Tuesday

Acworth Ga June 28^th 1864

I recieved this Memorandum Book today and will now open it. it is now half past 6 oclock in the evening and I am sitting on a pile of corn in sacks to be issued to the Army. it has to be guarded till it is issued for some of the Teamsters will steal it. The sun is just disappearing in the North (to me) it has been a very hot day but is a lovely evening and I should rather sleep in the Depot in Ansonia than in this one. the guard sleep in the Depot tonight. I had a letter from my Father today and one from my Mother too as late as the 18^th.

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Wednesday June 29^th 1864

I came off guard this morning about ½ past 8 and went to my Quarters and found Fred had been blackberrying so I had some bread & berries for breakfast and for dinner I had new potatoes greens &c. and made myself as comfortable as I could I never saw so many flies in my life. I suppose the wounded bring them here. I dont know what else can and it is awful hot in the sun I dont know how we shall make out for the 2 months to come. there has been some fighting to day but I dont know the result. we have an inspection tonight at 6 oclock

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Thursday June 30^th 1864

Our Co is on guard again to day my Post is in a Building guarding coffee in sacks it is better than being out for it is dreadful hot and the sweat pours off me sitting still. I had quite a chat today with 2 niggers that came in from the Enemys lines today. the gave me a dollar and half in Confed money. was tickled to death because they got away. they did not like digging Breastworks for the Enemy. they are going to enlist in a colored Regiment. a few Prisoners went by on the cars to day. the Enemy charged on our works last night and lost some.

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Friday July 1^st 1864

June has passed away very quick to me and now it is July and I am still in Georgia a year ago today our Co went out on a skirmish line in Pennsylvania I can remember very well what kind of a day it was. very pleasant and then towards night our Corps the 12^th then went clear to the left of the line of Battle for the 5^th Corps was pushed hard. I did not think then I should be so far into Dixie a year from then. I wrote a letter home today wish I could get a letter from somebody and hear about the Sanitary Fair in Derby.

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Saturday July 2^nd 1864

We went on guard again today. I was Supernumary and did not have much to do. I bought a paper to read and read it through in a short time and then had nothing to do again. O yes I did too for I carried the paper over to Miss Mary Jones who lives with her mother in a shantie near our Camp. She is 16 years old and very good looking but is a staunch Rebel but thinks the Yankees are not so very bad after all. I do not think we shall stay in Acworth much longer. I had a good dinner to day. Beets, peas and potatoes, pork & bread. I shall not tell where came from

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Big Shantie Friday July 8^th 18

Our Co left Acworth yesterday about 3 oclock and marched down here to Big Shantie it was a hot day and although it was only 6 miles it was too far for comfort when we got here the first thing we done was to burn 4 dead horses and mules. Co A came down too and H. and C. have been here several days so there is 4 companies here our Co stayed in quite a nice house last night and we are still here. I dont think we shall stay here but a few days for they are moving the staff from here to Marietta. I was on guard last night and there was a mule came along and laid down and died about 12 oclock close to me. I should write home to day but the flies are so troublesome several have tried to write and gave it up. I never saw so many I would not like to live here unless I had a nigger or two to keep the flies off. O Dear how they bite you can scarcely eat.

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I Marietta Sunday

July 10^th 1864

We left Big Shantie yesterday about 4 oclock and had quite a fatiguing march coming up here it is 7 or 8 miles. we got here about ½ past 8 oclock in the evening & slept in the dirt last night. I have not had a chance to see much of the place yet for it is early yet and it was dark when we came in last night. it is quite a large place. we passed 2 churches last night they are used as Hospitals this is not going to be a very pleasasnt Sabbath to me we have no Chaplain nor ministers dont like to be in the Army I reckon

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Friday July 15

Oh Dear what shall I do today. I may be detailed before night. Some of our Boys have been 3 days without being relieved. We had a shower last night and it is cool and pleasant this morning. But the flies are as thick as ever. I hear this morning that our Regiment is ordered back to the front by General Thomas. if so I suppose we shall soon see livlier times if not harder. I wonder what the people are doing at home this morning. I suppose some young men are driving up to some young ladies house preparatory to a trip to the seaside. Perhaps that married man is going if we take a trip to the front today I dont know see why we shall not have as good a time as they it is as far and just a pleasant walk for a hot day. I guess the detailed men are being relieved and coming in and we are drawing 3 days rations of hard tack. But I have got to go on guard tonight for some of the Regiment are getting a little noisy I expect they have seen some whiskey. O Dear what wont it do.

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Saturday July 16

I got to bed this morning about 3 oclock and had slept about an hour when the noise waked me up the Boys were packing up and we were to start in 15 minutes. this breaking up housekeeping is not very pleasant but must be done so I rolled up my duds & eat a few mouthsful and we fell in and got started before 5 oclock bidding Marietta adieu. I should like to have remained with her through the warm weather but no. it was quite pleasant till 8 or 9 oclock and then we had a hot time of it. after going about 10 miles we came to where our Corps was encamped and a little while ago we pitched our tents. Our Corps has been inactive for a week or so but I belive we are to start day after tomorrow (Monday) for somewhere. Our Pickets are on this bank of the river and the enemys on the other we lay about 2 mile back from the river there has been some Artillery firing to our left to day. the steeples in Atlanta can be seen with the naked eye on a knoll just back of us. I suppose it is 8 or 10 miles off we met some of our friends in the 5^th Conn today. I had a letter from Mother and from my sister tonight but it is so dark I cant read see.

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Sunday July 17^th 1864

There was a shower last night but it did not keep me from sleeping I had a good nights rest if it was on a side hill. we got up this morning and cleaned up our guns and cleaned the dead leaves from in front of our huts for we were to have an inspection at 10 oclock. after inspection we were ordered to be ready to march at 3 oclock to cross the river. I wrote 3 letters before dinner and now I must pack up for we are going to start soon. O how hot to think of marching is enough to make a fellow look warm and I fairly believe I begin to sweat now.

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Monday July 18 1864

We started from our Camp about 4 oclock yesterday afternoon and our general direction was north east until about 7 oclock when we struck the river and crossed the river on pontoons. the 14 Corps had crossed before us and gone into Camp we marched 4 or 5 miles in a north east direction after we got across and did not get into Camp until after 11 oclock it was quite tedious but we can stand it better than in the middle of the day. we are farther from Atlanta than

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we was I suppose for we could see it a little way back of our Camp yesterday. But we are across. it is a pleasant morning the sun is rising in the south to me and it is going to shine hot pretty soon we expected to start before this time but we have not yet. I have heard no firing this morning. But I suppose we are way to the left. There was skirmishing and some canonading we started about 8 oclock and marched in line of Battle through the woods and brush all day with skirmishers out but found no

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Enemy. we could see where they had been we stopped in line of Battle about sun down, stacked arms and are going to sleep if we can.

Tuesday July 19^th 1864

I did not sleep very good last night it was so hot I woke up about 12 oclock and found it raining in my face. But it did no trouble me for I went to sleep again and dont know how long it rained it is about 7 oclock and we are ready to start at a minuts notice there is canonading commenced in front of us and I expect we shall make an advance before long. it was cloudy this morning but it is coming off

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hot there is a slight breeze which makes it more endurable I have just taken a look at Louise she looks as though she was enjoying herself I am glad she is not got to be in the army it is now about 5 oclock PM and we have not moved yet there has been a sharp fight this afternoon to the left of us. two of our picketts came into Camp this forenoon and they said they by climbing a tree out where they were they could see Atlanta and it did not look more than 4 or 5

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miles off. But thought it looked like a rough country to fight over to get to it, on account of the hills and hollows & woods. it has seemed like Sunday to me all day. for some reason there is 3 or 4 brass bands playing & by shutting our eyes and stopping our ears we can imagine we are on parade in some city, with a crowd of spectators. it will soon be sun down and then I hope the firing will cease for to night. We had a

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rumor to day that Atlanta was held by McPhersons 15 Corps but we are not so ready to believe all rumours as we were the first year of our soldiering. I wonder what the news from Maryland is. I wish about 3 of them bands would stop one is enough at a time.

Wednesday July 20/64

We were called up this morning about day 3 oclock and supposed we were to start for some for somewhere at daylight. But we got our breakfast

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and as I did not sleep very well on account of the firing all night, I laid down and had a good nap before orders came to fall in which was about 7 oclock I should judge we went some way around to the right and finally came out on a hill. kept on down the hill into a cornfield and rested a little while. it was awful hot. we could see the skirmishers ahead fire and lay down, but could not see the Enemy's skirmishers for they were in the woods on the next hill. but their bullets whistled over our heads. after resting a little while we were formed in line of Battle, Our Regiment in the advance, and advanced. the Enemys

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skirmishers fell back and after going about a quarter of a mile, were ordered to halt in a swamp, which we did and lay down. Oh how hot it was. the bullets whistled over us, and up to that time only one man in the Regt was wounded, a Co. E man. Other Regiments now came up and advanced beyond us a quarter of a mile or so and were throwing up Breastworks. But before they had time to do much the Rebels made a dash at them and it was with getting mighty tight work, when about 3 oclock our Regiment was ordered up on to the knole. I tell you the

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musketry firing was terrific and when we got up there we found there was an opening between the 26thWisconsin and the right of the 4^th Corps. it was in an open field and the Enemy were taking advantage of it, and would soon have had a cross fire on the 26^th But we were ordered into the gap and we formed on the left of the 26^th and for 5 hours we stood there and loaded and fired as fast as we knew how, with nothing but a low rail fence between us and nothing to protect us from the sun which fairly poured down. Our Co lost 2 killed.

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Bill Brown & Nathan Davidson and 4 or 5 wounded. Ed Alling, Henry Shelton, Joe Eneson, Bill Rugg and Hen Brown (slightly) some others had their clothes hit with balls some Companies in the Regiment lost more than we did, and some less. 2 Companies A & E none. we were relieved by the 136 New York about 8 oclock and fell 30 or 40 feet so to be ready to support them, and lay down, and we had to keep down too, for the balls only went a foot or two over us as we lay there. there were sharpshooters in the trees, and if one of us got up he must be reminded of it by a

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bullet whistling close to him it was moon light. But it is hard work for me to get to sleep for the firing keeps up. they are throwing up a breastwork too. my gun will have a chance to cool it was so hot I could not hold it some of time. Thursday July 21^st

The firing was kept up till 12 or 1 oclock. The Pickets reported about 2 oclock this morning that the Enemy was going to charge us so we were rousted up and as we were out of rations they were delivered out to us while we were waiting for the Enemy But they did not come and morning found us as tired as when we laid

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down first. this morning a detail was made from the different Regts and they commenced gathering up and burying the dead. there was 2 or 3 hundred I believe of the Enemys dead and I dont know how many of ours. and as it was going to be hot we got bushes and stuck in the ground to shade us, and amused ourselves watching the Picketts. Shots were exchanged occasionally but no advance made on either side. in our front there was some pretty sharp skirmishing on the right and left of us during the day. But it is so dark I cannot see to write

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and it is raining too so I will stop for tonight with much love Yours &c Ev

Friday July 22^nd I was on guard last night and was sleeping soundly when Fred Hubbell aroused me and told me to hurry and eat breakfast for they were going to move. so I got up and eat a few hard tack and about 7 oclock we started, and we advanced something like 2 miles I should think when we found it would be just as well for us to stop. We halted, stacked arms and started for a rail fence to build breastworks, and we worked all day digging to strengthen

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our works. The Enemy threw a few shells over at us in the afternoon, which made us lie down for a minute. But we kept on with our work and now at dark we have a very good work, for the small amount of tools we had. today when we came along we passed over a very strong Breastwork the Enemy had built to stop us with. I suppose they had some very good reason for leaving it. we are now within 2 miles and a half of Atlanta. we can see the Enemy digging in their works, and I suppose they can see us.

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Saturday July 23^d

Last evening just after dark the Enemy charged on our Pickets with a yell and the firing was quite sharp for but it only lasted a little while for our Picketts rallied and drove them back. We fell in and waited for them but they did not come. then we lay down and were not troubled all night. we got our breakfast this morning and then strengthened our works a little more just as we were drawing rations today (about 11 or 12 oclock) the Enemy made another charge on our Picketts but they were driven back again.

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a few Balls made their way over to us was all. about 1 or 2 oclock we (our Brigade) was ordered to pack up and shortly some of General Gerrys men come to take our places, and we moved to the right of the line farther, joining the 14 Corps, and stacked arms and commenced to throw up a 2^nd line of works. there was one line. A Battery of 20 pound Parrotts just in front of us are throwing shell into Atlanta we can see it. But it is getting dark and I have got to go out in front with others to build Breast works they are going to advance the line, and we have to do it in the night

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Robert Martindale of our Co was shot dead today on the Pickett line.

Sunday July 24^th 1864

I felt very sleepy this this morning and tired too for we worked till 12 oclock last night. we started out just after dark and with picks shovels & axes commenced a Breast Work behind the Picketts. we were as still as we could be but a person cannot fall trees very still, and we made some noise. I expected they would try to drive us back when they found what we were doing and sure enough about 9 oclock they commenced firing on the Picketts and the balls

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came around our heads some. we grabbed our guns which we had carried out with us, and lay down where we were expected to give them a tune if they drove back the Picketts. But they held them back and we resumed our work and soon it was still again Our Battery kept firing over us into Atlanta (Only 2½ miles off) and about 10 oclock the Enemy opened a Battery to silence ours but they did not do it. Their shells came all around us but we had quite a ditch dug by this time and could see the flash of their guns and had plenty of time to fall before

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the shells reached us no one was hurt. about 12 we came in and laid down and tried to sleep but they kept shelling us most all night and today they have been at it some but have hurt no one yet. it has been very hot all day and we have not been doing much. I expect they will shell us and perhaps attack us tonight. I should like to be home a little while to get clear of this noise, and the smell of powder, and I believe I should go to meeting somewhere tonight and see how it seemed well I must close for tonight. that gun of ours does snap and it throws dirt

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off on to me every time it is fired. Monday July 25^th

We had just or I had just got to sleep last night when I was waked up and the bullets were whistling over us good and the men on our right were yelling like demons, I suppose to attract attention while some move was made nothing else of importance happened last night. they did not stir our Picket line an inch. it is a hot morning and I do wish we could be somewhere, where we could lay in the shade and rest. the Picketts have been firing all day and our Battery has been firing at a foot in front of us.

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it knocked quite a hole in it. the Enemys sharpshooters have been bothering us all day when we got out of our trenches to cook coffee the balls would whiz past us. about 5 oclock this afternoon 6 or 7 of us were throwing up a little Breast work back of our line and a shot came and struck George Tomlinson of our Co entering between his shoulders and coming out of his mouth he could not speak and only lived a few minutes. it makes us all feel very sad indeed. he was one of the best hearted and cheerful fellows in our Co and a good Soldier never flinching from

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any duty. about the same time another bullet struck Bill Baldwin of our Co in the arm but it was a spent ball and only just broke the skin. Such is the circumstances under which we have to do all our cooking &c Poor George Tomlinson so young and full of life we shall miss him very much. but it is getting towards dark & them plaugey sharpshooters are at work. I expect there will be something to keep us awake tonight But it is just about as well so for we have to lay so thick to all get into the trenches, it was about this time

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last night that they commenced shelling us and that is disagreeable music so I think. Tuesday July 26

O! dear. I am tired of sleeping in a ditch. the balls kept me awake awhile last night. But I got to sleep after a while about 10 oclock there was sharp firing on the Pickett line but it only lasted 15 or 20 minutes and then we went to sleep again. This morning we buried George Tomlinson just back of our line of work Mr Corwin read from the Bible and made a prayer which was all we could do for the brave and true young Soldier. it casts a gloom over the whole Co. every

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Every one liked him. the sharpshooters bother us about meal times while we are cooking they keep shooting at us. about 2 oclock this afternoon the Enemy opened on this Battery that is close to us and the shells flew over us pretty lively. One shell struck a musket and bent it up and the bayonet flew up 20 feet into the air. But this could not be a one sided game for they had fired when this Battery of 20 pound Parrotts close to us opened and I tell you the shot & shell flew for about an hour. the Enemy made some good shots but after while they did not reply with but one gun and then our Battery sent a volley or two and they stopped firing entirely.

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Wednesday July 27^th

Nothing of importance happened last night but I did not sleep very well for the ground was hard and I felt kinder blue all day. there was very hard fighting on our left today and the 13^th New Jersey went out in front of us and burnt some houses that were occupied by the Enemys sharpshooters they captured 20 or 30 of their Picketts but had a few men wounded and 1 or 2 killed it was a gallant affair. there was a heavy shower this afternoon and the water run a stream through our ditch, but it did not drive us out.

Thursday July 28^th

It has been a hot

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day and this forenoon there was some fighting on our left, some sharp canonading a few shells were thrown over at us and the Battery but hurt no one. Shortly after dinner Battery opened on the right of our line, and it sounded as if they meant it too. the fighting was terrific and about 3 or 4 oclock we were ordered to fall in and our Brigade started for the right. after we had gone about a mile & a half, an officer met Col Cook with the news that they had driven the Enemy back after being hard pushed and we were not needed so we about faced and went back to our Breast works & concluded when we started out that we had something to do by the way we went. it seems the Enemy

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charged several times on the right and in one charge drove our men back some, but our people rallied and finally repulsed them. I am very tired tonight for it was quite a little walk we had, and if they dont keep shooting all night, I shall sleep some I guess. I wish they would keep still for one night any way.

Friday July 29^th 1864

We had orders early this morning to be ready to move, so we got up and got our breakfasts, and waited, and had about made up our minds that we were not going to move finally, but about 9 oclock the order came to fall in and our Division marched about 3 or 4 miles to the right where the fight was yesterday and built Breastworks & are now going to put up

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our tents. O dear how hot it was. it did seem as if I should burn up, and there is not a dry rag on me, but such is to be.

Saturday July 30^th 64

We got up this morning and after breakfast commenced and finished our Breastworks Oh dear, how hot it is. I went over to the field where the Enemy undertook to turn our right flank yesterday. it was a dreadful sight, so many slain. we got some bushes and shaded ourselves and tried to keep comfortable, but that is out of the question. in the afternoon the 15^th Corps came into our Breast

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works and our division and a Division of the 14^th Corps were moved a mile or so farther to the right and new Breastworks are being built. we have not got to build them tonight. we are on the right of the Army and I hope now that I have got my shelter tent up that we shall not have to move again tonight it is so hot. There has been some fighting by the 1^st Division of our Corps today but they are 3 or 4 miles to the left of us, and we dont know the result. I had a letter from home tonight and a paper. I am very tired and have not abition enough

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to write much or I believe I should try & write home and let them know that I am well. I would like something good to eat.

Sunday July 31^st

We got up off the ground this morning and eat a little hard tack and then went down & had a good wash which is the greatest blessing a Soldier has in such times as these. then we had to get ready for inspection and about 9 oclock we were inspected my gun is awful rusty, it is a very hot day. about 10 or 11 oclock our Brigade had to fall in under arms

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and get ready to go out and support a Recruiting Expidition by the 14^th Corps we went out a mile or so through the woods and halted & stacked arms and stood in readiness to aid them if they were pushed. they were about 3 quarters of a mile in front of us building Breastworks and there was some skirmishing and I believe they lost 2 or 3 men. while we were waiting in the woods a heavy thunder shower came up & we got wet through & how it did rain, and after I got soaked I was cold we stood there an

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hour or two in the rain and then we went back to our tents. The Boys that did not go out had a good fire for us, and now I am going to try and get dry and get something to eat, and then I shall be tired enough to lay down in the mud

                        Monday Aug 1^st 1864

I got up this morning about as I lay down and do not feel much rested either. it rained most all the forenoon but when it did clear off it was hot enough so that I soon got dry again. I have not felt very well this afternoon and wish I had something good to eat, but as I have not, I can do nothing

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but think of a pleasant New England tea table and that does me just no good at all. There is one or two bands playing but they dont help a fellow much. I wrote home today to let them know I was well. there has just been some heavy firing tonight, but it has stopped.

Tuesday August 2^nd 1864

It has been a very pleasant day and I did not do much until about 3 or 4 oclock this afternoon. we were ordered to pack up which we did and shortly we started and marched most back to where we were

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by the Rail Road & halted for the night & orders have just come around to be ready to start at daylight & I think perhaps we are going into the Breastworks to relieve part of the 14^th Corps it is starlight & I am not going to put up shelter for I dont think it possible it can rain. I am very tired too.

Wednesday Aug 3^d 1864

I awoke and found it raining about 12 last night. But it was too late to do any good so I concluded to do as they do in Spain & went to sleep again we got up about daylight & started but did not go far we relieved part of the 14^th Corps in the

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front line of Earthworks put up our shelters drew rations & about 3 oclock there came up a shower of wind & rain & about 4 oclock I was detailed for Pickett & now I find myself on the Pickett line with the bullets flying over my head they cant see us nor we them, but both fire at one another guess by the direction the balls come towards you. we are not but a little distance apart, but the woods are so thick at this point that we cannot see two rods. there is 4 of us in this pit. I am pretty certain of a sleepless night anyhow, it is well our Mothers dont know our position. But it is getting dark & I must quit this business & keep an eye open to the front. it smells pretty

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strong of gun powder in these woods but that dont hurt anybody I believe.

Thursday Aug 4^th

We did not have much trouble last night the Enemy fired at us a few times in the night but we did not return their fire, but I gave lookout. to be sure we got sleepy before morning but that is of no account. it sprinkled a little this morning but soon cleared off and has been hot all day. The sun is most out of sight & it will soon be dark & I wish the Relief would come. we have fired a few rounds of cartridge but I dont think it amounted to much. about 3 oclock this afternoon there was a short but severe fight on the

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extreme right but we dont know the result & a little later there was sharp musketry firing near to us & we thought we were in for it for the Pickets fired at us pretty lively. we kept our eyes open, but they did not advance on us. it is very trying for us to be expecting an attack & not knowing what the result is on our right, but it is getting dark & I dont see as we are going to be relieved. I dont believe I can keep awake possibly tonight.

Friday August 5^th

We were relieved last night about 8 oclock & I got into camp about 9 and lay down and had a good sleep. The Boys in

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the Regiment were pretty well tired out for they had been & some of them were working on a new line of works, in front of the old ones. That is what caused the fighting yesterday afternoon advancing the Pickett line so we could build a new line of Breast works. I expect our Brigade will go out and occupy them some time today.

Afternoon. We are in the new works. The 73^d Ohio went out first & the Enemy opened on them from their fort, but they all got through safe. we waited until they stopped shelling & then our Regiment started. we went a little further around under cover of some woods & they did

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not see us till we got most out but none of us were hurt. the works are about half completed but we can soon fix them, if they dont shell us to hard. One of our Batteries is playing on them now & drawing their attention so we can work.

Saturday August 6^th 1864

We have to have a camp guard on nights so as to wake the rest if any alarm is given & I was on last night & dont feel very bright today. But we have worked pretty hard today on our works. The Enemy undertook to drive in our Pickets this noon but they did not do it. there was a sharp fight for a while one bullet came clear over into our

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Regiment & killed the order Orderly of Co C. he was hit in the head & only lived a few minutes; more bullets came over here but no one else was hit I had a letter from home today & ought to write but dont feel like it. There is a sharp fight going on in the right this afternoon & there is a thunder shower coming up & I dont know which makes the most noise it is begining to rain & will be dark soon & I must stop. I wish I had a good lead pencil so I could write plain it is a bad night for Pickets but it must be done. I wish we could get Atlanta and see what sort of a hole it is.

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Sunday August 7^th 1864

Sunday again & nothing but work & dig towards Atlanta the Pickets kept firing all night & I have made up my mind that a lot of powder is burnt and nobody hurt. Fred is on the skirmish line & I have just got some supper cooked for him when he comes in tonight. the lines are going to be advanced again tonight. a squad from the 14^th Corps & a detail from our Brigade are going out to commence a new line of works & I suppose we shall have to go out towards morning & occupy & finish them. I commenced a letter home today, but did not finish it for there is no

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mail going today. I wish there would one come. I want to hear from Louise Howell she writes such nice long letters & seems so interested in the Soldiers. it does a fellow some good when he is as tired as the Army of the Cumberland is. We have orders to lay in the trenches tonight but I believe I shall sleep in my tent if the bullets do whiz some. a fellow in the 21^st Ohio was shot the other night when he was asleep by a stray bullet.

Monday August 8^th 1864

We were roused out about daylight this morning & got ready immediately to

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advance & occupy the new line. we had no trouble getting there & we had to work all the forenoon to strengthen them. About noon the Enemy threw a few shells over at us but did us no damage. the Skirmish line was advanced a little today & one man from the 26^th Wisconsin Regiment was killed. it is very disagreeable business but must be done. Gen Sherman came to see our works today. I do not feel at all well today.

Tuesday August 9^th 1864

Today nothing of importance has happened. Our artillery opened on the Enemy about 10 oclock & kept it up for several—in fact most all day without getting any

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answer from them except 2 or 3 shells about noon. there is a detail made to work tonight & I suppose the line is to be advanced again. I am clear worn out & should like to have this affair over but I dont suppose it will be for some time to come. the bullets are whistling over all the while. Chance shots that are fired at the Picketts.

Wednesday August 10^th /64

The Enemy shelled us this forenoon right smart & several men in the Brigade were killed. I expect they want to stop us from working in the new line of works. I was detailed at one oclock this afternoon with others to go out &

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finish up the work. it is right close to the skirmish line & the bullets whistled in fine style but none of us were hurt we worked till 6 oclock when the Officers said they would do to have the troops in. I expect our Regiment will occupy the front line where our detail worked & I reckon we shall have to lay even closer than we do here. there is a knole a little to the right of us where our men are fixing to plant a Battery. the Enemy have a good range on it they shell it with a will, but I dont think they can stop the work. we can hear the cars

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run into Atlanta very distinctly. I wish we could get hold of that Railroad & wish I had a lead pencil too. I have nothing but a little piece of lead to write with a good many of the Boys are played out. some of our companies havnt but 15 men for duty.

Thursday August 11^th/64

We are in the new works Our Regiment moved forward last night just after dark & occupied them without any trouble. the bullets flew some but we have got so used to it that it would seem strange if they did not & the Enemys heavy guns have been thundering

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(& are now) at us again. it rained yesterday when I was at work & I have not got dry yet but when the sun does come out it will be dreadful hot & we have no shade but we must not complain or they will say we are not good soldiers. I have written a letter to my sister today & told her to send me a lead pencil. I dont suppose this can be read. The Enemy still keep shelling & several have been wounded but I suppose our Officers know what they are about Oh dear when shall we get where we cant hear a constant firing we used to think in Va

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that a month was a long campaign. we started on this campaign the 25^th of April & no sight for its ending for some time to come. what cant a human being endure. I expect those persons at home who are liable to a draft are in a worse state of mind than we are here with Batteries behind & in front of us shooting at one another the line is being advanced a little farther & a detail is throwing up new works in front of us. I dont believe it will come my turn tonight but it would about as pleasant as laying

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here on the ground & bullets as thick as they come here most of them go over us but some come uncomfortably near. we drew fresh meat tonight but there was not enough to hurt do a fellow any hurt.

Friday August 12^th 1864

I had just got sleepy last night when the Picketts on the right of us commenced a sharp firing & so we got up & fell into the trenches to be prepared for an attack, but it turned out to be nothing serious & we lay down again but for an hour after the booming of canon kept me awake

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it was clear & a little foggy & they sounded strange. it has been a clear & very hot day. the Earth works in front of us are nearly completed & I reckon we shall occupy them by tonight. the bullets make us bow some. Corporal Bredley of our Co was wounded this forenoon by one of them the ball passed through one leg & into the other it did not strike the bone & is not serious. the Regiment on our right lost one or two men in the same way. Our Artillery has been giving the Enemy a lively tune today but it is quiet just at this moment. I expect I shall be on Pickett tonight

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I did not get any mail today. why dont somebody write to a fellow. but they know best I suppose

Saturday August 13/1864

I was detailed for Picket last night & about 10 oclock they advanced the Pickett across a swamp & up on a hill the other side. we expected the Enemy would give us a lively tune before we got up the hill but it was dark & we went still & we received only a few shots from them we commenced building little pits for our protection expecting they would try to drive us off this morning but they did not & we have not been troubled much all day. I believe I fired 15 or 20 times in the 24 hours I was on. their

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Bullets pass over us most of them & go clear into Camp there has been one wounded today in our camp in Co E. and one man was wounded on the Pickett line. the Enemy shelled over us this afternoon one of their shells burst in front of our pit. how it did make the leaves & sticks fly. the sun has fairly burned me today, my face smarts from the effects of it. I shall not be sorry when the relief comes for I am so tired. Sunday August 14^th 1864

It has been a pleasant day with the exception of a light shower this forenoon. But even that was not unpleasant.

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4 or 5 of us went over to the 136 N.Y. this forenoon & had quite a pleasant sing. about 2 oclock this afternoon there was a sharp fight for a little while to the right of us. I dont know what the result was. I wish I did. it is going to be a splendid evening & I have got to be on guard till 12 oclock tonight. we dont get much rest lately there is so few men for duty.

Monday August 15^th 1864.

Oh well this month is nearly half gone it will soon be fall, but I am afraid that this campaign will not close for some time yet. It seems an age since I had a letter from anyone

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I hope there will be a mail today. there is to be a Brigade inspection at 6 oclock & I have been trying to get some of the rust off my gun it is awful but it shoots good. 2 men in our Regt were wounded today, one from Co A & one from Co E. the balls whistle over us most all the while & it is a wonder to me that more are not hurt for our Regt Brigade is in sight of the Enemy and although it is quite a distance off, the sharp shooters keep busy shooting into our Camp. Sheldon Johnson of our Co was on Pickett to day & he says he saw them carry off one of their men in a blanket that he shot at. it is awful & I cannot sleep on account of the heat & am too tired & lazy to write home. O dear I dont feel well any how but the Boys are

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all so worn. I have not the face to be sick. Well I have just eaten my supper & I will put in a little more for today. I forgot to say that the Enemy commenced throwing shells at our works this forenoon. 2 of them struck into the first line of works & one burst just in front of our Co & a piece of it went right in among our tents but we were most all in the trenches. the rest went over both lines. you would have laughed (although its no laughing matter) to have seen us when they commenced shelling an we were laying all around camp & a good number of us with our guns to pieces

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cleaning them & we heard the shells coming we put for the trenches, some with one part of a gun and some with another. a man in Co H was killed this afternoon by one of those plaugey bullets. He was shot just above the left breast & only lived a few minutes. that is 3 in our Regt that have been hit today. none were hurt by the shelling. it is sprinkling & my book is getting wet. I had a letter from home today & a paper & it does me good. it was a Victorie & I can see how Soldiers live in the trenches by it.

Tuesday Aug 16^th 1864

It is a pleasant morning

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but is going to be awful hot day. I have this book almost full of pencil marks & believe I will send it home. it will perhaps interest them I know it will be hard work to read it & perhaps will not pay for the trouble, but I hope it will if I had time I would do more at it. it is just a month since we left Marietta. I wish we were there now. I have got tired of hearing canon. it does very well to celebrate 4^th of July with but this celebrating every day for 4 months is not so fine.

Dear Mother, I will send this to you first & you can send

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let Antoinette take it when you have both got through with it. I would like to have you send it to Louise Howell. she expressed a wish for it, was pleased to get that one or those leaves you sent her & would have acknowledged the receipt of them if she had known your address. she told me to thank you. I forget whether I did or not. if Antoinette would like the reading matter she can copy it in a little while althoug its hardly worth copying. keep it as long as you & if you wish it you need not send it at all but most thats in it I have written in letters Either

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