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

Post image for “Their present position menances the whole line of road from Rome to the Chattahoochie crossing.”–Army Life of an Illinois Soldier, Charles Wright Wills.

“Their present position menances the whole line of road from Rome to the Chattahoochie crossing.”–Army Life of an Illinois Soldier, Charles Wright Wills.

October 9, 2014

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

Two miles north of Kenesaw Mountain,

October 9, 1864.

About 5 o’clock last night, just when we should have been relieved, we heard the “General” sounded through the camp, and in half an hour more the “Assembly.” The corps started toward Marietta, and in another half hour we assembled, and in charge of the division officer of the day followed as rear guard of the train.

At 12 p.m., after a cold, tiresome march, the train corraled, and we built fires and turned in beside them for the balance of the night, right at the northeast base of Kenesaw Mountain. This a.m. found the brigade two miles further north. The Rebel Army was here three days ago and tore up the railroad all along here. They are now near Van Wirt. If they go north across the Etawah, we will probably follow. Their present position menances the whole line of road from Rome to the Chattahoochie crossing.

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