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

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“I have seen more than 1,000 prisoners and deserters.”–Army Life of an Illinois Soldier, Charles Wright Wills.

July 4, 2014

Army Life of an Illinois Soldier, Charles Wright Wills, (8th Illinois Infantry),The American Civil War

July 4, 1864.

I count it the hardest Fourth I have seen in the service. About 8 a.m. we moved out, passed through Marietta, which is by far the prettiest town I have seen South (about the size of Canton), and continued south nearly all the way along our line of works. Marched about 11 miles. Not more than one-third of the men stacked arms when we halted for the night; fell out along the roads. I have seen more than 1,000 prisoners and deserters.

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