August 5, 1864.
After the fight of the 28th July, we advanced on the 30th,
31st and April [sic] 1st, when we
came to a strong line of Rebel rifle pits, densely populated, and their main
works about 400 yards behind the pits.
On the 2d details from each brigade in the corps were
ordered to drive the Rebels out of said pits. It was done, our division
capturing 78 prisoners. The Rebels tried to retake them, but failed, of course,
leaving with our boys, among other dead, a colonel and a major. Only one
company (K), of our regiment was in the fight; it had two men wounded. I was on
picket there the next day; 'twas a lively place, but I lost no men. Some of the
men fired over 100 rounds. The 23d and 14th Corps have swung around on our
right, the object being to throw our line across the Macon railroad. We have
heard that Stoneman was captured with 400 men at Macon. Kilpatrick started on a
raid yesterday. Stoneman burned a Rebel wagon train of 600 wagons, and sabered
the mules. Cruel, but right. The 14th Corps yesterday gobbled 700 prisoners.
There are a few Rebel riflemen who keep the bullets whistling around us here;
they killed a Company E man 20 yards to the right on the 4th. Health of the
regiment never better, and that is the best index of the morale.
SOURCE: Charles Wright Wills, Army Life of an
Illinois Soldier, p. 288
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