Civil War: September and October 1864, the war rages on
Two campaign posters, one for Lincoln, one for his opponent, McClelland.
by Sandy Vasko
We pick up our story of Will County in the Civil War in Georgia, where the 100th Voluntary Infantry was headed for Atlanta. In George Woodruff’s book, “Fifteen Years Ago,” he gives a firsthand account of their movements:
“September 1st, we moved on to the Flint river. On the 2nd, we struck the railroad about two miles below Rough and Ready, ‘and commenced tearing it up. This was hard work, but being a new experience, the men went at it with a will.
“The corps would march its length alongside of track, stack arms and unsling knapsacks, and with rails from the neighboring fences, pry up the track, ties and all, throw it bottom side up, knock off the ties and make a bonfire of them, and then lay the rails across, so that when heated, they would bend with their own weight, or could be bent against a tree, and thus be rendered useless until re-rolled. “While engaged at this the 14th corps and the Army of the Tennessee were fighting near
Jonesboro. About 6 p. m. our corps went to their left, formed a line and advanced, and drove the rebs from their works, capturing ten guns and from three to five hundred prisoners.
“Next day we marched on through Jonesboro and skirmished all the afternoon. We heard a mighty thundering in the direction of Atlanta, which we afterwards learned was caused by the explosion of eighty car loads of ammunition and the rebel magazines.”
“We remained here until the 5th, most of the time exchanging fire with the enemy. Charlie Styles, who it will be remembered, was married at Athens just before starting out on the campaign, was hit and killed while playing his fife in his tent door.
“We entered Atlanta on the 8th day of September, and went into camp about three miles east of the city. We fixed up a very comfortable camp, and all were enjoying a rest, and hoping that it might last for some time. It was a great treat, after a four month’s campaign, three at least of which had been under fire, losing many of our comrades, and kept upon a constant strain, encountering rocks, underbrush, dust, mud and rain, ragged and powder stained, dirty and barefooted, it was a treat which can only be appreciated by those who have been through a similar experience, to be allowed once more to clean up, wear clean clothes, and move about without being on the ‘qui vive’ against rebel bullets and shells.
“Sunday morning, Sept. 25th, we were enjoying a most delightful day, emphatically a day of rest listening to the music of the bands, and congratulating ourselves that the campaign was over; when we were astonished by the reception of orders for our brigade to prepare to move immediately.
“Long ere this we had learned that there is no use in a soldier’s grumbling or asking for the why and wherefore; all we have to do is to obey orders. So, we go into town, load into a train, and start for Chattanooga.”
The 100th traveled the roads and rails of Tennessee almost the entire month in a back and forth journey that crisscrossed and then returned to the original spot. One soldier documented the trek:
“Oct. 7th, we went by railroad to Cleveland, thence to Resacca and back the next day, and on the night of the 11th, we were roused about midnight, went to the cars (railroad freight cars), but did not start out till 5 a. m., when we ran out as far as Ringgold, bivouacked near the town, and started back again between seven and eight p.m.
“The 14th was an exciting day. Reports came of the surrender of Daltori by our force there, and the evacuation of Tunnel Hill and Ringgold. In the afternoon of the 15th, we went to Ringgold again, and back next night to Chattanooga.
“On the 19th we marched 15 miles; on the 20th, 12 miles, passing through Lafayette. On the 21st we reached Alpine about noon, rested two hours, then our brigade moved west to Henderson’s Gap in Lookout Range. Next morning, we crossed the mountain, camping in Mill’s valley.
“On the afternoon of the 24th we re-crossed to the camp of the 21st, remaining there until the 28th, this time taking two sections of artillery, drawn by convalescent horses. The men had often to turn to and reinforce them, up and down the mountain.”
“On the 29th we marched all day, camping about three miles from Trenton. On the 30th we went up Sand Mountain and nearly across it, and on the 31st descended and went to Bridgeport, halted, and drew rations. While at Bridgeport, headquarters’ mess drew new tents, and camped in the dooryard of a large residence, which must have been a place of great beauty before the war.
“Although the owner is a rebel, we cannot but feel a pang at seeing so much that was beautiful thus destroyed. The palings of the fence have been taken by the cook to boil the coffee, and the big mule teams drive ruthlessly over the garden where some southern lady has no doubt expended much time and money. But these people have sown to the wind, and must reap the whirlwind!”
Meanwhile in Richmond the 39th Voluntary Infantry did more than march; they were in a battle. Woodruff describes it like this: “On the 13th of October, the 39th shared in the charge made under command of General A.H. Terry, upon the enemy’s works near Darlington road, seven miles from Richmond. The regiment went into this fight near 250 strong, out of which number they lost 60. Several officers were killed. Indeed, the fight left the regiment again with but three commissioned officers on duty. In this engagement we lost Geo. W. Yates, of Co. A, from Wilmington. He had been promoted color sergeant for his bravery, and fell with the colors in his hand. Someone passing rapidly by him in the charge, seeing the flag, seized the staff to take it along, Sergt. Yates, though dead, held the staff with so firm a grasp that his body was dragged some distance before the muscles relaxed sufficiently to let go.”
Back home an election was going on. Would it be Abraham Lincoln or Gen. George McClellan? With one month until election, politics replaced the war at many a dinner table talk.