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

Post image for “We are working within 80 yards of the Rebel works.”–Army Life of an Illinois Soldier, Charles Wright Wills.

“We are working within 80 yards of the Rebel works.”–Army Life of an Illinois Soldier, Charles Wright Wills.

June 4, 2014

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

June 4, 1864.

We have had a good deal of fun to-day. The firing has been brisker than usual on account of our advancing our works. We got up a mock charge this afternoon, which came pretty near scaring the Rebel skirmishers out of their boots and made a good deal of fun for us. Our regiment is on fatigue duty. We are working within 80 yards of the Rebel works. They cut a Company C man’s finger off when he raised his pick to-day. Another of our men was shot in the face. I, with my company, work from 12 to-night until three in the morning.

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