Sunday, April 19, 2015

Diary of Corporal Alexander G. Downing: Sunday, June 19, 1864

It rained hard all day. Cannonading commenced early this morning and was kept up all day, being very heavy in the center. We have outflanked the rebels’ right and they have fallen back from their first line of rifle pits and have placed their heavy guns on high points of ground. It is supposed that they are on the retreat towards Atlanta, as it is reported that they have fallen back from two to four miles and are building strong earthworks. The First Brigade of our Fourth Division has now formed a line of battle beyond their former first line of rifle pits. The Thirteenth and the Fifteenth Iowa Regiments moved out in the front this afternoon.

The rain today has been a great benefit to those who are wounded. May God help them and stand by them, and may they return thanks unto Him! May they ever look unto Him for their support and help.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 199

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