Camp at "Gordon's
Mills," Ga., May 6, 1864.
We lay in camp on Chattanooga creek, two and one-fourth
miles this side of Chattanooga, until 11 this morning, waiting for the division
train to be loaded and turning the bulk of our camp and garrison equipage over
to the corps quartermaster to store for us until we return from this campaign.
We have cut our baggage for the regiment to what can be put
in three wagons. Of course, we do not expect to find any of our things again
that we leave. The 6th Iowa Veterans rejoined us last night. I notice that all
these veterans come back dressed in officer's clothing. They have, I expect,
been putting on a great many airs up North, but I don't know who has any better
right. The last four miles of our march today has been through the west edge of
the Chickamauga battlefield. I believe the battle commenced near these mills on
our right.
It is supposed that we are moving to get in rear of Dalton.
No more drumming allowed, so I suppose we are getting in the vicinity of
Rebels, and that skirmishing will commence in about two days. The Big Crawfish
springs near the mill is only second to the one that supplies Huntsville with
water, neither one as large as the Tuscambia spring, but much more Beautiful.
General Harrow had a fuss with our Company A last night. He struck one or two
of the men with a club and put the lieutenant (Willison) under arrest. * * * It
is impossible to get along with him. We heard last night that Grant had crossed
the Rapidan in four places, but don't know where. We know nothing about what is
going on here, but feel certain that the Rebels will get a tremendous thrashing
if they don't move promptly. Marched 11 miles to-day.
SOURCE: Charles Wright Wills, Army Life of an
Illinois Soldier, p. 234-5
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