May 31 1864 3 PM

We have kept up a show of activity along our lines to day nothing especial has occurred worthy of note—the skirmishers keep up their desultory fire casualties are few however. we lost heavily on the 27. 8 & 9 inst—but since then we have lost 6 men only. there is quite a lively fire at present. The Rebels fire high & their bullets sing & whistle over us at a lively rate.

                                    9 PM All quiet

Our Division are engaged building a breastwork in advance of our line. very little picket firing

                                    June 1 1864

Eighth day in our works we are all tired enough to pitch in & end the affair but wiser heads know better /

 

                                                1 PM Our

Division relieved by the 3^d Div 15 Army Corps. 20^th Corps moved to left & in rear of 23^th Corps & bivouaced for the night.

                                    June 2d 1864—6

AM A quiet night & good rest for all no orders to move as yet

                                    10½ AM just

returned from Genl Shermans H^d Qrs learned that our Cavalry had possession of Allatoona & that Genl Blair was enroute to join us with 22 000 men this will more than cover all our losses. Leave bal 18000

            11½ AM Orders recd to move

Marched about two miles & massed our Corps on the left in rear of 23^d Corps which had /pushed the rebel skirmishers back & drove the rebels into their works. Heavy Thunderstorm—

                                    9 PM no further

move. prospects of a quiet night

                        June 3^d 6 AM Clear

morning. desultory picket firing. Our troops being in position I presume we will make an advance to day Tis rumored that Gen Sherman will endeavor to get "Acworth" a town lying near the RR if possible without fighting more than is necessary. The Country hereabouts is one vast forrest & tis most difficult to see ones way through it—A piece of cleared land is hailed by the men with remarks of delight /

3½ PM. Our 3^d Brigade has been ordered about 5 miles to our present left—nobody knows for what. The 3^d Division 20 Corps is moving to a position on the left of the 14^th & right of 23^d & [?] our 3^d Brig goes to protect the left flank & if possible reach "Ackwork." There is nothing new. the firing to day has not been heavy.

                                    9 PM All quiet

                        June 4^th 1864—7 AM

Desultory picket firing & an occasional shot from the Artillery Morning rainy. Our troops continue to move to the left. And tis rumored that our Cavalry under Genl Stoneman are in "Marietta"—a town ab^t 12 miles from our present position & on the right flank of the enemy. We hope it / may prove a true report—as tis likely Genl Blair will be near enough with his Corps to support the Cavalry—

                        Nothing heard from our 3^d Brigade—some presume tis all right as our trains are moving to the left & rear some 4 to 5 miles. we hope soon to hear the sound of the R R whistle again & then in a few days start for Atlanta dist 28 miles—

                                    Prisoners captured

yesterday state that orders was read to them that Genl Lee's H^d Qrs were in Washington D.C. & that we Shermans forces were all surrounded & that we had been given 3 days to surrender in—All of which /

 

was readily believed by the Rebel troops & Ive no doubt they hourly expect a flag of truce—requesting times etc—they will be pretty grey before that time arrives

                        Our 3^d Brigade was ordered to Allatoonah—as guard to the Bridge builders & to hold that position—we will soon have R Road communication open & then travel for Atlanta tis probable that a few days rest will be given the troops ere we go forward again we have been 30 days campaigning & fighting at least twenty days during that time & we need a little calm repose

            The Rebels are urging up the Militia & one of their captured dispatches was /

"Hurry up the Militia"

                                    June 5 1864 6 AM

Raining—Nothing new an unusual quiet prevails along the whole line—

                                    10 AM sunshine & showers. An advance is order along our front & we are to hold ourselves in readiness for any emergency that may arise. Our lines have been extended at least six miles to the left completely turning the rebel right front. This will give us one RR communication & provisions & forage in plenty—

                                    4½ PM just retd

from a ride to the front the Rebels have gone bag & baggage—Our troops have started after them when /

our turn comes is more than I know as the 4-14-15 &16 goes before us then follows the 20 & 23 Blairs 17 Corps will bring up the rear. tis 20 miles to the Chattahoochee where tis presumed that the rebels will make the next stand. That position flanked as it will be the river crossed—Then Atlanta is as good as gone up for the rebellion

                                    9 PM no shots to night the first since 25 May that a quiet has prevailed—

                                    June 6 1864 4 AM

Orders recd to move at 5½ AM moved promptly at the hour set & marched about 6 miles to a point on the Allatoona Creek near Big Shanty—a difficult / position to locate as it took Genl Hooker several hours & he returned looking quite fatigued. our Corps is in position—We cover an approach to Ackworth a desirable point on the RR. The Rebels we think hold Marietta abt 10 miles distant

                                    6 PM All in position My Brigade has built a fine line of breastworks & desire that the Rebels will assail it—They will not as tis not their way of doing business. Tis probable that an Army will move on Marietta next the Rebels have a fortified position—this side of the Chattahoochee & they may make a stand there /

 

& compel us to flank them out of it. Tis rumored to day that Genl Slocum is advancing over the route pursued by Sherman last fall & spring—Selma—Montgomery etc points of vital importance to the Rebellion. We learn from prisoners & deserters that Johnson has received 10 000 re-enforcements and has detached Bishop Genl Polk to take care of Genl Slocum. an arduous task for the Bishop.

                        My command passes from to-morrow as the lieut Col has returned & will assume command of the Brigade—Well I have had the honor of commanding it in battle & recd credit from Genl Hooker & ors. & feel content to let it pass.

_________________________________

 June 6. 8 PM All

quiet.

                                    H^d Qrs 2 Brigade

            near Ackworth G^a June 7 6 AM

Nothing new this AM no marching orders read.

                        11 AM Col P. H. Jones

having reported for duty & being the Senior Officer—was assigned command of Brigade & I assumed charge of my Regiment = after an absence of nearly three weeks during which we were in action nine days =

                                    9 P.M. Bands are

playing—men are in excellent spirits. Two Corps passed thru Ackworth in pursuit of the Rebels yesterday = No further news from Genl Grant—having made Genl Lee sick he will have an easy time—with the other Rebel Generals. The Rebel army here is in very low /

 

spirits—they dont understand how it is that after we are so soundly thrashed they retreat—to get us just where Jo. wants us & then they are heartily opposed to meeting "Hookers" men—so prisoners & deserters say. we are resting at present & will resume our march in a day or two—

                        H^d Qrs 119^th reg near

            Ackworth G^a June 8 1864 7 AM

                        An order recd from H^d Qrs Mil Div Miss Directs a movement to begin at daylight to-morrow. orders supplies for ten days to be kept in wagons. states thus—Comdg Genl believes the Enemy is across the river (Chattahoochee) but desires every thing in readiness for battle My Regiment number 1 [?] 1 staff 12 line officers 139 enlisted men— /

 

                                    8 P.M. all in readiness for the move Our Picket line was advanced on the right & a few rebel cavalry found & driven in Nothing new has transpired to-day—

                                    June 9 1864 4 AM

Regt in readiness to move—

                                    6 AM An order recd postponing the movement of our Corps until 6 AM to-morrow = We are pleasantly situated so we dont object to another day's grace—

                                    5 P.M. There has been a little artillery practice to day with our Rebellious friends our Cavalry driving in theirs on our extreme right. News is dull no one seems to have any to retail—& all seem to 

 

think that we will have to make some before the week closes.

                        June 10. 1864. 7 AM

4^th Corps is now moving out & along the road leading to Marietta—(10 miles distant) It is presumed there will be some fighting

                        1 P.M. the 4^th Corps has not passed yet & from the frequent halts & now and then a discharge of artillery we think they have met the Enemy & are skirmishing—The day is warm but tis cooled now & then by thunder showers one is raging at present & while I write the rain descends upon us & the troops en-route busy themselves with their "Ponchos"—and make themselves as comfortable as possible.

                                    6 P.M. The 4^th / Corps has passed at last & now the long train of ambulances & wagons are slowly following. It has been a long day & the troops are almost as much fatigued as if they had been marching. There has been some artillery firing at intervals this afternoon & I think the rebels have gone back. The rain must have inconvenienced our movements some as the roads soon became bad under the heavy wheels of artillery & Army wagons.

                        9 PM All quiet along

the lines—

                        June 11 1864 5 AM

Orders recd to be ready to move at 8 AM

Morning cloudy heavy mist—No signs of the 14 Corps which was to /

 

precede us

                                    7 AM No firing in

front—14 Corps not up yet they may have taken another road. They have gone in position

                                    6 PM We have

had a succession of heavy thunder storms We still occupy our old camp grounds. The movements in front are slow & sure. the rain has delayed the movements considerably to-morrow morning may bring on a general engagement or a pursuit. we trust the latter—The rebels have a strong position in our front—they occupy a range of hills & have fortified them & to get them out we will have to flank them or drive them out the latter prefered to letting them remain any longer 

 

                                    7 PM All quiet no movement of our Corps will take place as tis too late. We get no rumors or reports of what is going on. But all have an idea that Genl Sherman is about to develop something that will surprise Jo Johnston—

                        June 12 1864 6 AM

Rainy morning—No orders to move. the prospect of a stormy day may have had something to do with it. Trains & artillery cannot be moved without great trouble over the roads during heavy storms = a short distance would not prevent a move—but to make a march during a continuous storm is out of the question. We have R.R. communication. rations plenty & only lack forage—so / a few days delay will not make a great difference in the final result—Perhaps it has been thought advisable not to force Johnston back too fast as he may give up Atlanta & join his army with Lee's 60,000 men would make Lee's Army somewhat formidable and as sure as we press Johnston from Atlanta—so sure is he will to go to Lee unless we prevent it—

                        11 AM our line opened with quite a fire but the enemy does not respond. tis raining fast & everything seems tame & watery

                                    2 PM Desultory

firing still continues tis probable it is to attract attention to us & to direct it from M^cPherson who is reported has crossed the river & is on the rebel rear—hope its true—raining hard—

 

                        4 P.M. Genl Stanley

comdg one of the Divisions of the 4^th Corps reports that the Rebels are massing in his front—It appears that a portion of the Rebel Army has crossed the river and yesterday & to day recrossed & now the whole Rebel force are in our front. The pickets keep up a fire—but as yet there has been no attack on our lines—which have been strengthened by the addition of a Division or two of troops & Hooker occupies the right of Stanley. all have breastworks & if the 4^th Corps men stand Jo may hurl his whole force agst that left flank & see how it stands his assault—Tis rumored that Genl Blair occupies Marietta No one seems to know where /

 

M^cPherson is. Still raining road awful. Our 1^st & 3^d Divs are in position over in in reserve

                                    8 PM rumor of the mining of rebels confirmed no attack as yet Dont think they will attack us not their mode of fighting

                        June 13 1864 7 AM

No attack last night a desultory fire was indulged in by the pickets

                        Storm continues it has rained incessantly since daylight—it must be the Equinox—

                        12½ PM order recd to move & order countermanded

                        9 PM storm cleared off about 5 PM. Heavy skirmish firing all day rumors of a general advance to-morrow by the whole army

SOURCES