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

Post image for “Our fight will come off to-morrow. I entertain no doubt as to the result.”–Army Life of an Illinois Soldier, Charles Wright Wills.

“Our fight will come off to-morrow. I entertain no doubt as to the result.”–Army Life of an Illinois Soldier, Charles Wright Wills.

May 8, 2014

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

May 8, 1864, 1:30 a.m.

Have about given up the train before daylight, so will curl down and take a cool snooze, minus blankets. Made 11 miles to-day.

Fifteen miles southwest of Dalton, May 8, 1864.

We traveled to-day over a better country than I have seen for five months; the Yanks were never seen here before. All the negroes and stock have been run off. A little shooting commenced in the front to-day, and we passed a deserted signal station and picket post. Saw some Rebels on a mountain south of us just before we went into camp. Dispatch came to Sherman this p.m. that Grant had whipped Lee three successive days. Our fight will come off to-morrow. I entertain no doubt as to the result. They have cut us down to three-quarter rations of bread and one-fourth rations of meat.

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