Following the American Civil War Sesquicentennial with day by day writings of the time, currently 1863.

Post image for “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.

“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.

July 20, 2014

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 get a big battle out of Johnston. I want to help in that. We have moved up near the town the army has gone on. Can hear heavy guns occasionally, sounds about three miles away, half the distance to the city.

This little town is quite an old place. About half the citizens are still here. I saw a couple of right pretty girls. Some Confederate prisoners tell me that Johnston is gone to Richmond, and that Hood is commanding and intends to fight us at Atlanta.

The wheat and oats raised this year in this part of Georgia, if it had all been saved, would not more than have fed the citizens. Full one-half the cornfields will not turn out anything.

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