Still in Snake Creek Gap, May 13, 1864.
Moved forward a
half mile and our regiment built a strong line of log works. We have had a
perfect rush of generals along the line to-day: Hooker, Sickles, McPherson,
Thomas, Palmer, Sherman and a dozen of smaller fry. The boys crowded around
Sherman and he could not help hearing such expressions as “Where's Pap?” “Let's
see old Pap,” etc., nor could he help laughing, either. The men think more of
Sherman than of any general who ever commanded them, but they did not cheer
him. I never heard a general cheered in my life, as he rode the lines. Sherman
said in hearing of 50 men of our regiment, “Take it easy to-day, for you will
have work enough to-morrow. It will be quick done though.” Now see what that
means.
SOURCE: Charles
Wright Wills, Army Life of an Illinois Soldier, p. 239
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