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

Thursday, 12th.—Preparing for a march; took train for Knoxville at 6 P. M.

(Note: picture is of an unidentified Confederate soldier.)

Monday, 10th.—Federals retreated last night. At midnight, ordered to Kelly’s Ferry. I am detailed to cook rations for the company; glad of it, for I feel very unwell, and do not wish to march. By eight o’clock had rations cooked and loaded up ready to start. Crossed Lookout Mountain, three miles from ferry; met regiment coming back; 6 P. M., back at Chattanooga.

(Note: picture is of an unidentified Confederate soldier.)

Sunday, 9th.—Train ran all night; arrived at Cattanooga 10 A. M. Yankees shelling the town from the north side of the river, but doing no damage.

(Note: picture is of an unidentified Confederate soldier.)

Saturday, 8th.—Struck tents this morning, and by sun-up everything was on the move. Marched to Copper Hill, where we took the railroad train, and were soon on our way to Knoxville, arriving there at sunset; but in a very few minutes we were aboard the train, and on our way to Chattanooga.

(Note: picture is of an unidentified Confederate soldier.)

Friday, 7th.—Arrived at Camp Kirby Smith very hungry and tired; but some that were at the camp had rations cooked for us.

(Note: picture is of an unidentified Confederate soldier.)

Thursday, June 6th.—Henry Smith and I concluded to wash our clothes to-day. Washed in creek without hot water or soap. Did not get them very clean, and blistered our hands in the bargain. When we got back to camps found tents all struck, and everything ready to move. Had to put our clothes in knapsack wet. Started an hour before sundown, without having time to cook rations; marched until 9 P. M.; halted and rested until 3 A. M.

(Note: picture is of an unidentified Confederate soldier.)

Monday, 26th.—I am more tired this morning than when I went to bed last night. W. E. Story, Adison Ramsey and myself, undertook to sleep together lentghwise of the hill. Had to lay a pole at the lower side to keep from rolling down the hill; but we soon found that would not pay the one against the pole, as he was being well pressed by the other two; so we got up and put a pool between each one, and slept together anyway; that is, if you call sleeping with a pole between us sleeping together. Remained at Gap until June 6th, with nothing to disturb us except lying in line of battle one night.

(Note: picture is of an unidentified Confederate soldier.)

Thursday, Friday, 22d-25th.—Had to go on picket, away out in the mountains; thought it pretty doleful-looking place. Being on post at about 2 A. M. Something appeared; looking through brush, that looked like fire, so we whispered to each other: “Isn’t that fire?” All thought it was; then the question arose, who can it be making up a fire at this time of night, away out here in the mountains, and the answer came readily: “Yankees or Bushwhackers.” We were about getting ready to send and notify our officer of the guard, and the reserve, of our discovery, when a cloud that had rather obscured our vision, floated gracefully away, and the moon shined forth in resplendant beauty.

Reported some time during the night of the 24th that the Federals are crossing at Wheeler’s Gap, six miles below here. Started at daylight and marched down there. Nobody here to disturb our peace.

Sunday, 25th.—Heard good sermon to-day, 2 p. M.; ordered back to Big Creek Gap.

(Note: picture is of an unidentified Confederate soldier.)

Wednesday, 21st.—Marched to the Gap this morning by eleven o’clock; very near worn out when we got here; but towering cliffs soon made me forget being so tired, and after short rest began climbing up to satisfy my curiosity by viewing the surrounding country from the top of Cumberland mountain. Went up with Lieutenants Evans and Greene. While up there, J. W. Smith came up! On north side of the gap is perpendicular bluff, several hundred feet high, and on top of the bluff a large rock; stands probably fifty feet higher. Now came the test to see who could climb to the top of that rock. Part of the way up was rugged, and formed pretty good steps; nearer the top it was smoother and very difficult to ascend. J. W. Smith was the first to go up, and actually got on top, but found the top was a loose rock which swayed slightly when he got on top of it. Seeing his critical position, he descended at once, and remarked that $500.00 would not induce him to go up there again. Lieutenant Greene was determined not to be out done by Smith, and so climbed very nearly to the same spot, but was glad to get down again and remarked: “Man by nature is a coward.” I desired very much to go as high as Smith and Greene had gone; but, after going about half way up, the chances for a broken neck were so good that I climbed down again, and allowed them the honor of excelling, and we went down to camp.

(Note: picture is of an unidentified Confederate soldier.)