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

Post image for “It always puts me out of humor to see Southern women cheer Yanks in public.”–Army Life of an Illinois Soldier, Charles Wright Wills.

“It always puts me out of humor to see Southern women cheer Yanks in public.”–Army Life of an Illinois Soldier, Charles Wright Wills.

May 13, 2015

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

North Bank of Chickahominy River,

May 13, 1865.

We crossed the James river this a.m. Our division, the rear of the corps, paraded a little around Richmond, saw Libby Prison, Castle Thunder, the bronze statue of Washington, Lee’s and Davis’ residence, and a number of women. Some handkerchiefs flying. Two women told us they were Yankees and looked so sweet that I (in theory) lifted my hat to them. It always puts me out of humor to see Southern women cheer Yanks in public. We passed through the Rebel works where Kilpatrick made his bold dash in March, ’64. We are six or seven miles above Mechanicsville, and McClellan’s old battle ground.

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