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

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

Wednesday, 31st.—Passed through East Lake at 2 A. M.; going in direction of Jonesboro. Being sick, J. N. Smith and I lay down and slept till morning. Overtook regiment near Jonesboro about 12 M. Formed in line of battle at 3 P. M. Everything in readiness, and told that at the firing of the cannon on the left, we were to advance in two lines of battle. Soon the cannonading began, and our advance began. Not one in a hundred believed it would accomplish anything, but moved forward in splendid order through an open field, but just simply run in and out again, at a terrible sacrifice. Our company, at the beginning of the war, had, I suppose, one hundred and twenty-five men; now, when we went into this charge, we only had nineteen men, and eleven out of the nineteen were hit; one mortally wounded and several others severely. Brother I. L., wounded in leg with minnie ball; severe. (What a foolish charge. When we came to know the facts, two corps had charged five Federal corps, and them well fortified.) Our commanders are surely getting reckless.

Monday, 29th.—Yanks have all left our front. The general opinion is that they are retreating, but if so, why are we not following them?

August:

Day after day this skirmishing kept up. On 27th J. H. Douglas killed by whole shell. Federals left front of right wing, leaving good many guns, and some of their dead not buried. Troops moving to left.

Monday, 22d.—Reported and confirmed that Wheeler burned bridge at Resacca; blew up Tunnel Hill, and tore up a great deal of railroad. (Oh, you Rebs, why do you tell so many lies!) Woods full of big tales. Forrest has taken Memphis, and Morgan, Knoxville.

Monday, 15th.—Reported that J. M. Baggett was thought to have died at Griffin, Ga., soon after he got to the hospital.

Friday, 12th.—J. M. Baggett severely wounded. Had been on detail at Fort Louisiana; coming back to regiment, was just taking up arms, when he was struck.

Thursday, 11th.—J. R. Parker shot in foot. I am sick; excused from duty to-day. Yanks still shelling the city.

Tuesday, 30th.—There seems to be an opinion that Yankees are not falling back, but moving to our left.

Saturday, 30th.—Pickets all round the front of city being pressed back; continual skirmishing all along the line.

Friday, 22d.—Fell back to Atlanta before daylight. Soon after day, Federals approached our picket line, and skirmishing began; cannonading on our right. 9 A. M., heavy fighting on our right. 12 M., Hardee’s Corps driving Yankees back. 4 P. M., fighting still continues; ordered to be ready to move to right. Drew ten rounds cartridges extra. Again reported that Hardee is driving Federals back. Federal General McPherson killed. Reported three or four thousand prisoners and eight pieces of artillery captured. Federals driven back half mile. This was the battle of Peach Tree.