Friday, 8th.—I. L. got fifteen days’ furlough; gone to Social Circle. Papers filled with news of Confederates invading Maryland and near Washington City. Marching and marching and falling back, until, [next entry July 22, 1864]
Robert M. Magill—Personal Reminiscences of a Confederate Soldier Boy, 39th Georgia Regiment of Infantry
Sunday, 3d.—Last night at 10 o’clock started and marched all night, and camped eight miles from Chattahoochie River. Brother I. L. sick and sent to hospital.
Saturday, 2d.—Reported Yanks have cut railroad between here and Atlanta.
Friday, July 1st.—Heard that Cousin Robert Magill died at Marietta next morning after he was wounded. Brother Tom went to town and got his watch and pocket-book. Gave them to Mr. Cox to take home to his parents, as he was here and expected to go back home. Mr. Cox was never heard of again.
Monday, 27th.—Heavy skirmishing all day. Very heavy cannonading on right; reported Federals charged Cleaborn’s and Cheatham’s divisions in seven lines of battle, and were repulsed with heavy loss. One thousand killed and five thousand wounded. Good many prisoners, and two stands of colors that were stuck in our works. (This was the noted charge and repulse on Kenasaw Mountain.) One colonel found dead in front of our works; said to have had a memorandum in his pocket up to the time of the charge. He seemed to have been very sanguine of success, but alas for him. Here is what he says: “June 27th, 8 A. M., moved out in front of Kenasaw Mountain. 9 A. M., advancing to charge Kenasaw; will take it like a d—— “so ended his memorandum.
Thursday, 23d.—Yesterday we were moved out and formed in two lines of battle—Cummings’ Brigade in front and Pettus’ in second. About 4:30 P. M., ordered forward. Drove in pickets and went within fifty yards of works, when we were ordered to halt, owing to the line not coming up on our right. After firing a few rounds, were ordered to fall back. Hiram McAbee killed; Cousin Robert Magill seriously wounded in left hip. Good many of brigade killed and wounded. Forty killed and wounded in our regiment. At night fell back one-fourth of a mile. For the next few days it was simply skirmishing, marching, fortifying, listening to the firing of cannons and sharp-shooting.
Wednesday, 22d.—Bought new book for my diary to-day, for which I paid six dollars. Hope the war will be ended before I get this one full.
Tuesday, June 14th.—Lieutenant-General Polk instantly killed by shell to-day.
During the next month there was no specially heavy fighting, but the continual grind of marching, counter-marching, skirmishing round and about Lost Mountain and Pine Log Mountain, in rain and mud and mud and rain. On 10th of June report of death of Captain D. U. Fox and Lieutenant J. T. Brown. Just here a sad duty fell to my lot. A letter came to Lieutenant Brown after his death, and, as Lieutenant Brown was a special friend and neighbor of mine, I was requested to open and answer the letter. It was from his affianced, and opened with the despairing words: “Dear Tom, why do you not answer my letters?” and almost knowing he would never answer again, she added, “I trust no critic’s eye will fall on this letter,” and with endearing words, she closed. How could I answer that letter? I could assure her that no critic had seen nor would see it, and could only add what would bring such unutterable anguish, “The noble young man is dead. He was a true Christin and a noble boy.” Letter sealed, addressed and sent. I never kept the name, and to this day I can’t remember it.
Saturday, 28th.—Started marching rather in direction of Marietta; broke the main spring of my gun lock and had to hunt the ordinance train for another gun. Marched ten miles and came to where we passed this A. M. Reported Pat Cleaborn’s Division gained a complete victory yesterday.
