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

Post image for Lincoln dead.–”We hope Johnston will not surrender.”–Army Life of an Illinois Soldier, Charles Wright Wills.

Lincoln dead.–”We hope Johnston will not surrender.”–Army Life of an Illinois Soldier, Charles Wright Wills.

April 17, 2015

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

Raleigh, April 17, 1865.

We have a brief dispatch this morning informing us of the assassination of President Lincoln, Secretary Seward and son. I have not the heart to write a word about it. The army is crazy for vengenance. If we make another campaign it will be an awful one. Sherman meets Johnston to-day. The delay in the negotiations was caused by some dispatches being missed. We hope Johnston will not surrender. God pity this country if he retreats or fights us.

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