Robert M. Magill—Personal Reminiscences of a Confederate Soldier Boy, 39th Georgia Regiment of Infantry

Monday, 20th.—Wagons met us this morning at 6 o’clock, with two days’ rations, ready cooked; drew one pound of bread to the man. When we arrived within four and one-half miles of Cumberland Gap, halted and waited further orders.

Saturday, 18th.—Ordered into line this morning and roll called. Ordered by Colonel McConnel to remain standing in line one hour for not being prompt to get into line. Boys pretty mad. Orders to remain here all day. 12 o’clock, ordered to move forward; passed Loudon at sundown; camped at old camping-ground at Laurel Bridge.

Friday, 17th.—Woke up this morning; a hog had taken my haversack from under J. A. Park’s head and had eaten up all my bread. Regiment passed during the night; overtook at Rock Castle River; camped two miles farther on.

Thursday, 16th.—Detail of fifteen more men this morning, rolling wagons up Big Hill. Two men killed last night by being accidentally thrown over bluff. Two more badly burned with powder. Were tearing up cartridges, and putting powder in canteen. Wagons ordered to Rock Castle River; think it very certain we are going back into Tennessee. Driving out great many cattle; left most of our cooking vessels at foot of Big Hill. Burning most of the tents. Heard good sermon by Chaplin Kramer; left camps at sundown; started up Big Hill at dark; being unwell, got permission to go ahead of regiment; got to top, 9 P. M. J. A. Park and I went on about two miles and lay down and went to sleep.

Wednesday, 15th.—Started at midnight, marching in direction of Big Hill; rather think we are leaving the State; halted within two miles of Big Hill; detail of fifteen men from Company F.

14. Marched all night last night. Passed Bryanville at 2 A. M. Camp Dick Roberson at 2:30 A. M. Lancaster at 6 A. M. Marched eight miles, when we rested until midnight.

Sunday 12th.—Remained still to-day. 6 P. M., drew four days’ rations to-day; flour and pickled pork. Wagons have not come with the cooking vessels; our mess had half-gallon bucket and one copper plate; fried out grease in the plate and made up dough in the half-gallon bucket; baked part in the ashes and part wound round sticks and held over hot coals. Had rations cooked by 11 P. M. Wagons and sick are being sent away; look for fighting soon.

Saturday, 11th.—Passed back through Harrodsburg; took right-hand pike; marched ten miles, and halted one miles from Camp “Dick Roberson,” now called Camp “Breckinridge.” Official reports are that the Confederate loss in the battle of Perryville was between 1,500 and 2.000. We are on left wing, in the bend of Dick River; have lived four days without drawing any rations, except three crackers each and some pickled pork; been living on parched corn. 8 P. M., drew some flour and bacon.

Friday, 10th.—Left our resting-place at 2 A. M. Passed Salvisa at 4:30 A. M. 10 A. M., waiting for road to be opened so we can get to our brigade wagons. Have been without rations since day before yesterday. It is said rebels captured Brigadier-General Wood yesterday; secreted himself under box when his brigade had to surrender, but some hungry rebel turned it over and found him. Rumored Lee has taken Washington City. Troops passing in two heavy columns; cannonading ahead. Reported that Bragg’s and Buell’s forces were engaged all day yesterday and until 11 o’clock last night. Passed through Harrodsburg at sundown; camped one-half mile west of town in cedar thicket.