11 p. m., 29th. — There is talk among the officers that
Buell with 60,000 men is en route for Atlanta, Ga., intending to occupy that
city, and thus cut off connection between the eastern and western portions of
the Rebel Army. It will be a bold strike and looks safe; but it seems to me,
from a glance at the map, that the occupation of Montgomery, Ala. would more
effectually accomplish that end, for then there would be no railroad line open
to the Rebels (we holding the Memphis and Charleston) while there are two lines
running east from Montgomery, only one of which a force at Atlanta could cover.
A deserter came in this evening who says that they are organizing the army at
Tupelo, mustering the men as five years' regulars, with promises of furloughs
until this war is over. That England and France have decided that the Southern
States shall all have a chance at the ballot box, and must, within 60 days, say
whether they will cleave to the Government of the United States or be
independent; if the latter, those governments will sustain them and thus end
the war, and if the former, the war will be ended accordingly. So they are
organizing a regular army upon the supposition that they will be an independent
confederacy. The above shows they are able to start as huge a lie in their
camps as we can in ours. I wouldn't have believed it before.
The colonel, A. D. C. and myself took tea with General
Ashboth this evening. He is such a pleasant man. Has a great liking for pets.
He has a tremendous large dog, who lays his head on the table right by the
general's plate during meal time, and he gets his share at the first table. On
the other side of him two little Indian ponies range themselves as quick as he
sits down, and he lays biscuits on the corner of the table for them, which they
gobble with the greatest relish. He spreads biscuits for one pony with sugar,
and with salt for the other. His conversation is divided about equally between
his ponies, the dog, and his other guests. The ponies he got in Arkansas, and
they are the prettiest little fellows imaginable. The general is one of the
most polite and kind men I ever saw. His troops all love him. He carries his
right arm in a sling yet from a wound received at Elkhorn.
If you'd multiply all the bugs, say by 10,000, you'd have
something near the number that visit me nightly. They are of all sizes less
than a door knob, and the shapes and colors are innumerable. When they're
bumping against you by candle light, if you were not acclimated, you would
swear someone was brickbatting you.
We could overrun the whole West and Southwest as fast as we
could travel, with the army we had here, if it were policy. Vicksburg cannot
stand two hours when attacked. But it has leaked out at headquarters that we
are letting them think they are holding us in check, so that they will keep all
their forces in the West until after the big fight at Richmond. I have heard
from Captain Nelson that Sammy Nutt distinguished himself in the skirmish
yesterday. He captured that prisoner I spoke of. Captain says Sam was the head
man in the chase and that no man ever behaved better. Sam's pistol went off
accidentally after he had captured the secesh and the bullet came within half
an inch of knocking a hole in the Rebel's head. The boys all give Sam a great
deal of praise. ’Twas daring of the captain to run his handful of men almost
into the enemy's camp, and 25 miles from any support; but if any company can do
it, Company K can. Captain Nelson looks well but grumbles at being brought back
from the front to where there is nothing to do but rest. His men feel the same
way. For my part I don't consider myself in the war here any more than I would
be in Canton.
SOURCE: Charles Wright Wills, Army Life of an
Illinois Soldier, p. 110-2
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