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

Post image for “They opened artillery on us and fought stubbornly.”–Army Life of an Illinois Soldier, Charles Wright Wills.

“They opened artillery on us and fought stubbornly.”–Army Life of an Illinois Soldier, Charles Wright Wills.

February 15, 2015

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

Three miles from Columbia, February 15th.

A rather lively day. We started the Johnnies right by our camp. Our brigade in advance of the corps and army. The 40th Illinois was deployed as skirmishers, and drove them four miles rapidly, losing only five men. Our regiment then relieved them. They opened artillery on us and fought stubbornly. It was the Kentucky brigade of Wheeler’s “Critter Co.” We drove them from a splendid position and heavy line of works with the assistance of three companies of our 3d brigade, 4th Iowa and —th Ohio. They killed F. M. Cary, of my company and took my orderly Sergt. T. S. Brown’s right arm off. Wounded three other men in the regiment, Henry H. Orendorff, Joe Parkinson and Stewart, of company F. It is said we go for the city to-morrow.

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