group on the hill looking on



Page 10

Oct 7, 1864, Friday.


The Brigade back from Allatoona, Gen. Corse slightly wounded. They had reinforced the garrison + held the fort. French retreated south on Dallas road to join Hood. He lost 2,000 men. W707


Oct 8 Saturday.


Some log houses begin as some think we are to stay here all winter. Considerable foraging is done in which there are frequent skirmishes. The regiment makes several marches out into the Country – Sweet potatoes (???) abound. Rebels have burnt the R.R. from Big Shanty to Ackworth on their march on (???) for Nashville. Sherman (???) of Allatoona Oct 9.


Oct 9, Sunday, 10M, 11T, 12W, 13T, 14,F, 15S, 16W, 17T Gen Beauregard at Corinth, 19S, 20S, 21M, 22T, 23W, 24Monday – In camp at Rome, GA.


Oct 10 Federal forces ordered to assemble at Kingston, We stand at Rome. (Oct) 12 Hood at Resacca. Gen. Logan absent north. Our Corps 15 could by Maj. Gen. P.J Osterhaus.


Oct 25, 1864, Tuesday – Gen. Sherman at Gaylesville with Gen Schofield.


There is considerable stir in the woods south + east of town today. The regt. is called into line, but does not march. From our hill we can see that Kilpatricks Cavalry are having a fight with the enemy + appear to be falling back toward town. It is very interesting to watch the movements. To see the groups of men holding horses – while others deploy, sometimes in fields + then out of sight in woods, to hear the pop of guns + to see the clouds of dust arising from roads in the woods. The clouds rise high – long + large. So we know a large body of troops is moving. It approaches town + then bends off to the right a little. This proves to be the 23rd Corps, moving north against hoods columns – As the corps approaches Rome, the enemy in front of Kilpatricks cavalry disappears + soon the cavalry is gone also. Then our line is dismissed + we go to bed.



Page 11

Map of troop movements around Atlanta – Sketch of Horse and rider –
Page 12

Oct 26th – 1864, Wednesday. Hoods army at Decatur, Ala.


All quiet at rome


Sketch of Author in 1866

Oct 27 – Thursday


Oct 28 – Friday


Oct 29. Saturday, General orders to prepare for a long campaign


Oct 30 Sunday, Hood goes to point on river opposite Florence, Ala, where he camps a month.


Oct 31, Wednesday, All quiet at Rome – Forest captures two of our gunboats + 5 transports on the Tenn. near Johnsonville – The 4th Corps (Stanley) at Pulaski, Tenn. The 13 (Schofield) of Columbia, Tenn.


November 1nd, 1864 – Tuesday. March to the Sea begun, Today orders come to send all camp + Garrison equipage – all sick +c +c – north to Chattanooga + prepare for a long campaign.


Nov 2nd – Nov 9th – details of Formation of Army on March to Sea


Nov 10th – The packing + shipping all done, we receive pay today - $207.75 – sent $100.00 home by Martini Case. The troops put in motion today for the march to the sea.


Nov 11th, 1864 – Friday.


Today we burn all barracks +c – all C.S. govt. buildings, factories, +c at Rome + march to Kingston + camp 3 miles beyond.



Page 13

Annotated Map –

Displaying Hood’s movement North + Position of Sherman’s start for Savannah. Nov 12 – 1864


Hood attacked Thomas at Franklin on the way to Masjville Nov 30th 1864 + lost 6,252 men + generals Cleburn + Adams. Schofield had joined Thomas + fought the battle with Hood at Franklin.


Dec, 15, 1864. Hood attacked Thomas at Nashville + was defeated losing 15,000 men.



Page 14

Nov 12, 1864, Saturday (Sherman dates his march to Savannah from today – the 12th – Entering Savannah, Dec. 21st Total 39 days – Telegraph lines north all severed. (He officially terminates move to Savannah Jan 8 1865, which gives 51 days, 300 miles. 72 days from taking of Atlanta Sep 3. 1864 – to Beginning of Georgia March Nov 15 1864)


Sherman + staff leave Kingston. Kingstond is burned + R.R. torn up. We arrived there today.


Nov 13 – Sunday,


Allatoona + Ackworth given over to flames + R.R. torn up.


Nov 14, Monday, Arrive at Big Shanty on our march. The two marching wings, right + left formed


Big Shanty + Marietta burned + R.R. destroyed.


Nov. 15, Tuesday, Marched as escort to a long supply train. Arrive at Atlanta. The city is in flames. We halt near the depot a large warehouse is burning near us. In its cellar were loaded shells. They explode from heat every now + then + make it lively for us. Fire + smoke reign everywhere. The demon of destruction is abroad. The 20 A.C. leave the city today. We march out of the heat + smoke at dusk + go 4 miles, where we camp. The sky from the burning city back of us looks livid + throws a light around us. We are on way to Jonesboro. (4 Corps of Infantry are here (15 + 17th, 15th + 20th, 1 Div. of Cavalry, 65 field guns – in all 60,598 men)


Nov 16th Wednesday, HOOD is at Florence on the Tenn. River.


Today we all swing fairly out on our great Southern march to Savannah (300 miles S.E)


We are in the woods + so far as seeing anything goes might conclude that our division is all there is on the march – But over on our left we hear artillery firing (This was only the explosion of old shells in Atlanta + blowing up of some forts) + know that there are forces there. We face south. The 15th + 17th A.C. – From the right wing (Under Gen. Howard + with Kilpatrick’s Cavalry) + the 14th + 20th the Left wing under Gen (Harper says Sloeum)


The 23rd A.C. has gone North with Gen. Thomas to form the Nashville army to meet + defeat Hood, who has taken the remnant of Braggs old Corinth, Shiloh, Murfreesboro, Chickamauga + Missionary Ridge army worth to utterly lose it + Atlanta.



Page 15

Heavily annotated Map –

From Atlanta to Savannah



Page 16

Loose Paper –

Breakdown of the Right and Left Wings of the Army involved on the March to the Sea



Page 17

Loose Paper –

Breakdown of C.S. Army of Tenn under Gen. Jos E. Johnson



Page 18

Out on our March through Georgia


Nov. 17, 1864 – Thursday


We camped very pleasantly last night. Do not know how many miles we marched. It was a fairly long stretch however, over fair roads + through a good country as Georgia goes. This morning we are up early + on the road again. We get on slowly today making only 7 miles.


Gen Oserhaus has command of the 15th Corps. + Gen O.O. Howard commands the wing. General Slocumb has the left . Cavalry is out under Kilpatrick on both flanks.


Nov, 18th, 1864, Friday


Today we march 17 miles, the wagon trains take the roads + we take what walking we can find in the woods on either side. Regiments, brigades, + Divs. Take their turns in occupying the front, which is the busiest place on a march. Teams are available for supplies not over 100 miles, because in going + returning the(y) eat all they can haul + leaving nothing for use.


Nov 19, 1864, Saturday


The famous “Bummers” begin to develop out of foraging squads detailed each morning to go with the wagon trains + forage over the country for everything eatable for man + beast. Special aptitudes for this work show themselves + the men who like it manage to get on the forage detail each morning + in time they come to be recognized as the ones + become a sort of corps in each Brig + Div. they go out afoot at first + always return mounted. We arrive at the Ocmulgee river today.


Nov 20th, 1864, Sunday


Cross the river on a Pontoon Bridge + halt + camp. Condemned mules shot.



Page 19

Sketch –

The Ocmulgee river –Sunday, 20, 1864


Crossing a river in Georgia on Pontoons + shooting mules + old horses in rear.



Page 20

Nov 21st 1864, Monday


Today it rains – the work of shooting condemned horses + mules goes on at the river. The only place where men of our Div. + perhaps of the Corps can cross the river is at the Pontoon bridge. A guard is stationed at the bridge + every man not entitled to ride is stopped + dismounted + his horse or mule “Confiscated.” In this way hundreds of good horses + mules collected from far + near in the country by the “Bummers” are taken for the artillery + trains + broken down ones are taken + shot. And to save forage + demoralization, every man mounted, but not entitled to a mount is dismounted + sent to his regiment + his animal, if worthless, is also shot. It is amazing how many men get scattered out on horses + mules + how many animals are slaughtered at a river crossing. We march but a short distance today + camp.


Nov 22, 1864, Tuesday


We start late today, because it is our turn to go in the rear + we march on until midnight, before we halt for Camp. The roads have become muddy – the wagons stick + we have to help them along + cannot ourselves go into camp until all wagons are up to Corral. No one covets the rear on a muddy march. The 1st Div. woods, in the advance today. Walcott’s Brigade armed in past with spencer rifles were attacked in front of Macon by S.W. Smith’s rebel Div. but drove them back into Macon.


Nov 23rd, 1864, Wednesday


It is hard marching today – the brush on each side of the road is thick. The ground is soft + muddy. We are just ahead of the rear today + so get started earlier + camp in good season.



Page 21

Map –

Heavily annotated with troop movements


Gen. Bragg is at Augusta, with several thousand C.S. militia, but not in shape to offer much opposition. Gen McLean with his division is in front of Sherman to harass his advance in that direction.


Newspaper Clipping –

Detailing a controversial monument to Captain Wirz, keeper of Andersonville Prison and highlighting a ‘new’ book meant to draw light to the atrocities committed there.



Page 22

Nov 24th 1864, Thursday


Today we have the extreme advance, clear of all wagons + can use the road. Hear that Wheeler’s Cavalry are hovering around our flanks. We march our allotted distance, some 18 miles + camp early. Some of the ammunition wagons got so stuck + broken today, that they were blown up.


Beauregard in our old camps at Corinth, Miss. Is issuing appeals to the Georgians to annihilate the invader, saying he would soon be with them to help, but he found his hands full where we was.


Nov 25th, Friday


Have to wait + take our place in the rear today, but get on quite well, late at night we arrive at Clinton – where advance had a brisk skirmish this morning, probably with some cavalry interposed between our column – for the extreme advance at the right wing was to be at Gordon, 15 miles S.E. of here by the 23rd – from Clinton on through Griswold + Gordon the R.R. has been torn up by the 1st Div. (Wood)


Nov 26th, Pass through Gordan, 78 miles direct from Atlanta.


Today we came to Oconee river which was crossed by a pontoon bridge – more slaughter of horses + mules.


Nov. 27, Sunday,


Marching on, good roads, Forage abundant, chickens, sweet potatoes +c, our course is nearly East, cross Little Oglechee river.


Nov, 28 Monday,


Make 22 Miles today, fine roads, heavy timber, good water. Arrive at Tennille station on Macon + Savannah RR make connections with left wing at Saunderstown.


(In red ink) Hancock’s Veteran Corps formed of Veteran, re-enlisted soldiers and called the 1st Corps. The original 1st Corps was formed of 3 Divisions – Franklins, McCalls, + Kings. Its commander was Irving McDowell – subsequently Jno. C. Fremont comd. a new 1st Corps. The J.F. Reynolds, who was killed at Gettysburg – then J.S. Wadsworth. Jno Newton – then W.S. Hancock – then the new veteran Corps was formed + called the 1st.


Nov 29, Tuesday, 15th day our


Large Farms – Negroes flock to us in numbers – Fresh Pork + sweet potatoes.


Nov 30th Wednesday – Gen Hoods army attacked the 4th + 23rd A.C. Stanley + Cox at Franklin Tenn, as they were falling back to join Thomas at Nashville, but was beaten, losing heavily. Pat. Cleburn killed here + 6,250 men K+W


Appear to be coming into poorer country – Molasses + Peanuts appear.



Page 23

Newspaper Clipping –

Part of a speech from Oliver Wendell Holmes, speaking on Memorial day to the students of Harvard College


Sketch –

Captioned: Tearing up the R.R.- a life like view- copied.


Page: of 23
Download: PDF (10.86 MiB)
Download: JP2 (2.97 MiB)

Content Review Lists: